Annulus replacement system and technique
First Claim
1. A surgical method sequentially comprising:
- inserting a guide wire into an intervertebral space;
sliding a first dilator tube over the guide wire and into the intervertebral space, the first dilator tube having a first longitudinal channel of a first cross section that is shaped to matingly engage with the guide wire;
sliding a second dilator tube over the first dilator tube and into the intervertebral space, the second dilator tube having a second longitudinal channel of a second cross section that matingly engages with an outer cross section of the first dilator tube;
removing the first dilator tube and the guide wire; and
inserting an annulus replacement implant into the intervertebral space through the second dilator tube.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An annulus replacement technique includes inserting a guide wire into an annulus space. A first dilator tube is then slid over the guide wire and into the intervertebral space. The first dilator tube has a first longitudinal channel of a first cross section that is shaped to matingly engage with the guide wire. A second dilator tube is then slid over the first dilator tube and into the intervertebral space. The second dilator tube has a second longitudinal channel of a second cross section that mating engages with an outer cross section of the first dilator tube. The first dilator tube and the guide wire can then be removed and an implant can be inserted into the intervertebral space through the second dilator tube.
54 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A surgical method sequentially comprising:
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inserting a guide wire into an intervertebral space;
sliding a first dilator tube over the guide wire and into the intervertebral space, the first dilator tube having a first longitudinal channel of a first cross section that is shaped to matingly engage with the guide wire;
sliding a second dilator tube over the first dilator tube and into the intervertebral space, the second dilator tube having a second longitudinal channel of a second cross section that matingly engages with an outer cross section of the first dilator tube;
removing the first dilator tube and the guide wire; and
inserting an annulus replacement implant into the intervertebral space through the second dilator tube. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A surgical method sequentially comprising:
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inserting a guide wire into an intervertebral space;
sliding a first dilator tube over the guide wire and into the intervertebral space, the first dilator tube having a first longitudinal channel of a first cross section that is shaped to matingly engage with the guide wire;
sliding a second dilator tube over the first dilator tube and into the intervertebral space, the second dilator tube having a second longitudinal channel of a second cross section that matingly engages with an outer cross section of the first dilator tube;
removing the first dilator tube and the guide wire; and
inserting an implant into the intervertebral space through the second dilator tube;
wherein the implant is disposed in an implant tube having an outer cross section similar to that of the outer cross section of the first dilator tube, and the step of inserting the implant includes inserting the implant tube. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An annulus replacement implant assembly comprising:
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a hollow tube having an outer circumference that corresponds with an inner circumference of a cannula inserted into a retracted intervertebral space a suture; and
an implant woven around the suture and positioned with the suture inside the hollow tube. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A surgical kit comprising:
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a first retractor tube having and a tapered tip for inserting into a retraction space;
a second retractor tube having an interior cross section that is of a shape for slidably engaging with an exterior of the first retractor tube;
a third retractor tube having an interior cross section that is of a shape for slidably engaging with an exterior of the second retractor tube;
a fourth retractor tube having an interior cross section that is of a shape for slidably engaging with an exterior of the third retractor tube; and
a first implant tube having an exterior cross section that is of a shape for slidably engaging with the interior cross section of the fourth retractor tube. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A surgical kit comprising:
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a guide wire shaped and configured for percutaneously inserting into an intervertebral space from a lateral approach;
a first dilator tube having a first longitudinal channel and a tapered distal end for retracting the intervertebral disc space;
a second dilator tube having a second longitudinal channel and a tapered distal end for retracting the intervertebral disc space; and
an implant tube configured for temporarily containing an intervertebral implant and for being insertable into the intervertebral space through the second dilator tube;
wherein the guide wire, the first dilator tube, and the second dilator tube are configured for telescopic interaction about a common longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification