Spinal disc annulus repair device

Abstract

A stent, or device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall, or annulus fibrosus, after surgical incision or pathologic rupture, which is inserted through an aperture into the subannular space. The stent has radial extensions which are caused or allowed to expand into an expanded configuration to bridge the aperture. The stent thereby occludes the defective region from the inside of the vertebral disc and prevents the migration of nucleus pulposus therethrough, while also providing a scaffold for tissue growth.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 085,040, filed Mar. 1, 2002, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09 / 947,078, filed Sep. 5, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,625, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09 / 484,706, filed Jan. 18, 2000, now abandoned, and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 160,710, filed Oct. 20, 1999.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention generally relates to a surgical method of intervertebral disc wall reconstruction. The invention also relates to an annular repair device, or stent, for annular disc repair. The effects of said reconstruction are restoration of disc wall integrity and reduction of the failure rate (3-21%) of a common surgical procedure (disc fragment removal or discectomy). This surgical procedure is performed about 390,000 times annually in the United States. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The spinal column is formed from a number of vertebrae, which...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] Sutures are then tied in such fashion as to draw together the sides of the aperture, effecting reapproximation or closure of the opening, to enhance natural healing and subsequent reconstruction by natural tissue (fibroblasts) crossing the now surgically narrowed gap in the disc annulus.

[0013] A 25-30% reduction in the rate of recurrence of disc nucleus herniation through this aperture, has been achieved using this method.

[0015] A 30-50% reduction in the rate of recurrence of disc herniation has been achieved using the aforementioned fascial augmentation with this embodiment.

Problems solved by technology

Without the disc, collapse of the intervertebral space occurs in conjunction with abnormal joint mechanics and premature development of arthritic changes.

Similarly, the nucleus dessicates, increasing viscosity and thus losing its fluidity.

In combination, these features of the aged intervertebral discs result in less dynamic stress distribution because of the more viscous nucleus pulposus, and less ability to withstand localized stresses by the annulus fibrosus due to its dessication, loss of flexibility and the presence of fissures.

Additionally, injury, disease or other degenerative disorders may cause one or more of the intervertebral discs to shrink, collapse, deteriorate or become displaced, herniated, or otherwise damaged and compromised.

While results are currently acceptable, they are not optimal.

There is currently no known method of annulus reconstruction, either primarily or augmented with an annulus stent.

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