Patent US6371990B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6371990B1
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Annulus fibrosis augmentation methods and apparatus
Assignee: Anova Corp
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Filing: 2000-10-16
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Granted: 2002-04-16
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Expires: 2020-10-16
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and methods aid the annulus in controlling vertebral motion, thereby preventing additional annular tears, and decreasing pain from annular tears. A biocompatible fabric or mesh is attached to the annulus. The material may be attached to the inside and/or outside of the annulus by stitches, staples, adhesives, or other suitable techniques. Alternatively, the fabric may be attached to the vertebra above and below the disc by screws, staples, tacks, or porous material for bone ingrowth such as titanium.
Inventors
- 👤 Bret A. Ferree
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:22
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/442; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/36; A61L27/38; A61L27/3804; A61L27/3817; A61L27/3839; A61L27/3843; A61L27/3852; A61L27/3856; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7059; A61B2017/7073; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2/3094; A61F2/30965; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30133; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30383; A61F2002/30462; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30537; A61F2002/30538; A61F2002/30581; A61F2002/30584; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30677; A61F2002/3082; A61F2002/30827; A61F2002/30828; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30879; A61F2002/4435; A61F2002/444; A61F2002/4445; A61F2002/445; A61F2002/448; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2220/0075; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0015; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0004; A61F2250/0006; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61L2400/00; A61L2400/06; A61L2430/00; A61L2430/38; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/902; Y10S623/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of fortifying an annulus fibrosis having an inner wall and an outer wall between adjacent vertebrae with opposing endplates, the method comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus sufficient to access the inner wall; covering at least a portion of the inner wall with a first layer of flexible, biocompatible material; fastening the first layer of material to the inner wall of the annulus at one or more points; and closing the hole in the annulus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of fortifying an annulus fibrosis having an inner wall and an outer wall between adjacent vertebrae with opposing endplates, the method comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus sufficient to access the inner wall; covering at least a portion of the inner wall with a first layer of flexible, biocompatible material; fastening the first layer of material to the inner wall of the annulus at one or more points; and closing the hole in the annulus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the steps of: covering a portion of the outer wall with a second layer of flexible, biocompatible material, at least in the region where the hole was closed in the annulus; and fastening the second layer of material to the outer wall of the annulus at one or more points.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the step of fastening the second layer of material at one or more points of the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of fastening the first layer of material to the inner wall of the annulus includes the use of staples or fasteners which do not penetrate through to the outer wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of fastening the second layer of material to the outer wall of the annulus includes the use of sutures or fasteners which penetrate the annulus and engage with the first layer of material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the step of inserting a prosthetic disc replacement into the hole in the annulus prior to closure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first or second materials are mesh materials.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the step of attaching a biologic material to the one or both of the layers of material to promote tissue ingrowth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the step of attaching one or more pieces of porous in-growth material to one or both of the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
In disc-replacement surgery of the type wherein one or more prosthetic disc elements are inserted into an intervertebral disc space through an annulus fibrosis having an inner wall and an outer wall between adjacent vertebra, the method comprising: lining at least a portion of the inner wall of the annulus fibrosis with a layer of flexible, biocompatible material as a protective barrier against tearing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
In disc-replacement surgery of the type wherein one or more prosthetic disc elements are inserted into an intervertebral disc space through an annulus fibrosis having an inner wall and an outer wall between adjacent vertebra, the method comprising: lining at least a portion of the inner wall of the annulus fibrosis with a layer of flexible, biocompatible material as a protective barrier against tearing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement of claim 10 , wherein the material is a mesh or a screen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement of claim 10 , including the step of fastening the layer of material to the inner wall of the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement of claim 12 , including the step of fastening the layer of material to the inner wall with fasteners that do not penetrate through to the outer wall.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improvement of claim 12 , further including the step of lining a portion of the outer wall with a second layer of flexible, biocompatible material, at least in the region where the prosthetic disc elements are inserted through the annulus fibrosis into the intervertebral disc space.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement of claim 14 , further including the step of fastening the second layer of material to the outer wall of the annulus at one or more points.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement of claim 14 , further including the step of fastening the second layer of material at one or more points of the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improvement of claim 16 , wherein the step of fastening the second layer of material to the outer wall of the annulus includes the use of fasteners which penetrate the annulus and engage with the first layer of material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement of claim 14 , further including the step of attaching a biologic material to the one or both of the layers of material to promote tissue ingrowth.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement of claim 10 , further including the step of attaching one or more pieces of porous in-growth material one or both of the adjacent vertebrae.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-04-15 | 2005-10-15 | 2006-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-04-15 | 2009-10-15 | 2010-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-04-15 | 2013-10-15 | 2014-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |