Method of repairing an annulus

A repair technique utilizing an elastic loop that is inserted on each side of an annular tear or annular incision following discectomy. The loop is initially an opened linear strand with the open ends inserted on each side of the annular tear with guiding arms in curvilinear fashion. The ends are joined together in the substance of the annulus where the ends are locked under tension. The insertion device is then removed and the elastic loop, which has been under tension, will tighten causing the annular tear to pull together thereby diminishing or eliminating any gap. One or more annular elastic sutures can be used for each annular tear to insure proper closure. The insertion device has guiding arms that push the open ends of the annular suture loop through the substance of the annulus and then forces them together engaging a locking mechanism inside the substance of the annulus. This technique allows for relatively easy and quick repair of the annular defect or tear.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to medical devices and specifically to a medical device for the repair of the annular portion of a disc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A tear in the annular portion of a disc either occurring naturally or as a result of a discectomy may eventually cause herniation or further degeneration of the disc. Accordingly, there is a need for a device and method for repairing the annular portion of a disc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the above described need by providing a repair technique utilizing an elastic loop that is inserted on each side of an annular tear or annular incision following discectomy. The loop is initially an opened linear strand with the open ends inserted on each side of the annular tear with guiding arms in curvilinear fashion. The ends are joined together in the substance of the annulus where the ends are locked under tension. The insertion device is then removed and the elastic loop, which has been under tension, will tighten causing the annular tear to pull together thereby diminishing or eliminating any gap. One or more annular elastic sutures can be used for each annular tear to insure proper closure. The insertion device has guiding arms that push the open ends of the annular suture loop through the substance of the annulus and then forces them together engaging a locking mechanism inside the substance of the annulus. This technique allows for relatively easy and quick repair of the annular defect or tear. The locking mechanism may be comprised of a ball and socket that is joined together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning toFIG. 1, the annulus10of a disc has a tear13disposed at its periphery. The tear13may occur naturally or may result from an incision during a discectomy. In order to prevent further herniation or damage to the disk, the tear13should be closed.

As shown inFIG. 2, an insertion device16is deployed to the site of the tear13, and an elastic loop19having ends19aand19bis deployed through the body of the annulus10. The elastic loop19is deployed under tension and the ends19aand19bare connected as described in greater detail herein. Once the insertion device16is disengaged from the elastic loop19, the loop19contracts due to its elastic properties and holds the tear13closed.

Turning toFIG. 3, the tear13is repaired and the loop19remains installed in the annulus10.

InFIG. 4a, a first embodiment of the insertion device is shown. Insertion device25has an elongate body28with a distal end29having a pair of openings31and34on either side of solid member37covering the middle of the opening. A sliding member40moves inside the body28in the direction of arrow43. The sliding member40engages with a pre-formed attachment member46. The attachment member46has arcuate arms46aand46bthat cause the ends49aand49bto be forced together when the attachment member46is pushed by the sliding member40. A ball52and socket55may be disposed at the ends49aand49b. Other locking means will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure. When the ends49aand49bare pushed together, the ball52engages with the socket55to lock the attachment member46in a loop to hold the tear13in a closed position as shown inFIG. 3.

InFIG. 4b, the attachment member46is shown during deployment. The attachment member46may be constructed of a metal having elastic properties or other material that is suitable for use inside the body. The attachment member46is bent from the position shown inFIG. 4ato the position shown inFIG. 4band the material properties cause the attachment member46to retain its shape after being bent. When the sliding member40is retracted, the insertion device can be removed from the attachment member46.

Turning toFIG. 5, an alternate embodiment of the insertion device includes a pair of sliding link members60,63that are connected to pivoting links66aand66b. An elastic, resilient material is used to form a loop. The elastic material is connected to links69aand69bby a channel formed in the outside of the links69a,69b. The links69aand69bare rotatably connected to the sliding link members60and63. A pair of elongate links72aand72bare connected to links69aand69b. The sliding link members60,63are disposed through sleeves75aand75band the link members60,63have enlarged heads78,81that prevent further motion in the direction of arrow84. In operation, by pushing the links72aand72bin the direction of arrow84, the links69a,69bholding the elastic members85are moved forward through the annulus until the enlarged heads78,81engage with the end of the sleeves75aand75b. At this point further forward movement of the links72aand72bcause the links66a,66bto rotate about the end of the sliding link members60,63. This causes the ends of the elastic members to rotate toward each other such that the locking members52,55at the end of the elastic members engage.

InFIG. 6, another embodiment of the insertion device is shown. Insertion device100is designed with a pair of pivoting arms103,106capable of holding the ends of the elastic loop apart during deployment and then bringing the ends together via scissors action by means of handles109,112. The two arms103,106are joined at a pivot point115. The elastic member is held in a sleeve130and133formed on the outside of the arms. A spacer member140at the pivot point provides a support for wrapping the elastic member in tension about the pivot. After the elastic material is deployed and the locking mechanism at each end is engaged, the insertion device can be withdrawn.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to one or more particular embodiments, it will be understood that other embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Hence, the present invention is deemed limited only by the appended claims and the reasonable interpretation thereof.