Intervertebral disc treatment devices and methods
View Patent ↗Intervertebral disc treatment devices and methods are provided. An intervertebral disc treatment device includes a fibrous body sized for introduction into a disc cavity of a damaged disc wherein the body incorporates an effective amount of a tissue growth factor. Intervertebral disc treatment apparatuses are also described that include such a disc treatment device in combination with a delivery apparatus for retaining and selectively releasing the device into the disc cavity. Methods for treatment include providing a disc treatment device as described above and inserting the device into an opening in an annulus fibrous and into the disc cavity. The methods further include stimulating tissue growth within the disc cavity of the intervertebral disc.
1. A method for treating an intervertebral disc between adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
providing a fibrous body of individual fibers sized for introduction into a disc cavity of a damaged disc;
introducing said fibrous body into the disc cavity of said intervertebral disc through an opening in said disc, wherein the fibrous body expands through hydration and unfolds to contact each adjacent vertebrae; and
providing a tissue growth factor in a solid carrier matrix of a natural polymer, the solid carrier matrix coating the individual fibers of the fibrous body, wherein said tissue growth factor is effective to stimulate tissue formation throughout the fibrous body and within said disc cavity sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of compressive loads occurring between the adjacent vertebrae.
2. The method of claim 1 , also comprising removing a portion of a nucleus pulposus of said disc prior to said introducing.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said tissue growth factor stimulates the formation of nucleus pulposus, annulus, ligament, tendon and/or fibroblast cells.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said tissue growth factor is non-osteogenic.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said fibrous body comprises collagen.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said fibrous body comprises a synthetic polymer.