Intervertebral disc nucleus implants and methods
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Abstract
Nucleus pulposus implants that are resistant to migration in and/or expulsion from an intervertebral disc space are provided. In one form of the invention, an implant includes a load bearing elastic body surrounded in the disc space by an anchoring, preferably resorbable, outer shell. In certain forms of the invention, the elastic body is surrounded by a supporting member, such as a band or jacket, and the supporting member is surrounded by the outer shell. Kits for forming such implants are also provided. In another form of the invention, an implant is provided that has locking features and optional shape memory characteristics. In yet another aspect of the invention, nucleus pulposus implants are provided that have shape memory characteristics and are configured to allow short-term manual, or other deformation without permanent deformation, cracks, tears, breakage or other damage. Methods of forming and implanting the implants are also described, as are delivery devices and components thereof for delivering the implants.
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Citations
61 Claims
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1-28. -28. (canceled)
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29. A method for implanting an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant in an intervertebral disc space, comprising:
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(a) preparing said intervertebral disc space to receive said implant; and
(b) introducing a load bearing elastic body into said disc space, said body surrounded in said disc space by a resorbable shell.
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30. A method for implanting an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant in an intervertebral disc space, comprising:
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(a) preparing said intervertebral disc space to receive said implant; and
(b) introducing a load bearing elastic body into said disc space, said body surrounded by a supporting member, said supporting member surrounded in said disc space by a resorbable shell.
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31. A method for implanting an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant in an intervertebral disc space, comprising:
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(a) providing a load bearing elastic body sized for placement into an intervertebral disc space, said body having a first end, a second end, a central portion, and a first configuration wherein said first end and said second end are positioned adjacent to said central portion to form at least one inner fold, said elastic body configurable into a second, straightened configuration for insertion through an opening in said annulus fibrosis, said body configurable back into said first configuration after said insertion;
(b) preparing said intervertebral disc space to receive said body; and
(c) positioning said body into said intervertebral disc space after said preparing step. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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32. A method for implanting an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant in an intervertebral disc space, comprising:
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(a) providing a load bearing elastic body sized for placement into an intervertebral disc space, said body having a first end and a second end, said first end and said second end configured for mating engagement with each other, said elastic body having a first configuration wherein said first end and said second end are matingly engaged to each other, said elastic body configurable into a second, straightened configuration for insertion through an opening in an intervertebral disc annulus fibrosis, said body configurable back into said first configuration after said insertion;
(b) preparing said intervertebral disc space to receive said body;
(c) positioning said body into said intervertebral disc space after said preparing step.
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33-47. -47. (canceled)
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56. A method of implanting an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant in an intervertebral disc space;
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(a) providing a spinal disc implant delivery device, comprising;
(i) an elongated member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, wherein said lumen has a diameter sized to receive a nucleus pulposus implant; and
(ii) a plurality of opening members positioned at the distal end of said elongated member, each of said opening members having a proximal end and a distal end, each of said proximal ends of said opening members abutting said distal end of said elongated member, at least one of said opening members being a movable member, said opening members having a closed configuration defining a cavity in communication with said lumen of said elongated member, wherein said cavity has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of said cavity has a diameter smaller than the diameter of said lumen, wherein said opening members are sized and configured such that their distal ends may be inserted in an aperture in an annulus fibrosus when said opening members are in their closed configuration, said opening members further being openable to an open configuration by moving at least one movable member to an open configuration, wherein the distal ends of said opening members define a passageway having a diameter at least as large as the diameter of said lumen when said opening members are in their open configuration to allow passage of a nucleus pulposus implant therethrough;
(b) loading into said spinal disc implant delivery device a disc nucleus pulposus implant comprising a load bearing elastic body sized for placement into an intervertebral disc space;
(c) preparing said intervertebral disc space to receive said disc nucleus pulposus implant;
(d) providing an opening in the wall of an annulus fibrosis;
(e) positioning the distal ends of the opening members of the delivery device in the opening in the wall of the annulus fibrosis;
(f) extruding the disc nucleus pulposus implant through the delivery device, wherein the passage of the disc nucleus pulposus implant through the opening members of the delivery device opens the opening members to their open configuration and thus dilates the opening in the annulus fibrosis; and
(g) withdrawing the delivery device from the opening in the annulus fibrosis and allowing the opening to relax back to a size smaller than its fully dilated size such that the disc nucleus pulposus implant is retained within the disc annulus fibrosis. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
- said method comprising;
Specification