Spinal disc annulus repair device

Abstract

A stent, or device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall, or annulus fibrosus, after surgical incision or pathologic rupture, which is inserted through an aperture into the subannular space. The stent has radial extensions which are caused or allowed to expand into an expanded configuration to bridge the aperture. The stent thereby occludes the defective region from the inside of the vertebral disc and prevents the migration of nucleus pulposus therethrough, while also providing a scaffold for tissue growth.

1 - 44 . (canceled)  
   
   
       45 . An annulus stent for repairing an aperture in an intervertebral disc annulus comprising a centralized vertical extension with an upper section and a lower section, and a recess between the upper section and the lower section enabling the annulus stent to form a compatible fit with the edges of an aperture.  
   
   
       46 . The annulus stent of  claim 45 , wherein the upper section of the centralized vertical extension comprises a slot, the slot forming an orifice through the upper section.  
   
   
       47 . The annulus stent of  claim 46 , wherein the slot is positioned within the upper section such that it traverses the longitudinal axis of the upper section.  
   
   
       48 . The annulus stent of  claim 47 , wherein the slot is sized and shaped to accommodate sutures, tension bands, or staples.  
   
   
       49 . An implantable device for therapeutically or prophylactically treating the annulus of a patient's intervertebral disc, the annulus having an aperture having an aperture dimension along a selected axis, said device comprising a body having a delivery configuration and an implanted configuration, wherein: 
 in said delivery configuration said device has at least one first dimension no larger than said aperture dimension; and    in said implanted configuration said device has at least one second dimension larger than said aperture dimension.    
   
   
       50 . The implantable device of  claim 49 , wherein said second dimension lies along a different axis than said first dimension.  
   
   
       51 . The implantable device of  claim 49 , wherein, in use, said device is constructed and sized to be capable of subannular reorientation.  
   
   
       52 . The implantable device of  claim 51 , wherein said reorientation comprises rotation.  
   
   
       53 . The implantable device of  claim 51 , wherein said reorientation comprises deforming the device.  
   
   
       54 . The implantable device of  claim 49 , wherein said second dimension results from causing or allowing the device to expand from said delivery configuration.  
   
   
       55 . The implantable device of  claim 49 , wherein said aperture dimension is a lateral width measured substantially perpendicular to the normal axis of the spine.  
   
   
       56 . The implantable device of  claim 49 , wherein said aperture dimension is a height measured substantially parallel to the normal axis of the spine.  
   
   
       57 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein at least a portion of the device is formed at least in part of synthetic biocompatible material.  
   
   
       58 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein at least a portion of the device is formed at least in part of biocompatible fabric.  
   
   
       59 . The implantable device of  claim 49 , wherein at least a portion of the device is formed at least in part of polyethylene terephthalate.  
   
   
       60 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein at least a portion of the device is formed at least in part of polytetrafluoroethylyene.  
   
   
       61 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein at least a portion of the device is formed at least in part of bioresorbable material.  
   
   
       62 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein at least a portion of the device is formed at least in part of material to facilitate regeneration of disc tissues.  
   
   
       63 . The device of  claim 62 , wherein the material for facilitating regeneration includes at least in part a growth factor.  
   
   
       64 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein at least a portion of the device is formed at least in part of flexible, resilient material.  
   
   
       65 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein at least a portion of the device is formed at least in part of a polymer.  
   
   
       66 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein at least a portion of the device is formed at least in part of a polymeric sheet.  
   
   
       67 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein at least a portion of the device is formed at least in part of allograft.  
   
   
       68 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein at least a portion of the device is formed at least in part of autograft.  
   
   
       69 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein at least a portion of the device is formed at least in part of xenograft.  
   
   
       70 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein at least a portion of the device is formed at least in part of porous mesh.  
   
   
       71 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein at least a portion of the device is formed at least in part of fibrous material.  
   
   
       72 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein at least a portion of the device is formed at least in part of polymer fibers.  
   
   
       73 . The device of  claim 49 , further comprising an attachment element for facilitating fixation of the device to anatomical features of the patient.  
   
   
       74 . The device of  claim 73 , wherein said anatomical features include vertebral bodies.  
   
   
       75 . The device of  claim 73 , wherein said anatomical features include the annulus fibrosus.  
   
   
       76 . The device of  claim 49 , further comprising attachment means for securing said device within the patient.  
   
   
       77 . The device of  claim 76 , wherein said attachment means comprise at least one suture.  
   
   
       78 . The device of  claim 76 , wherein said attachment means comprise tension bands.  
   
   
       79 . The device of  claim 76 , wherein said attachment means comprise staples.  
   
   
       80 . The device of  claim 76 , wherein said attachment means comprise barbs.  
   
   
       81 . A device for treating a defect in an intervertebral disc annulus, the device comprising of a body having a delivery configuration and an implanted configuration, wherein: 
 in said delivery configuration said device has at least one first dimension permitting the device to be passed into or through the defect; and,    in said implanted configuration said device has at least one second dimension that is larger than said defect.    
   
   
       82 . An implantable device for treating an aperture in the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, the device comprising a collapsible body, wherein the body is characterized by: 
 a first collapsed configuration dimensioned to be at least partially delivered through the aperture; and,    a second expanded configuration having at least one dimension larger than said aperture.    
   
   
       83 . A device for treating an intervertebral disc having an aperture in the annulus fibrosus, wherein the aperture provides a pathway for the migration of intradiscal material from the subannular space, the device comprising a barrier body wherein the body has: 
 a first dimension during deployment permitting said device to pass through the aperture and,    a second post-deployment dimension whereby said second dimension at least partially spans said aperture, thereby restricting the migration of intradiscal material through the aperture.    
   
   
       84 . A method of treating an intervertebral disc, comprising the steps of: 
 harvesting autograft or allograft tendon material from a live or recently deceased human or other suitable donor; and    transplanting the tendon material into or onto a disc to strengthen the annulus fibrosis or to augment or replace the nucleus pulposus.    
   
   
       85 . The method of  claim 84 , further including the step of adding one or more therapeutic substances to the tendon material.  
   
   
       86 . The method of  claim 85 , wherein the therapeutic substances include growth factors.  
   
   
       87 . The method of  claim 85 , wherein the therapeutic substances include bioactive silica-based materials.