Implant and covering methods and apparatus

Abstract

In some aspects, a device comprising an implant configured for insertion into a portion of human anatomy, and at least one covering coupled to the implant is provided. According to some aspects, the implant comprises one or more protrusions configured to prevent leakage of material and/or to resist displacement of the implant. According to some aspects, the covering is configured to facilitate improved leakage and/or implant displacement prevention.

1 . A device comprising:
 an implant configure for insertion into a portion of biological anatomy; and   at least one covering coupled to the implant.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering comprises a covering coupled towards a distal end of the implant. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering comprises a covering coupled towards a proximal end of the implant. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering is open at a distal end. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one covering is open at a proximal end 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering is closed at a distal end. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one covering is closed at a proximal end. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering comprises one or more sheets of material. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering has a conical and/or frustoconical shape. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering comprises a first covering coupled towards a distal end of the implant and a second covering coupled proximally from the first covering. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the first covering and the second covering are open at a distal end of the respective covering. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the first covering is closed at a distal end of the first covering and the second covering is open at a distal end of the second covering. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises at least one protrusion, and wherein the at least one covering is coupled to the at least one protrusion. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one covering is tied to the at least one protrusion. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one covering is fitted to the at least one protrusion. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one covering is open to form a sleeve for the at least one protrusion. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one covering is closed to form a sheath for the at least one protrusion. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the implant comprises a plurality of protrusions, and wherein the at least one covering is fitted to the plurality of protrusions. 
     
     
         19 . The device of any of  claims 18 , wherein the at least one covering comprises a first covering fitted to the plurality of protrusions. 
     
     
         20 . The device of any of  claims 18 , wherein the at least one covering comprises a plurality of coverings, each of the plurality of coverings fitted to a respective one of the plurality of protrusions. 
     
     
         21 . The device of any of  claims 18 , wherein the at least one covering comprises a plurality of coverings, at least one of which is fitted to more than one of the plurality of protrusions. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a support structure coupled to the implant, and wherein the at least one covering is directly coupled to the support structure. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the support structure comprises a coil. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one covering is coupled to the coil. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one covering is coupled to the plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is constructed using a first material and the at least one covering comprises a bio-compatible material different than the first material. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering comprises a polymer, synthetic material, a biological substance and/or is based on human tissue. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering comprises flexible and/or conformable material. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering is coupled to the implant prior to insertion of the implant into the portion of the human anatomy. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering is coupled to the implant after insertion of the implant into the portion of the human anatomy. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is configured to be inserted into an intervertebral disc through a defect in the disc. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the implant comprises at least one protrusion configured to facilitate prevention of leakage from the defect and/or to resist displacement of the implant through the defect. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering is configured to improve leakage prevention and/or improve resistance to displacement of the implant. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering is configurable between an insertion configuration suitable for insertion into biological anatomy and a deployed configuration configured to facilitate prevention of leakage and/or to resist displacement of the implant. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one covering is configurable between an insertion configuration suitable for insertion into the intervertebral disc via the defect and a deployed configuration configured to facilitate prevention of leakage from the intervertebral disc and/or to resist displacement of the implant from the intervertebral disc.