Patent GB189811268A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US20020095154A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Devices and methods for the treatment of spinal disorders
Assignee: KRT INVESTORS Inc
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Filing: 2002-03-07
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2022-03-07
Abstract
Abstract Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. Dynamic bias devices and reinforcement devices are disclosed, which may be used individually or in combination, to eliminate nerve impingement associated with the damaged disc, and/or to reinforce the damaged disc, while permitting relative movement of the vertebrae adjacent the damaged disc.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Atkinson
- 👤 Peter Keith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7001; A61B17/7002; A61B17/7019; A61B17/7025; A61B17/7026; A61B17/7062; A61B17/7011; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2002/4435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
1 . A method of treating pain associated an intervertebral disc disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra in an adult human spine having a median plane and an axis of curvature, the method comprising the steps of: identifying the intervertebral disc causing pain; providing one or more implantable devices, each having a first vertebral attachment member, a second vertebral attachment member, and a bias force member applying a bias force therebetween while permitting near normal relative motion therebetween; attaching the first attachment member of each implantable device to the first vertebra; and attaching the second attachment member of each implantable device to the second vertebra such that the bias force members exert a net bias force balanced about the median plane to increase separation of the first and second vertebrae.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
1 . A method of treating pain associated an intervertebral disc disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra in an adult human spine having a median plane and an axis of curvature, the method comprising the steps of: identifying the intervertebral disc causing pain; providing one or more implantable devices, each having a first vertebral attachment member, a second vertebral attachment member, and a bias force member applying a bias force therebetween while permitting near normal relative motion therebetween; attaching the first attachment member of each implantable device to the first vertebra; and attaching the second attachment member of each implantable device to the second vertebra such that the bias force members exert a net bias force balanced about the median plane to increase separation of the first and second vertebrae.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
2 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein the first and second vertebrae have spinous processes, and wherein the implantable device is disposed posterior of the spinous processes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
3 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein the first and second vertebrae have spinous processes, and wherein the implantable devices are disposed lateral of the spinous processes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
4 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein the bias force member of each implantable device is pre-loaded with a compression load prior to the step of attaching the second attachment member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
5 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein the first and second vertebrae are partially separated prior to the step of attaching the second attachment member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
6 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein the intervertebral disc has a protrusion, further comprising the step of cutting away at least a portion of the protrusion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
7 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein the intervertebral disc has an annulus, further comprising the steps of: providing an implantable reinforcement member; and implanting the reinforcement member into the annulus of the intervertebral disc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
8 . An implantable system for treating an intervertebral disc disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra in an adult human spine having a median plane and an axis of curvature, the system comprising: a first vertebral attachment member; a second vertebral attachment member; and a bias member applying a net bias force between the first vertebral attachment member and the second vertebra attachment member, wherein the bias member permits near normal relative motion between the first and second vertebrae, and the net bias force is substantially symmetric about the median plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
8 . An implantable system for treating an intervertebral disc disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra in an adult human spine having a median plane and an axis of curvature, the system comprising: a first vertebral attachment member; a second vertebral attachment member; and a bias member applying a net bias force between the first vertebral attachment member and the second vertebra attachment member, wherein the bias member permits near normal relative motion between the first and second vertebrae, and the net bias force is substantially symmetric about the median plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
9 . An implantable system as in claim 8 , wherein the bias member has a substantially linear displacement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
10 . An implantable system as in claim 9 , wherein the displacement is substantially parallel to the axis of curvature of the first and second vertebrae.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
11 . An implantable system as in claim 8 , wherein the bias member has a range of displacement and the bias member applies substantially no force over a portion of the range of displacement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
12 . An implantable system as in claim 8 , wherein the bias member has a range of displacement greater than 1 . 0 cm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
13 . An implantable system as in claim 8 , wherein the bias member includes a spring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
14 . An implantable system as in claim 8 , further including a bushing to isolate movement of the attachment members from the vertebrae.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
15 . A method of reinforcing an annulus of an intervertebral disc disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra in an adult human spine, the method comprising the steps of: providing an implantable reinforcement member; and implanting the reinforcement member into the annulus of the intervertebral disc.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
15 . A method of reinforcing an annulus of an intervertebral disc disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra in an adult human spine, the method comprising the steps of: providing an implantable reinforcement member; and implanting the reinforcement member into the annulus of the intervertebral disc.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
16 . A method as in claim 15 , further comprising the step of partially separating the adjacent vertebrae prior to the step of implantation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
17 . A method as in claim 15 , wherein a plurality of implantable reinforcement members are provided, and wherein the plurality of reinforcement members are implanted substantially parallel in the annulus.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
18 . A method as in claim 15 , wherein the reinforcement member is expandable, further comprising the step of expanding the reinforcement member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
19 . A method as in claim 15 , further comprising the steps of: providing a tubular member having a curved tip and a lumen extending therethrough; inserting the tip of the tubular member into the annulus; and inserting the reinforcement member through the lumen of the tubular member and into the annulus.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
79 words
20 . A method as in claim 15 , further comprising the steps of: providing one or more implantable bias devices, each having a first vertebral attachment member, a second vertebral attachment member, and a bias force member applying a bias force therebetween while permitting near normal relative motion therebetween; attaching the first attachment member of each implantable bias device to the first vertebra; and attaching the second attachment member of each implantable bias device to the second vertebra.
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