Systems, Methods and Apparatuses for Formation and Insertion of Tissue Prosthesis

Abstract

A tissue insertion prosthesis system includes a method to facilitate a removal of a biomaterial delivery device from an inflatable member that has been inserted into a cavity formed by the removal of a portion of a nuclear material from an intervertebral disc and to be filled by a tissue prosthesis.

1 . A method to facilitate a removal of a biomaterial delivery device from an inflatable member that has been inserted into a cavity formed by the removal of a portion of a nuclear material from an intervertebral disc and to be filled by a tissue prosthesis, comprising the steps of:
 inserting a conduit assembly carrying an inflatable member along a distal end of the conduit assembly into a cavity formed by the removal of a portion of a nuclear material from an intervertebral disc, wherein the inflatable member includes a zone of weakness formed at a proximal end of the inflatable member;   introducing a volume of a biomaterial into the inflatable member through the use of the conduit assembly in order to fill the inflatable member with the biomaterial such that the biomaterial filled, inflatable member conforms to a size and shape of the cavity;   withdrawing the conduit assembly until a predetermined position along the distal end of the conduit assembly is aligned with the zone of weakness on the biomaterial filled, inflatable member;   twisting the conduit assembly in order to cause the biomaterial filled, inflatable member to separate from the conduit assembly at the zone of weakness; and   forming an occlusion adjacent to the biomaterial filled, inflatable member at the area where the biomaterial filled, inflatable member is separated from the conduit assembly in order to complete the tissue prosthesis.   
     
     
         2 . The method to facilitate a removal of a biomaterial delivery device from an inflatable member that has been inserted into a cavity formed by the removal of a portion of a nuclear material from an intervertebral disc and to be filled by a tissue prosthesis, as in  claim 1 , wherein the zone of weakness is further comprised of:
 a circumferential groove located around a periphery of the proximal end of the inflatable member, wherein the circumferential groove encompasses a continuous or interrupted zone of weakness.   
     
     
         3 . The method to facilitate a removal of a biomaterial delivery device from an inflatable member that has been inserted into a cavity formed by the removal of a portion of a nuclear material from an intervertebral disc and to be filled by a tissue prosthesis, as in  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable member is further comprised of:
 an envelope.   
     
     
         4 . A method to facilitate a removal of a biomaterial delivery device from an envelope, comprising the steps of:
 inserting a conduit assembly carrying an envelope along a distal end of the conduit assembly into a cavity formed by the removal of a portion of a nuclear material from an intervertebral disc, wherein the envelope includes an area of weakness formed at a first end of the envelope;   introducing a volume of a biomaterial into the envelope through the use of the conduit assembly in order to fill the envelope with the biomaterial such that the biomaterial filled envelope conforms to a size and shape of the cavity;   withdrawing the conduit assembly until a predetermined position along the distal end of the conduit assembly is aligned with the area of weakness on the biomaterial filled envelope;   twisting the conduit assembly in order to cause the biomaterial filled envelope to break away from the conduit assembly at the area of weakness; and   forming an occlusion adjacent to the biomaterial filled envelope at the area where the biomaterial filled envelope is separated from the conduit assembly in order to complete the tissue prosthesis.   
     
     
         5 . The method to facilitate a removal of a biomaterial delivery device from an envelope, as in  claim 4 , wherein the area of weakness is further comprised of:
 a circumferential groove located around a periphery of the proximal end of the envelope.