| US 7,547,326 B2 | ||
| Disc annulus repair system | ||
| Mohit K. Bhatnagar, Potomac, Md. (US); Jack Y. Yeh, North Potomac, Md. (US); James A. Sack, Elverson, Pa. (US); and Richard W. Woods, Catonsville, Md. (US) | ||
| Assigned to JMEA Corporation, Gaithersburg, Md. (US) | ||
| Filed on Jan. 03, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/324,765. | ||
| Application 11/324765 is a continuation of application No. 11/117704, filed on Apr. 29, 2005. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2006/0247644 A1, Nov. 02, 2006 | ||
| Int. Cl. A61F 2/44 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 623—17.16 [606/219; 606/220; 606/99] | 34 Claims |
| 1. A system configured to deliver a prosthesis to a disc of a mammal comprising:
a first penetrating member configured to puncture the disc on a first side of an imperfection;
the first penetrating member carrying a substantial portion of a first portion of the prosthesis within a first channel formed
in the first penetrating member, wherein the first channel is sized and dimensioned to allow the first portion of the prosthesis
to move relative to the first penetrating member;
a second penetrating member configured to puncture the disc on a second side of the imperfection;
the second penetrating member laterally spaced from the first penetrating member so that the first penetrating member may
be positioned proximate the disc on the first side of the imperfection and the second penetrating member may be positioned
proximate the disc on the second side of the imperfection;
the second penetrating member carrying a substantial portion of a second portion of the prosthesis within a second channel
formed in the second penetrating member, wherein the second channel is sized and dimensioned to allow the second portion of
the prosthesis to move relative to the second penetrating member;
the prosthesis including a central portion connected to the first portion of the prosthesis and the second portion of the
prosthesis;
a first rod associated with the first penetrating member and configured to move the first portion of the prosthesis with respect
to the first penetrating member;
a second rod associated with the second penetrating member and configured to move the second portion of the prosthesis with
respect to the second penetrating member; and
wherein the motion of the first rod is independent of the motion of the second rod so that the first rod moves the first portion
of the prosthesis within the first penetrating member without affecting the motion of the second portion of the prosthesis.
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