Spinal disc annulus reconstruction method and deformable spinal disc annulus stent
First Claim
1. A method of intervertebral disc reconstruction for treating a disc having an aperture in the wall of the annulus fibrosis, wherein the aperture provides a path for the migration of nucleus pulposus from the subannular space, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an expandable device having a first configuration dimensioned to pass through the aperture and a second expanded configuration having at least one dimension at least as large as the aperture and having at least one dimension larger than a corresponding dimension in said first configuration;
inserting the device through the aperture into the subannular space when the device is in the first collapsed configuration; and
causing or allowing the device to expand in the subannular space into the second expanded configuration to bridge the aperture, thereby occluding the aperture and preventing the migration of nucleus pulposus therethrough.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spinal disc annulus repair stent for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. In an illustrative embodiment, the design of the spinal disc annulus stent advantageously allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.
225 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of intervertebral disc reconstruction for treating a disc having an aperture in the wall of the annulus fibrosis, wherein the aperture provides a path for the migration of nucleus pulposus from the subannular space, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an expandable device having a first configuration dimensioned to pass through the aperture and a second expanded configuration having at least one dimension at least as large as the aperture and having at least one dimension larger than a corresponding dimension in said first configuration;
inserting the device through the aperture into the subannular space when the device is in the first collapsed configuration; and
causing or allowing the device to expand in the subannular space into the second expanded configuration to bridge the aperture, thereby occluding the aperture and preventing the migration of nucleus pulposus therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification