Supplementation or replacement of a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc

Abstract

A degenerated nucleus pulposus located in a central core region of an intervertebral disc within the annulus fibrosus is supplemented or replaced by a method wherein an amount of a biocompatible material is introduced into the central core region by a process including the steps of 1) forming a channel through a vertebral body adjacent to said intervertebral disc, extending from an exterior surface of the vertebral body to the central core region of the annulus fibrosus; 2) introducing an amount of a biocompatible material through the channel into the central core region of the annulus fibrosus; 3) pressurizing the biocompatible material through the channel to a postsurgical pressure sufficient to alleviate symptoms caused by the degenerated nucleus pulposus; and 4) sealing the channel while maintaining the sufficient postsurgical pressure. After sealing the channel, a vertebroplasty may optionally be performed in the vertebra.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 591,094, filed Jul. 27, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for replacing or supplementing the natural nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc by using a viscoelastic low-modulus implant through a transosseus approach, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for pressurizing a viscoelastic implant within the intervertebral disc to achieve an appropriate physiologic state of annulus tension and nucleus pressurization. [0004] 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art [0005] Chronic back pain, typically lower back pain, is experienced by many individuals, and is responsible for much lost time at work and expense for treatment. Such pain is generally the result of a pathological condition of an int...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a method for replacing or supplementing a degenerated nucleus pulposus in an intervertebral disc. This is achieved by introducing a biocompatible material into the central core of the annulus fibrosus through a channel formed in the adjacent vertebral body and pressurizing the material to a physiologic pressure sufficient to alleviate symptoms caused by the degenerated nucleus pulposus. The invention also provides a method for introducing a hydrogel or other relatively low-modulus material into the central core of an annulus fibrosus, as well as a method for introducing a pressurized implant and a method for closing a channel in the vertebral body to compress a nucleus replacement into the central core of the annulus fibrosus to ensure complete filling of the core. The invention also provides a replacement or supplement for the nucleus of the natural intervertebral disc that can reproduce, at least approximately, the mechanical properties of the normal human intervertebral disc and an implant that can improve the function of a degenerated nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc.

Problems solved by technology

Chronic back pain, typically lower back pain, is experienced by many individuals, and is responsible for much lost time at work and expense for treatment.

Degeneration of the nucleus leads to degradation and loss of function of the intervertebral disc, resulting in pain and disability.

Images