Apparatus and method for repair of dural tear
AssigneeChap-Med, Inc.
InventorJames L. Chappuis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates generally to a device and method for aiding in the repair of a dural tear. According to example embodiments, the device is placed substantially within a dural sac interior to a dural tear. The device provides a shield that prevents the underlying nerve roots (including rootlets) of the spinal cord from intruding into the torn area and prevents them from being injured during the repair procedure. The device also redirects cerebrospinal fluid from the area, which aids the surgeon in viewing the procedure site during suturing and/or repair.
Claims19
A device for use during repair of a dural tear, the device comprising:
- a substantially tubular section having a first end and a second end, and
- a spatulate flexible shield section having a first end and a second end, the second end of the shield section connecting to the tubular section first end, wherein the first end of the shield section is wider than the second end of the shield section when no external loads are applied to the shield section, and the second end of the shield section is curved so as to form a circular or semi-circular shape with substantially the same radius as the tubular section, and wherein the shield section is configured to bend along a longitudinal axis.
A method of repairing a dural tear, the method comprising:
- placing a device within a perforated section of a dural sac;
- removing the device from the dural sac,
- wherein the device comprises, a substantially tubular section having a first end and a second end, and a spatulate flexible shield section having a first end and a second end, the shield section second end connecting to the tubular section first end, wherein the shield section first end is wider than the shield section second end when no external loads are applied to the shield section, and the second end of the shield section is curved so as to form a circular or semi-circular shape with substantially the same radius as the tubular section, and wherein the shield section is configured to bend along a longitudinal axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.