Back to results
US 2007/0185497 A1Published application
Method and apparatus for the treatment of the intervertebral disc annulus
AssigneeAnulex Technologies, Inc.
InventorsJoseph Cauthen, Matthew Burns, Lawrence Wales, Rodney Houfburg, Joseph Farrell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and devices for treating the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices employ a fixation device delivery tool having a curved body portion. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed for placement in intervertebral disc tissue.
Claims18
A method of treating an intervertebral disc comprising:
- providing a first delivery tool having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end carrying a treatment device;
- providing at least one second delivery tool having a body with a proximal end and a distal end, the body having a curved feature and the distal end configured to deliver a fixation element;
- introducing the distal end of the first delivery tool at least partially into the intervertebral disc;
- deploying said treatment device;
- introducing the distal end of said at least one second delivery tool at least partially into the intervertebral disc;
- deploying at least one fixation device into, or through, annular tissue to hold said treatment device at least partially within the intervertebral disc space,
- removing said at least one second delivery tool;
- and
- removing said first delivery tool.
6 more elements
A method of claim 3, wherein said surgical suture material is biodegradable.
A method of treating an intervertebral disc comprising:
- providing at least one fixation device delivery tool having a body with a proximal end and a distal end, the body having a curved feature and the distal end configured to deliver a fixation element;
- introducing the distal end of said at least one second delivery tool at least partially into the intervertebral disc;
- deploying at least one fixation device into, or through, annular tissue;
- removing said at least one fixation device delivery tool.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.