US20050004578A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus delivery in an intervertebral disc
Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics Inc
•
Filing: 2003-02-05
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2023-02-05
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates generally to intervertebral disc devices and methods and instrumentation for intervertebral disc procedures. Methods include performing procedures such as implant delivery, tissue manipulation, tissue diagnostics, and therapeutic and diagnostic agent delivery at selected locations within intervertebral discs.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory Lambrecht
- 👤 Robert Moore
- 👤 Jacob Einhorn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B5/1076; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320708; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/442; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/4657; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22072; A61B2017/22074; A61B2017/22077; A61B2017/320044; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B2017/3445; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/061; A61B2090/062; A61B5/45; A61B5/4514; A61F2/28; A61F2/2846; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30723; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30907; A61F2/4601; A61F2002/2817; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30075; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30131; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30228; A61F2002/30291; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30462; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30565; A61F2002/30571; A61F2002/30581; A61F2002/30583; A61F2002/30589; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30677; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/4435; A61F2002/444; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4635; A61F2002/4658; A61F2002/4661; A61F2002/4662; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2210/0061; A61F2210/0085; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0075; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0013; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2230/0091; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00029; A61F2310/00179; A61F2310/00293; A61F2310/00365; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/0097; A61F2310/00976
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 115
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
1 . A method of delivering an intervertebral disc implant comprising: identifying an interface of a lamella of an anulus fibrosus and a nucleus pulposus; providing an implant delivery tool comprising a depth stop, a proximal end and a distal end; inserting at least a portion of the delivery tool within the anulus such that said depth stop is placed against an external aspect of a functional spinal unit and the distal end of said delivery tool is inserted to a selected depth relative to said interface; and delivering the implant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
1 . A method of delivering an intervertebral disc implant comprising: identifying an interface of a lamella of an anulus fibrosus and a nucleus pulposus; providing an implant delivery tool comprising a depth stop, a proximal end and a distal end; inserting at least a portion of the delivery tool within the anulus such that said depth stop is placed against an external aspect of a functional spinal unit and the distal end of said delivery tool is inserted to a selected depth relative to said interface; and delivering the implant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining a distance between the external aspect of the functional spinal unit and the selected depth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of adjusting the distance between the depth stop and the distal end to correspond to the determined distance between the external aspect of the functional spinal unit and the selected depth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the identifying step further comprises visually determining the location of the interface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the location of the interface is visually determined with medical imaging equipment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the identifying step further comprises determining the location of the interface by auditory signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the identifying step further comprises determining the location of the interface by interpreting feedback from at least one ultrasonic probe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said ultrasonic probe is inserted in the disc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the identifying step further comprises determining the location of the interface by interpreting tactile feedback.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the identifying step further comprises determining the location of the interface by interpreting tactile feedback from surgical hand tools indicating change in compliancy of at least a portion of disc tissue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the identifying step further comprises determining the location of the interface by using at least one indicator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising a transducer coupled to the indicator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising contacting at least a portion of the transducer with the disc.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising interpreting a signal change from said transducer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said at least one indicator is a biochemical marker.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said at least one indicator is pH value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said at least one indicator is tissue density.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said at least one indicator is tissue reflectance.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said at least one indicator is light absorption.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is delivered from the distal end of the delivery tool at an offset angle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
21 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is delivered along the innermost lamella of the anulus.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
22 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is delivered within the anulus.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
23 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is delivered to an area at least partially surrounding a defect within the anulus.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
24 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is delivered within the nucleus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
25 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is delivered between the anulus and the nucleus.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
26 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is delivered between lamellae of the anulus.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
111 words
27 . A method of delivering an implant within a disc, comprising the steps of: providing an insertion device having a hollow elongate body with a first stop surface thereon and an axially movable intradiscal element having a second stop surface thereon; advancing the device through an opening in an annulus along a first axis; bringing the first stop surface into contact with an interior aspect of an anulus fibrosus; bringing the second stop surface into contact with an exterior surface of a functional spinal unit; and deploying an implant laterally from the insertion device within the intervertebral disc along a second axis which is substantially transverse to the first axis.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
111 words
27 . A method of delivering an implant within a disc, comprising the steps of: providing an insertion device having a hollow elongate body with a first stop surface thereon and an axially movable intradiscal element having a second stop surface thereon; advancing the device through an opening in an annulus along a first axis; bringing the first stop surface into contact with an interior aspect of an anulus fibrosus; bringing the second stop surface into contact with an exterior surface of a functional spinal unit; and deploying an implant laterally from the insertion device within the intervertebral disc along a second axis which is substantially transverse to the first axis.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
28 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising the step of determining a distance between the external aspect of the functional spinal unit and the selected depth.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
29 . The method of claim 28 , further comprising the step of adjusting the distance between the depth stop and the distal end to correspond to the determined distance between the external aspect of the functional spinal unit and the selected depth.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
30 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the identifying step further comprises visually determining the location of the interface.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the location of the interface is visually determined with medical imaging equipment.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
32 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the identifying step further comprises determining the location of the interface by auditory signals.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
33 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the identifying step further comprises determining the location of the interface by interpreting feedback from at least one ultrasonic probe.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
34 . The method of claim 33 , wherein said ultrasonic probe is inserted in the disc.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
35 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the identifying step further comprises determining the location of the interface by interpreting tactile feedback.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
40 words
36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the identifying step further comprises determining the location of the interface by interpreting tactile feedback from surgical hand tools indicating change in compliancy of at least a portion of disc tissue.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
37 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the identifying step further comprises determining the location of the interface by using at least one indicator.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
38 . The method of claim 37 , further comprising a transducer coupled to the indicator.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
39 . The method of claim 38 , further comprising contacting at least a portion of the transducer with the disc.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
40 . The method of claim 39 , further comprising interpreting a signal change from said transducer.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
41 . The method of claim 37 , wherein said at least one indicator is a biochemical marker.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
42 . The method of claim 37 , wherein said at least one indicator is pH value.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
43 . The method of claim 37 , wherein said at least one indicator is tissue density.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
44 . The method of claim 37 , wherein said at least one indicator is tissue reflectance.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
45 . The method of claim 37 , wherein said at least one indicator is light absorption.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
46 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the implant is delivered from the distal end of the delivery tool at an offset angle.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
47 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the implant is delivered along the innermost lamella of the anulus.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
48 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the implant is delivered within the anulus.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
49 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the implant is delivered to an area at least partially surrounding a defect within the anulus.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
50 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the implant is delivered within the nucleus.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
51 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the implant is delivered between the anulus and the nucleus.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
18 words
52 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the implant is delivered between lamellae of the anulus.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
98 words
53 . A method of performing a procedure within an intervertebral disc comprising: identifying a first depth corresponding to an inner surface of an anulus lamella of a selected intervertebral disc; providing a surgical device comprising a depth stop, a proximal end and a distal end; inserting at least a portion of the device within the anulus along a first axis such that said depth stop is placed against an outer surface of a functional spinal unit and the distal end of said device is inserted to a second depth relative to said first; and performing the procedure.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
98 words
53 . A method of performing a procedure within an intervertebral disc comprising: identifying a first depth corresponding to an inner surface of an anulus lamella of a selected intervertebral disc; providing a surgical device comprising a depth stop, a proximal end and a distal end; inserting at least a portion of the device within the anulus along a first axis such that said depth stop is placed against an outer surface of a functional spinal unit and the distal end of said device is inserted to a second depth relative to said first; and performing the procedure.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
19 words
54 . The method of claim 53 , wherein the performing a procedure step further includes implanting an implant.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
37 words
55 . The method of claim 54 , wherein the implant is delivered laterally from the distal end of the device within the intervertebral disc along a second axis which is substantially transverse to the first axis.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
20 words
56 . The method of claim 54 , wherein the implant is delivered along the innermost lamella of the anulus.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
16 words
57 . The method of claim 54 , wherein the implant is delivered within the anulus.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
22 words
58 . The method of claim 54 , wherein the implant is delivered within an area defining a defect within the anulus.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
16 words
59 . The method of claim 54 , wherein the implant is delivered within the nucleus.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
19 words
60 . The method of claim 53 , wherein the performing a procedure step further includes injecting a drug.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
19 words
61 . The method of claim 53 , wherein the performing a procedure step further includes injecting a marker.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
21 words
62 . The method of claim 53 , wherein the performing a procedure step further includes injecting a pharmacologically active substance.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
18 words
63 . The method of claim 53 , wherein the performing a procedure step further includes removing tissue.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
18 words
64 . The method of claim 53 , wherein the performing a procedure step further includes manipulating tissue.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
19 words
65 . The method of claim 53 , wherein the performing a procedure step further altering tissue with energy.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
90 words
66 . A method of delivering an intervertebral disc implant comprising: identifying a first location corresponding to an inner surface of an anulus lamella of a selected intervertebral disc; providing an implant delivery tool comprising a depth stop, a proximal end and a distal end; inserting the delivery tool within the anulus such that said depth stop is placed against an external surface adjacent to the insertion site and the distal end of said delivery tool is inserted to a depth relative to said first location; and delivering the implant.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
90 words
66 . A method of delivering an intervertebral disc implant comprising: identifying a first location corresponding to an inner surface of an anulus lamella of a selected intervertebral disc; providing an implant delivery tool comprising a depth stop, a proximal end and a distal end; inserting the delivery tool within the anulus such that said depth stop is placed against an external surface adjacent to the insertion site and the distal end of said delivery tool is inserted to a depth relative to said first location; and delivering the implant.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
25 words
67 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the external surface is an outer surface of the anulus fibrosus of the functional spinal unit.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
25 words
68 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the external surface is a portion of a superior vertebral body of the functional spinal unit.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
25 words
69 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the external surface is a portion of an inferior vertebral body of the functional spinal unit.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
20 words
70 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the implant is delivered along the innermost lamella of the anulus.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
16 words
71 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the implant is delivered within the anulus.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
27 words
72 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the implant is delivered to an area surrounding at least a portion of a defect within the anulus.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
16 words
73 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the implant is delivered within the nucleus.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
19 words
74 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the implant is delivered between the anulus and the nucleus.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
18 words
75 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the implant is delivered between lamellae of the anulus.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
23 words
76 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the external surface is a portion of a facet of the functional spinal unit.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
23 words
77 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the external surface is a portion of a lamina of the functional spinal unit.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
33 words
78 . The method of claim 66 , further comprising the step of determining a distance between the external surface adjacent to the insertion site and the depth relative to said first location.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
47 words
79 . The method of claim 78 , further comprising the step of adjusting the distance between the depth stop and the distal end to correspond to the determined distance between the external surface adjacent to the insertion site and the depth relative to said first location.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
19 words
80 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the identifying step further comprises visually determining said first location.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
19 words
81 . The method of claim 80 , wherein said first location is visually determined with medical imaging equipment.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
21 words
82 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the identifying step further comprises determining said first location by auditory signals.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
27 words
83 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the identifying step further comprises determining said first location by interpreting feedback from at least one ultrasonic probe.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
17 words
84 . The method of claim 83 , wherein said ultrasonic probe is inserted in the disc.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
22 words
85 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the identifying step further comprises determining said first location by interpreting tactile feedback.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
38 words
86 . The method of claim 85 , wherein the identifying step further comprises determining said first location by interpreting tactile feedback from surgical hand tools indicating change in compliancy of at least a portion of disc tissue.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
24 words
87 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the identifying step further comprises determining said first location by using at least one indicator.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
16 words
88 . The method of claim 87 , further comprising a transducer coupled to the indicator.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
21 words
89 . The method of claim 88 , further comprising contacting at least a portion of the transducer with the disc.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
17 words
90 . The method of claim 89 , further comprising interpreting a signal change from said transducer.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
18 words
91 . The method of claim 87 , wherein said at least one indicator is a biochemical marker.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
17 words
92 . The method of claim 87 , wherein said at least one indicator is pH value.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
17 words
93 . The method of claim 87 , wherein said at least one indicator is tissue density.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
17 words
94 . The method of claim 87 , wherein said at least one indicator is tissue reflectance.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
17 words
95 . The method of claim 87 , wherein said at least one indicator is light absorption.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
25 words
96 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the implant is delivered from the distal end of the delivery tool at an offset angle.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
84 words
97 . A method of performing a procedure on an intervertebral disc comprising: providing a therapeutic device comprising a distal intradiscal component located at a distal end of said device; advancing at least a portion of the distal end of the therapeutic device into the disc; retracting at least a portion of the device such that at least a portion of the intradiscal component is placed against an inner surface of an anular lamella; and performing a procedure with the device on the disc.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
84 words
97 . A method of performing a procedure on an intervertebral disc comprising: providing a therapeutic device comprising a distal intradiscal component located at a distal end of said device; advancing at least a portion of the distal end of the therapeutic device into the disc; retracting at least a portion of the device such that at least a portion of the intradiscal component is placed against an inner surface of an anular lamella; and performing a procedure with the device on the disc.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
24 words
98 . The method of claim 97 , further comprising the step of advancing the intradiscal component along the surface of an anulus lamella.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
17 words
99 . The method of claim 97 , further comprising the step of retracting the intradiscal component.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
20 words
100 . The method of claim 97 , wherein the procedure involves the implantation of a prosthesis within the disc.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
16 words
101 . The method of claim 97 , wherein the intradiscal component comprises a detachable implant.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
16 words
102 . The method of claim 97 , wherein the intradiscal component comprises a dissecting tip.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
16 words
103 . The method of claim 97 , wherein the intradiscal component comprises a ressecting tip.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
21 words
104 . The method of claim 97 , wherein the procedure involves the implantation of nucleus augmentation material within the disc.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
18 words
105 . The method of claim 97 , wherein the procedure involves the implantation of pharmacologically active substance.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
28 words
106 . The method of claim 97 , wherein the procedure involves the implantation of tissue selected from a group consisting of autologous, homologous, zenologous, or alographic tissue.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
48 words
107 . The method of claim 97 , wherein the providing step includes providing a therapeutic device comprising an hollow elongate body having a distal intradiscal component, wherein said distal intradiscal component is axially movable within respect to at least of portion of the length of the body.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
23 words
108 . The method of claim 97 , wherein the procedure involves applying thermal energy to at least a portion of the disc.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
15 words
109 . The method of claim 97 , wherein the procedure involves manipulating disc tissue.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
18 words
110 . The method of claim 97 , wherein the procedure involves measuring a dimension of the disc.
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