Annulus-reinforcing band
First Claim
1. A device for stabilizing a spinal motion segment comprising:
- a substantially tubular member constructed from a generally pliable, but minimally elastic material, the substantially tubular member having a first end and a second end, the substantially tubular member defining an interior space and an opening at the first end and the second end, the substantially tubular member having a circumference sized to fit in the immediate vicinity of the outer annulus of the intervertebral disc of a mammalian spine, the substantially tubular member having a central axis, the central axis extending between the first end and the second end, the central axis constructed and arranged to be generally collinear with a cephalo-caudal axis of the mammalian spine when fitted into the immediate vicinity of the outer annulus of the intervertebral disc, the substantially tubular member having a predetermined height and a predetermined thickness.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pliable band or hoop that is flexible to normal handling, but cannot stretch circumferentially once it has reached the limits of its circumferential length. The band may have a structural portal to be used for filling, or it may simply be constructed of a fabric-like material that allows a fill tube to perforate its walls to allow for filling. In the latter case, the perforated wall tends to self-seal once the fill tube is withdrawn. The band may be flat or tubular in cross-section. However, unlike a balloon, the band does not require either a bottom or a top, as we found that a top and bottom are unnecessary when using a band or hoop to enclose material injected into a reamed out intervertebral space.
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Citations
54 Claims
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1. A device for stabilizing a spinal motion segment comprising:
a substantially tubular member constructed from a generally pliable, but minimally elastic material, the substantially tubular member having a first end and a second end, the substantially tubular member defining an interior space and an opening at the first end and the second end, the substantially tubular member having a circumference sized to fit in the immediate vicinity of the outer annulus of the intervertebral disc of a mammalian spine, the substantially tubular member having a central axis, the central axis extending between the first end and the second end, the central axis constructed and arranged to be generally collinear with a cephalo-caudal axis of the mammalian spine when fitted into the immediate vicinity of the outer annulus of the intervertebral disc, the substantially tubular member having a predetermined height and a predetermined thickness. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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19. A device comprising a generally flexible substantially tubular member sized to fit and expand transversely into a hollowed region of an intervertebral space or intravertebral space, the substantially tubular member defining an interior space, the interior space extending from a first end of the substantially tubular member to a second end of the substantially tubular member, at least one end defining an opening, the opening in fluid communication with the interior space, the substantially tubular member constructed and arranged to expand from a reduced state to an expanded state by the introduction of fill material into the interior space, the substantially tubular member including at least one fill opening through which the fill material may be introduced into the interior space.
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52. A method for stabilizing a spinal motion segment comprising the following steps:
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(a) providing a generally flexible substantially tubular member sized to fit and expand transversely into a hollowed region of an intervertebral space or intravertebral space, the substantially tubular member defining an interior space, the interior space extending from a first end of the substantially tubular member to a second end of the substantially tubular member, at least one end defining an opening, the opening in fluid communication with the interior space, the substantially tubular member constructed and arranged to expand from a reduced state to an expanded state by the introduction of fill material into the interior space, the substantially tubular member including at least one fill opening through which the fill material may be introduced into the interior space;
(b) inserting the substantially tubular member into the intervertebral space or intravertebral space; and
(c) inserting the fill material into the interior space of the substantially tubular member through the at least one fill opening.
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53. A method for stabilizing a spinal motion segment comprising the following steps:
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(a) providing a member constructed from a generally pliable, but minimally elastic material, the member having a first end and a second end;
(b) disposing the member about the outer annulus of the intervertebral disc of a mammalian spine, the substantially tubular member having a predetermined height; and
(c) securing the first end and the second end together, thereby forming the member into a substantially continuous band defining a first radius about the intervertebral disc. - View Dependent Claims (54)
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Specification