Patent ID: 8852236
Filing Date: 2014-10-07
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system for treating curvature of a spine comprising: an expandable telescoping rod having first and second ends and configured for subcutaneous placement along a length of the spine, the first end configured to couple to a first portion of the spine and the second end configured to couple to a second portion of the spine, the expandable telescoping rod comprising a hollow outer sleeve and an inner sleeve telescopically disposed in the hollow outer sleeve; a drive unit disposed in the hollow outer sleeve of the expandable telescoping rod and operatively coupled to the inner sleeve of the expandable telescoping rod, wherein actuation of the drive unit moves the inner sleeve longitudinally relative to the outer sleeve; an anti-rotation member comprising a pin disposed on an outer surface of the inner sleeve that extends radially outward through a longitudinal slot defined in a wall of the hollow outer sleeve, wherein the anti-rotation member is configured to prevent relative rotation between the inner sleeve and the hollow outer sleeve and thereby facilitate treatment of the curvature of the spine by allowing relative longitudinal movement of the inner sleeve relative to the hollow outer sleeve over substantially the length of the slot while maintaining the rotational orientation between the first portion of the spine and the second portion of the spine; and an external device configured to non-invasively convey energy to the drive unit, wherein the conveyed energy actuates the drive unit; and wherein at least a portion of the expandable telescoping rod is in a curved state when initially placed along a length of the spine.