Intervertebral Disc Annulus Stent

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 . A method of reinforcing an annulus of an intervertebral disc comprising: providing a biocompatible support member, wherein said biocompatible support member is a plate-shaped; displacing a herniated annulus segment to approximately its pre-herniated location; implanting at least a portion of the plate-shaped biocompatible support member along or within the annulus; placing said biocompatible support member to substantially close a defect in the annulus; and positioning said biocompatible support member within the disc such that said biocompatible support member is entirely disposed along the innermost surface of the annulus.  
   
   
       2 . A method of reinforcing a herniated segment of an annulus of an intervertebral disc comprising: providing a biocompatible support member, wherein said biocompatible support member is plate-shaped; implanting at least a portion of the biocompatible support member along an annulus lamella surface, wherein at least a portion of said biocompatible support member contacts at least a portion of the herniated segment of the annulus; securely establishing said plate-shaped biocompatible support member to, within, or posterior to the herniated segment; returning at least a portion of the herniated segment of the annulus to a site substantially within its pre-herniated borders; and positioning said biocompatible support member within the disc such that said biocompatible support member is entirely disposed along the innermost surface of the annulus.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of displacing a herniated annulus segment to approximately its pre-herniated location comprises displacing said herniated annulus segment to approximately its pre-herniated location without removing said herniated annulus segment.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of returning at least a portion of the herniated segment of the annulus to a site substantially within its pre-herniated borders is performed without removing said herniated annulus segment.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising using said biocompatible support member to support a weakened anulus in which there is no defect.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the support member closes a defect in the vicinity of the herniated segment.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: providing a connection member and an anchor; attaching said connection member to said support member and to said anchor; and anchoring said anchor to a site within the intervertebral disc.  
   
   
       8 . The method in  claim 7 , further comprising maintaining tension between the support member and the anchor sufficient to cause the herniated segment to remain within its preherniated borders.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of anchoring the biocompatible support member to the annulus.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing augmentation material operable to augment the nucleus pulposus of the disc.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of securely establishing said plate-shaped biocompatible support member comprises anchoring the biocompatible support member to the annulus.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising providing augmentation material operable to augment the nucleus pulposus of the disc.