Nucleus replacement securing device and method

• US 20050125066A1
• Filed: 12/07/2004
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Theken Spine LLC (Orthofix Medical Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Innovative Spinal Technologies, Inc. (Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: McAfee, Paul
• Application Number:
  US11/007,648
• Publication Number:
  US 20050125066A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.160
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/842 Flexible wires, bands or straps A61B17/72, A61B17/82, A61B17/86 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening lateral eyelet for attaching suture to needle A61B2017/06019
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30133 kidney-shaped or bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30235 tubular, e.g. sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30909 Nets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/444 for replacing the nucleus pulposus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/448 comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0015 Kidney-shaped, e.g. bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00029 Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium

Abstract

There is disclosed systems and methods for spinal nucleus replacement by constructing channels through vertebral segments on either side of an area into which the spinal nucleus is to be positioned, the channels running from a channel end outside of the area to a channel end abutting the area. One end of a suture is inserted into the outside channel end of a first one of the channels and passed through the first channel and into the area and out of the area through the second channel until it emerges from the second channel. The suture is then used to pull the nucleus into the area.

Claims

1. A method for spinal nucleus replacement, said method comprising:

constructing channels through vertebral segments on either side of an area into which a nucleus replacement is to be positioned;

said channels running from a channel end outside of said area to a channel end abutting said area;

inserting one end of a suture into said outside channel end of a first one of said channels and passing said suture end through said first channel and into said area;

inserting said suture end into the second of said channels and passing said suture end through said second channel until it emerges from said channel at said outside channel end of said second channel;

attaching at least one nucleus replacement to a section of said suture between the ends of said suture; and

pulling on at least one end of said suture to thereby pull said nucleus into said area.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said attaching occurs prior to said suture being pulled through said second channel.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said attaching occurs outside of said area.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

connecting ends of said suture together outside of said area thereby holding said replacement within said area.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said connecting is elastic.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said connecting is with a flexible rod.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

adding a stiffener to said flexible rod.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

securing each end of said suture such that said end can not pass through each respective channel.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

passing canulas through said channels prior to inserting said suture end into said channels.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said nucleus replacement can have at least one metal portion.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

inserting anchors within said channels, said anchors protecting said vertebral segments.

12. A nucleus replacement device comprising:

a suture attached to said replacement device, said suture having a length for running from said nucleus replacement device into an area into which said nucleus is to be positioned and then back through holes in vertebral structures defining said area to a position outside of said area.

13. The device of claim 12 further comprising:

at least one metal portion.

14. A spinal nucleus replacement system, said system comprising:

a nucleus replacement device for inserting into an area defined by vertebral segments; and

means for constructing channels through said vertebral structures from a position outside said defined area to a position within said defined area, said channels to be used to assist in the insertion of said nucleus replacement from a position outside said defined area to a position within said defined area.

15. The system of claim 14 further comprising:

means for attaching a suture to said nucleus replacement device after said suture has passed through at least one of said constructed channels.

16. The system of claim 14 further comprising:

means outside said defined area for controllably tensioning said nucleus when said nucleus is within said defined area.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said tensioning means comprises at least one flexible element.

18. A method for spinal nucleus insertion, said method comprising:

constructing channels through vertebral structures, said vertebral structures defining an area into which a nucleus is to be inserted, said channels extending from a position outside said defined area to a position within said defined area;

positioning at least one suture through said channels and through said defined area;

positioning a spinal nucleus outside said defined area; and

pulling said positioned spinal nucleus inside said defined area by use of said positioned suture.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

connecting ends of said suture together outside of said defined area thereby holding said spinal nucleus within said area.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said connecting is elastic.