Annulus-reinforcing band
AssigneeSpineology Inc.
InventorsStephen D. Kuslich, Patricia K. Kuslich
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pliable band or hoop that is flexible to normal handling, but cannot stretch circumferentially once it has reached the limits of its circumferential length. The band may have a structural portal to be used for filling, or it may simply be constructed of a fabric-like material that allows a fill tube to perforate its walls to allow for filling. In the latter case, the perforated wall tends to self-seal once the fill tube is withdrawn. The band may be flat or tubular in cross-section. However, unlike a balloon, the band does not require either a bottom or a top, as we found that a top and bottom are unnecessary when using a band or hoop to enclose material injected into a reamed out intervertebral space.
Claims1
A method for repairing or replacing the nucleus of a spinal intervertebral disc, comprising:
- providing a generally flexible double walled mesh member sized to fit and expand transversely into a hollowed region of an intervertebral space, the double walled mesh member defining an interior space and defining a toroidal space between the inner wall and outer wall, the mesh member including at least one fill opening through which fill material may be introduced into the interior space, and at least one fill opening through which fill material may be introduced into the toroidal space, the mesh member constructed and arranged to expand from a reduced state to an expanded state by the introduction of fill material into the interior space;
- inserting the mesh member into the intervertebral space;
- inserting the fill material into the interior space of the mesh member through the at least one fill opening;
- and
- inserting fill material into the toroidal space of the mesh member such that the filled toroidal space provides additional strength and radial support to the intervertebral disc.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.