Patent ID: 7189235
Filing Date: 2007-03-13
Classification: A61B,A61F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for treating an intervertebral disc having an aperture in the annulus fibrosus, wherein the aperture provides a pathway for the migration of intradiscal material from the subannular space, the method comprising the steps of: providing a device having a first folded configuration and second unfolded configuration, wherein said unfolded configuration has a width dimension, a depth dimension, and a height dimension, wherein, in use, said height dimension lies substantially parallel to the axis of a patient's spine, the depth dimension lies substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine, and the width dimension lies substantially parallel to the circumference of the patient's disc annulus, and wherein said width dimension is greater than said height dimension and said height dimension is greater than said depth dimension; wherein the first folded configuration comprises dimensions permitting said device to pass through the aperture and the second unfolded configuration comprises at least one dimension larger than a dimension of the aperture; inserting the device through the aperture in the first configuration; and causing or allowing the device to obtain said second configuration whereby said width or height dimension at least partially spans said aperture, thereby providing a barrier restricting the migration of intradiscal material through the aperture.