US20020026244A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Intervertebral disc nucleus implants and methods
Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc
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Filing: 2001-08-30
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2021-08-30
Abstract
Abstract Nucleus pulposus implants that are resistant to migration in and/or expulsion from an intervertebral disc space are provided. In one form of the invention, an implant includes a load bearing elastic body surrounded in the disc space by an anchoring, preferably resorbable, outer shell. In certain forms of the invention, the elastic body is surrounded by a supporting member, such as a band or jacket, and the supporting member is surrounded by the outer shell. Kits for forming such implants are also provided. In another form of the invention, an implant is provided that has locking features and optional shape memory characteristics. In yet another aspect of the invention, nucleus pulposus implants are provided that have shape memory characteristics and are configured to allow short-term manual, or other deformation without permanent deformation, cracks, tears, breakage or other damage. Methods of forming and implanting the implants are also described, as are delivery devices and components thereof for delivering the implants.
Inventors
- 👤 Hai Trieu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/442; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B2017/0256; A61F2/3094; A61F2/30965; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2817; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30092; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30133; A61F2002/30159; A61F2002/30179; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/302; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30291; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30563; A61F2002/30594; A61F2002/30604; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30677; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30838; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30891; A61F2002/30906; A61F2/30907; A61F2002/30909; A61F2002/30925; A61F2/30942; A61F2002/30957; A61F2002/4415; A61F2002/444; A61F2002/4495; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2210/0014; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0015; A61F2230/0028; A61F2230/0058; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0065; A61F2230/0069; A61F2230/0091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
29 words
1 . An intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, comprising: a load bearing elastic body sized for introduction into an intervertebral disk space, said body surrounded by a resorbable shell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
29 words
1 . An intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, comprising: a load bearing elastic body sized for introduction into an intervertebral disk space, said body surrounded by a resorbable shell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
2 . An intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, comprising: a load bearing elastic body sized for introduction into an intervertebral disc space, said body surrounded by a supporting member, said supporting member surrounded by a resorbable shell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
2 . An intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, comprising: a load bearing elastic body sized for introduction into an intervertebral disc space, said body surrounded by a supporting member, said supporting member surrounded by a resorbable shell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
3 . An intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, comprising: a load bearing elastic body sized for placement into an intervertebral disc space, said body having a first end, a second end, a central portion, and a first configuration wherein said first end and said second end are positioned adjacent to said central portion to form at least one inner fold, said elastic body configurable into a second, straightened configuration for insertion through an opening in an intervertebral disc annulus fibrosis, said body configurable back into said first configuration after said insertion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
3 . An intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, comprising: a load bearing elastic body sized for placement into an intervertebral disc space, said body having a first end, a second end, a central portion, and a first configuration wherein said first end and said second end are positioned adjacent to said central portion to form at least one inner fold, said elastic body configurable into a second, straightened configuration for insertion through an opening in an intervertebral disc annulus fibrosis, said body configurable back into said first configuration after said insertion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
4 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein said inner fold defines an aperture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
5 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein said elastic body is comprised of a hydrogel material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
6 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein said elastic body is comprised of an elastomer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
7 . The implant of claim 6 , wherein said elastomer is selected from the group consisting of silicone, polyurethane, copolymers of silicone and polyurethane, polyolefins, nitrile and combinations thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
8 . The implant of claim 4 , wherein said inner fold has a surface with projections, said projections extending into said aperture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
9 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein said elastic body has an outer surface, said outer surface having projections extending therefrom, said projections configured for enhancing fixation of said body in said intervertebral disc space.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
10 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein the outer surface of said elastic body is microtexturized.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
11 . The implant of claim 10 , wherein said microtexturizing is performed by a process selected from the group consisting of bead blasting, plasma etching, chemical etching and combinations thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
12 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein said body further comprises a reinforcing material at said inner fold surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
13 . The implant of claim 12 , wherein said reinforcing material comprises fibers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
14 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein said elastic body is comprised of a hydrogel material, said material having at least one growth factor dispersed therein.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
15 . The implant of claim 14 , wherein said growth factor is selected from the group consisting of transforming growth factor β, bone morphogenetic proteins, fibroblast growth factors, platelet-derived growth factors, insulin-like growth factors and combinations thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
16 . The implant of claim 14 , wherein said growth factor comprises a recombinant protein.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
17 . The implant of claim 16 , wherein said recombinant protein is a human protein.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
18 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein said body has at least one surface depression in its second configuration, said inner fold formed from said surface depression.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
19 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein said first end is formed from a first arm, said second end is formed from a second arm and one of said arms of said implant has a length greater than the other of said arms.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
20 . The implant of claim 4 , wherein said aperture has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of annular-shaped, elliptical-shaped, and star-shaped.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
21 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein said body is substantially elliptical- or ring-shaped in its folded configuration.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
57 words
22 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein said body has a top surface for contacting an upper vertebral endplate of an intervertebral disc and a bottom surface for contacting a lower vertebral end plate of an intervertebral disc, said top and bottom surface configured to be complementary to the endplate they are in contact with.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
23 . The implant of claim 22 , wherein said top and bottom surface of said body are convex.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
24 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein said first end and said second end each have an inner edge and an outer edge, at least one of said inner edges having a rounded configuration.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
66 words
25 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein said body has a top surface for contacting an upper vertebral endplate of an intervertebral disc, a bottom surface for contacting a lower vertebral end plate of an intervertebral disc, and an external side surface, said body having at least one groove on said side surface, said groove extending between said top surface and said bottom surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
98 words
26 . An intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, comprising: a load bearing elastic body sized for placement into an intervertebral disc space, said body having a first end and a second end, said first end and said second end configured for mating engagement with each other, said elastic body having a first configuration wherein said first end and said second end are matingly engaged to each other, said elastic body configurable into a second, straightened configuration for insertion through an opening in an intervertebral disc annulus fibrosis, said body configurable back into said first configuration after said insertion.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
98 words
26 . An intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, comprising: a load bearing elastic body sized for placement into an intervertebral disc space, said body having a first end and a second end, said first end and said second end configured for mating engagement with each other, said elastic body having a first configuration wherein said first end and said second end are matingly engaged to each other, said elastic body configurable into a second, straightened configuration for insertion through an opening in an intervertebral disc annulus fibrosis, said body configurable back into said first configuration after said insertion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
27 . A kit for forming an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, comprising a load bearing elastic body sized for introduction into an intervertebral disc space and a container of material to form a resorbable shell around said body.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
27 . A kit for forming an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, comprising a load bearing elastic body sized for introduction into an intervertebral disc space and a container of material to form a resorbable shell around said body.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
47 words
28 . A kit for forming an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, comprising a load bearing elastic body sized for introduction into an intervertebral disc space, a supporting member to surround said body and a container of material to form a resorbable shell around said supporting member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
47 words
28 . A kit for forming an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, comprising a load bearing elastic body sized for introduction into an intervertebral disc space, a supporting member to surround said body and a container of material to form a resorbable shell around said supporting member.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
51 words
29 . A method for implanting an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant in an intervertebral disc space, comprising: (a) preparing said intervertebal disc space to receive said implant; and (b) introducing a load bearing elastic body into said disc space, said body surrounded in said disc space by a resorbable shell.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
51 words
29 . A method for implanting an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant in an intervertebral disc space, comprising: (a) preparing said intervertebal disc space to receive said implant; and (b) introducing a load bearing elastic body into said disc space, said body surrounded in said disc space by a resorbable shell.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
59 words
30 . A method for implanting an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant in an intervertebral disc space, comprising: (a) preparing said intervertebal disc space to receive said implant; and (b) introducing a load bearing elastic body into said disc space, said body surrounded by a supporting member, said supporting member surrounded in said disc space by a resorbable shell.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
59 words
30 . A method for implanting an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant in an intervertebral disc space, comprising: (a) preparing said intervertebal disc space to receive said implant; and (b) introducing a load bearing elastic body into said disc space, said body surrounded by a supporting member, said supporting member surrounded in said disc space by a resorbable shell.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
124 words
31 . A method for implanting an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant in an intervertebral disc space, comprising: (a) providing a load bearing elastic body sized for placement into an intervertebral disc space, said body having a first end, a second end, a central portion, and a first configuration wherein said first end and said second end are positioned adjacent to said central portion to form at least one inner fold, said elastic body configurable into a second, straightened configuration for insertion through an opening in said annulus fibrosis, said body configurable back into said first configuration after said insertion; (b) preparing said intervertebal disc space to receive said body; and (c) positioning said body into said intervertebral disc space after said preparing step.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
124 words
31 . A method for implanting an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant in an intervertebral disc space, comprising: (a) providing a load bearing elastic body sized for placement into an intervertebral disc space, said body having a first end, a second end, a central portion, and a first configuration wherein said first end and said second end are positioned adjacent to said central portion to form at least one inner fold, said elastic body configurable into a second, straightened configuration for insertion through an opening in said annulus fibrosis, said body configurable back into said first configuration after said insertion; (b) preparing said intervertebal disc space to receive said body; and (c) positioning said body into said intervertebral disc space after said preparing step.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
132 words
32 . A method for implanting an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant in an intervertebral disc space, comprising: (a) providing a load bearing elastic body sized for placement into an intervertebral disc space, said body having a first end and a second end, said first end and said second end configured for mating engagement with each other, said elastic body having a first configuration wherein said first end and said second end are matingly engaged to each other, said elastic body configurable into a second, straightened configuration for insertion through an opening in an intervertebral disc annulus fibrosis, said body configurable back into said first configuration after said insertion; (b) preparing said intervertebal disc space to receive said body; (c) positioning said body into said intervertebral disc space after said preparing step.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
132 words
32 . A method for implanting an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant in an intervertebral disc space, comprising: (a) providing a load bearing elastic body sized for placement into an intervertebral disc space, said body having a first end and a second end, said first end and said second end configured for mating engagement with each other, said elastic body having a first configuration wherein said first end and said second end are matingly engaged to each other, said elastic body configurable into a second, straightened configuration for insertion through an opening in an intervertebral disc annulus fibrosis, said body configurable back into said first configuration after said insertion; (b) preparing said intervertebal disc space to receive said body; (c) positioning said body into said intervertebral disc space after said preparing step.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
93 words
33 . A spinal disc implant delivery device tip, comprising: (a) a base member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough; and (b) a plurality of movable members, said movable members having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said movable members abutting said distal end of said base member, said movable members having a closed configuration defining a cavity in communication with said lumen of said base member, said members sized and configured for passage into an aperture in an annulus fibrosis.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
93 words
33 . A spinal disc implant delivery device tip, comprising: (a) a base member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough; and (b) a plurality of movable members, said movable members having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said movable members abutting said distal end of said base member, said movable members having a closed configuration defining a cavity in communication with said lumen of said base member, said members sized and configured for passage into an aperture in an annulus fibrosis.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
34 . The tip of claim 33 , wherein said lumen of said base member is sized to receive a nucleus pulposus implant.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
35 . The tip of claim 33 , wherein said movable members have an open configuration wherein said movable members move radially.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
129 words
36 . A spinal disc implant delivery device, comprising: (a) a base member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough; (b) a plurality of movable members, said movable members having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said movable members abutting said distal end of said base member, said movable members having a closed configuration defining a cavity in communication with said lumen of said base member, said movable members sized and configured for passage through an aperture in an annulus fibrosus; and (c) an elongated housing member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, said proximal end of said base member matingly engaged to said distal end of said elongated housing member.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
129 words
36 . A spinal disc implant delivery device, comprising: (a) a base member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough; (b) a plurality of movable members, said movable members having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said movable members abutting said distal end of said base member, said movable members having a closed configuration defining a cavity in communication with said lumen of said base member, said movable members sized and configured for passage through an aperture in an annulus fibrosus; and (c) an elongated housing member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, said proximal end of said base member matingly engaged to said distal end of said elongated housing member.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
22 words
37 . The device of claim 36 , wherein said movable members have an open configuration when said movable members move radially.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
24 words
38 . The device of claim 36 , wherein said lumen of said elongated housing member is sized to receive a nucleus pulposus implant.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
39 . The device of claim 36 , said device further comprising a plunger member, said plunger member disposed in said lumen of said elongated housing member.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
117 words
40 . A spinal disc implant delivery device, comprising: (a) an elongated housing member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough; (b) a tip member, said tip member having a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a proximal end, and a distal end, said walls defining a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, said proximal end of said tip member connected to said distal end of said elongated housing member, said tip member sized and configured for delivery of a spinal disc implant through an aperture in an annulus fibrosus, said lumen of said tip member in communication with said lumen of said elongated housing member.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
117 words
40 . A spinal disc implant delivery device, comprising: (a) an elongated housing member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough; (b) a tip member, said tip member having a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a proximal end, and a distal end, said walls defining a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, said proximal end of said tip member connected to said distal end of said elongated housing member, said tip member sized and configured for delivery of a spinal disc implant through an aperture in an annulus fibrosus, said lumen of said tip member in communication with said lumen of said elongated housing member.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
27 words
41 . The device of claim 40 , said device further comprising a plunger member, said plunger member disposed in said lumen of said elongated housing member.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
39 words
42 . The device of claim 40 , wherein said top wall and said bottom wall both include an opening therethrough that extends from said proximal end of said tip member to said distal end of said tip member.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
28 words
43 . The device of claim 42 , wherein at least one of said top wall and said bottom wall has a surface that includes a surface roughening.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
14 words
44 . The device of claim 43 , wherein said surface roughening comprises teeth.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
25 words
45 . The device of claim 42 , wherein one of said side walls has a length greater than the other of said side walls.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
28 words
46 . The device of claim 40 , wherein at least one of said top wall and said bottom wall has a surface that includes a surface roughening.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
25 words
46 . The device of claim 40 , wherein one of said side walls has a length greater than the other of said side walls.
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