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US20020147496A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for treating spinal discs
Assignee: Core Medical Inc
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Filing: 2001-04-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2021-04-06
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and methods for treating a spinal disc are disclosed. An opening is created in the annulus fibrosis, and nucleus pulposus is removed from the interior of the disc. The interior is lined with a nonporous, bioabsorbable liner, and filled with a fill material, such as nucleus pulposus, to cause the liner to expand to engage tissue surrounding the interior. The liner may be a sheet of extra-cellular matrix material that is introduced into-the interior, or a bladder of extra-cellular matrix material including a neck communicating with an interior region of the bladder. The sheet or bladder may be carried by a delivery device, e.g., a catheter or rod. After the interior region is filled, the opening is closed using a plug or other closure device. The plug may include threads on its external surface for securing the plug in the opening.
Inventors
- 👤 W. Belef
- 👤 Stephen Salmon
- 👤 William Aldrich
- 👤 Richard Ginn
- 👤 Ronald Jabba
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/442; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1402; A61B18/1477; A61B18/1492; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00434; A61B2018/0044; A61B2018/00505; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30744; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/3008; A61F2002/30092; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30405; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30589; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30677; A61F2002/4435; A61F2002/444; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/465; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2210/0014; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/0096; A61F2250/0098; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00365
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 70
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
1 . An apparatus for treating an interior region of a spinal disc that is accessed through an opening in an annulus fibrosis of the disc, comprising: an elongate member comprising proximal and distal ends, the distal end having a size for insertion into an opening into a spinal disc; a sheet of bioabsorbable material on the distal portion of the elongate member such that a peripheral edge of the sheet is disposed generally against the distal portion, the sheet having sufficient surface area for substantially lining an interior region of a spinal disc; and a closure device for substantially engaging tissue surrounding an opening into a spinal disc, whereby the closure device may substantially seal the opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
1 . An apparatus for treating an interior region of a spinal disc that is accessed through an opening in an annulus fibrosis of the disc, comprising: an elongate member comprising proximal and distal ends, the distal end having a size for insertion into an opening into a spinal disc; a sheet of bioabsorbable material on the distal portion of the elongate member such that a peripheral edge of the sheet is disposed generally against the distal portion, the sheet having sufficient surface area for substantially lining an interior region of a spinal disc; and a closure device for substantially engaging tissue surrounding an opening into a spinal disc, whereby the closure device may substantially seal the opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a source of fill material for filling an interior region of a spinal disc after the interior region has been lined by the sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the fill material comprises at least one of nucleus pulposus, an autologous therapeutic agent, and an extra-cellular matrix material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
4 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the elongate member comprises a tubular member including a lumen communicating between the proximal and distal ends of the tubular member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the source of fill material is connectable to the proximal end of the tubular member for delivering fill material through the lumen into an interior region defined by the sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the closure device comprises a threaded plug.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a sheath slidably disposed over the elongate member, thereby disposing the sheet generally against the distal portion of the elongate member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sheet comprises a naturally occurring extra-cellular matrix material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the naturally occurring extra-cellular matrix material comprises at least one of intestinal submucosa, stomach submucosa and bladder submucosa.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sheet is substantially nonporous.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
11 . An apparatus for treating a spinal disc, comprising: a tubular member including a proximal end, a distal end having a size for insertion through an opening into a spinal disc, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends; a substantially nonporous bladder comprising a neck defining an opening communicating with an interior of the bladder, the neck being detachably connected to the distal end of the tubular member such that the interior of the bladder communicates with the lumen via the opening; and a source of fill material communicating with the lumen, the fill material comprising nucleus pulposus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
102 words
11 . An apparatus for treating a spinal disc, comprising: a tubular member including a proximal end, a distal end having a size for insertion through an opening into a spinal disc, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends; a substantially nonporous bladder comprising a neck defining an opening communicating with an interior of the bladder, the neck being detachably connected to the distal end of the tubular member such that the interior of the bladder communicates with the lumen via the opening; and a source of fill material communicating with the lumen, the fill material comprising nucleus pulposus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a sheath slidably disposed over the tubular member, the sheath comprising a distal region for receiving the bladder therein in a collapsed configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
13 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the bladder further comprises a sealing member for securing the neck over the distal end of the tubular member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the sealing member comprises an elastic ring biased to constrict the neck upon withdrawal of the distal end of the tubular member from within the neck.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
15 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the neck is everted within the interior space of the bladder, and wherein the sealing member is disposed around the neck within the interior space.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
16 . The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a pusher member slidable along the tubular member, the pusher member configured for directing the neck off of the distal end of the tubular member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the pusher member comprises a substantially blunt distal end for engaging the neck when the distal end of the tubular member is withdrawn from within the neck.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
18 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the bladder comprises bioabsorbable material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
19 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the bladder comprises a naturally occurring extra-cellular matrix material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
20 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the naturally occurring extra-cellular matrix material comprises at least one of intestinal submucosa, stomach submucosa and bladder submucosa.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
21 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the bladder comprises a substantially inelastic material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
22 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the bladder is expandable from a collapsed configuration to facilitate introduction into a spinal disc to an enlarged configuration for filling a cavity created within the spinal disc.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
23 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the bladder comprises a disc shape including convex opposing surfaces in the enlarged configuration.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
24 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the distal end of the tubular member comprises an electrode for delivering energy to tissue surrounding a passage through which the tubular member is inserted for closing the passage upon withdrawal of the tubular member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
25 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the distal end of the tubular member comprises a radiopaque marker.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
65 words
26 . An apparatus for treating a spinal disc, comprising: an elongate member including a proximal end and a distal end having a size for insertion through an opening into a spinal disc; and a substantially nonporous, bioabsorbable bladder comprising a neck defining an opening communicating with an interior of the bladder, the neck being detachably connected to the distal end of the tubular member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
65 words
26 . An apparatus for treating a spinal disc, comprising: an elongate member including a proximal end and a distal end having a size for insertion through an opening into a spinal disc; and a substantially nonporous, bioabsorbable bladder comprising a neck defining an opening communicating with an interior of the bladder, the neck being detachably connected to the distal end of the tubular member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
27 . The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the elongate member comprises a tubular member comprising a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, and wherein the interior of the bladder communicates with the lumen via the opening.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
59 words
28 . The apparatus of claim 27 , further comprising a source of fill material communicating with the lumen, the fill material comprising at least one of nucleus pulposus, an extra-cellular matrix, an autologous therapeutic agent, an nsaid, a genetic material, a proteoglycan, a proteoglycan recruiting material, a material for inhibiting nerve ingrowth, an antibiotic, a steroid, and saline.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
29 . The apparatus of claim 26 , further comprising a sheath slidably disposed over the elongate member, the sheath comprising a distal region for receiving the bladder therein in a collapsed configuration.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
30 . The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the bladder further comprises a sealing member for securing the neck over the distal end of the elongate member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
31 . The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the sealing member comprises an elastic ring biased to constrict the neck upon withdrawal of the distal end of the elongate member from within the neck.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
32 . The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the neck is everted within the interior space of the bladder, and wherein the sealing member is disposed around the neck within the interior space.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
33 . The apparatus of claim 26 , further comprising a pusher member slidable along the elongate member, the pusher member configured for directing the neck off of the distal end of the elongate member.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
36 words
34 . The apparatus of claim 33 , wherein the pusher member comprises a substantially blunt distal end for engaging the neck when the distal end of the elongate member is withdrawn from within the neck.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
35 . The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the bladder comprises a naturally occurring extra-cellular matrix material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
36 . The apparatus of claim 35 , wherein the naturally occurring extra-cellular matrix material comprises at least one of intestinal submucosa, stomach submucosa and bladder submucosa.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
37 . The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the bladder comprises a substantially inelastic material.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
37 words
38 . The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the bladder is expandable from a collapsed configuration to facilitate introduction into a spinal disc to an enlarged configuration for filling a cavity created within the spinal disc.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
39 . The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the bladder comprises a disc shape including convex opposing surfaces in the enlarged configuration.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
44 words
40 . The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the distal end of the elongate member comprises an electrode for delivering energy to tissue surrounding a passage through which the elongate member is inserted for closing the passage upon withdrawal of the elongate member.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
41 . The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the distal end of the elongate member comprises a radiopaque marker.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
60 words
42 . An apparatus for treating a spinal disc, comprising a substantially nonporous, bioabsorbable bladder comprising a neck defining an opening communicating with an interior of the bladder, the bladder being expandable from a collapsed configuration to an enlarged configuration, the bladder having a size and shape to fit within an interior of a spinal disc in the enlarged configuration.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
60 words
42 . An apparatus for treating a spinal disc, comprising a substantially nonporous, bioabsorbable bladder comprising a neck defining an opening communicating with an interior of the bladder, the bladder being expandable from a collapsed configuration to an enlarged configuration, the bladder having a size and shape to fit within an interior of a spinal disc in the enlarged configuration.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
43 . The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the bladder further comprises a sealing member for substantially sealing the neck from fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
44 . The apparatus of claim 43 , wherein the sealing member comprises an elastic ring biased to constrict the neck.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
34 words
45 . The apparatus of claim 43 , wherein the neck is everted within the interior space of the bladder, and wherein the sealing member is disposed around the neck within the interior space.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
18 words
46 . The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the bladder comprises a naturally occurring extra-cellular matrix material.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
47 . The apparatus of claim 46 , wherein the naturally occurring extra-cellular matrix material comprises at least one of intestinal submucosa, stomach submucosa and bladder submucosa.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
48 . The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the bladder comprises a substantially inelastic material.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
23 words
49 . The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the bladder comprises a disc shape including convex opposing surfaces in the enlarged configuration.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
55 words
50 . The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the interior of the bladder is filled with material comprising at least one of nucleus pulposus, an extra-cellular matrix, an autologous therapeutic agent, an nsaid, a genetic material, a proteoglycan, a proteoglycan recruiting material, a material for inhibiting nerve ingrowth, an antibiotic, a steroid, and saline.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
44 words
51 . The apparatus of claim 42 , further comprising a plug member attached to the neck, the plug member comprising a body having a size for insertion into an opening in a spinal disc, and a connector for engaging tissue surrounding the opening.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
22 words
52 . The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the body comprises a lumen therethrough communicating with the interior of the bladder.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
30 words
53 . The apparatus of claim 51 , further comprising a plug element within the body, the plug element deployable for opening and closing the lumen to fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
80 words
54 . A device for closing an opening in a spinal disc, comprising: an elongate body formed from biocompatible material and comprising a connector on an exterior surface of the body for substantially engaging tissue surrounding the opening, the body comprising a lumen extending between its proximal and distal ends; and a plug element within the body, the plug element being movable from a pocket within the body into the lumen for substantially sealing the lumen from fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
80 words
54 . A device for closing an opening in a spinal disc, comprising: an elongate body formed from biocompatible material and comprising a connector on an exterior surface of the body for substantially engaging tissue surrounding the opening, the body comprising a lumen extending between its proximal and distal ends; and a plug element within the body, the plug element being movable from a pocket within the body into the lumen for substantially sealing the lumen from fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
49 words
55 . The device of claim 54 , further comprising a substantially nonporous bladder comprising a neck defining an opening communicating with an interior of the bladder, the neck being attached to the distal end of the body such that the lumen communicates with the interior of the bladder.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
15 words
56 . The device of claim 55 , wherein the bladder comprises substantially nonporous material.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
14 words
57 . The device of claim 55 , wherein the bladder comprises bioabsorbable material.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
21 words
58 . The device of claim 54 , wherein the connector comprises a thread pattern on an exterior of the body.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
27 words
59 . The device of claim 54 , wherein the connector comprises a plurality of tissue engaging elements expandable from a contracted condition to an expanded condition.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
75 words
60 . An implant for treating an interior of a spinal disc, comprising: an elongate body of fill material comprising at least one of nucleus pulposus and naturally occurring extra-cellular matrix material; and a plug member connected to one end of the elongate body, the plug member comprising a connector on an exterior portion thereof for engaging tissue surrounding an opening through which the body of fill material is introduced for substantially closing the opening.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
75 words
60 . An implant for treating an interior of a spinal disc, comprising: an elongate body of fill material comprising at least one of nucleus pulposus and naturally occurring extra-cellular matrix material; and a plug member connected to one end of the elongate body, the plug member comprising a connector on an exterior portion thereof for engaging tissue surrounding an opening through which the body of fill material is introduced for substantially closing the opening.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
40 words
61 . The implant of claim 60 , wherein the body of fill material may be cut into a predetermined length corresponding to a volume of an interior of spinal disc within which the body of fill material is introduced.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
21 words
62 . The implant of claim 60 , wherein the connector comprises a thread pattern on an exterior of the body.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
27 words
63 . The implant of claim 60 , wherein the connector comprises a plurality of tissue engaging elements expandable from a contracted condition to an expanded condition.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
45 words
64 . The implant of claim 60 , wherein the fill material further comprises at least one of an autologous therapeutic agent, an nsaid, a genetic material, a proteoglycan, a proteoglycan recruiting material, a material for inhibiting nerve ingrowth, an antibiotic, a steroid, and saline.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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