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...

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