Abstract:
The present invention expands a spinal canal by drilling a cylindrical passage in each pedicle of a vertebra, making a circumferential pedicle cut (osteotomy) through each pedicle from within the passage, separating each pedicle cut by inserting an implant into the passage which distracts the pedicle cut to expand the spinal canal, and securing each pedicle cut, allowing the vertebra to heal with the spinal canal expanded. The implant includes an outer sleeve, an inner bolt, and expandable flanges. The outer sleeve includes an upper portion and a lower portion, with the expandable flanges connected to the lower portion and housed within the upper portion. Rotation of the inner bolt causes the upper and lower portions of the outer sleeve to separate, causing the pedicle cut to widen and the expandable flanges to radially extend into and stabilize the widened pedicle cut to effectuate expansion of the spinal canal.

Description:
RELATED INVENTIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. Ser. No. 09/659,180, filed Sep. 11, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,254), entitled “A Method and Implant for Expanding a Spinal Canal,” which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by this reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to spinal surgery, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for expanding a spinal canal to relieve pressure on spinal nerves.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Spinal Stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal canal, inflicts millions of people with back and leg pain due to compression of spinal nerves. Severe spinal stenosis often leads to surgery in an effort to relieve compressed nerves and lessen back and leg pain. Spinal laminectomy is the traditional operation performed to treat spinal stenosis. In the spinal laminectomy, posterior aspects of the spinal column are removed to “un-roof” the spinal canal to relieve the pressure on the nerves. Specifically, a spinous process, larnina and portions of various facet joints are the posterior aspects of the spinal column surgically excised.  
           [0004]    Although the spinal laminectomy is often successful in relieving pressure on the nerves of the spinal canal, several problems and disadvantages arise as a result of the laminectomy. First, the laminectomy removes important sites of back muscle attachment leading to back muscle dysfunction and pain. Second, the laminectomy exposes the nerve sac causing scar tissue to form around the nerves. Scar tissue may prevent normal motion of the nerves, leading to recurrent pain. Third, the laminectomy can destabilize the spine resulting in a forward slippage of one vertebra on another. Vertebral slippage can cause recurrent pain and deformity. Fourth, the laminectomy requires a large surgical exposure and significant blood loss, making the laminectomy dangerous for older patients. Finally, spinal stenosis can recur following the laminectomy, requiring risky revision surgery.  
           [0005]    Laminectomy risks have led surgeons to seek an alternative for patients with severe spinal stenosis. Some surgeons choose to treat spinal stenosis with multiple laminotomies. Laminotomies involve removing bone and soft tissue from the posterior aspect of the spine making “windows” into the spinal canal over areas of nerve compression. Multiple laminotomies remove less tissue than the laminectomy, resulting in less scaring, vertebral instability and blood loss.  
           [0006]    Multiple laminotomies, however, also suffer from problems and disadvantages. Laminotomies may not adequately relieve nerve compression and the pain may continue. Laminotomies are more difficult to correctly perform than the laminectomy. Laminotomies expose the nerves and may cause nerve scaring. Patients receiving multiple laminotomies also often have recurrent spinal stenosis requiring risky revision surgery.  
           [0007]    For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for different and better methods for relieving the symptoms of spinal stenosis without the drawbacks of currently available techniques. A method is needed that expands the spinal canal, relieving pressure on the spinal nerves, while being simple, safe and permanent.  
           [0008]    An initial invention was submitted by the present inventor entitled, “A Method and Implant for Expanding the Spinal Canal” (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,254). In the original application, a novel technique was disclosed to expand the spinal canal by lengthening the spinal pedicles on both sides of a vertebra resulting in decompression of compressed nerves while maintaining normal anatomic structures and muscle attachments. This disclosure relies on the same principle, namely that lengthening spinal pedicles can relieve the symptoms of spinal stenosis. This disclosure describes a continuation of the prior disclosure whereby the expansion of the spinal canal can be achieved by a percutaneous technique, thus eliminating the need for a larger incision.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention provides a simple, safe, permanent, and minimally invasive method and apparatus for treating spinal stenosis by expanding the spinal canal area to provide additional space for the spinal nerves, relieving pressure on the spinal nerves.  
           [0010]    An object of the present invention is to maintain the integrity of the spinal canal so that the function of normal tissues is not destroyed or significantly altered, which can occur with a laminectomy or laminotomy.  
           [0011]    Another object of the present invention is to avoid scarring around spinal nerves by avoiding an open exposure of the nerves.  
           [0012]    Another object of the present invention is to avoid a procedure causing spinal instability, which occurs when one vertebra slips forward on another vertebra causing recurrent pain and deformity.  
           [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to decompress the spinal nerves with a quick, safe approach resulting in minimal blood loss.  
           [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a permanent solution to spinal stenosis, where no tendency exists for recurrence.  
           [0015]    Another object of the present invention is to achieve decompression of the spinal canal through small percutaneous incisions, rather than a larger incision.  
           [0016]    In one aspect of the present invention, a method for correcting spinal stenosis is introduced where a spinal canal is enlarged by cutting a vertebra through one or both pedicles, separating the vertebral cut and then stabilizing the cut, allowing the vertebra to heal with the spinal canal expanded, permanently creating more space for the spinal nerves, thus relieving compression on the nerves.  
           [0017]    In another aspect of the present invention, the method of expanding the spinal canal includes drilling a passage or hollow tunnel into one or both pedicles of a vertebra, making a pedicle cut (osteotomy) from within the passage through to the spinal canal and to the outside of the vertebra, distracting (elongating) the osteotomy to expand the spinal canal, and then stabilizing the osteotomy.  
           [0018]    In another aspect of the present invention, the method of expanding the spinal canal includes the following steps: first, a guide wire is inserted into a central portion of the vertebral pedicles on each side of a vertebra. This and other method steps can be accomplished with the assistance of x-rays, fluoroscopy, CAT scan or computer assisted image guidance technology, which are well known in the art of spinal surgery.  
           [0019]    Second, the guide wire is used to direct the position of a cannulated drill (drill with a central barrel or passage to allow introduction over the guide wire) into each of pedicles to form a passage or hollow tunnel in the central portion of each pedicle. At the conclusion of this step the pedicles comprise a hollow column of bone having a central passage and thin, cylindrical, bony walls.  
           [0020]    Next, the vertebral pedicles are cut circumferentially, forming an upper portion and a lower portion. A side-cutting instrument can be introduced into the central passage in each pedicle to perform the circumferential cut. The side-cutting instrument has a cutting surface that projects radially outward so that the bony walls of each pedicle can be circumferentially cut. With both pedicles circumferentially cut, the vertebra is divided into an upper portion (including the spinous process, lamina, transverse process and articular processes) and a lower portion (including the vertebral body). The side-cutting instrument could include a rotating cutting burr or osteotome (chisel) as the cutting surface, both of which are well known in the art.  
           [0021]    Next, each osteotomy (site of the circumferential bone cut) is distracted (expanded). A specially designed implant can be used to distract the osteotomy. In one aspect of the present invention, the implant can include an outer sleeve and an inner bolt in communication with the outer sleeve. Movement of the inner bolt in relation to the outer sleeve widens the osteotomy to expand the spinal canal.  
           [0022]    In another aspect of the present invention, the implant can be threadably inserted into the central passage in each pedicle, and can include an outer sleeve divided into an upper and a lower portion; the division of the upper and lower portion being positioned at the site of the bone cut. The implant could also include an inner bolt capable of drawing the upper and lower portions of the outer sleeve apart, each part respectively attaching to the upper or lower portion of the pedicle by exterior threads which grip the bony walls of the pedicle.  
           [0023]    The lower portion of the outer sleeve could also include expandable flanges which expand by the action of the inner bolt of the implant, resulting in the flanges being positioned between the drawn apart edges of the cut pedicle. The inner bolt of the implant could ultimately span across the separation between and engage the upper and lower portions of the outer sleeve, allowing secure fixation of the upper and lower portions of the outer sleeve by the action of the inner bolt.  
           [0024]    Finally, the pedicle cut is secured in the elongated position, which can be accomplished by the action of the expandable flanges interposed between the cut surfaces of the pedicle and the inner bolt, the inner bolt securing the upper and lower portions of the outer sleeve by crossing the junction between the upper and lower portions of the outer sleeve.  
           [0025]    The drawing apart of the upper and lower portions of the pedicles on each side of the spine cause expansion of the spinal canal, achieving pressure relief on the spinal nerves. The implants remains in the elongated pedicles until bony healing of the pedicles occurs, thus creating permanent expansion of the spinal canal and preventing recurrence of the spinal stenosis.  
           [0026]    In another aspect of the present invention, the expandable flanges include osteogenic material to assist in the healing of the osteotomy site, allowing the pedicles to heal in the elongated position, thereby permanently expanding the spinal canal.  
           [0027]    In another aspect of the current invention, the implant includes a central barrel allowing introduction of the implant over a guide wire.  
           [0028]    The present invention has the following advantages over current, unrelated techniques for treating spinal stenosis:  
           [0029]    (1) Normal spine structures are not removed and thus normal muscle attachments are maintained.  
           [0030]    (2) There is less chance of spinal instability.  
           [0031]    (3) There is less manipulation of the spinal nerves.  
           [0032]    (4) There is less scaring around the spinal nerves.  
           [0033]    (5) Spinal decompression is more complete.  
           [0034]    (6) The operation is quicker and safer with less blood loss.  
           [0035]    (7) The expanded spinal canal is permanent, preventing recurrent spinal stenosis.  
           [0036]    (8) The procedure can be accomplished in a percutaneous fashion through very small incisions.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0037]    For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-section of a vertebra with a guide wire passing through a central region of a pedicle;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 2 illustrates the cross-section of the vertebra of FIG. 1, with a cannulated drill passing over the guide wire and drilling a passage into the central region of the pedicle;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 3 illustrates the cross-section of the vertebra of FIG. 1, showing a passage (hollow tunnel) in the central region of the pedicle following the cannulated drilling of FIG. 2;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 4 illustrates the cross-section of the vertebra of FIG. 1, with a side-cutting instrument in the passage in the pedicle performing a cut through an outer bony wall of the pedicle;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view of FIG. 4, showing a cutting surface of the side-cutting instrument penetrating through the outer bony wall of the pedicle;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 6 illustrates the cross-section of the vertebra of FIG. 1, with the cutting surface of the side-cutting instrument completing a cut through an inner bony wall of the pedicle to the spinal canal;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged view of FIG. 6, showing the cutting surface of the side-cutting instrument penetrating through the inner bony wall of the pedicle to the spinal canal;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 8 illustrates the cross-section of the vertebra of FIG. 1, with a completed circumferential cut through the pedicle, separating the pedicle into upper and lower portions;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 9 illustrates the cross-section of the vertebra of FIG. 1, with completed circumferential cuts through both pedicles, separating the vertebra into upper and lower portions;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-section of an implant used to elongate and stabilize the pedicles, the implant shown in an extended, pre-elongating position;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-section of the implant of FIG. 10 in a pedicle elongating position;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 12 illustrates the cross-section of the vertebra of FIG. 1, with the implant inserted into the passage of each pedicle, the implant inserted in the left pedicle shown in the extended, pre-elongating position and the implant inserted in the right pedicle shown in the pedicle elongating position;  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 13 illustrates an enlarged view of the left pedicle of FIG. 12, showing the implant inserted in the passage in an extended, pre-elongating position and aligned in the passage to begin pedicle elongation;  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 14 illustrates an enlarged view of the right pedicle of FIG. 12, showing the implant inserted in the passage in a pedicle elongating position, with expandable flanges of the implant filling and securing a widened circumferential cut in the pedicle after pedicle elongation. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0052]    Referring now to the drawings, where like numeral indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a cross section of a vertebra  1  having a vertebral body  5 , spinal canal  3  and pedicles  2 . Also shown is a guide wire  4  inserted into a central portion of the left pedicle  2  to enter the vertebral body  5 .  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 2 illustrates the cross section of the vertebra  1  of FIG. 1, showing a cannulated drill  6  passing over the guide wire  4 , drilling a passage in the central portion of the left pedicle  2  but leaving intact outer wall  23  of the left pedicle  2 .  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 3 illustrates the cross section of the vertebra  1  of FIG. 1 following completion of the drilling procedure of FIG. 2, showing a passage  7 , or hollow tunnel, spanning the central portion of the left pedicle  2 , leaving intact an outer bony wall  23  of the left pedicle  2 .  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 4 illustrates the cross section of the vertebra  1  of FIG. 1 with a side-cutting instrument  8  within the passage  7  of the left pedicle  2 . The side-cutting instrument  8  has an opening  9  which allows a cutting surface  10  to pass radially outward from a longitudinal center of the side-cutting instrument  8 . The cutting surface  10  is seen penetrating the outer bony wall  23  of the left pedicle  2 .  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view of the cross section of the vertebra  1  of FIG. 1, showing the side-cutting instrument  8  within the passage  7  of the left pedicle  2 . The cutting surface  10  is passing radially outward from the side-cutting instrument  8  and penetrating the outer wall  23  of the left pedicle  2 . The cutting surface  10  of the side-cutting instrument  8  is capable of extended and withdrawing in such a way that it can penetrate through the bony wall  23  of the left pedicle  2 . By extending and withdrawing the cutting surface  10 , and turning the side-cutting instrument  8  within the passage  7 , exposing the opening  9  and the cutting surface  10  to pedicle wall material, the side-cutting instrument  8  can create a circumferential cut (an osteotomy) through the left pedicle  2 , separating the left pedicle into two portions, an upper portion and a lower portion.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-section of the vertebra  1  of FIG. 1 with the cutting surface  10  of the side-cutting instrument  8  extended and penetrating an inner wall  24  (along the spinal canal  3 ) of the left pedicle  2 , creating a cut through to the spinal canal  3 .  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged view of the cross section of the vertebra  1  of FIG. 1, showing the side-cutting instrument  8  within the passage  7  of the left pedicle  2 . The cutting surface  10  is passing radially outward from the side-cutting instrument  8 , penetrating the inner bony wall  24  of the left pedicle  2  through to the spinal canal  3 .  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 8 illustrates a cross section of the vertebra  1  of FIG. 1 with a completed circumferential cut (an osteotomy)  11  through the left pedicle  2 , separating the left pedicle  2  into an upper portion  12  and a lower portion  13 .  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 9 illustrates a cross section of the vertebra  1  of FIG. 1, with passages  7  drilled in both the left and right pedicles  2  and circumferential cuts  11  in the midportions of both pedicles  2 . The circumferential cuts  11  divide the pedicles  2  into upper portions  12  and lower portions  13  in such a way that upper portion  14  and lower portion  15  of the vertebra  1  are completely detached.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 10 illustrates a cross section of an implant  16  used to elongate the pedicles  2 , thereby widening the circumferential cut  11  and expanding the spinal canal  3 . The implant  16  also secures the pedicles  2  in an elongated position. The implant  16  is shown in an extended, pre-elongating position.  
         [0062]    The implant  16  includes an outer sleeve  17  and an inner bolt  18 . The outer sleeve  17  is both externally and internally threaded. The inner bolt  18  is externally threaded to engage the internal threads of the outer sleeve  18 . The outer sleeve  17  is divided into an upper portion  19  and a lower portion  20 . The upper portion  19  and lower portion  20  of the outer sleeve  17  are divided at separation point  25 .  
         [0063]    The lower portion  20  contains expandable flanges  21  which fit into the upper portion  19  of the outer sleeve  17  (as shown in FIG. 10) when in an extended, pre-elongating position. The inner bolt  18  includes a central barrel  22 , allowing pass-through of a guide wire  4  (shown in FIG. 10) to assist in correctly aligning the implant  16  within the passage  7  in the pedicle  2 . In the extended, pre-elongating position, the inner bolt  18  of the implant  16  is partially housed within the outer sleeve  17 . A proximal end  26  of the inner bolt  18  contacts the expandable flanges  21  of the lower portion  20  of the outer sleeve  17 . The proximal end  26  of the inner bolt  18  is designed to not only contact the expandable flanges, but also to wedge itself under a reveal  27  formed due to the flared designed of an upper tip of the expandable flanges  21 .  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 11 illustrates the implant  16  of FIG. 10 in a pedicle elongating position. The inner bolt  18  is fully inserted into the outer sleeve  17 . By fully and threadably inserting the inner bolt  18  into the outer sleeve  17 , the lower portion  20  of the outer sleeve  17  moves away from the upper portion  19  of the outer sleeve  17 , at separation point  25 , causing overall elongation of the outer sleeve  17 . The expandable flanges  21  of the lower portion  20  of the outer sleeve  17  are opened (expanded) to extend beyond the outer diameter of the outer sleeve  17 . In the pedicle elongating position, the expandable flanges  21  lie within the separation between the upper  19  and lower  20  portions of the outer sleeve  17 . The upper  19  and lower  20  portions of the outer sleeve  17  are secured in the elongated position by the inner bolt  18 , which is threaded across the junction (separation) between the upper  19  and lower  20  portions of the outer sleeve  17 , securing the upper  19  and lower  20  portions in the pedicle elongating position.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 12 illustrates a cross section of the vertebra  1  of FIG. 1, showing the implant  16  inserted into the right and left pedicles  2 . The right pedicle  2  includes an implant  16  in a pedicle elongating position, while the left pedicle  2  includes an implant in an extended, pre-elongating position. Note that FIG. 12 shows the right pedicle  2  elongated and the left pedicle in a pre-elongating state. The right, elongated pedicle  2  causes an asymmetrical tilt to the upper portion  14  of the vertebra  1  in the FIG. 12 view, which is balanced upon elongation of the right pedicle  2 . Also note the alignment of the separation point  25 , in relation to the circumferential cut  11 , of the extended implant  16  in the left pedicle  2 .  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 13 illustrates an enlarged view of the vertebra  1  of FIG. 1, showing the implant  16  of FIG. 12 inserted into the left pedicle  2  in an extended, pre-elongating position. The implant  16  is inserted over the guide wire  4  to ensure correct alignment of the implant  16  within the passage  7 . In the extended, pre-elongating position, the expandable flanges  21  are housed within the upper portion  19  of the outer sleeve  17 . The proximal end  26  of the inner bolt  18  contacts the upper tip of the expandable flanges  21 . The separation point  25  is positioned adjacent to an upper edge  28  of the circumferential cut (osteotomy)  11 .  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 14 illustrates an enlarged view of the vertebra  1  of FIG. 1, showing the implant  16  of FIG. 12 inserted into the right pedicle  2  in a pedicle elongating position. The inner bolt  18  has been threadably inserted completely into the outer sleeve  17 , causing the upper portion  19  and the lower portion  20  of the outer sleeve  17  to separate, further causing the expandable flanges  21  to open, extending beyond the confines of the outer sleeve  17  and into the circumferential cut  11  of the pedicle  2 . The expandable flanges  21 , projecting into the circumferential cut  11 , prevents the upper portion  12  and the lower portion  13  of the pedicle  2  from moving (shortening) back to their original, non-elongated position.  
         [0068]    In operation, one method for expanding the spinal canal is summarized as follows: first, the guide wire  4  is placed into the central portion of the pedicle  2  of the vertebra  1  (FIG. 1). Assistance with the entire procedure (operation) could be obtained through fluoroscopy, x-ray, CAT scan or computerized image guided technology, which are all well known in the art of spinal surgery.  
         [0069]    Next, the guide wire  4  is over drilled with a cannulated drill  6 , leaving a passage (hollow tunnel)  7  through the central portion of the pedicle  2  but leaving the outer walls  23  intact (FIG. 2). The cannulated drill  6  is then withdrawn, leaving the guide wire  4  in place (FIG. 3).  
         [0070]    Next, a circumferential cut (osteotomy)  11  is placed in the pedicle  2  (FIGS.  4 - 7 ), using a side-cutting instrument  8  inserted into the passage  7  in the pedicle  2 . The side-cutting instrument  8  includes a cutting surface  10 , which is extended and withdrawn from a side opening  9  in the side-cutting instrument  8 . By extending the cutting surface  10  through the side opening  9  in the side-cutting instrument  8  and turning the side-cutting instrument  8  within the passage  7  of the pedicle  2 , the entire pedicle  2  is divided in a circumferential fashion, creating the circumferential cut (osteotomy)  11  (FIG. 8). With both pedicles  2  cut, the upper portion  14  and the lower portion  15  of the vertebra  1  are separated, with no bony material left holding the upper  14  and lower  15  portions together (FIG. 9).  
         [0071]    Next, the pedicles  2  are elongated at the site of the circumferential cut  11  using the implant  16  (FIGS.  10 - 14 ). The implant  16 , in an extended, pre-elongating state, is first threadably inserted into the pedicle  2  using the guide wire  4  to assist the implant  16  into the correct position (left pedicle  2  of FIG. 12). Following insertion of the extended implant  16 , the guide wire  4  is removed.  
         [0072]    The extended implant  16  is positioned within the passage  7  of the pedicle  2  to align the upper edge  28  of the circumferential cut  11  with the demarcation (separation point  25 ) between the upper  19  and the lower  20  portions of the outer sleeve  17  (FIG. 13). This precise alignment is not critical, however, as placement of the separation point  25  of the outer sleeve  17  within the boundaries of the circumferential cut  11  is sufficient.  
         [0073]    The inner bolt  18  of the implant  16  is then threaded into the outer sleeve  17  causing the upper  19  and the lower  20  portions of the outer sleeve  17  to move apart. Because the exterior threads of the upper  19  and the lower  20  portions of the outer sleeve  17  have a good mechanical purchase of the bone of the upper  12  and the lower  13  portions of the pedicle  2 , the pedicle is elongated a few millimeters (by a widening of the circumferential cut  11 ) as the upper  19  and the lower  20  portions of the outer sleeve  17  are drawn apart. The upper portion  19  of the outer sleeve  17  may need to be held motionless to assure that the upper  19  and the lower  20  portions of the outer sleeve  17  begin moving apart.  
         [0074]    During rotation of the inner bolt  18 , the proximal end  26  of the inner bolt  18  pushes against the upper tip of the expandable flanges  21 , causing the upper  19  and the lower portions  20  of the outer sleeve  17  to separate until the expandable flanges  21  clear the lower edge of the upper portion  19  of the outer sleeve  17 . When the expandable flanges  21  are no longer contained within the upper portion  19  of the outer sleeve  17 , the proximal end  26  of the inner bolt  18  wedges itself under the reveal  27  (FIGS.  10 - 11 ) formed by the upper tip of the expandable flanges  21 , pushing the expandable flanges  21  radially outward due to the force exerted by the inner bolt  18 . The radial expansion of the expandable flanges  21  allows the inner bolt  18  to travel behind the radially extended expandable flanges  21  and threadably engage the internal threads of the lower portion  20  of the outer sleeve  17  (FIG. 14). The inner bolt is now threadably attached to the upper  19  and the lower  20  portions of the outer sleeve  17 , thereby mechanically holding the expandable flanges  21  in an open, radially extended position within the circumferential cut  11 , locking the upper  19  and the lower  20  portions of the outer sleeve  17  together, and securing the pedicle  2  in an elongated position (with widened circumferential cut  11 ) to provide an expanded spinal canal (FIG. 14).  
         [0075]    An identical procedure is followed for the pedicles of both the right and the left side of the vertebra  1 . To assist with pedicle healing at the circumferential cut  11 , the expandable flanges  21  could be made of, or include, an osteogenic material to promote bone healing across the site of the pedicle  2  elongation.  
         [0076]    These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention.