US20070185497A1
Active / In Force
US
⏱️ 0.2 years remaining
Method and apparatus for the treatment of the intervertebral disc annulus
Assignee: KRT INVESTORS Inc
•
Filing: 2007-01-12
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2027-01-12
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides methods and devices for treating the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices employ a fixation device delivery tool having a curved body portion. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed for placement in intervertebral disc tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Cauthen
- 👤 Matthew Burns
- 👤 Lawrence Wales
- 👤 Rodney Houfburg
- 👤 Joseph Farrell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/0057; A61B17/04; A61B17/0401; A61B17/0469; A61B17/0482; A61B17/0487; A61B17/064; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B2017/00646; A61B2017/0065; A61B2017/00663; A61B2017/00668; A61B2017/0409; A61B2017/0417; A61B2017/0446; A61B2017/0461; A61B2017/0462; A61B2017/0472; A61B2017/0474; A61B2017/0475; A61B2017/0477; A61B2017/0496; A61B17/06; A61B2017/06052; A61B17/06166; A61B2017/06176; A61B2017/0646; A61B2017/0647; A61F2/0063; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30907; A61F2/38; A61F2/3872; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2817; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/3008; A61F2002/30092; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30158; A61F2002/30159; A61F2002/30171; A61F2002/30172; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30299; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30448; A61F2002/30451; A61F2002/30461; A61F2002/30462; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/305; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30579; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30879; A61F2002/30891; A61F2002/30892; A61F2002/30909; A61F2/3094; A61F2002/3097; A61F2002/4435; A61F2002/444; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2/4657; A61F2002/4662; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00029; A61F2310/00035; A61F2310/00155; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
1 . A method of treating an intervertebral disc comprising: providing a first delivery tool having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end carrying a treatment device; providing at least one second delivery tool having a body with a proximal end and a distal end, the body having a curved feature and the distal end configured to deliver a fixation element; introducing the distal end of the first delivery tool at least partially into the intervertebral disc; deploying said treatment device; introducing the distal end of said at least one second delivery tool at least partially into the intervertebral disc; deploying at least one fixation device into, or through, annular tissue to hold said treatment device at least partially within the intervertebral disc space, removing said at least one second delivery tool; and removing said first delivery tool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
1 . A method of treating an intervertebral disc comprising: providing a first delivery tool having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end carrying a treatment device; providing at least one second delivery tool having a body with a proximal end and a distal end, the body having a curved feature and the distal end configured to deliver a fixation element; introducing the distal end of the first delivery tool at least partially into the intervertebral disc; deploying said treatment device; introducing the distal end of said at least one second delivery tool at least partially into the intervertebral disc; deploying at least one fixation device into, or through, annular tissue to hold said treatment device at least partially within the intervertebral disc space, removing said at least one second delivery tool; and removing said first delivery tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
2 . A method of claim 1 , wherein said fixation device comprises at least one surgical suture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
3 . A method of claim 3 , wherein said surgical suture material is biodegradable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
4 . A method of claim 1 , wherein said fixation device comprises at least one anchor portion and at least one band portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
5 . A method of claim 1 , wherein said fixation device is formed from biodegradable material or bioabsorbable material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
6 . A method of claim 4 , wherein said anchor portion comprises at least one T-anchor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
7 . A method of claim 4 , wherein said anchor portion comprises at least one barb.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
8 . A method of claim 7 , wherein said at least one tip of the at least one barb is formed from biodegradable material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
9 . A method of claim 4 , wherein said at least one band is formed from suture material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
10 . A method of claim 4 , wherein said at least one band is formed from wire.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
11 . A method of claim 10 , wherein said at least one wire comprises a nickel titanium alloy or stainless steel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
12 . A method of claim 4 , wherein the portion of said band that is contiguous with said anchor portion is formed from at least one wire, and the portion of said band spanning said aperture is formed from suture material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
13 . A method of claim 12 , wherein said suture material is in the form of a mesh tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
14 . A method of claim 12 , wherein said suture material has a width greater than its height.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
15 . A method of claim 1 , wherein said fixation device is secured with a knot.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
16 . A method of claim 15 , wherein said knot is pre-tied.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
17 . A method of claim 1 , wherein said fixation device is secured with a band locking device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
84 words
18 . A method of treating an intervertebral disc comprising: providing at least one fixation device delivery tool having a body with a proximal end and a distal end, the body having a curved feature and the distal end configured to deliver a fixation element; introducing the distal end of said at least one second delivery tool at least partially into the intervertebral disc; deploying at least one fixation device into, or through, annular tissue; removing said at least one fixation device delivery tool.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
84 words
18 . A method of treating an intervertebral disc comprising: providing at least one fixation device delivery tool having a body with a proximal end and a distal end, the body having a curved feature and the distal end configured to deliver a fixation element; introducing the distal end of said at least one second delivery tool at least partially into the intervertebral disc; deploying at least one fixation device into, or through, annular tissue; removing said at least one fixation device delivery tool.
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