Patent ID: 8257311
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of placing material in an interior of a mammalian intervertebral disc or vertebral body, comprising the steps of: a) forming an opening through a wall of a mammalian intervertebral disc or vertebral body; b) advancing an introducer comprising a guide through said opening in said wall of the mammalian intervertebral disc or vertebral body; c) engaging said guide with an elongated placement tool and advancing said elongated placement tool along said guide, wherein said elongated placement tool is formed of a shape memory material and comprises a preformed S-shape and wherein said preformed S-shape of said elongated placement tool is deformed by said guide; d) continuing to advance said elongated placement tool along said guide until a portion of said elongated placement tool comprising said preformed S-shape exits said guide into the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc or vertebral body, whereupon the preformed S-shape of said elongated placement tool assumes said preformed S-shape as said elongated placement tool exits said guide in the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc or vertebral body; e) positioning said elongated placement tool as desired within the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc or vertebral body, wherein the elongated placement tool is selectively positioned and material is deposited at points in the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc or vertebral body by combining selective advancement and retraction of the elongated placement tool within the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc or vertebral body with independent selective advancement and retraction of the introducer.