Apparatus for promoting movement of nutrients to intervertebral space and method of use

摘要

Devices and methods are disclosed for treating an intervertebral space. A device is provided that extends from the middle of at least one vertebral body to the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae. The device allows nutrients, such as bone marrow, blood, etc., to migrate from the vertebral body to the disc space to help promote fusion of the two adjacent vertebral bodies. The device can be tubular, perforated and can be made of an absorbent or wicking material that is able to promote the nutrients to travel through the apparatus.

主权项

1. A method for promoting fusion within a spine segment having a disc comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer side surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, comprising:
accessing an endplate of a vertebral body; perforating the endplate of the vertebral body; providing an implant for treating the spine comprising a porous member configured to promote transfer of nutrients, wherein a first end of the implant has indentations, holes or pores optimized for wicking nutrients into the interior of the implant and the second end of the implant has different indentations, holes, or pores optimized for delivery of the nutrients to the surrounding area of the intervertebral space; inserting the implant into a spinal column in a specific orientation such that the first end of the implant is adjacent a cancellous bone portion of the vertebral body and the second end of the implant extends into the disc, and wherein the porous member has a reduced configuration to allow implantation and an expanded configuration after implantation.