Intervertebral disc anulus repair

Abstract

Systems for minimally invasive disc augmentation include an anulus augmentation component and a nucleus augmentation component. Both are suited for minimally invasive deployment. The nucleus augmentation component restores disc height and / or replaces missing nucleus pulposus. The anulus augmentation component shields weakened regions of the anulus fibrosis and / or resists escape of natural nucleus pulposus and / or the nucleus augmentation component. Methods and deployment devices are also disclosed. Methods of repairing a herniated disc by displacing at least a portion of the herniated segment to within the pre-herniated borders of the disc and anchoring at least a portion of the displaced herniated segment to a site within the disc are also provided.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 055,504, filed on Oct. 25, 2001, which claims benefit to 60 / 311,586 filed Aug. 10, 2001 and which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 696,636 filed on Oct. 25, 2000, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,839, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 642,450 filed on Aug. 18, 2000, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,235, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 608,797 filed on Jun. 30, 2000, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,919, which claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 172,996 filed Dec. 21, 1999, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 161,085 filed Oct. 25, 1999, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 149,490 filed Aug. 18, 1999, the entire teachings of these applications being incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] Various embodiments of the present invention seek to exploit the individual characteristics of various anulus and nuclear augmentation devices to optimize the performance of both within the intervertebral disc. A primary function of anulus augmentation devices is to prevent or minimize the extrusion of materials from within the space normally occupied by the nucleus pulposus and inner anulus fibrosus. A primary function of nuclear augmentation devices is to at least temporarily add material to restore diminished disc height and pressure. Nuclear augmentation devices can also induce the growth or formation of material within the nuclear space. Accordingly, the inventive combination of these devices can create a synergistic effect wherein the anulus and nuclear augmentation devices serve to restore biomechanical function in a more natural biomimetic way. Furthermore, according to the invention both devices may be delivered more easily and less invasively. Also, the pressurized environment made possible through the addition of nuclear augmentation material and closing of the anulus serves both to restrain the nuclear augmentation and anchor the anulus augmentation in place.

[0009] One or more of the embodiments of the present invention additionally provide an anulus augmentation device that is adapted for use with flowable nuclear augmentation material such that the flowable material cannot escape from the anulus after the anulus augmentation device has been implanted.

[0016] In one embodiment, a method of repairing a herniated disc is provided. In one aspect, at least a portion of the herniated segment is displaced to within the pre-herniated borders of the disc and at least a portion of the displaced herniated segment is anchored to a site within the functional spine unit. In a further aspect, a first anchor is attached to at least a portion of the herniated segment of a disc, a second anchor is attached to a site within the functional spine unit, at least one connector is provided which joins the first and second anchors, and tension is applied between the first and second anchors along the connector to cause the herniated segment to move within the pre-herniated borders of the disc. In one embodiment, biocompatible material is inserted into the disc space to aid in restoring disc height.

[0019] In a further aspect, biocompatible material is inserted into the disc space. In one embodiment, the material is added to aid in restoring disc height. In one aspect, at least a portion of the biocompatible material is attached to the connector.

Problems solved by technology

The most common resulting symptoms are pain radiating along a compressed nerve and low back pain, both of which can be crippling for the patient.

However, the efficacious treatment of intervertebral discs has not been adequately addressed using the systems and methods in the art.

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