Methods and apparatus for treating disc herniation and preventing the extrusion of interbody bone graft
First Claim
1. A method for treating a defect in an annulus fibrosis of an intervertebral disc, the intervertebral disc being located intermediate an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a flexible device having a distal end, a proximal end, and a midsection extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the midsection having a first surface and a second surface;
inserting the flexible device into the defect in the annulus fibrosis so that the distal end is positioned within an intradiscal space, the midsection extends across and beyond the periphery of the area defining the defect in the annulus fibrosis and the first surface of the midsection faces the nucleus; and
attaching the proximal end of the flexible device to one of the upper vertebra or lower vertebra;
wherein the distal end of the flexible device resiliently engages and rests against an endplate of the other of the upper vertebra or lower vertebra,wherein said flexible device prevents escape of nucleus pulposus through the defect in the annulus fibrosis; and
wherein the distal end of said flexible device maintains contact with the vertebral endplate of the other of the upper vertebra or lower vertebra under distraction of the intervertebral disc.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for treating an annulus fibrosis having a defect include inserting a flexible device into the defect. The flexible device is advanced distally beyond an outer layer of the annulus fibrosus. The flexible device is then expanded such that a width of the flexible device is larger than the defect, where the flexible device prevents escape of nucleus pulposus through the defect. The flexible device may have at least two appendages made from a shape-memory metal. Alternatively, the flexible device may have a U-shaped structure that includes a central portion and two legs. The flexible device may also be anchored to the annulus fibrosis and/or the vertebrae.
255 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for treating a defect in an annulus fibrosis of an intervertebral disc, the intervertebral disc being located intermediate an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a flexible device having a distal end, a proximal end, and a midsection extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the midsection having a first surface and a second surface; inserting the flexible device into the defect in the annulus fibrosis so that the distal end is positioned within an intradiscal space, the midsection extends across and beyond the periphery of the area defining the defect in the annulus fibrosis and the first surface of the midsection faces the nucleus; and attaching the proximal end of the flexible device to one of the upper vertebra or lower vertebra; wherein the distal end of the flexible device resiliently engages and rests against an endplate of the other of the upper vertebra or lower vertebra, wherein said flexible device prevents escape of nucleus pulposus through the defect in the annulus fibrosis; and wherein the distal end of said flexible device maintains contact with the vertebral endplate of the other of the upper vertebra or lower vertebra under distraction of the intervertebral disc. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification