Patent ID: 8679179
Filing Date: 2014-03-25
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for occluding an opening in the annulus fibrosis of an intervertebral disc, the opening having a width and a height, the annulus fibrosis having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an intradiscal space between adjacent vertebrae separated by an intervertebral spacing, the method comprising the steps of: providing an occluding device having an intradiscal component, an extradiscal component, and a barrier element disposed between the intradiscal component and the extradiscal component; the intradiscal component comprising first and second arms extending along a first axis and terminating in opposing ends, the opposing ends of the first and second arms defining a first dimension greater than the width of the opening; the extradiscal component having third and fourth arms extending along a second axis and terminating in with opposing ends, the second axis extending perpendicularly to the first axis, and the opposing ends of the third and fourth arms defining a second dimension greater than the intervertebral spacing; and inserting the intradiscal component and the barrier element through the opening in the annulus fibrosis and into the intradiscal space, with the extradiscal component being positioned adjacent the outer surface of the annulus fibrosis and making a sliding engagement with at least one of the adjacent vertebrae, and with the occluding device being oriented so that the first axis is disposed horizontally across the width of the opening and the second axis is disposed vertically across the height of the opening, and with the first and second arms of the intradiscal component urging the barrier element against the inner wall of the annulus fibrosis adjacent the opening, thereby occluding the opening.