Devices and Methods for the Treatment of Spinal Disorders

• US 20070225814A1
• Filed: 05/25/2007
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Keith, Peter, Atkinson, Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/753,634
• Publication Number:
  US 20070225814A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.160
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/70 Spinal positioners or stabilisers ; Bone stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7011 Longitudinal element being non-straight, e.g. curved, angled or branched adjustable length longitudinal elements A61B17/7014; A61B17/7019 takes precedence, e.g. coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7025 with a sliding joint
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7026 with a part that is flexible due to its form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7062 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral processes, vertebral facets or ribs rib fixation devices A61B17/8076; Tools for such devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4435 Support means or repair of the natural disc wall, i.e. annulus, e.g. using plates, membranes or meshes

Abstract

Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. Dynamic bias devices and reinforcement devices are disclosed, which may be used individually or in combination, to eliminate nerve impingement associated with the damaged disc, and/or to reinforce the damaged disc, while permitting relative movement of the vertebrae adjacent the damaged disc.

Claims

1. A method for treating an intervertebral disc in a patient'"'"'s spine, the method comprising:

(1) providing a tube;

(2) providing an implant at least partially disposed within said tube;

(3) advancing said tube on, into, or through an annulus fibrosus of said intervertebral disc; and

(4) advancing said implant from said tube and into said intervertebral disc;

wherein said tube comprises a sharpened tip to facilitate placement of the tube on, into, or through the annulus fibrosus.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said tube is advanced into said annulus fibrosus through at least one other tube.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the tube is advanced through a defect that existed in the disc prior to insertion of the tube.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said implant comprises a barrier, suture, or anchor.

2. A method for treating an intervertebral disc in a patient'"'"'s spine, the method comprising:

(1) providing at least one tube comprising a distal curve and sharpened tip,

(2) providing an implant at least partially disposed within said tube;

(3) advancing said tube on, into, or through an annulus fibrosus of said intervertebral disc; and

(4) advancing said implant via said tube into said intervertebral disc.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said tube is advanced along a path substantially parallel to the posterior annulus fibrosus proximate the innermost layer of the annulus fibrosus.

7. A method of positioning an apparatus along an inner aspect of a posterior annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, comprising the steps of:

advancing an apparatus deployment cannula through a defect in said annulus fibrosus into an interior of said disc; and

advancing said apparatus into said disc through said deployment cannula wherein said deployment cannula comprises a passage or a slot that deflects said apparatus along a path substantially parallel to said posterior annulus fibrosus.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the apparatus comprises a biocompatible support member.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the advancing said apparatus step comprises deflecting the apparatus along a deflection surface of the deployment cannula.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the deflection surface is integral with the cannula.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the deployment cannula has a circular cross section.

12. The method of positioning an implant along an inner surface of an annulus fibrosus lamella within an intervertebral disc, said method comprising the steps of:

advancing an implant deployment cannula through a hole in said annulus fibrosus to a selected depth within the disc along a path that is transverse to the orientation of the lamella; and

advancing said implant into said disc through said deployment cannula, wherein said deployment cannula comprises a passage or slot that deflects said implant along a path substantially parallel with and adjacent to the lamella at the selected depth.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the implant comprises a biocompatible support member.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the implant is implanted between two or more lamella.