Back to results
US 7,615,076 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for the treatment of the intervertebral disc annulus
AssigneeAnulex Technologies, Inc.
InventorsJoseph C. Cauthen, III, Matthew M. Burns, Lawrence W. Wales, Brian L. Dukart, Bradley J. Wessman, Rodney L. Houfburg, Ishmael Bentley
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 can employ an expandable treatment device which is deployed at least partially in the subannular space. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed, which help to secure the treatment device in place.
Claims21
A method of treating an aperture in an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, comprising:
- providing at least one delivery tool having a proximal portion and a distal portion, said distal portion configured to deliver at least one reparative device;
- providing a reparative device, said reparative device comprising at least first and second anchor portions and a flexible connecting assembly connecting said anchor portions, said connecting assembly configured to be shortened and comprising a locking element, the first and second anchor portions being releasably coupled to the distal portion of the delivery tool;
- introducing the distal portion of the delivery tool with the reparative device proximate annular tissue to be repaired;
- delivering at least a portion of said at least one reparative device into, or through, a portion of the annulus, wherein, upon delivery, such that the first and second anchor portions reside within intervertebral disc tissue, including inserting the first anchor portion and at least a portion of the connecting assembly into or through an outer wall of the annulus fibrosus at a first insertion location proximate the aperture, inserting the second anchor portion and at least a portion of the connecting assembly into or through the outer wall of the annulus fibrosus at a second insertion location proximate the aperture, the second insertion location being separated from the first insertion location such that the aperture is located between the first and second insertion locations, and extending a portion of the connecting assembly across the aperture external to the outer wall of the annulus fibrosus;
- actuating said delivery tool, said actuating step causing the release of said reparative device from the delivery tool;
- shortening the connecting assembly disposed between the anchor portions so as to draw together, at least partially, annular tissue between the first and second anchor portions thereby at least partially drawing together annular tissue defining the aperture between the first and second insertion locations;
- securing said connecting assembly in a shortened configuration with a locking element;
- and,
- removing said delivery tool.
6 more elements
A method of treating an aperture in an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, comprising:
- providing a delivery tool including first and second needles each having a distal portion;
- providing a reparative device including first and second anchor portions and a connecting assembly connecting the anchor portions, the connecting assembly configured to be shortened and including a locking element, the first anchor portion being releasably coupled to the distal portion of the first needle, and the second anchor portion being releasably coupled to the distal portion of the second needle;
- inserting the distal portion of the first needle with the first anchor portion coupled thereto into or through an outer wall of the annulus at a first insertion location proximate the aperture in the annulus fibrosus;
- inserting the distal portion of the second needle with the second anchor portion coupled thereto into or through the outer wall of the annulus fibrosus at a second insertion location proximate the aperture in the annulus fibrosus, the second insertion location being separated from the first insertion location such that the aperture is located between the first and second insertion locations;
- extending a portion of the connecting assembly across the aperture external to the outer wall of the annulus fibrosus;
- causing or allowing the first anchor portion to be released from the first needle, and causing or allowing the second anchor portion to be released from the second needle, wherein, upon release, the first and second anchor portions reside within intervertebral disc tissue;
- shortening the connecting assembly disposed between anchor portions so as to draw together, at least partially, annular tissue between the first and second insertion locations thereby at least partially drawing together annular tissue defining the aperture between the first and second insertion locations;
- securing the connecting assembly in a shortened configuration with the locking element;
- and,
- removing the delivery tool.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.