Devices and methods for the treatment of spinal disorders
First Claim
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1. A method of treating an annulus of an intervertebral disc in a patient'"'"'s spine, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an elongate member;
positioning the elongate member in the annulus of the intervertebral disc such that the elongate member extends along a circumferential portion of the annulus; and
actively applying compression to the annulus to cause displacement of the annulus.
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Abstract
Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. The present invention provides disc reinforcement therapy (DRT) which involves implanting one or more reinforcement members in the annulus of the disc. The reinforcement members may be used to stabilize the annulus and/or compresses a portion of the annulus so as to reduce a bulge and/or close a fissure.
506 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of treating an annulus of an intervertebral disc in a patient'"'"'s spine, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an elongate member;
positioning the elongate member in the annulus of the intervertebral disc such that the elongate member extends along a circumferential portion of the annulus; and
actively applying compression to the annulus to cause displacement of the annulus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
providing a tubular insertion tool having a proximal end and a distal end;
inserting the tubular insertion tool into the patient'"'"'s back such the proximal end is disposed outside the patient'"'"'s back and the distal end is disposed in the annulus; and
advancing the elongate member into the annulus utilizing the tubular insertion tool.
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11. A method of treating an annulus in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
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providing a curved insertion tool having a proximal end and a curved distal end;
inserting the curved insertion tool into the patient'"'"'s back such the proximal end of the curved insertion tool is disposed outside the patient'"'"'s back and the curved distal end of the curved insertion tool is disposed in the annulus; and
advancing the elongate member into the annulus utilizing the curved insertion tool.
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12. A method of treating an annulus in claim 1, wherein the displacement of the annulus is radial.
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13. A method of treating an annulus in claim 1, wherein the displacement of the annulus is circumferential.
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14. A method of treating an annulus of an intervertebral disc in a patient'"'"'s spine, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an elongate member;
positioning the elongate member in a natural portion of the annulus of the intervertebral disc; and
actively applying compression to the annulus to cause displacement of the annulus. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
providing a tubular insertion tool having a proximal end and a distal end;
inserting the tubular insertion tool into the patient'"'"'s back such the proximal end is disposed outside the patient'"'"'s back and the distal end is disposed in the annulus; and
advancing the elongate member into the annulus utilizing the tubular insertion tool.
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18. A method of treating an annulus in claim 14, further comprising the steps of:
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providing a curved insertion tool having a proximal end and a curved distal end;
inserting the curved insertion tool into the patient'"'"'s back such the proximal end of the curved insertion tool is disposed outside the patient'"'"'s back and the curved distal end of the curved insertion tool is disposed in the annulus; and
advancing the elongate member into the annulus utilizing the curved insertion tool.
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19. A method of treating an annulus in claim 14, wherein the compression is radial.
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20. A method of treating an annulus in claim 14, wherein the compression is circumferential.
Specification