US20050043796A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spinal disc nucleus implant
Assignee: Sentron Medical Inc
•
Filing: 2004-07-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2024-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A device and method for repairing spinal discs in which the nucleus has been damaged. A central section of the nucleus is cored out using a device which ablates the tissue using RF energy. A nucleus implant comprising a shape memory material is placed in the central section of the disc through a cannula, which implant is activated by body heat to expand and fill the central section, such that the implant emulates the functions and strength of the disc's natural nucleus.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Grant
- 👤 Joseph Young
- 👤 Steven Henderson
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; A61F2/442; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00434; A61B2018/0044; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00898; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/007; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30092; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30579; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/4435; A61F2002/444; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2210/0023; A61F2210/0033; A61F2210/0042; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
1 . An intervertebral replacement disc nucleus implant for implantation within the annulus of a spinal disc, comprising: a shape memory material element having a first shape for easily inserting said element through an opening in the annulus, and a second shape wider than said first shape, which will not pass through said opening in the annulus, wherein said element transforms from said first shape to said second shape by exposure to external energy acting upon said element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
1 . An intervertebral replacement disc nucleus implant for implantation within the annulus of a spinal disc, comprising: a shape memory material element having a first shape for easily inserting said element through an opening in the annulus, and a second shape wider than said first shape, which will not pass through said opening in the annulus, wherein said element transforms from said first shape to said second shape by exposure to external energy acting upon said element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
2 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein said external energy is provided by body heat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
3 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein said external energy comprises light energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
4 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein said external energy comprises thermal energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
5 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein said external energy comprises RF energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
6 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein said shape memory material comprises a polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
7 . A method of implanting a disc nucleus replacement device comprised of a shape memory material capable of having a first shape and a second wider shape into a spinal disc of a patient, comprising the steps of: creating a space within the disc by removing all or a portion of the nucleus tissue; inserting a cannula into the created space; transporting the replacement device in the first shape through the cannula into the created space; and applying external energy to said device to cause the device to transform into said second shape, filling the space created within the disc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
7 . A method of implanting a disc nucleus replacement device comprised of a shape memory material capable of having a first shape and a second wider shape into a spinal disc of a patient, comprising the steps of: creating a space within the disc by removing all or a portion of the nucleus tissue; inserting a cannula into the created space; transporting the replacement device in the first shape through the cannula into the created space; and applying external energy to said device to cause the device to transform into said second shape, filling the space created within the disc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said external energy is applied by the body of the patient.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the space creating step is accomplished by ablating the nucleus tissue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the nucleus tissue is ablated using RF energy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein external energy is applied to said device through the cannula.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said external energy comprises heat energy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said external energy comprises light energy.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
82 words
14 . A device for removing tissue from the nucleus of a spinal disc, comprising: a hollow tube which can be inserted into the nucleus of the disc; an energy delivering element which can be inserted through said tube into the nucleus; an RF energy source, coupled to said energy delivering element; such that when RF energy is applied to said energy delivering element when it is contacting the nucleus tissue, said tissue is ablated, creating an open space within said nucleus.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
82 words
14 . A device for removing tissue from the nucleus of a spinal disc, comprising: a hollow tube which can be inserted into the nucleus of the disc; an energy delivering element which can be inserted through said tube into the nucleus; an RF energy source, coupled to said energy delivering element; such that when RF energy is applied to said energy delivering element when it is contacting the nucleus tissue, said tissue is ablated, creating an open space within said nucleus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
15 . The device of claim 14 , wherein said energy delivering element comprises a conductive balloon.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
16 . The device of claim 14 , wherein said energy delivering element comprises a conductive expandable ribbon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
88 words
17 . A method for removing tissue from the nucleus of a spinal disc, for the purpose of implanting a nucleus implant, comprising the steps of: inserting a hollow tube into the nucleus of a spinal disc; inserting an expandable energy delivering element through said tube to contact said nucleus tissue; applying RF energy to said energy delivering element; slowly expanding said energy delivering element while RF energy is applied; and ablating nucleus tissue to create a space within the disc to permit insertion of a nucleus implant.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
88 words
17 . A method for removing tissue from the nucleus of a spinal disc, for the purpose of implanting a nucleus implant, comprising the steps of: inserting a hollow tube into the nucleus of a spinal disc; inserting an expandable energy delivering element through said tube to contact said nucleus tissue; applying RF energy to said energy delivering element; slowly expanding said energy delivering element while RF energy is applied; and ablating nucleus tissue to create a space within the disc to permit insertion of a nucleus implant.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein said energy delivering element comprises a balloon.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein said energy delivering element comprises an expandable ribbon.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
20 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising securing means, molded into said shape memory material element, such that it is completely enclosed within said element when in said first shape, and extends from said element in said second shape.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
21 . The device of claim 20 , wherein said securing means comprises a prong.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
22 . The device of claim 21 , wherein said prong extends laterally from said shape memory material element.
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