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 . A method of positioning an implant within an implantation site, said implantation site comprising a first region having a tight and/or changing curvature bordered by a second region or regions having minimal or constant curvature, said method comprising: placing a relatively flexible region of said implant within said first region; placing a relatively stiff or rigid region of said implant within said second region; wherein said implantation site is the interior of an intervertebral disc and said implant comprises a barrier for preventing the migration of materials from within the disc toward the periphery of the disc; affixing the barrier to tissue in or surrounding the intervertebral disc; and deploying the barrier between the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosis of the intervertebral disc.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said first implantation region is the annulus fibrosis and said second implantation region is a vertebral endplate or endplate cartilage.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said first implantation region is the posterior lateral corner of the annulus fibrosis and said second region is the posterior or lateral annulus fibrosis.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising expanding the barrier to an expanded state.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the barrier further comprises a frame operable to enlarge or expand at least one dimension of the barrier.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the frame comprises an alloy of nickel and titanium.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the frame comprises a longitudinal strut and a plurality of radial elements.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 49 , comprising providing a frame with a first end and a second end that extend at oblique angles relative to a longitudinal axis of the frame.  
   
   
       53 . A method of positioning an implant within an implantation site, said implantation site comprising a first region having a tight and/or changing curvature bordered by a second region or regions having minimal or constant curvature, said method comprising: placing a relatively flexible region of said implant within said first region; placing a relatively stiff or rigid region of said implant within said second region; wherein said implantation site is the interior of an intervertebral disc and said implant comprises a barrier for preventing the migration of materials from within the disc toward the periphery of the disc; and inserting an insertion device into the intervertebral disc at a point located a distance away from a defect in the annular fibrosis of the intervertebral disc and advancing the barrier across the defect.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein said first implantation region is the annulus fibrosis and said second implantation region is a vertebral endplate or endplate cartilage.  
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein said first implantation region is the posterior lateral corner of the annulus fibrosis and said second region is the posterior or lateral annulus fibrosis.  
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising expanding the barrier to an expanded state.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the implant further comprises a frame operable to mount the barrier.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the frame comprises an alloy of nickel and titanium.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the frame comprises a longitudinal strut and a plurality of radial elements.  
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising providing a frame with a first end and a second end that extend at oblique angles relative to a longitudinal axis of the frame.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising affixing at least a portion of the barrier to tissue in or surrounding the intervertebral disc.  
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising resisting or promoting tissue ingrowth.  
   
   
       63 . A method of positioning an implant within an implantation site, said implantation site comprising a first region having a tight and/or changing curvature bordered by a second region or regions having minimal or constant curvature, said method comprising: placing a relatively flexible region of said implant within said first region; placing a relatively stiff or rigid region of said implant within said second region; wherein said implantation site is the interior of an intervertebral disc and said implant comprises a barrier for preventing the migration of materials from within the disc toward the periphery of the disc; and deploying the barrier between the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosis of the intervertebral disc.  
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising affixing at least a portion of the implant to tissue in or surrounding the intervertebral disc.