US20040083002A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods for treating spinal discs
Assignee: Gateway Medical Inc
•
Filing: 2003-10-22
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2023-10-22
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
- 👤 William Belef
- 👤 Stephen Salmon
- 👤 Willliam Aldrich
- 👤 Ronald Jabba
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/442; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30744; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30092; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30589; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30677; A61F2002/444; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2210/0014; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00365
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
1 . A method for closing an opening extending through annulus fibrosis into an interior of a spinal disc, the method comprising: creating an opening through the annulus fibrosis into the interior of the disc; performing a procedure within the interior of the disc; and applying energy to tissue surrounding the opening to substantially close the opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
1 . A method for closing an opening extending through annulus fibrosis into an interior of a spinal disc, the method comprising: creating an opening through the annulus fibrosis into the interior of the disc; performing a procedure within the interior of the disc; and applying energy to tissue surrounding the opening to substantially close the opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of performing a procedure comprises removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus material from the interior of the spinal disc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of performing a procedure comprises introducing an implant within the interior of the spinal disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of performing a procedure comprises introducing a therapeutic agent into the interior of the spinal disc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of applying energy comprises applying RF energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of performing a procedure comprises introducing a distal portion of an elongate member into the interior of the disc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of applying energy comprises: disposing an energy element on the distal portion of the elongate member within the opening; and activating the energy element within the opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising withdrawing the distal portion of the elongate member through the opening while the energy element is activated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
9 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of performing a procedure comprises: inserting a distal end of a needle through tissue to a predetermined location within a patient's body; and delivering a therapeutic agent through a lumen of the needle to the predetermined location.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of applying energy comprises: inserting an energy element into the lumen until an electrode on a distal tip of the energy element extends beyond the distal end of the needle; and delivering electrical energy from a source of electrical energy via the electrode to tissue surrounding the electrode to substantially close the passage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of inserting an elongate element into the lumen comprises connecting a handle member to a proximal end of the needle, the elongate element extending from a distal end of the handle member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein: the needle comprises an electrically conductive material, and the elongate element comprises an electrically insulated outer surface that extends through the needle; and the handle member comprises an electrically conductive region that is coupled to the needle when the handle member is connected to the needle, the conductive region being coupled to the source of electrical energy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of delivering a therapeutic agent comprises injecting the therapeutic agent through the lumen from a syringe connected to the proximal end of the needle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising disconnecting the syringe from the proximal end of the needle before connecting the handle member to the proximal end.
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