Anulus lesion repair

Abstract

Methods for repairing a damaged or weakened intervertebral disc are disclosed. According to one or more embodiments, a method comprises delivering a support member within an intervertebral disc having an anular defect, anchoring an anchor to a vertebral body adjacent the intervertebral disc, connecting the anchor to the support member, and pulling the support member toward the anchor using the connection.

1 . A method for repairing an anular lesion of an intervertebral disc comprising:
 locating a defect in an anulus fibrosis, wherein said defect is proximate a herniated segment,   wherein the herniated segment comprises anulus fibrosis tissue;   delivering a support member within the intervertebral disc, wherein the support member comprises a plate or bar shaped device;   securely establishing an anchor to a vertebral body adjacent said intervertebral disc and substantially opposite said defect with an anchor;   connecting said anchor to said support member; and   returning at least part of the herniated segment to a pre-herniated position substantially within a pre-herniated border of the herniated segment by pulling the support member towards the anchor.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vertebral body is a superior vertebral body. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vertebral body is an inferior vertebral body. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is positioned at a site substantially opposite said defect. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein connecting said anchor to said support member comprises connecting said anchor to said support member with a connection member, wherein the connection member is configured for transmission of a tensile force along its length, thereby causing the herniated segment to move in the direction of its pre-herniated border. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein returning at least part of the herniated segment to a pre-herniated position comprises tightening the connection member. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising maintaining tension between the anchor and the support member with the connection member once the herniated segment is returned to the pre-herniated position, thereby restricting motion of the herniated segment to within the pre-herniated border of the intervertebral disc. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning said support member along an innermost layer of the anulus. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said anchor comprises a bone anchor. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising closing said defect in the anulus fibrosis. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein delivering a support member within the intervertebral disc comprises delivering the support member through the defect in the anulus fibrosis. 
   
   
       12 . A method for reinforcing an intervertebral disc comprising:
 locating a herniated segment in an anulus fibrosis in an intervertebral disc;   wherein the herniated segment comprises an anulus fibrosis tissue that protrudes outside its pre-herniated border;   delivering a support member through said anulus fibrosis, wherein the support member comprises a plate or bar shaped device;   securely establishing an anchor to a vertebral body adjacent said intervertebral disc;   connecting the support member and the anchor with a connection member;   tightening the connection member, thereby returning at least part of the herniated segment to a position substantially within said pre-herniated border by pulling the support member towards the anchor.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein tightening the connection member transmits a tensile force along the length of the connection member, thereby causing the herniated segment to move in the direction of its pre-herniated border. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said anchor comprises a bone anchor. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein securely establishing said anchor comprises anchoring said anchor into the vertebral body adjacent said herniated segment. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said vertebral body is a superior vertebral body. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said vertebral body is an inferior vertebral body. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising positioning said support member along an innermost layer of the anulus. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising maintaining a tensile force of the connection member once the at least part of the herniated segment is retuned to the position substantially within the pre-herniated border, thereby restricting motion of the herniated segment to within the pre-herniated border of the intervertebral disc. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein delivering a support member through said anulus fibrosis comprises delivering the support member through a defect in the anulus fibrosis proximate the herniated segment.