Devices and methods for visual differentiation of intervertebral spaces

Abstract

A method of implanting an intervertebral implant with differentiation of tissue includes: providing electromagnetic radiation into an intervertebral space; visualizing a first color of a first tissue portion located at the intervertebral space, the first color being in response to the provided electromagnetic radiation; visualizing a second color of a second tissue portion located at the intervertebral space, the second color being differentiated from the first color in response to the provided electromagnetic radiation, wherein the first tissue portion and second tissue portion are both substantially similar under normal ambient light; visualizing damage to an intervertebral disc between adjacent vertebras from the first color and the second color; and inserting an intervertebral implant into the intervertebral space.

1 . A method of implanting an intervertebral implant with visual differentiation of tissue, the method comprising:
 providing a light into an intervertebral space;   visualizing a first color of a first tissue portion located at the intervertebral space, the first color being in response to the provided light;   visualizing at least a second color of a second tissue portion located at the intervertebral space, the second color being differentiated from the first color in response to the provided light,   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 identifying the first tissue portion to be the damage to the intervertebral disc; and   identifying the second tissue potion to be an undamaged portion of the intervertebral disc or a tissue other than the intervertebral disc.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the provided light is light having at least one wavelengths and not being normal ambient light. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising inserting the implant into the intervertebral disc through an incision or a rupture in the disc. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising:
 injecting a coloring agent into the intervertebral space;   coloring the first tissue portion the first color with the coloring agent; and   coloring the second tissue portion the second color with the coloring agent.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising:
 injecting the coloring agent into the intervertebral disc such that the coloring agent passes out from the first tissue portion, the first tissue portion being a rupture of the intervertebral disc; and   observing the colorant passing out from the rupture.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the coloring agent is a dye. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the coloring agent is a contrast agent. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising determining a herniation of the first tissue portion being in the intervertebral disc. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 providing an implant; and   inserting the implant intermediate two vertebras to separate the vertebras.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said vertebral separation draws herniated disc material into the intervertebral disc and reduces pressure of the disc. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first tissue portion and second tissue portion look substantially similar under normal ambient light. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 visualizing damage to an intervertebral disc between adjacent vertebras from the first color and the second color; and   inserting an intervertebral implant into the intervertebral space.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 obtaining an image with an image sensor of the first tissue portion having the first color and the second tissue portion having the second color; and   providing the image for visualization by a surgeon during inserting the implant into the intervertebral disc.   
     
     
         15 . A method of implanting an intervertebral implant with visual differentiation of tissue, the method comprising:
 providing an light into an intervertebral space;   injecting a coloring agent into the intervertebral space;   visualizing a first color of a first tissue portion located at the intervertebral space, the first color being in response to the provided light and coloring agent;   visualizing a second color of a second tissue portion located at the intervertebral space, the second color being visually differentiated from the first color in response to the provided light and coloring agent, wherein the first tissue portion and second tissue portion are both substantially white under normal ambient light;   visualizing damage to an intervertebral disc between adjacent vertebras from the first color and the second color; and   inserting an intervertebral implant into the intervertebral space.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising:
 identifying the first tissue portion to be the damage to the intervertebral disc; and   identifying the second tissue potion to be an undamaged portion of the intervertebral disc or a tissue other than the intervertebral disc.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the provided light is light having one or more wavelengths and not being normal ambient light. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising:
 coloring the first tissue portion the first color with the coloring agent; and   coloring the second tissue portion the second color with the coloring agent.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising:
 injecting the coloring agent into the intervertebral disc such that the coloring agent passes out from the first tissue portion, the first tissue portion being a rupture of the intervertebral disc; and   observing the colorant passing out from the rupture.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the coloring agent is a dye. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the coloring agent is a contrast agent. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising determining a herniation of the first tissue portion being in the intervertebral disc. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , comprising causing the implant to provide negative pressure within the intervertebral disc so as to draw herniated material of the herniation into the intervertebral disc so as to reduce an herniated material protruding from the herniation. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising:
 obtaining an image with an image sensor of the first tissue portion having the first color and the second tissue portion having the second color; and   providing the image for visualization by a surgeon during the method during inserting the implant into the intervertebral disc.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising inserting the implant into the intervertebral disc through an incision or a rupture in the disc.