Intervertebral disc repair methods and apparatus

• US 20040143165A1
• Filed: 01/07/2004
• Published: 07/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Neville Alleyne
• Original Assignee: Neville Alleyne
• Inventors: Alleyne, Neville
• Application Number:
  US10/753,229
• Publication Number:
  US 20040143165A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/210
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/30 Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure

Abstract

Minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques include expanding an incision with an expanding cannula, inserting a retractor for retracting a nerve root, and inserting a thermal probe for repairing the annulus. A light absorbing dye may be applied to the annulus for localized heating.

Claims

1. An apparatus for treating a disc pathology comprising:

a retractor including an electrically and thermally non-conductive angulating tip, the retractor being configured to be inserted into a cannula and to retract a portion of a nerve.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retractor further includes an anchoring spike which allows the retractor to be fixed to a posterior vertebral body or adjacent soft tissues and allows for hands free retraction.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retractor is expandable.