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US 6,685,695 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for providing nutrition to intervertebral disc tissue
OwnerBret A. Ferreeinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An intervertebral disc is treated by providing supplemental nutrition to increase viability and longevity. In the preferred embodiment, the invention uses one or more porous stents that function to irrigate the disc space. The stents provide channels for diffusion of fluids and nutrients from the vertebral endplates. The stents may extend across the vertebral endplates to facilitate the transfer of nutrients and oxygen from the vertebral bodies.
Claims10
A method of providing nutrients to an intervertebral disc situated between the endplates of upper and lower vertebra, comprising the steps of:
- forming a passageway into the disc space;
- placing a cannulated element in the passageway;
- and
- providing one or more substances beneficial to the intervertebral disc through the cannulated element.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.