US20110009904A1 - Interspinous spacer - Google Patents

Abstract

A spacer for maintaining separation between adjacent spinous processes having a first and second end support, a connecting member, and a central member positioned between the first and second end supports. The spacer is adjustable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration such that when the connection member is pulled to bring the first and second end supports closer together, the central member expands into the expanded configuration to contact and support adjacent spinous processes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/737,152, filed Apr. 19, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,790,058, which is incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates generally to devices for treating spinal stenosis, and more particularly to interspinous spacers that can be implanted in a minimally invasive manner to treat spinal stenosis.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• A large majority of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives that results from a spinal condition. The pain may range from general discomfort to disabling pain that immobilizes the individual. One type of adverse spinal condition is spinal stenosis which occurs when the spinal canal or nerve root canals become too narrow and reduces the space for the passage of blood vessels and nerves.
• Lumbar spinal stenosis (“LSS”, and sometimes called sciatica) is a condition of the spine characterized by a narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal. With lumbar spinal stenosis, the spinal canal narrows and pinches the spinal cord and nerves, causing pain in the back and legs. It is estimated that approximately 5 in 10,000 people develop LSS each year. For patients who seek the aid of a physician specialist for back pain, approximately 12-15% are diagnosed as having LSS.
• Several causes of spinal stenosis have been identified, including aging, heredity, arthritis, and changes in blood flow to the lower spine. Aging is believed to be the most common cause, because as a person ages the ligaments connecting the bones of the spine can thicken and spurs may develop on the bones and into the spinal canal. The cushioning discs between the vertebrae also frequently deteriorate, and the facet joints may begin to break down. Over time, loss of disk height in the lumbar regions can result in a degenerative cascade with deterioration of all components of a motion segment resulting in segment instability and ultimately in spinal stenosis. During the process of deterioration, disks can become herniated and/or become internally torn and chronically painful. When symptoms seem to emanate from both anterior (disk) and posterior (facets and foramen) structures, patients cannot tolerate positions of extension or flexion. Heredity is believed to play a role in some cases because it may cause some people to have a smaller than average spinal canal, typically leading to LSS symptoms even at a relatively young age.
• The most common symptoms of spinal stenosis are pain and difficulty when walking, although numbness, tingling, hot or cold feelings in the legs, and weakness or tiredness may also be experienced. In extreme cases, spinal stenosis can cause cauda equina syndrome, a syndrome characterized by neuromuscular dysfunction that may result in permanent nerve damage.
• Common treatments for LSS include physical therapy (including changes in posture), medication, and occasionally surgery. Changes in posture and physical therapy may be effective in flexing the spine to enlarge the space available to the spinal cord and nerves—thus relieving pressure on pinched nerves. Medications such as NSAIDS and other anti-inflammatory medications are often used to alleviate pain, although they are not typically effective at addressing the cause of the pain. Surgical treatments are more aggressive than medication or physical therapy, but in appropriate cases surgery may be the best way to achieve a lessening of the symptoms associated with LSS.
• The most common surgery for treating LSS is decompressive laminectomy, in which the lamina of one or more vertebrae is removed to create more space for the nerves. The intervertebral disc may also be removed, and the vertebrae may be fused to strengthen unstable segments. The success rate of decompressive laminectomy has been reported to be in excess of 65%, with a significant reduction in LSS symptoms being achieved in many cases.
• More recently, a second surgical technique has been developed in which the vertebrae are distracted and an interspinous spacer is implanted to maintain the desired separation between the segments. This technique is somewhat less invasive than decompressive laminectomy, but may provide significant benefits to patients experiencing LSS symptoms.
• As with other surgeries, one consideration when performing surgery to implant an interspinous spacer is the size of the incision that is required to allow introduction of the device. Medical treatments that can be performed in a minimally invasive manner are greatly sought after by the medical community and patients alike. The term “minimally invasive” herein shall be understood as being accomplished by providing a technique less invasive than an open procedure to gain access to the application point. In some procedures, minimally invasive techniques are advantageous because there may be no need to resect tissue so that they can be performed with the use of a local anesthesia, have a shorter recovery period, result in little to no blood loss, and greatly decrease the chances of significant complications. Additionally, minimally invasive techniques are usually less expensive for the patient. Minimally invasive techniques are therefore generally preferred, but several interspinous spacers previously known in the art do not work well with minimally invasive surgical techniques. The implantation profile presented by known spacers precludes introduction through a very small incision. A need therefore exists for an interspinous spacer that can be implanted using minimally invasive surgical techniques.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• This invention addresses these and other problems associated with the prior art by providing a spacing device and associated method to insert it into a medical patient in a minimally invasive procedure. In a first aspect of the invention, a spacer used for maintaining separation between adjacent spinous processes includes a first and second end support, a connecting member, and a central member positioned between the first and second end supports. The spacer is adjustable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration such that when the connection member is pulled to bring the first and second end supports closer together, the central member expands into the expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration the spacer contacts and supports adjacent spinous processes.
• In some embodiments of the invention, the central member is ellipsoidal. The central member may additionally include first and second halves having a cavity.
• In another embodiment of the invention, the spacer further includes a center guide having a hole. The center guide may be positioned between the first and second end supports providing additional support to the center of the spacer when inserted between the spinal processes. In some embodiments, the connecting member may be a rod. The rod may be coupled to the first end support and extend through the hole in the center guide and the hole in the second end support. The rod is slideably translatable along the axis of the rod through the center guide and the second end support. Pulling the rod along its axis causes the central member to move from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration.
• In some embodiments, the rod further includes a first plurality of engaging teeth and a predetermined breaking point located near the engaging teeth and the second end support further includes a first plurality of engaging teeth in the hole. The engaging teeth of the rod are configured to contact the engaging teeth of the second rigid end support thereby preventing the rod from translating toward the collapsed configuration and maintaining the central member in the expanded configuration. In other embodiments, the second end support further includes a second plurality of engaging teeth positioned in the hole opposing the first plurality of engaging teeth and the rod further includes a second plurality of engaging teeth configured to align with the engaging teeth of the second end support. The engaging teeth are configured such that when the engaging teeth of the second end support and the rod come out of contact, the central member returns to the collapsed configuration.
• In a second aspect of the invention, a spacer used for maintaining separation between adjacent spinous processes includes a first and second end support, a center support, a connecting member, and at lease one central member positioned between the first and second end supports. The center support is positioned between the adjacent spinous processes. The spacer is adjustable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration such that when the connection member is pulled to bring the first and second end supports closer together toward the center support, the central member expands into the expanded configuration to contact and support adjacent spinous processes.
• In another embodiment of the invention, the center support encloses a portion of the central member such that the central member forms a first and second flangular portion on opposing sides of the center support in the expanded configuration. The central member is a fabric material and the spacer is held in place by contacting at least one side of the spinous processes with the first and second flangular portions of the expanded configuration.
• In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the spacer further includes first and second center members. A plurality of spoke members extend from the center support and connect to a flangular member comprising the first or second center member. The center of the flangular member is connected to one of the first and second end supports such that the flangular member expands from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration when the first and second end supports are moved toward the center support. The spacer is held in place by contacting at least one side of the spinous processes with the first and second center members in the expanded configuration.
• In another aspect of the invention, a spacer configured as an annular repair device includes a first rigid end support, an ellipsoidal first section containing a cavity, deformable between a first undeformed position and a second deformed position, a flangular second section coupled to the ellipsoidal first section opposite the first rigid end support, a second rigid end support with a hole surrounded by the second section and projecting into the cavity of the first section, and a rigid rod. The rod is coupled to the first rigid end support and extends through the hole in the second end support. The rod is slideably translatable along the axis of the rod through the second end support. Translating the rod along its axis causes the first ellipsoidal section to move from the first undeformed position to the second deformed position.
• As a result of the various embodiments and aspects of this invention, an interspinous spacer can be surgically implanted in a collapsed configuration through a minimally invasive procedure and then expanded between an adjacent pair of the patient's spinous processes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
• FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional view of one embodiment of a spacer consistent with the present invention.
• FIG. 1A shows additional detail of a portion of the spacer ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 1B shows additional detail of a different portion of the spacer ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 2A shows an end view of the spacer ofFIG. 1 in its collapsed configuration between two adjacent spinal processes.
• FIG. 2B shows the spacer ofFIG. 2A in its expanded configuration between two adjacent spinal processes.
• FIG. 3A shows a cross sectional view of the spacer ofFIG. 1 in its collapsed configuration coupled with a connecting member and associated cannula.
• FIG. 3B shows a cross sectional view of the spacer ofFIG. 3A in its expanded configuration coupled with the connecting member.
• FIG. 3C shows a cross sectional view of the spacer ofFIG. 3B after breaking away a portion of the connecting member.
• FIG. 4A shows an alternate embodiment of the spacer consistent with the invention in its collapsed configuration.
• FIG. 4B shows the spacer ofFIG. 4A in situ in its expanded configuration.
• FIG. 5A shows an alternate embodiment of the spacer consistent with the invention in its collapsed configuration.
• FIG. 5B shows the spacer ofFIG. 5A in situ in its expanded configuration.
• FIG. 6A shows a cross section of an alternate embodiment of the spacer in its collapsed configuration for annular repair consistent with the invention.
• FIG. 6B shows a cross section of the spacer ofFIG. 4A in its expanded configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• An interspinous spacer is designed to maintain a minimal distance between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. As such, the spacer typically has a blocking portion that keeps the vertebrae from coming together. In general, the blocking portion maintains a distance of approximately one-quarter inch to one-half inch between the spinous processes. Additionally, the spacer may be designed to fit snugly around the spinous processes to avoid being dislodged by movement of the spine.
• Turning now to the drawings, wherein like numbers denote like parts throughout the several views.FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary spacer consistent with the invention. Thespacer10 has afirst end support20 and asecond end support22 on opposite ends of acentral member13 which may be composed of two halfellipsoidal sections12,16. Alternatively, thecentral member13 may be formed of a single unit. Each half section has acavity14,18. The twohalf sections12,16 may be joined at the center forming an ellipsoid. The ellipsoidal shape of the central member in the collapsed configuration allows for a minimally invasive insertion into a medical patient. Once inserted, the central member is configured so that eachhalf section12,16 expands radially when the end supports20,22 are brought closer together. The radial expansion of thehalf sections12,16 forms a flangular shape, allowing the spacer to contact adjacent spinous processes, holding the spacer in place. Thecavities14,18 in eachhalf section12,16 may be offset such that one wall of thehalf section12,16 is thinner than the other wall to allow one side to collapse before the other. This configuration may facilitate the move from the collapsed ellipsoidal configuration to the expanded flangular configuration.
• A connectingmember28 is coupled to thefirst end support20 extending through the central member and through ahole24 in the second end support with a portion of theconnection member28 extending therefrom. Acenter guide26 is disposed between thecentral members12 and16 with ahole27 through which the connectingmember28 extends. Thecenter guide26 provides additional support in the center of thespacer10 in its expanded configuration.
• Thespacer10 may be inserted between adjacentspinous processes40,42 as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B. Thespacer10, may be inserted in its collapsed configuration as is consistent with the method of insertion of the invention. Once thespacer10 has been inserted, the connectingmember28 of thespacer10 is coupled with a cannula50 (FIG. 3A) and pulled bringing thefirst end20 closer to thesecond end22, thereby moving thespacer10 from its collapsed configuration to its expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, thecentral member sections12 and16 may become flangular in shape and contact adjacent sides of thespinal processes40,42 holding thespacer10 in place.
• Referring now toFIG. 3A, thecannula50 contains aninner cable52 that is capable of coupling to the end of a portion of the connectingmember28 that extends from thesecond end support22. The extended portion may have a recessedarea34 by which theend54 of theinner cable52 may attach and hold the end of the connectingmember28. Thecannula50 holds thespacer10 at thesecond end22 withedges56 configured to mate with thesecond end22. As thecable52 of thecannula50 is retracted, it pulls the connectingmember28 forcing thefirst end20 closer to thesecond end22. As the ends are pulled closer together, the half ellipsoidalcentral members12,16 deform expanding radially into a flangular configuration and contact adjacent edges with the spinous processes40,42 as can be seen inFIG. 3B.
• The connectingmember28 may contain apredetermined breaking point30, which allows for anexcess portion28′ of the connectingmember28 to be discarded after thespacer10 is moved to its expanded configuration. The connectingmember28 may also contain a locking mechanism or device that holds or maintains thespacer10 in its expanded configuration. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism may include a plurality of engagingteeth32 which are configured to contact engagingteeth24 of the second end support. When theteeth24,32 are engaged, thespacer10 maintains its expanded configuration. After the engagingteeth24 of the connectingmember28 contact the engagingteeth32 of thesecond end22, theexcess portion28′ of the connectingmember28 may be broken off as shown inFIG. 3C. Theteeth32 may be located along any portion of the connecting member. For example, theteeth32 may be located more proximal to endsupport22 that results in an implant with a different shape profile and, in some embodiments, a different amount of distraction to the spinous processes. It is possible to provide a surgeon with a kit that includes a number ofspacers10 of different sizes as well asteeth32 locations, allowing the surgeon to choose theappropriate spacer10 for the patient. In an alternate embodiment, the engagingteeth32 of the connectingmember28 and the engagingteeth24 of the second end support are partially disposed along opposite sides of the connectingmember28 and thesecond end support22. This partial distribution allows for a releasable engagement of theteeth24,32 such that twisting or turning the connectingmember28 disengages theteeth24,32. Once theteeth24,32 are disengaged, thespacer10 is allowed to return to the collapsed configuration. In other embodiments, other devices, other than engaging teeth, may be used to maintain thespacer10 in the expanded configuration. For example, a pin-hole configuration or adhesive may be used. In another embodiment, the connectingmember28 may include threads instead of engaging teeth that mate with threads on theend support22 to adjustably hold or maintain the spacer in the expanded configuration. In this embodiment, the connectingmember28 may be rotated as desired to adjust the relative positions of the end supports20,22 and, thus, allow for simple alteration of the final configurations or shape profile of thespacer10 to achieve a desired distraction between the spinous processes. This threaded design may also allow for revision of the implant shape profile or easy removal of the implant at a later date.
• Optionally, the connectingmember28 may include an expanded portion, an area of greater cross-sectional diameter or width, along its length. This expanded portion may be located within eithercavity14,18 and provides a positive stop upon movement of thespacer10 into the expanded configuration. This stop would prohibit the plurality ofteeth32 of the connectingmember28 from passing beyond the engagingteeth24 of thesecond end support22 and the over-compression of the spacer.
• Thespacer10 may be made of materials such as PCU (80A or 55B) and PEEK. PCU is elastic material allowing for damping. PCU may be suitable for the half ellipsoidalcentral member sections12,16. Theend support20,22, connectingmember28, and center guide26 may require more rigidity than the half pieces of the central member. These members may therefore be composed of the PEEK material. Other suitable flexible materials may be used in the construction of thespacer10. Thespacer10 may also be made of a flexible metal material, such as nitinol, that may be predisposed to the shape of thespacer10 in its expanded configuration and held in the collapsed configuration during implantation. The spacer is released from its collapsed configuration after positioning between the spinous processes. In this embodiment,teeth32 may be aligned withteeth24 of thesecond end support22 when thespacer10 is in its collapsed configuration. As the connectingmember28 is pulled bringing thefirst end20 closer to thesecond end22, theteeth24,32 disengage from one another allowing thespacer10 to move to its predisposed expanded configuration.
• Thespacer10 having the shape of an ellipsoid before it is placed in the medical patient coupled with the flexibility of the PCU material composing the central member allow for a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia. The ability of thespacer10 to change its shape after insertion into the expanded configuration consisting of two flangular-type arrangements on both sides of the spinous processes holding the device in place allows for smaller incisions consistent with minimally invasive procedures.
• In an alternate embodiment of thespacer100 as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, threesupports102,104,106 each having a hole are spaced at distances apart from one another. A connectingmember110 is surrounded by anexpandable material108, for example a mesh fabric or mesh flexible material like nitinol, and inserted through each of the spacing supports102,104,16. As the connectingmember110 is pulled, supports102 and106 are moved towards thecenter support104 causing themesh material108 to expand. The expansion forms flange-like sections that contact adjacent sides of the spinous processes40,42 holding thespacer100 in place. In the case of an expandable member made of nitinol, the expandable member may have a preferred expanded configuration such that upon pulling the connectingmember110, theexpandable member108 will naturally move to the preferred expanded configuration. A clamping mechanism (not shown) may be utilized to hold the end supports102 and106 in place, maintaining the expanded position of the expandable material. In one embodiment, the expandable material may be filled with a material, such as a polymeric flowable material, that hardens within the expandable material. While a clamping member may be utilized for this particular embodiment, any means of preventing the twosupport members102 and106 from returning to the collapsed position of the spacer may be used.
• In another embodiment of the present invention as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, aspacer120, is comprised again of acenter support member122 with flangular-type members124 and126 which are expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. Anend support132 on the end offlangular member124 connects to a central connecting member which extends through thespacer120 and out through asecond end support134. As the connecting member is pulled, forcing the end supports132 and134 to come closer together, a plurality ofspoke type members128 and130 cause theflangular members124 and126 to expand on either side of the spinous processes40,42. The center support member is situated between the spinous processes and in the expandedform members124 and126 hold the spacer in place. A snap-type configuration in thesecond end support134 may hold thespacer120 in place preventing themembers124 and126 from returning to their collapsed positions.
• In still another embodiment of the present invention, the spacer may be configured for an annular repair. As seen inFIGS. 6A and 6B, thespacer60 has a firstrigid end support68 which is coupled to an ellipsoidalfirst section64 containing acavity66. A flangularsecond section62 is coupled to the ellipsoidalfirst section64 opposite from the firstrigid end support68. A secondrigid end support70 is disposed within the flangular second section containing a hole through which a connectingmember72 extends. The connectingmember72 is coupled to thefirst end support68 and is configured to deform theellipsoidal member64 when it is pulled. The ellipsoidal member deforms radially from the ellipsoidal collapsed configuration to a flangular type expanded configuration.
• The connectingmember72 contains apredetermined breaking point73 to allow theexcess portion72′ of the connectingmember72 to be broken off and disposed of after the ellipsoidal member is in the expanded configuration. The connectingmember72 also contains a plurality of engagingteeth74, which are configured to match a set of engaging teeth76 disposed in thesecond end support70. When the connectingrod72 is pulled, expanding theellipsoidal section64 into the expanded configuration, the engagingteeth74 and76 hold the spacer in place. At that point, theexcess portion72′ of the connectingmember72 may be broken off as seen best inFIG. 4B. In other embodiments, other devices, other than engaging teeth, may be used to maintain thespacer60 in the expanded configuration. For example, a pin-hole configuration or adhesive may be used.
• Thespacer60 may be inserted through a hole in its collapsed configuration. The flangularsecond portion62 contacts thetissue80 preventing the spacer from being pushed through the hole. As thespacer60 is expanded, the expanded configuration of the first ellipsoidal portion becomes flangular in shape and contacts thetissue80 sealing the hole and providing support to the surrounding area, thereby preventing the spacer from being removed.Optional projections78 may be disposed along the outside of the ellipsoidal first member and the flangular second member to assist in engaging the surrounding tissue and holding the spacer in place. In other embodiments the projections may be replaced with spikes or ribs.
• While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' general inventive concept.

Claims (20)

1. A device for annular repair comprising:

a deformable member having first and second ends;

a collar attached to the second end of the deformable member;

a first end support fixed to the first end of the deformable member;

a second end support fixed to the collar, the second end support having a hole therethrough;

a connecting member fixed to the first end support and extending through the deformable member, and slideable within the hole in the second end support;

wherein pulling the connecting member through the second end support causes the deformable member to expand from a collapsed configuration to a radially expanded configuration.

2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the connecting member and second end support each includes an engaging element, the engaging elements configured to engage each other as the connecting member is pulled and the deformable member is expanded, the engaging elements maintaining the deformable member in the expanded configuration.

3. The device ofclaim 2, wherein the engaging elements on the connecting member and second end support are matching teeth.

4. The device ofclaim 2, wherein the connecting member has a predetermined breaking point to allow an excess portion of the connecting member to be broken off after pulling the connecting member to expand the deformable member.

5. The device ofclaim 4, wherein the breaking point is adjacent the engaging element.

6. The device ofclaim 1. wherein the deformable member has a cavity through which the connecting member extends.

7. The device ofclaim 1, further comprising one or more projections on an outside of the deformable member and/or on an inner surface of the collar.

8. An expandable device configured to be inserted into a hole in an annulus, the device comprising:

a plug member having an expandable portion and a laterally extending portion, the expandable portion moveable between a collapsed state for insertion into the hole and an expanded state configured to plug the hole, the laterally extending portion configured to extend laterally along the surface surrounding the hole;

a first end support attached to the expandable portion;

a second end support attached to the laterally extending portion, the second end support having a hole extending therethrough; and

a connecting member attached to the first end support and extending through the second end support;

wherein pulling the connecting member through the second end support causes the expandable portion to expand and plug the hole in the annulus.

9. The device ofclaim 8, wherein the expandable portion includes a cavity through which the connecting member extends, the plug member configured such that when the connecting member is pulled, the expandable portion expands radially and sandwiches edges of the surface adjacent the hole between the radially expanded expandable portion and the laterally extending portion.

10. The device ofclaim 8, wherein the connecting member and second end support each includes an engaging element, the engaging elements configured to engage each other as the connecting member is pulled and the expandable portion is expanded, the engaging elements maintaining the expandable portion in the expanded state.

11. The device ofclaim 10, wherein the engaging elements on the connecting member and second end support are matching teeth.

12. The device ofclaim 10, wherein the connecting member has a predetermined breaking point to allow an excess portion of the connecting member to be broken off after pulling the connecting member to expand the expandable portion.

13. The device ofclaim 12, wherein the breaking point is adjacent the engaging element.

14. The device ofclaim 8, further comprising one or more projections on an outside of the expandable portion and/or on an inner surface of the laterally extending portion.

15. A method of annular repair comprising:

providing an expandable plug, the plug including:

a plug member having an expandable portion and a laterally extending portion, the expandable portion moveable between a collapsed state for insertion into the hole and an expanded state configured to plug the hole and prevent the plug member from being removed from the hole, the laterally extending portion configured to extend laterally along a tissue surface and prevent the plug member being inserted completely inside the hole;

a first end support attached to the expandable portion;

a second end support attached to the laterally extending portion, the second end support having a hole extending therethrough; and

a connecting member attached to the first end support and extending through the second end support;

inserting the expandable portion of the plug into an opening in the annulus in the collapsed state, with the laterally extending portion surrounding the opening; and

pulling the connecting member through the second end support, thereby causing the expandable portion to expand, sandwiching tissue surrounding the opening between the expandable portion and the laterally extending portion to seal the opening.

16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the connecting member and second end support each includes an engaging element, wherein the step of pulling the connecting member includes pulling until the engaging elements on the connecting member and second end support engage each other, thereby maintaining the expandable portion in the expanded state.

17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the engaging elements on the connecting member and second end support are matching teeth.

18. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the connecting member has a predetermined breaking point, wherein after the connecting member is pulled through the second end support to expand the expandable portion of the plug, the method further comprises breaking off an excess portion of the connecting member.

19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the predetermined breaking point is adjacent the engaging element.

20. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the expandable portion expands radially when the connecting member is pulled through the second end support.

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