US20060247657A1 — Methods and systems for characterizing interverte…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 82 words

1 . A method for determining at least one parameter of an intervertebral disc space, comprising: inserting an expandable member into an at least partially evacuated intervertebral disc space; inflating the expandable member with an imaging contrast medium; imaging at least the intervertebral disc space when the expandable member has sufficiently occupied the at least partially evacuated disc space; and measuring the volume of imaging contrast medium in the expandable member thereby determining at least one parameter of the intervertebral disc space.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 82 words

1 . A method for determining at least one parameter of an intervertebral disc space, comprising: inserting an expandable member into an at least partially evacuated intervertebral disc space; inflating the expandable member with an imaging contrast medium; imaging at least the intervertebral disc space when the expandable member has sufficiently occupied the at least partially evacuated disc space; and measuring the volume of imaging contrast medium in the expandable member thereby determining at least one parameter of the intervertebral disc space.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 32 words

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein measuring the volume of imaging contrast medium comprises measuring the volume of imaging contrast medium as it is delivered to the expandable member.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 42 words

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising deflating the expandable member, and where measuring the volume of imaging contrast medium comprises measuring the volume of imaging contrast medium removed from the expandable member during deflation of the expandable member.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 32 words

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein imaging the expandable member comprises an imaging procedure selected from the group consisting of X-ray, C-arm fluoroscopy, CT scan, MRI, and PET scans.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 32 words

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the parameter is a dimension selected from the group consisting of the height, posterior-anterior width, and lateral width of the intervertebral disc space.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 28 words

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the parameter is a two-dimensional parameter selected from the footprint area and projected area of the intervertebral disc space.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 26 words

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the parameter is a three-dimensional parameter selected from the geometry and volume of the intervertebral disc space.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 54 words

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining a characteristic of the intervertebral disc space selected from the group consisting of the concave or convex nature of the vertebral end plates, the location of the endplate/nucleus boundary, the location of the annulus/nucleus boundary, and the shape of the intervertebral disc space.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 26 words

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting an expandable member and inflating the expandable member are carried out using minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 15 words

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the expandable member is a balloon.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 32 words

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the imaging contrast medium is selected from the group consisting of X-ray, C-arm fluoroscopy, CT scan, MRI, and PET scan imaging contrast media.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 35 words

12 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring the pressure of the imaging contrast medium during inflation of the expandable member and stopping inflation when the pressure reaches a predetermined set point.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 105 words

13 . A method for determining at least one parameter of an intervertebral disc space, comprising: removing at least a portion of a nucleus of the intervertebral disc; inserting an expandable member into the disc space; inflating the expandable member with an imaging contrast medium; measuring the volume of imaging contrast medium used to inflate the expandable member; imaging the intervertebral disc space while the expandable member is inflated with the imaging contrast medium to determine when the expandable member has sufficiently occupied the disc space; and calculating the volume of imaging contrast medium in the expandable member to determine the at least one parameter.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 105 words

13 . A method for determining at least one parameter of an intervertebral disc space, comprising: removing at least a portion of a nucleus of the intervertebral disc; inserting an expandable member into the disc space; inflating the expandable member with an imaging contrast medium; measuring the volume of imaging contrast medium used to inflate the expandable member; imaging the intervertebral disc space while the expandable member is inflated with the imaging contrast medium to determine when the expandable member has sufficiently occupied the disc space; and calculating the volume of imaging contrast medium in the expandable member to determine the at least one parameter.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 39 words

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein removing at least a portion of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc space, inserting an expandable member, and inflating the expandable member are carried out using minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 15 words

15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the expandable member is a balloon.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 31 words

16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising monitoring the pressure of the imaging contrast medium during inflation and stopping inflation when the pressure reaches a predetermined set point.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 32 words

17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the imaging contrast medium is selected from the group consisting of X-ray, C-arm fluoroscopy, CT scan, MRI, and PET scan imaging contrast media.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 32 words

18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein measuring the volume of imaging contrast medium comprises measuring the volume of imaging contrast medium as it is delivered to the expandable member.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 42 words

19 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising deflating the expandable member, and wherein measuring the volume of imaging contrast medium comprises measuring the volume of imaging contrast medium removed from the expandable member during deflation of the expandable member.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 33 words

20 . The method of claim 13 , wherein imaging the expandable member comprises an imaging procedure selected from the group consisting of an X-ray, C-arm fluoroscopy, CT scan, MRI, and PET scan.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 32 words

21 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the parameter is a dimension selected from the group consisting of the height, posterior-anterior width, and lateral width of the intervertebral disc space.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 28 words

22 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the parameter is a two-dimensional parameter selected from the footprint area and projected area of the intervertebral disc space.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 26 words

23 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the parameter is a three-dimensional parameter selected from the geometry and volume of the intervertebral disc space.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 54 words

24 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising determining a characteristic of the intervertebral disc space selected from the group consisting of the concave or convex nature of the vertebral end plates, the location of the endplate/nucleus boundary, the location of the annulus/nucleus boundary, and the shape of the intervertebral disc space.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 60 words

25 . An intradisc sizer, comprising: a longitudinal element comprising distal and proximate ends; an expandable member comprising an internal cavity connected to and in fluid communication with the distal end of the longitudinal element; a dispensing device adapted to be connected to the proximate end of the longitudinal element; and an imaging contrast medium positionable within the dispensing device.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 60 words

25 . An intradisc sizer, comprising: a longitudinal element comprising distal and proximate ends; an expandable member comprising an internal cavity connected to and in fluid communication with the distal end of the longitudinal element; a dispensing device adapted to be connected to the proximate end of the longitudinal element; and an imaging contrast medium positionable within the dispensing device.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 32 words

26 . The device of claim 25 , wherein the imaging contrast medium is selected from the group consisting of X-ray, C-arm fluoroscopy, CT scan, MRI, and PET scan imaging contrast media.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 16 words

27 . The device of claim 25 , wherein the expandable member is an unconstrained balloon.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 47 words

28 . The device of claim 25 , wherein the expandable member comprises a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalates, polyolefins, polyurethanes, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, polyetherketone, polylactide, polyglycolide, poly(lactide-co-glycolide), poly(dioxanone), poly([epsilon]-caprolactone), poly(hydroxylbutyrate), poly(hydroxylvaierate), tyrosine-based polycarbonate, polypropylene fumarate, and mixtures and combinations thereof.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 18 words

29 . The device of claim 25 , wherein the dispensing device is a syringe graduated by volume.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 27 words

30 . The device of claim 25 , further comprising a pressure measurement device connected to and in communication with the proximate end of the longitudinal element.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 17 words

31 . The device of claim 25 , further comprising a guidewire positioned within the longitudinal element.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 33 words

32 . The device of claim 25 , further comprising a guide cannula or catheter, wherein the longitudinal element and expandable member is capable of being positioned within the guide cannula or catheter.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 24 words

33 . The device of claim 25 , wherein the longitudinal element is capable of being selectively pivoted between a linear and curved configuration.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 50 words

34 . A kit comprising: a longitudinal element comprising distal and proximate ends; an expandable member connected to and in fluid communication with the distal end of the longitudinal element; a dispensing device adapted to be connected to the proximate end of the longitudinal element; and an imaging contrast medium.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 50 words

34 . A kit comprising: a longitudinal element comprising distal and proximate ends; an expandable member connected to and in fluid communication with the distal end of the longitudinal element; a dispensing device adapted to be connected to the proximate end of the longitudinal element; and an imaging contrast medium.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 32 words

35 . The kit of claim 34 , wherein the imaging contrast medium is selected from the group consisting of X-ray, C-arm fluoroscopy, CT scan, MRI, and PET scan imaging contrast media.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 16 words

36 . The kit of claim 34 , wherein the expandable member is an unconstrained balloon.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 47 words

37 . The kit of claim 34 , wherein the expandable member comprises a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalates, polyolefins, polyurethanes, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, polyetherketone, polylactide, polyglycolide, poly(lactide-co-glycolide), poly(dioxanone), poly([epsilon]-caprolactone), poly(hydroxylbutyrate), poly(hydroxylvalerate), tyrosine-based polycarbonate, polypropylene fumarate, and mixtures and combinations thereof.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 18 words

38 . The kit of claim 34 , wherein the dispensing device is a syringe graduated by volume.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 26 words

39 . The kit of claim 34 , further comprising a pressure measurement device that is detachably connectible to the proximate end of the longitudinal element.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 20 words

40 . The kit of claim 34 , further comprising a guidewire capable of being positioned within the longitudinal element.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 33 words

41 . The kit of claim 34 , further comprising a guide cannula or catheter, wherein the longitudinal element and expandable member is capable of being positioned within the guide cannula or catheter.

Methods and systems for characterizing intervertebral disc space

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