Annulus-reinforcing band
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device comprising:
- a generally flexible substantially tabular member sized to fit and expand transversely into a hollowed region of an intervetebral space or intravertebral space;
the substantially tubular member defining an interior space;
the interior space extending from a first end of the substantially tubular member to second end of the substantially tubular member;
at least one end defining an opening;
the opening in fluid communication with the interior space;
the substantially tubular member constructed and arranged to expand from a reduced state to an expanded state by the introduction of fill material into the interior space;
the substantially tubular member including a plurality of pores;
the plurality of pores being sized to allow ingress and egress of liquids, solutions or small particle suspensions and ingrowth of bony trabeculae or fibrous elements into and through the device when the device is positioned in the hollowed region of a intervertebral space or intravertebral space;
the plurality of pores being sized to retain the fill material within the interior space of the substantially tubular member;
the substantially tubular member including at least one fill opening through which the fill material may be introduced into the interior space;
the at least one fill opening including at least one of the plurality of pores.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pliable band or hoop that is flexible to normal handling, but cannot stretch circumferentially once it has reached the limits of its circumferential length. The band may have a structural portal to be used for filling, or it may simply be constructed of a fabric-like material that allows a fill tube to perforate its walls to allow for filling. In the latter case, the perforated wall tends to self-seal once the fill tube is withdrawn. The band may be flat or tubular in cross-section. However, unlike a balloon, the band does not require either a bottom or a top, as we found that a top and bottom are unnecessary when using a band or hoop to enclose material injected into a reamed out intervertebral space.
-
Citations
31 Claims
-
1. A device comprising:
-
a generally flexible substantially tabular member sized to fit and expand transversely into a hollowed region of an intervetebral space or intravertebral space;
the substantially tubular member defining an interior space;
the interior space extending from a first end of the substantially tubular member to second end of the substantially tubular member;
at least one end defining an opening;
the opening in fluid communication with the interior space;
the substantially tubular member constructed and arranged to expand from a reduced state to an expanded state by the introduction of fill material into the interior space;
the substantially tubular member including a plurality of pores;
the plurality of pores being sized to allow ingress and egress of liquids, solutions or small particle suspensions and ingrowth of bony trabeculae or fibrous elements into and through the device when the device is positioned in the hollowed region of a intervertebral space or intravertebral space;
the plurality of pores being sized to retain the fill material within the interior space of the substantially tubular member;
the substantially tubular member including at least one fill opening through which the fill material may be introduced into the interior space;
the at least one fill opening including at least one of the plurality of pores. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
-
29. A method for stabilizing a spinal motion segment comprising the following steps:
-
(a) providing a generally flexible substantially tubular member sized to fit and expand transversely into a hollowed region of an intervertebral space or intravertebral space, the substantially tubular member defining an interior space, the interior space extending from a first end of the substantially tubular member to a second end of the substantially tubular member, at least one end defining an opening, the opening in fluid communication with the interior space, the substantially tubular member constructed and arranged to expand from a reduced state to an expanded state by the introduction of fill material into the interior space, the substantially tubular member including at least one fill opening through which the fill material may be introduced into the interior space, the substantially tubular member including a plurality of pores, the plurality of pores being sized to allow ingress and egress of liquids, solutions or small particle suspensions and ingrowth of bony trabeculae or fibrous elements into and through the device when the device is positioned in the hollowed region of a intervertebral space or intravertebral space, the plurality of pores being sized to retain the fill material within the interior space of the substantially tubular member, the substantially tubular member including at least one fill opening through which the fill material may be introduced into the interior space, the at least one fill opening comprising at least one of the plurality of pores;
(b) inserting the substantially tubular member into the intervertebral space or intravertebral space; and
(c) inserting the fill material into the interior space of the substantially tubular member through the at least one fill opening.
-
-
30. A method for stabilizing a spinal motion segment comprising the following steps:
- (a) providing a member constructed from a generally pliable, but minimally elastic material, the member having a first end and a second end;
(b) disposing the member about the outer annulus of the intervertebral disc of a mammalian spine, the substantially tubular member having a predetermined height; and
(c) securing the first end and the second end together, thereby forming the member into a substantially continuous band defining a first radius about the intervertebral disc. - View Dependent Claims (31)
- (a) providing a member constructed from a generally pliable, but minimally elastic material, the member having a first end and a second end;
Specification