Methods and apparatus for treating disc herniation and preventing the extrusion of interbody bone graft

摘要

Methods and apparatus for treating disc herniation provide a conformable device which assumes a first shape associated with insertion and a second shape or expanded shape to occlude the defect which typically follows partial discectomy. The device may take different forms according to the invention, including patches size to cover the defect or plugs adapted to fill the defect. In a preferred embodiment, however, the device is a gel or other liquid or semi-liquid which solidifies to occlude the defect from within the body of the disc itself. In another preferred embodiment, a mesh screen is collapsed into an elongated form for the purposes of insertion, thereby minimizing the size of the requisite incision while avoiding delicate surrounding nerves. Such a configuration also permits the use of instrumentation to install the device, including, for example, a hollow tube or sheath adapted to hold the collapsed screen, and a push rod to expel the collapsed device out of the sheath for use in occluding the disc defect. A device according to the invention may further include one or more anchors to assist in permanently affixing the device with respect to the defect.

主权项

1. A method of closing off a defect in an anulus of an intervertebral disc, said intervertebral disc being part of a spine, the method comprising the steps of:
inserting a barrier through an opening into a disc; wherein the barrier comprises an expandable membrane; and positioning said barrier between native nucleus tissue and an interior surface of a annulus lamella such that said barrier spans beyond the periphery of said defect in more than one direction; wherein said annulus has multiple layers, the method comprising: inserting a first portion of the barrier between at least two layers of said annulus on a first side of said defect; and inserting a second portion of said barrier between at least two layers of said annulus on a second side of said defect, such that said barrier spans said defect and is maintained in position at least in part by the annulus on each side of said defect, said barrier acting to obstruct passage of material from the interior of said disc to the exterior of said disc through said defect.