Intervertebral disc repair methods and apparatus
US6684886B1 · kind B1 · utility
41Cited by
8References
5Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 3, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 5, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/00261
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques include expanding an incision with an expanding cannula, inserting a retractor for retracting a nerve root, and inserting a thermal probe for repairing the annulus. A light absorbing dye may be applied to the annulus for localized heating.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.