Devices and methods for the treatment of spinal disorders

Abstract

Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. Dynamic bias devices and reinforcement devices are disclosed, which may be used individually or in combination, to eliminate nerve impingement associated with the damaged disc, and/or to reinforce the damaged disc, while permitting relative movement of the vertebrae adjacent the damaged disc.

1 . A method of treating pain associated an intervertebral disc disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra in an adult human spine having a median plane and an axis of curvature, the method comprising the steps of: 
 identifying the intervertebral disc causing pain;    providing one or more implantable devices, each having a first vertebral attachment member, a second vertebral attachment member, and a bias force member applying a bias force therebetween while permitting near normal relative motion therebetween;    attaching the first attachment member of each implantable device to the first vertebra; and    attaching the second attachment member of each implantable device to the second vertebra such that the bias force members exert a net bias force balanced about the median plane to increase separation of the first and second vertebrae.    
   
   
       2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second vertebrae have spinous processes, and wherein the implantable device is disposed posterior of the spinous processes.  
   
   
       3 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second vertebrae have spinous processes, and wherein the implantable devices are disposed lateral of the spinous processes.  
   
   
       4 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the bias force member of each implantable device is pre-loaded with a compression load prior to the step of attaching the second attachment member.  
   
   
       5 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second vertebrae are partially separated prior to the step of attaching the second attachment member.  
   
   
       6 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the intervertebral disc has a protrusion, further comprising the step of cutting away at least a portion of the protrusion.  
   
   
       7 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the intervertebral disc has an annulus, further comprising the steps of: 
 providing an implantable reinforcement member; and    implanting the reinforcement member into the annulus of the intervertebral disc.    
   
   
       8 . An implantable system for treating an intervertebral disc disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra in an adult human spine having a median plane and an axis of curvature, the system comprising: 
 a first vertebral attachment member;    a second vertebral attachment member; and    a bias member applying a net bias force between the first vertebral attachment member and the second vertebra attachment member, wherein the bias member permits near normal relative motion between the first and second vertebrae, and the net bias force is substantially symmetric about the median plane.    
   
   
       9 . An implantable system as in  claim 8 , wherein the bias member has a substantially linear displacement.  
   
   
       10 . An implantable system as in  claim 9 , wherein the displacement is substantially parallel to the axis of curvature of the first and second vertebrae.  
   
   
       11 . An implantable system as in  claim 8 , wherein the bias member has a range of displacement and the bias member applies substantially no force over a portion of the range of displacement.  
   
   
       12 . An implantable system as in  claim 8 , wherein the bias member has a range of displacement greater than  1 . 0  cm.  
   
   
       13 . An implantable system as in  claim 8 , wherein the bias member includes a spring.  
   
   
       14 . An implantable system as in  claim 8 , further including a bushing to isolate movement of the attachment members from the vertebrae.  
   
   
       15 . A method of reinforcing an annulus of an intervertebral disc disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra in an adult human spine, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an implantable reinforcement member; and    implanting the reinforcement member into the annulus of the intervertebral disc.    
   
   
       16 . A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of partially separating the adjacent vertebrae prior to the step of implantation.  
   
   
       17 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein a plurality of implantable reinforcement members are provided, and wherein the plurality of reinforcement members are implanted substantially parallel in the annulus.  
   
   
       18 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein the reinforcement member is expandable, further comprising the step of expanding the reinforcement member.  
   
   
       19 . A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a tubular member having a curved tip and a lumen extending therethrough;    inserting the tip of the tubular member into the annulus; and    inserting the reinforcement member through the lumen of the tubular member and into the annulus.    
   
   
       20 . A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing one or more implantable bias devices, each having a first vertebral attachment member, a second vertebral attachment member, and a bias force member applying a bias force therebetween while permitting near normal relative motion therebetween;    attaching the first attachment member of each implantable bias device to the first vertebra; and    attaching the second attachment member of each implantable bias device to the second vertebra.