Devices and methods of vertebral disc augmentation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of closing off a defect in an anulus of an intervertebral disc, said intervertebral disc being part of a spine, including the steps of:
- inserting a barrier through an opening into a disc; and
positioning said barrier between native nucleus tissue and an interior surface of a anulus lamella such that said barrier spans beyond the periphery of said defect in more than one direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices for implantation into an intervertebral disc can include a membrane support member to augment a disc having a defect. A defect in the annulus of a disc can be repaired using a prosthesis such as a barrier. The barrier can include a sealant and an enlarger. The barrier can be implanted into the disc using a delivery cannula, an advancer and at least one control filament to control the positioning of the barrier. A stiffening element can be included within the barrier to impart stiffness to the barrier. The support member can also be connected to an anchor.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of closing off a defect in an anulus of an intervertebral disc, said intervertebral disc being part of a spine, including the steps of:
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inserting a barrier through an opening into a disc; and
positioning said barrier between native nucleus tissue and an interior surface of a anulus lamella such that said barrier spans beyond the periphery of said defect in more than one direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
expanding said barrier such that said barrier obstructs passage of material from the interior of said disc into said defect.
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4. The method of claim 1 wherein said annulus has multiple layers, said method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a first portion of the barrier between at least two layers of said annulus on a first side of said defect; and
inserting a second portion of said barrier between at least two layers of said annulus fibrosis on a second side of said defect, such that said barrier spans said defect and is maintained in position at least in part by the annulus fibrosis on each side of said defect, said barrier acting to obstruct passage of material from the interior of said disc to the exterior of said disc through said defect.
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5. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening is through the defect.
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6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of inserting biocompatible material into the interior of the disc to aid in restoring disc height.
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7. The method of claim 6, wherein the material comprises a fibrous material including collagen or cellulous.
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8. The method of claim 6, wherein the material comprises a hydrogel.
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9. The method of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises a frame and a membrane.
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10. The method of claim 9, wherein the membrane covers at least a portion of the frame.
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11. The method of claim 9, wherein the membrane has a thickness in a range between 0.025 mm and 2.5 mm.
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12. The method of claim 9, wherein the membrane comprises a material selected from the group consisting of synthetic polyamide, synthetic polyester, polyethylene, collagen, PTFE and e-PTFE.
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13. The method of claim 1, wherein the barrier has concavity such that upon implantation into the disc the concavity is directed toward the interior of the disc.
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14. The method of claim 13, wherein the barrier comprises a frame that elastically changes from a compressed state to an expanded state upon insertion into the disc.
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15. The method of claim 1, wherein the barrier further comprises a plurality of pores, the pores having an average size in a range from 0.05 mm2 and 0.75 mm2.
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16. The method of claim 15, wherein the barrier comprises a frame having a thickness in a range between 0.1 mm and 0.6 mm.
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17. The method of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises a frame that comprises a material selected from the group consisting of nickel and titanium, stainless steel, cobalt, chrome, titanium, polyethylene, and silicone rubber.
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18. A method of obstructing a defect in an anulus of an intervertebral disc, said intervertebral disc being part of a spine and including a native nucleus tissue comprising the steps of:
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inserting a barrier through an opening into the disc; and
positioning a first portion of the barrier between the native nucleus tissue and the defect, and a second portion of the barrier between the native nucleus tissue and an interior surface of an anulus lamella adjacent to the defect such that said barrier spans beyond the periphery of said defect in more than one direction. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method of inserting a membrane into an intervertebral disc to obstruct a defect in an anulus fibrosus, comprising the steps of:
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providing a membrane on an insertion device;
inserting the insertion device trough an opening in the anulus fibrosus and into the intervertebral disc; and
deploying the membrane within the intervertebral disc to obstruct the defect, wherein said membrane is positioned between a native nucleus tissue and an interior surface of an annulus lamella substantially in front of said defect such that said membrane spans beyond the periphery of said defect. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification