Method and apparatus for treating intervertebral disks

a technology of intervertebral disks and methods, applied in the field of surgical methods, can solve the problems of slow healing of intervertebral disks, insufficient material healing, and easy injury of intervertebral disks

Inactive Publication Date: 2012-05-29
NUVASIVE
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]An additional object is to provide an apparatus to treat an annulus fibrosus of a spine in which an injection device heats the thermoplastic

Problems solved by technology

Intervertebral disks are prone to injury.
Due to the low blood supply to this area, intervertebral disks are slow to heal, and may not materially heal.
The effect of a ruptured or prolapsed annulus fibrosus may result in spasm, and neurological compromise, such as the compressed nerve and other compressible soft tissues, i.e. arteries, veins.
Degeneration of the condition may increa

Method used

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  • Method and apparatus for treating intervertebral disks
  • Method and apparatus for treating intervertebral disks
  • Method and apparatus for treating intervertebral disks

Examples

Experimental program
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embodiment

of FIG. 7

[0041]Also shown in FIG. 7 as an attachment is a disk dilator assembly generally indicated at 100 having a cylindrical chamber 102 with an inert fluid such as saline therein and a piston 108 for pressurizing the fluid. Disk dilator assembly 100 is designed for detachable connection to pressure chamber 76 of the injector device of FIG. 6 for the supply of hydraulic fluid for acting against piston 108. A detachable balloon dilator sleeve 106 extends about the extending end of needle 104 having lateral openings 107. Piston 108 is effective to pressurize the fluid for flow through openings107 for expansion of sleeve 106 as shown in broken lines in FIG. 7. Dilator sleeve 106 upon injection of needle 104 in a disk of the spine is expanded for exerting an expanding force against the disk.

Embodiment of FIGS. 8-10

[0042]Referring now to FIGS. 8-10 which are partially schematic, a further modification of an injection device and injection system is illustrated utilizing certain feature...

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Abstract

The method and apparatus as shown in FIGS. 8-10 in which a fluid expandable member (208) is positioned in concentric relation about a needle (202). The fluid expandable member (208) is expanded into the nucleus pulposus potential space bordered by the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disk. Then, thermoplastic material in a flowing state is injected by a needle (202) within the annulus fibrosus to collapse the fluid expandable member (208) and occupy the space formerly occupied by the fluid expandable member (208).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a continuation-in-part of pending application Ser. No. 09 / 456,375 filed Dec. 8, 1999; which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09 / 274,217 filed Mar. 23, 1999; which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09 / 255,372 filed Feb. 22, 1999.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to surgical methods generally, and is more specifically related to a method and apparatus for treating intervertebral disks of mammals.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The intervertebral disk is a disk with fibrosus bands occupying the space between two vertebrae. The anatomy of the disk provides a cushion to allow motion, limit motion and provide space, distancing the vertebra off the nerves and compressible tissue. Part of the vertebrae are bony blocks, which, when stacked one upon the other, form the anterior portion of the spine. The fibrosus band includes an outer annulus fibrosus which surrounds an inner nucleus pulpos...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A61B17/56A61B17/00A61B17/02A61B17/34A61B17/70A61B17/88A61F2/00A61F2/30A61F2/44A61F2/46
CPCA61B17/00491A61B17/3472A61B17/7097A61B17/8805A61B17/8822A61B17/8836A61B17/8855A61B2017/00539A61B2017/00557A61B2017/0256A61F2/441A61F2/442A61F2/4601A61F2/4611A61F2002/30065A61F2002/30563A61F2002/30583A61F2002/444A61F2002/4635A61F2002/4688A61F2210/0071A61F2210/0085A61F2002/465
Inventor ROSS, ANTHONY C.GUAGLIANO, PETER A.
Owner NUVASIVE
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