US 12,447,022 B2
Annulus repair devices, systems, and methods
Jeremy J. Mercuri, Piedmont, SC (US); Richard diMonda, Marietta, GA (US); Matt Pursley, Dawsonville, GA (US); and Ishmael Bentley, Edina, MN (US)
Assigned to CLEMSON UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, Clemson, SC (US)
Filed by Clemson University Research Foundation, Clemson, SC (US)
Filed on Oct. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/962,046.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/253,419, filed on Oct. 7, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0114987 A1, Apr. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. A61F 2/44 (2006.01); A61B 17/04 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 2/442 (2013.01) [A61B 17/0401 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0409 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0464 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4435 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00371 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An annulus repair system comprising:
(a) an insertion needle comprising a lumen defined therethrough; and
(b) an annulus treatment assembly comprising:
(i) an integratable treatment device comprising:
(A) an integratable patch body; and
(B) a support structure associated with the integratable patch body;
(ii) a distal anchor sized to fit within the lumen of the insertion needle;
(iii) a tether comprising:
(A) a distal length operably coupled to the treatment device;
(B) a proximal length operably coupled to the treatment device; and
(C) a middle length operably coupled to the distal anchor; and
(iv) a one-way coupling mechanism slidably coupled to the tether, wherein the one-way coupling mechanism is disposed between the integratable treatment device and the distal anchor,
wherein a portion of the distal length of the tether and a portion of the proximal length of the tether are slidably disposed through the one-way coupling mechanism.