Method and apparatus for delivering an intervertebral disc implant
US7204851B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 23, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2310/00023
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for implanting a prosthetic spinal disc nucleus in an intervertebral disc nucleus space generally includes: (a) making a hole in the annulus of a disc, with the hole having an undilated size that is smaller than the cross-sectional size of a folded prosthetic disc nucleus; (b) using an implant instrument to dilate the hole in the disc annulus; (c) using the implant instrument to pass a straightened prosthetic disc nucleus through the dilated hole and into the disc nucleus space; (d) withdrawing the implant instrument and allowing the hole in the disc annulus to return to a size smaller that its dilated size; and (e) causing or allowing the prosthetic disc nucleus to assume a folded configuration with a cross-sectional size that is larger than its straightened size. A device for use in the method is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.