| 摘要 |
A device and method to reinforce the annulus during spinal surgery. The d evice is placed into the intervertebral space following discectomy. The dist al end of a catheter is comprised of an expansile loop which may be increase d in diameter by advancement of a portion of the catheter via its proximal e nd. The expansile loop may be formed such that when the loop is diametricall y contracted the loop feeds into its other end. Stabilization of the outer p ortion of the loop and pulling out the inner portion will thereby increase t he overall diameter of the loop while maintaining it as a closed loop or tor us. The expansile loop can use an attachment means to secure it to substanti ally healthy tissues of the annulus, nucleus, or endplates. The present inve ntion comprises four embodiments and can be used for disc fusion, artificial replacement of the nucleus, artificial replacement of the annulus, or both.
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