1. A method for treating a disease or injured intervertebral disc in a human being comprising the steps of:
A. preparing a first curable filler material in advance of its use, said first filler material being formulated to possess a durometer when cured which ranges between about 30 A and 90 A;
B. preparing a second curable filler material and advance of its use, said second filler material being formulated to possess a durometer when cured which ranges between about 10 A and 50 A;
C. inserting a first needle or cannula into the damaged or impaired intervertebral disc for enabling said first filler material to be delivered to said disc;
D. causing said first filler material to flow through said needle or cannula into the damaged or impaired intervertebral disc for enabling said first filler material to fill cracks or tears therein;
E. withdrawing the needle or cannula from the damaged or impaired intervertebral disc;
F. allowing said first filler material to cure to the desired durometer level;
G. inserting a second needle or cannula into the damaged or impaired intervertebral disc for enabling said second filler material to be delivered to said disc;
H. causing said second filler material to flow through said needle or cannula into the damaged or impaired intervertebral disc for enabling said second filler material to fill the interior of said disc and provide the desired soft and compressible material for achieving the desired repair of said disc.
2. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said first curable filler material and said second curable filler material are further defined as being prepared by intermixing:
a. between about 60% and 85% by the way based upon the weight of the entire composition of poly (dimethyl siloxane),
b. between about 2% and 5% by weight based upon the weight of the entire composition of a cross-linking agent,
c. between about 10% and 20% by weight based upon the weight of the entire composition of diluent, and
d. between about 10% and 20% by weight based upon the weight of the entire composition of a radiopaque material.
3. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the first curable filler material and the second curable filler material adhere to each other after curing, forming an inseparable fond therebetween.
4. The method defined in claim 1, in which the first filler material is directed to fill or repair cracks or voids in an annulus of the intervertebral disc or to reinforce or strengthen a weakened or herniated area of the annulus.
5. The method defined in claim 4, in which the durometer of resulting cured material is selected to provide increased strength and stability to the disc annulus.
6. The method defined in claim 5, wherein the second filler material fills a central portion of the intervertebral disc, typically occupied by the nucleus pulposus in a healthy, non-diseased intervertebral disc.
7. The method defined in claim 6, in which the durometer of the second filler material is selected to provide increased flexibility, resilience, or a greater capacity to distribute forces seen by the intervertebral disc.
8. The method defined in claim 7, in which the durometer of cured second filler material is different from the durometer of the first cured filler material.
9. The method defined in claim 6, wherein a desired amount of first filler material is removed to provide a void within the annulus.
10. The method defined in claim 4, wherein the second material filler is injected into the void created.
11. The method defined in claim 1, in which the injection of the curable filler material is applied in combination with a fibrous or mesh structure, such that the fibrous or mesh structure serves to contain an injectable filler material within the intervertebral disc.
12. The method defined in claim 1, in which the injection of the curable filler material is applied in combination with a disc ablation procedure, such that a void is created within the intervertebral disc for the curable filler material.
13. The method defined in claim 1, in which the injection of the curable filler material is applied in combination with a balloon kyphoplasty procedure, or similar deployment of an expandable device, such that a void is created within the intervertebral disc for the curable filler material.
14. The method defined in claim 1, in which the injection of the curable filler material is applied in combination with application of sutures or surgical closure devices, such that the surgical closure devices seal the periphery of the intervertebral disc and serve to contain the injectible filler material within the intervertebral disc.
15. The method defined in claim 1, in which the injection of the curable filler material is applied in combination with application of fibrin glue devices, such that the fibrin glue devices seal the periphery of the intervertebral disc and serve to contain the injectable filler material within the intervertebral disc.
16. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the filler material is directionally delivered by using an articulating or steerable needle or catheter.
17. The method defined in claim 6, wherein a hydrogel material is injected during a second stage into the central portion of a repaired intervertebral disc.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A portable tool having a housing and a hook arrangement provided on said housing, said hook arrangement comprising:
a holding portion in a part of said housing, said holding portion having opposite sides and a through hole extending through said holding portion, including through said opposite sides; and
a hook having a catching portion and an end portion extending from said catching portion, said end portion being received in said through hole and turnably attached to said holding portion, wherein
said end portion includes a first uneven portion, said holding portion includes at least one second uneven portion, at least one of said at least one second uneven portion engages with said first uneven portion, and
said holding portion is symmetric with respect to a plane that extends through said holding portion without passing through said opposite sides, whereby said hook can be turnably attached to said holding portion at either side of said holding portion.
2. A portable tool having a housing and a hook arrangement provided on said housing, said hook arrangement comprising:
a holding arrangement on a part of said housing, said holding arrangement having opposite sides and a through hole arrangement through said holding arrangement, including through said opposite sides; and
a hook having a catching portion and an end portion extending from said catching portion, said end portion being received in said through hole arrangement and turnably attached to said holding arrangement, wherein
said end portion includes a first uneven portion, said holding arrangement includes at least one second uneven portion, at least one of said at least one second uneven portion engages with said first uneven portion, and
said holding arrangement is symmetric with respect to a plane that extends through said holding arrangement without passing through said opposite sides, whereby said hook can be turnably attached to said holding arrangement at either side of said holding arrangement.
3. A portable tool having a housing and a hook arrangement provided on said housing, said hook arrangement comprising:
a holding portion in a part of said housing, said holding portion having opposite sides and a through hole extending through said holding portion, including through said opposite sides; and
a hook having a catching portion and an end portion extending from said catching portion, said end portion being received in said through hole and turnably attached to said holding portion, wherein
said end portion includes a first uneven portion, said holding portion includes at least one second uneven portion, and at least one of said at least one second uneven portion engages with said first uneven portion, whereby said hook can be turnably attached to said holding portion at either side of said holding portion.
4. A portable tool having a housing and a hook arrangement provided on said housing, said hook arrangement comprising:
a holding portion in a part of said housing, said holding portion having opposite sides and a through hole extending through said holding portion, including through said opposite sides; and
a hook having a catching portion and an end portion extending from said catching portion, said end portion being received in said through hole and turnably attached to said holding portion, wherein
said end portion includes a first uneven portion,
said holding portion includes a second uneven portion engaging with said first uneven portion, and wherein
said holding portion is symmetric with respect to a plane that extends through said holding portion without passing through said opposite sides, a first part of said second uneven portion lying on one side of said plane and engaging with said first uneven portion when said hook is turnably attached at one side of said holding portion, and a second part of said second uneven portion lying on the other side of said plane and engaging with said first uneven portion when said hook is turnably attached at the other side of said holding portion, whereby said hook can be turnably attached to said holding portion at either side of said holding portion.
5. A portable tool having a housing and a hook arrangement provided on said housing, said hook arrangement comprising:
a holding arrangement in a part of said housing, said holding arrangement having opposite sides and a through hole arrangement extending through said holding arrangement, including through said opposite sides; and
a hook having a catching portion and an end portion extending from said catching portion, said end portion being received in said through hole arrangement and turnably attached to said holding arrangement, wherein
said end portion includes a first uneven portion,
said holding arrangement includes a second uneven portion engaging with said first uneven portion, and wherein said holding arrangement is symmetric with respect to a plane that extends through said holding arrangement without passing through said opposite sides, a first part of said second uneven portion lying on one side of said plane and engaging with said first uneven portion when said hook is turnably attached at one side of said holding arrangement, and a second part of said second uneven portion lying on the other side of said plane and engaging with said first uneven portion when said hook is turnably attached at the other side of said holding arrangement, whereby said hook can be turnably attached to said holding arrangement at either side of said holding arrangement.
6. A portable tool having a housing and a hook arrangement provided on said housing, said hook arrangement comprising:
a holding portion in a part of said housing, said holding portion having opposite sides and a through hole extending through said holding portion, including through said opposite sides; and
a hook having a catching portion and an end portion extending from said catching portion, said end portion being received in said through hole and turnably attached to said holding portion, wherein
said end portion includes a first uneven portion,
said holding portion includes a second uneven portion engaging with said first uneven portion, a plane extends through said holding portion without passing through said opposite sides, a first part of said second uneven portion lies on one side of said plane and engages with said first uneven portion when said hook is turnably attached at one side of said holding portion, and a second part of said second uneven portion lies on the other side of said plane and engages with said first uneven portion when said hook is turnably attached at the other side of said holding portion, whereby said hook can be turnably attached to said holding portion at either side of said holding portion.
7. A portable tool having a housing and a hook arrangement provided on said housing, said hook arrangement comprising:
a holding portion in a part of said housing, said holding portion having opposite sides and a through hole extending through said holding portion, including through said opposite sides; and
a hook having a catching portion and an end portion extending from said catching portion, said end portion being received in said through hole and turnably attached to said holding portion, wherein
said end portion includes a first uneven portion,
said holding portion includes at least two second uneven portions, and wherein
said holding portion is symmetric with respect to a plane that extends through said holding portion without passing through said opposite sides, a first of said second uneven portions lying on one side of said plane and engaging with said first uneven portion when said hook is turnably attached at one side of said holding portion, and a second of said second uneven portions lying on the other side of said plane and engaging with said first uneven portion when said hook is turnably attached at the other side of said holding portion, whereby said hook can be turnably attached to said holding portion at either side of said holding portion.
8. A portable tool having a housing and a hook arrangement provided on said housing, said hook arrangement comprising:
a holding arrangement in a part of said housing, said holding arrangement having opposite sides and a through hole extending through said holding arrangement, including through said opposite sides; and
a hook having a catching portion and an end portion extending from said catching portion, said end portion being received in said through hole and turnably attached to said holding arrangement, wherein
said end portion includes a first uneven portion,
said holding arrangement includes at least two second uneven portions, and wherein
said holding arrangement is symmetric with respect to a plane that extends through said holding arrangement without passing through said opposite sides, a first of said second uneven portions lying on one side of said plane and engaging with said first uneven portion when said hook is turnably attached at one side of said holding arrangement, and a second of said second uneven portions lying on the other side of said plane and engaging with said first uneven portion when said hook is turnably attached at the other side of said holding arrangement, whereby said hook can be turnably attached to said holding arrangement at either side of said holding arrangement.
9. A portable tool having a housing and a hook arrangement provided on said housing, said hook arrangement comprising:
a holding portion in a part of said housing, said holding portion having opposite sides and a through hole extending through said holding portion, including through said opposite sides; and
a hook having a catching portion and an end portion extending from said catching portion, said end portion being received in said through hole and turnably attached to said holding portion, wherein
said end portion includes a first uneven portion,
said holding portion includes at least two second uneven portions, and wherein
a plane extends through said holding portion without passing through said opposite sides, a first of said second uneven portions lying on one side of said plane and engaging with said first uneven portion when said hook is turnably attached at one side of said holding portion, and a second of said second uneven portions lying on the other side of said plane and engaging with said first uneven portion when said hook is turnably attached at the other side of said holding portion, whereby said hook can be turnably attached to said holding portion at either side of said holding portion.
10. A portable tool having a housing, a hook arrangement provided on said housing, a front at which a workpiece engaging part is positioned and a top, said hook arrangement comprising:
a holding portion on said housing, said holding portion having a hole; and
a hook having a catching portion and an end portion, said catching portion having a tip, and said end portion being received in said hole and turnably attached to said holding portion, wherein
said end portion includes a first uneven portion,
said holding portion includes a second uneven portion, said second uneven portion engaging with said first uneven portion, and wherein said end portion has a first turning range limiting structure, said holding portion has a second turning range limiting structure, and said first and second turning range limiting structures are arranged to interact with one another to limit the range of turning of the hook between a position in which the tip of said catching portion is directed frontwardly and a position in which the tip of said catching portion is directed upwardly, whereby said hook can be turned, within the limited range, on said holding portion.
11. The portable tool according to claim 10, wherein said second turning range limiting structure comprises an arcuate recess in a portion of said holding portion that defines said hole, and said first turning range limiting structure comprises an element that protrudes into said recess.
12. The portable tool according to claim 11, wherein said end portion is axially movable relative to said holding portion between first and second positions in order to enable turning of the hook, and said element protrudes into said recess when said end portion is in all of the axial positions of from said first position to said second position.
13. The portable tool according to claim 10, wherein the portable tool has a center of gravity, and said limited range extends to opposite sides of the center of gravity.
14. The portable tool according to claim 10, wherein the portable tool also has a battery and, in all of the positions of said hook within the limited range, said catching portion is in alignment with at least one of the housing and the battery in a direction parallel to the axis of turning of said hook and sufficiently close to at least one of the housing and the battery that said hook abuts at least one of the housing and the battery in response to impacts on said hook in the general direction of the axis of turning of said hook, whereby at least one of the housing and the battery helps absorb the impacts.
15. The portable tool according to claim 1, wherein said hook comprises non-slip portions.
16. The portable tool according to claim 1, wherein said first uneven portion comprises an arcuate shape.
17. The portable tool according to claim 1, wherein said second uneven portion comprises an arcuate shape.
18. The portable tool according to claim 1, wherein said hook comprises a nut accommodating portion and a nut disposed in said nut accommodating portion.
19. The portable tool according to claim 18, further comprising a bolt extending through the through hole of said holding portion.
20. The portable tool according to claim 19, wherein said bolt is received in said nut.