Devices and methods for the treatment of spinal disorders
First Claim
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1. A method of treating pain associated an intervertebral disc disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra in an adult human spine having a median plane and an axis of curvature, the method comprising the steps of:
- identifying the intervertebral disc causing pain;
providing one or more implantable devices, each having a first vertebral attachment member, a second vertebral attachment member, and a bias force member applying a bias force therebetween while permitting near normal relative motion therebetween;
attaching the first attachment member of each implantable device to the first vertebra; and
attaching the second attachment member of each implantable device to the second vertebra such that the bias force members exert a net bias force balanced about the median plane to increase separation of the first and second vertebrae.
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Abstract
Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. Dynamic bias devices and reinforcement devices are disclosed, which may be used individually or in combination, to eliminate nerve impingement associated with the damaged disc, and/or to reinforce the damaged disc, while permitting relative movement of the vertebrae adjacent the damaged disc.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of treating pain associated an intervertebral disc disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra in an adult human spine having a median plane and an axis of curvature, the method comprising the steps of:
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identifying the intervertebral disc causing pain;
providing one or more implantable devices, each having a first vertebral attachment member, a second vertebral attachment member, and a bias force member applying a bias force therebetween while permitting near normal relative motion therebetween;
attaching the first attachment member of each implantable device to the first vertebra; and
attaching the second attachment member of each implantable device to the second vertebra such that the bias force members exert a net bias force balanced about the median plane to increase separation of the first and second vertebrae. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An implantable system for treating an intervertebral disc disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra in an adult human spine having a median plane and an axis of curvature, the system comprising:
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a first vertebral attachment member;
a second vertebral attachment member; and
a bias member applying a net bias force between the first vertebral attachment member and the second vertebra attachment member, wherein the bias member permits near normal relative motion between the first and second vertebrae, and the net bias force is substantially symmetric about the median plane. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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15. A method of reinforcing an annulus of an intervertebral disc disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra in an adult human spine, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an implantable reinforcement member; and
implanting the reinforcement member into the annulus of the intervertebral disc.
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Specification