US20050256582A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spinal implants, including devices that reduce pressure on the annulus fibrosis
Assignee: Anova Corp
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Filing: 2005-07-22
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2025-07-22
Abstract
Abstract The invention broadly facilitates reconstruction of the Annulus Fibrosus (AF) or the AF and the Nucleus Pulposus (NP). Such Reconstruction prevents recurrent herniation following Microlumbar Discectomy (MLD) other procedures. The invention may also be used in the treatment of herniated discs, annular tears of the disc, or disc degeneration, while enabling surgeons to preserve the contained NP. The methods and apparatus may be used to treat discs throughout the spine including the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines of humans and animals. In the preferred embodiment, a spinal repair system according to the invention comprises a first end portion adapted for placement within an intervertebral body, a second end portion adapted for placement within an adjacent intervertebral body, and a bridge portion connecting the first and second end portions, the bridge portion being adapted to span a portion of an intervertebral disc space and prevent excessive outward bulging.
Inventors
- 👤 Bret Ferree
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/4425; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7059; A61F2/08; A61B17/80; A61B17/8085; A61F2/28; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30907; A61F2/441; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/3085; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30884; A61F2002/4435; A61F2002/444; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00359; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/00592; A61F2310/00796
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
1 . A spinal repair system that alleviates pressure on the annulus fibrosis, nerves, or other delicate body structures, comprising: a first end portion adapted for placement within an intervertebral body; a second end portion adapted for placement within an adjacent intervertebral body; and a bridge portion connecting the first and second end portions, the bridge portion being adapted to span a portion of an intervertebral disc space and prevent excessive outward bulging.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
1 . A spinal repair system that alleviates pressure on the annulus fibrosis, nerves, or other delicate body structures, comprising: a first end portion adapted for placement within an intervertebral body; a second end portion adapted for placement within an adjacent intervertebral body; and a bridge portion connecting the first and second end portions, the bridge portion being adapted to span a portion of an intervertebral disc space and prevent excessive outward bulging.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second end portions are composed of a rigid biocompatible material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second end portions are composed of allograft bone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the bridge portion is composed of a flexible, braided or mesh material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the bridge portion is composed of allograft annulus fibrosis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein: the first and second end portions are composed of allograft bone; and the bridge portion is composed of allograft annulus fibrosis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
7 . The system of claim 1 , further including screws to hold the first and second end portions into respective vertebral bodies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein: the first and second end portions are elongate; and the bridge portion spans the end portions in a plane parallel to the end portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein: the first and second end portions are elongate cylinders; the system further comprising slotted bone dowels into which the end portions are received; and the bridge portion extends through one slot and into the other when implanted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
10 . The system of claim 1 , further including: an artificial disc replacement (ADR) defining a volume; and wherein the bridge portion extends through at least a portion of the volume of the ADR.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the end and bridge portions together form a cylindrical shape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the end portions is threaded.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein one or both of the end portions are configured for bony ingrowth.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
14 . A spinal repair method, comprising the steps of: providing the system of claim 1; forming a first hole or channel in a first intervertebral body; placing the first end portion into the first hole or channel; forming a second hole or channel in an adjacent intervertebral body; placing the second end portion into the second hole or channel such that the bridge portion spans a hole or defect in an annulus fibrosis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
15 . The method of claim 14 , including the step of securing the end portions with screws.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of providing the system of claim 1 includes harvesting the portions from a human or animal donor, with the end portions comprising intervertebral bone and the bridge portion comprises annulus fibrosis still attached to the end portions.
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