Nucleus replacement securing device and method

Abstract

There is disclosed systems and methods for spinal nucleus replacement by constructing channels through vertebral segments on either side of an area into which the spinal nucleus is to be positioned, the channels running from a channel end outside of the area to a channel end abutting the area. One end of a suture is inserted into the outside channel end of a first one of the channels and passed through the first channel and into the area and out of the area through the second channel until it emerges from the second channel. The suture is then used to pull the nucleus into the area.

1 . A method for spinal nucleus replacement, said method comprising: 
 constructing channels through vertebral segments on either side of an area into which a nucleus replacement is to be positioned; said channels running from a channel end outside of said area to a channel end abutting said area;    inserting one end of a suture into said outside channel end of a first one of said channels and passing said suture end through said first channel and into said area;    inserting said suture end into the second of said channels and passing said suture end through said second channel until it emerges from said channel at said outside channel end of said second channel;    attaching at least one nucleus replacement to a section of said suture between the ends of said suture; and    pulling on at least one end of said suture to thereby pull said nucleus into said area.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said attaching occurs prior to said suture being pulled through said second channel.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said attaching occurs outside of said area.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 connecting ends of said suture together outside of said area thereby holding said replacement within said area.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said connecting is elastic.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said connecting is with a flexible rod.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising: 
 adding a stiffener to said flexible rod.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 securing each end of said suture such that said end can not pass through each respective channel.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 passing canulas through said channels prior to inserting said suture end into said channels.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said nucleus replacement can have at least one metal portion.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 inserting anchors within said channels, said anchors protecting said vertebral segments.    
     
     
         12 . A nucleus replacement device comprising: 
 a suture attached to said replacement device, said suture having a length for running from said nucleus replacement device into an area into which said nucleus is to be positioned and then back through holes in vertebral structures defining said area to a position outside of said area.    
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  further comprising: 
 at least one metal portion.    
     
     
         14 . A spinal nucleus replacement system, said system comprising: 
 a nucleus replacement device for inserting into an area defined by vertebral segments; and    means for constructing channels through said vertebral structures from a position outside said defined area to a position within said defined area, said channels to be used to assist in the insertion of said nucleus replacement from a position outside said defined area to a position within said defined area.    
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 means for attaching a suture to said nucleus replacement device after said suture has passed through at least one of said constructed channels.    
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 means outside said defined area for controllably tensioning said nucleus when said nucleus is within said defined area.    
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said tensioning means comprises at least one flexible element.  
     
     
         18 . A method for spinal nucleus insertion, said method comprising: 
 constructing channels through vertebral structures, said vertebral structures defining an area into which a nucleus is to be inserted, said channels extending from a position outside said defined area to a position within said defined area;    positioning at least one suture through said channels and through said defined area;    positioning a spinal nucleus outside said defined area; and    pulling said positioned spinal nucleus inside said defined area by use of said positioned suture.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising: 
 connecting ends of said suture together outside of said defined area thereby holding said spinal nucleus within said area.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said connecting is elastic.