Deployment devices and methods for vertebral disc augmentation
AssigneeIntrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.
InventorsGregory H. Lambrecht, Robert Kevin Moore, Thomas Banks, Russel J. Redmond, Claude A. Vidal
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods are directed at stabilizing somatic implants. A site within a body is selected that has a first region having a tight and/or changing curvature bordered by a second region or regions having minimal or constant curvature. An apparatus that has a flexible portion and one or more relatively rigid portions may then be implanted such that the flexible portion is situated in the first region and the rigid portion lies in the second region whereby the implant will remain dynamically stable and resist migration
Claims18
A method of positioning an apparatus along an inner aspect of a posterior annulus fibrosis of an intervertebral disc, comprising the steps of:
- advancing an apparatus deployment cannula through a defect in said annulus fibrosis into an interior of said disc, wherein said cannula comprises a main elongate body;
- and
- advancing said apparatus into said disc through said deployment cannula, wherein said deployment cannula comprises a side mounted slot that deflects said apparatus along a path substantially parallel to said posterior annulus fibrosis along an innermost layer of the annulus fibrosis and substantially perpendicular to the main elongate body of the cannula.
A method of positioning an implant along an inner surface of an annulus fibrosus lamella within an intervertebral disc, said method comprising the steps of:
- advancing an implant deployment cannula through a hole in said annulus fibrosus to a selected depth within the disc along a path that is transverse to the orientation of the lamella, wherein said cannula comprises a main elongate body, and wherein said cannula is advanced without creating additional holes or tears in the annulus;
- and
- advancing said implant into said disc through said deployment cannula, wherein said deployment cannula comprises a passage or a slot that deflects said implant along a path substantially parallel with and adjacent to the lamella at the selected depth along an innermost layer of the annulus fibrosis and deflects said implant substantially perpendicular to the main elongate body of the cannula.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.