Annulotomy Closure Device and Related Methods

Abstract

A system for sealing a hole in a body, comprising a generally cylindrical mesh formed from a plurality of helical strands which is inserted into the hole, with at least one end of the cylindrical mesh being moved least partially through an interior portion of the cylindrical shaped mesh such that the mesh expands radially outwards against sides of the hole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for preventing egress through a hole in a vertebral annulus having an exterior wall and an interior wall, said hole comprising a first opening in the exterior wall, a second opening in the interior wall, and a passageway therebetween, comprising:
 introducing a biocompatible blocking element having a distal end and a proximal end through at least a portion of said hole, the first end to reach said hole during introduction being the distal end; and   expanding said blocking element by moving the distal end of the blocking element proximally toward the proximal end of the blocking element thereby transitioning said blocking element from a relaxed state to a deformed state, in which a region of the blocking element adjacent the distal end expands against the annulus interior wall adjacent the second opening and blocks said hole, said expanded blocking element being configured to prevent the egress through said hole of material located within said spinal element.   
     
     
         2 . A method for preventing egress through a hole in a vertebral annulus having an exterior wall and an interior wall, said hole comprising a first opening in the exterior wall, a second opening in the interior wall, and a passageway therebetween, comprising:
 introducing a biocompatible blocking element having a distal end and a proximal end through at least a portion of said hole, the first end to reach said hole during introduction being the distal end; and   expanding said blocking element by moving the distal end of the blocking element proximally to a position adjacent the second opening in the annulus interior wall thereby transitioning said blocking element from a relaxed state to a deformed state such that said blocking element blocks said hole, said expanded blocking element being configured to prevent the egress through said hole of material located within said spinal element.