Abstract: A system for treatment of tissue includes a fixation apparatus and a delivery tool releasably carrying the fixation apparatus. The fixation apparatus includes first and second anchors and an adjustable band connecting the anchors. The band includes a cinch line and a tether connected to one of the anchors. The delivery apparatus includes a body, a tubular shaft, a displacement rod within the tubular shaft, and an actuator.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc repair system comprises an implant and a delivery tool configured to deploy the implant at least partially in a vertebral body of a patient. The implant includes an anchor member and an adjustable suture assembly coupled thereto. The delivery tool includes a proximal handle, an outer tubular member extending distally from the handle, a needle cannula slidably received within the outer tubular member having a sharpened tip for penetrating tissue (e.g., the vertebral body), an inner pusher member slidably received within the needle cannula, and an actuating mechanism coupled to the handle for selectively retracting the needle cannula relative to the outer tubular member and the inner pusher member. At least the anchor member of the implant is releasably received within the needle cannula.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating or repairing an intervertebral disc are disclosed. The apparatus and methods may be used to treat or repair a tear, rent, incision or delamination of the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc. The apparatus and methods can employ anchor deployment apparatus, fixation apparatus and patches positioned in or on aspects of an intervertebral disc for treatment or repair of the intervertebral disc or its components.

Abstract: A method for securing an implant to tissue of a patient using a fixation apparatus and a delivery apparatus releasably carrying the fixation apparatus. The fixation apparatus includes first and second anchors and an adjustable band connecting the anchors. The band includes a cinch line and a tether connected to one of the anchors. The delivery apparatus includes a body, a tubular shaft, a displacement rod within the tubular shaft, and an actuator. The method comprises positioning the implant in proximity to the tissue, deploying the anchors into or through the tissue, and applying tension to the cinch line to foreshorten the adjustable band and secure the implant to the tissue with at least a portion of the implant positioned between the band and the tissue.

Abstract: This disclosure presents methods for treating a defect in soft tissue of a patient. The methods employ fixation delivery apparatuses and fixation apparatuses positioned, at least in part, in or on the soft tissue to be repaired. In some aspects, these techniques include the use of this includes a fixation apparatus that includes at least one bone anchor connected to at least one tissue anchor by a shortenable elongate member.

Abstract: A system and method for treating a bulge in an intervertebral disc annulus fibrosus adjacent to a vertebral body of a patient's spine using a repair device including a suture element, a patch element and a bone anchor. A bore is formed through a portion of the vertebral body, including an endplate thereof adjacent to the intervertebral disc. A suture picker is deployed through the bore and the annulus fibrosus, and the suture element is coupled to the suture picker. The suture picker is withdrawn from the bore. The suture element is pulled so as to draw the patch element against the bulge, and continued tension on the suture element urges the patch and the bulged anteriorly so as to re-approximate the natural shape of the annulus fibrosus. The suture element is secured to the vertebral body using the bone anchor.

Abstract: An implantable bone anchor assembly comprises an outer anchor tube and a tubular insert. The outer anchor tube defines a longitudinal axis of the bone anchor assembly and a longitudinal channel. The outer anchor tube has a first portion including a first end, and a plurality of fingers circumferentially spaced from one another about the longitudinal axis. Each of the fingers extends from the first portion and has a free end, wherein the fingers are configured to project laterally at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and are further configured to be deflectable radially inward to allow the anchor tube to be disposed within a tubular cannula for deployment. The tubular insert has a head having an opening therein, a shank extending from the head having an open end, and a longitudinal bore extending from the opening in the head to the open end of the shank. The longitudinal bore is configured to receive a portion of a suture assembly for an orthopedic treatment.

Abstract: A device for at least partially closing an aperture in an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc of a patient comprises an implant delivery tool and an implant releasably coupled to the implant delivery tool. The implant delivery tool includes a substantially rigid outer tube having a sharpened distal tip, a body a body coupled to the proximal section of the outer tube, and a plunger assembly movable axially relative to the body and including a plunger member and a pusher tube coupled thereto and disposed within the outer tube. The implant includes first and second tissue anchors serially disposed within the distal section of the outer tube, and a flexible connecting element coupling the first and second tissue anchors including a knotless braided suture structure for adjusting the length of the flexible coupling element.

Abstract: This disclosure presents methods and devices for treating a defect in soft tissue of a patient. The methods and devices can employ fixation delivery apparatuses and fixation apparatuses positioned, at least in part, in or on the soft tissue to be repaired. In some aspects, these techniques include the use of this includes a fixation apparatus that includes at least one bone anchor connected to at least one tissue anchor by a shortenable elongate member.

Abstract: A system and method for securing an implantable medical device to an anatomical feature, such as bony structures and/or soft tissues near the spine. The system includes a tissue fixation device and a tissue fixation device delivery tool. The tissue fixation device includes at least one bone or tissue anchor and a connecting element coupled thereto. The tissue fixation device optionally includes a flexible anchoring strap for engaging the implantable medical device. The bone or tissue anchor are configured to be deployed into the anatomical feature, and the connecting element is tightened to secure the implantable medical device to the anatomical feature.

Abstract: This disclosure presents methods and devices for treating a defect in soft tissue of a patient. The methods and devices can employ fixation delivery apparatuses and fixation apparatuses positioned, at least in part, in or on the soft tissue to be repaired. In some aspects, these techniques include the use of this includes a fixation apparatus that includes at least one bone anchor connected to at least one tissue anchor by a shortenable elongate member.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for treating the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ an expandable treatment device which is deployed at least partially in the subannular space. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed, which help to secure the treatment device in place.

Abstract: This disclosure presents methods and devices for treating a tear, rent, incision, defect, aperture or delamination of the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ fixation delivery apparatuses, fixation apparatuses, patch delivery tools and patches positioned, at least in part, in or on aspects of an intervertebral disc for treatment of the intervertebral disc or its components. In some aspects, these techniques include the use of this includes a fixation apparatus that includes at least one bone anchor connected to at least one disc anchor by a shortenable elongate member.

Abstract: This disclosure presents methods and devices for treating a tear, rent, incision, defect, aperture or delamination of the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ fixation delivery apparatuses, fixation apparatuses, patch delivery tools and patches positioned, at least in part, in or on aspects of an intervertebral disc for treatment of the intervertebral disc or its components. In some aspects, these techniques include the use of this includes a fixation apparatus that includes at least one bone anchor connected to at least one disc anchor by a shortenable elongate member.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for treating the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ an expandable treatment device which is deployed at least partially in the subannular space. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed, which help to secure the treatment device in place.

Abstract: A spinal disc annulus repair stent for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. In an illustrative embodiment, the design of the spinal disc annulus stent advantageously allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.

Abstract: A system and method for treating a bulge in an intervertebral disc annulus fibrosus adjacent to a vertebral body of a patient's spine using a repair device including a suture element, a patch element and a bone anchor. A bore is formed through a portion of the vertebral body, including an endplate thereof adjacent to the intervertebral disc. A suture picker is deployed through the bore and the annulus fibrosus, and the suture element is coupled to the suture picker. The suture picker is withdrawn from the bore. The suture element is pulled so as to draw the patch element against the bulge, and continued tension on the suture element urges the patch and the bulged anteriorly so as to re-approximate the natural shape of the annulus fibrosus. The suture element is secured to the vertebral body using the bone anchor.

Abstract: A stent, or device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall, or annulus fibrosus, after surgical incision or pathologic rupture, which is inserted through an aperture into the subannular space. The stent has radial extensions which are caused or allowed to expand into an expanded configuration to bridge the aperture. The stent thereby occludes the defective region from the inside of the vertebral disc and prevents the migration of nucleus pulposus therethrough, while also providing a scaffold for tissue growth.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for annulus disc repair with and without the use of a patch or stent. The methods and devices are particularly suited to the repair and/or reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, with reduced failure rate as compared to conventional surgical procedures.

Abstract: A method for securing an implant to tissue of a patient using a fixation apparatus and a delivery apparatus releasably carrying the fixation apparatus. The fixation apparatus includes first and second anchors and an adjustable band connecting the anchors. The band includes a cinch line and a tether connected to one of the anchors. The delivery apparatus includes a body, a tubular shaft, a displacement rod within the tubular shaft, and an actuator. The method comprises positioning the implant in proximity to the tissue, deploying the anchors into or through the tissue, and applying tension to the cinch line to foreshorten the adjustable band and secure the implant to the tissue with at least a portion of the implant positioned between the band and the tissue.