SPINAL IMPLANTS AND METHODS
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Spinal implants are disclosed that can be used for annular repair, facet unloading, disc height preservation, disc decompression, or for sealing a portal through which a nucleus implant was placed. In some embodiments, an implant is placed within the intervertebral disc space, primarily within the region of the annulus fibrosus. In some embodiments, the implant is expandable. In some embodiments, the implant has a sealing tail structure comprising a tail flange and a linkage. In some embodiments, the sealing tail structure limits the extrusion or expulsion of disc material, either annulus fibrosus or nucleus, into the posterior region of the spine where it could impinge on nerves. In some embodiments, the tail structure is retained in place within the annulus fibrosus by means of an anchor. In some embodiments, the anchor is constructed from multiple components.
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Citations
135 Claims
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1-119. -119. (canceled)
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120. A method, for at least one of (i) treating a defect in an intervertebral disc between adjacent vertebrae, and (ii) maintaining a separation between adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
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positioning a spacer in an intervertebral disc space between the adjacent vertebrae; inserting a dilator into a lumen in the spacer, thereby expanding the spacer from a first configuration to a second configuration and thereby securing the implant in the intervertebral disc space. - View Dependent Claims (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129)
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130. A method, for maintaining a height between adjacent vertebrae of a patient, comprising:
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inserting an implant between the adjacent vertebrae; after the inserting, and with a movable portion of the implant, penetrating an endplate of at least one of the adjacent vertebrae, thereby securing the implant between the adjacent vertebrae. - View Dependent Claims (131, 132, 133, 134, 135)
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Specification