The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 19, 2004
Filed:
May. 16, 2002
Merrill W. Reuter, Boca Raton, FL (US);
Gerald L. Reuter, Plattsburgh, NY (US);
Carey D. Rehder, Woodbury, MN (US);
PMT Corporation, Chanhassen, MN (US);
Abstract
A method and device for treating human intervertebral disc herniations using an endoscopic procedure. An access port is opened into and through the annulus of a disc to remove nucleus pulposus. Laser light fibers may then be passed through an endoscopic guide tube to anneal the inner surface of the disc annulus. Next, a balloon assembly with a valve is placed via the guide tube into the created disc space. The balloon is filled with a fluid to occupy the disc interspace or to maintain some degree of distraction of the created disc space. Post surgery, after fibrocollagenous tissue has grown into the disc space, a second endoscopic procedure is performed to remove the balloon assembly. Fluid is removed to collapse the balloon structure and then removed via the guide tube. The ingrowth of fibrocollagenous tissue will continue to fill the void formerly occupied by the balloon structure. The minimally invasive procedure of the invention allows for short term recovery and early return to normal activity.