APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TREATING SPINAL DISCS

摘要

Apparatus and methods for treating a spinal disc are disclosed. An opening (95) is created in the annulus fibrosis (92), and nucleus pulposus is removed from the interior of the disc. The interior is lined with a nonporous, bioabsorbable liner, and filled with a fill material, such as nucleus pulposus, to cause the liner to expand to engage tissue surrounding the interior (91, 92). The liner may be a sheet of extra-cellular matrix material that is introduced into the interior, or a bladder (12) of extra-cellular matrix material including a neck (24) communicating with an interior region of the bladder. The sheet or bladder may be carried by delivery device, e.g., a catheter (16) or rod. After the interior region is filled, the opening (95) is closed using a plug (114) or other closure device. The plug may include thread (115) on its external surface for securing the plug in the opening.