Methods and apparatuses for facilitating percutaneous fusion

Abstract

A delivery mechanism comprising a dilator, catheter, lumen or the like is provided to allow a filler material to be injected to a gap in a partially fused intervertebral disc space to allow correction of the incomplete, partial, or deteriorated fusion.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §§119, 120[0001]The present patent application claims priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 820,558, filed Jul. 27, 2006, titled METHOD AND APPARATUSES FOR FACILITATING PERCUTANEOUS FUSION, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH[0002]None.CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0003]None.FIELD Of THE INVENTION[0004]The present invention relates to orthopedic fusion and, more particularly, to corrective measures useful to recover from incomplete or partial spinal fusion.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0005]The vertebrae of the spine are arranged in a column with one vertebral body aligned on top of the next (at least when the spine is vertical). Between each vertebral body resides a spongy intervertebral disc that transmits forces between, adjacent vertebral bodies and provides a cushion between the adjacent bodies. The disc provides support for spine flexion, extensio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The technology of the present application provides a method, instrument, and system for facilitating correction of incomplete or partial bone fusion. The method comprises placing a guide having a distal end and a proximate end such that the distal end resides proximate the incomplete or partial bone fusion and the distal end resides external to a skin of the patient. The guide is used to guide a delivery tool to the surgical site. A reservoir having filler material is connected to the delivery tool such that filler material may be injected to the surgical site. The instrument comprises an apparatus for delivering filler material to a bone fusion site to facilitate correcting an incomplete or partial bone fusion. The filler material is contained in a reservoir that has an outlet and a plunger. The deliver mechanism places the reservoir and the surgical site in fluid communication such that depressing a plunger at the reservoir causes filler

Problems solved by technology

In some cases, intervertebral disc degeneration or other deformities (“diseased disc”) can cause back pain.

As can be appreciated, in some cases for whatever reason, the fusion does not properly occur.

These incomplete or partial fusions require the surgery to be re-performed, which is traumatic and risky for the patient, and a drain on otherwise limited resources.

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