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 for treating an intervertebral disc in a patient's spine, the method comprising: 
 (1) providing a tube;    (2) providing an implant at least partially disposed within said tube;    (3) advancing said tube on, into, or through an annulus fibrosus of said intervertebral disc; and    (4) advancing said implant from said tube and into said intervertebral disc;    wherein said tube comprises a sharpened tip to facilitate placement of the tube on, into, or through the annulus fibrosus.    
   
   
       2 . A method for treating an intervertebral disc in a patient's spine, the method comprising: 
 (1) providing at least one tube comprising a distal curve and sharpened tip,    (2) providing an implant at least partially disposed within said tube;    (3) advancing said tube on, into, or through an annulus fibrosus of said intervertebral disc; and    (4) advancing said implant via said tube into said intervertebral disc.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said tube is advanced along a path substantially parallel to the posterior annulus fibrosus proximate the innermost layer of the annulus fibrosus.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said tube is advanced into said annulus fibrosus through at least one other tube.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tube is advanced through a defect that existed in the disc prior to insertion of the tube.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said implant comprises a barrier, suture, or anchor.  
   
   
       7 . A method of positioning an apparatus along an inner aspect of a posterior annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, comprising the steps of: 
 advancing an apparatus deployment cannula through a defect in said annulus fibrosus into an interior of said disc; and    advancing said apparatus into said disc through said deployment cannula wherein said deployment cannula comprises a passage or a slot that deflects said apparatus along a path substantially parallel to said posterior annulus fibrosus.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the apparatus comprises a biocompatible support member.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the advancing said apparatus step comprises deflecting the apparatus along a deflection surface of the deployment cannula.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the deflection surface is integral with the cannula.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the deployment cannula has a circular cross section.  
   
   
       12 . The method of positioning an implant along an inner surface of an annulus fibrosus lamella within an intervertebral disc, said method comprising the steps of: 
 advancing an implant deployment cannula through a hole in said annulus fibrosus to a selected depth within the disc along a path that is transverse to the orientation of the lamella; and    advancing said implant into said disc through said deployment cannula, wherein said deployment cannula comprises a passage or slot that deflects said implant along a path substantially parallel with and adjacent to the lamella at the selected depth.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the implant comprises a biocompatible support member.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the implant is implanted between two or more lamella.