US6419704B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Artificial intervertebral disc replacement methods and apparatus
Assignee: Anova Corp
•
Filing: 1999-10-08
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Granted: 2002-07-16
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Expires: 2019-10-08
Abstract
Abstract Artificial disc replacements for natural intervertebral discs make use of a shaped body having a final volume sized to consume at least a portion of an intervertebral disc space, and a filling within the shaped body enabling the body to cyclically compress and expand in a manner similar to the disc material being replaced. The filling may be a gas, liquid or a gel, in which case the body further includes valve means enabling the body to be filled, preferably following introduction into the disc space. Depending upon the application and other factors, one or more of the bodies may be used in the same disc space, and each may be provided according to different embodiments to distribute compressive stress or to meet other considerations. One or both of the top and bottom surfaces of the shaped body may configured to increase friction so as to maintain the body within the intervertebral space. To increase the strength and/or longevity of the implant, one or more fiber-reinforced layers may be utilized, and may use a bias-ply, a “radial” or bias-belted construction, much like arrangements used in the commercial tire industry.
Inventors
- 👤 Bret Ferree
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/441; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7059; A61B2017/7073; A61F2/08; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2/3094; A61F2/30965; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/30004; A61F2002/30016; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30133; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30383; A61F2002/30462; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30581; A61F2002/30584; A61F2002/30586; A61F2002/30604; A61F2002/3082; A61F2002/30827; A61F2002/30828; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30879; A61F2002/4435; A61F2002/448; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2220/0075; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0015; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0014; A61F2250/0019; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61L; A61L2430/00; A61L2430/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
An artificial replacement for a natural intervertebral disc, comprising: a sealed body having a non-expanded state and an expanded state with a final volume sized to consume at least a portion of an intervertebral disc space; and wherein the body includes a fiber-reinforced wall structure having a bias-ply, radial, or bias-belted construction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
An artificial replacement for a natural intervertebral disc, comprising: a sealed body having a non-expanded state and an expanded state with a final volume sized to consume at least a portion of an intervertebral disc space; and wherein the body includes a fiber-reinforced wall structure having a bias-ply, radial, or bias-belted construction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The artificial disc replacement of claim 1 , further including a valve disposed on the body to receive a filler material for expanding the body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The artificial disc replacement of claim 2 , wherein the filler material is a gas, liquid or gel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The artificial disc replacement of claim 3 , wherein the gel is a hydrogel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The artificial disc replacement of claim 1 , wherein the sealed body has a surface with one or more features to maintain the body within the disc space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The artificial disc replacement of claim 1 , wherein the fiber-reinforced wall structure includes one or more biologically compatible fabrics composed of nylon, polyester, metal, fiberglass, or a combination thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
An artificial replacement for a natural intervertebral disc, comprising: a sealed, expandable body having a final volume sized to consume at least a portion of an intervertebral disc space; and wherein the body assumes a convex, lordotic shape according to the final volume.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
An artificial replacement for a natural intervertebral disc, comprising: a sealed, expandable body having a final volume sized to consume at least a portion of an intervertebral disc space; and wherein the body assumes a convex, lordotic shape according to the final volume.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
An artificial replacement for a natural intervertebral disc, comprising: a sealed, expandable body having a final volume sized to consume at least a portion of an intervertebral disc space; and a central hub to which the body is peripherally attached.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
An artificial replacement for a natural intervertebral disc, comprising: a sealed, expandable body having a final volume sized to consume at least a portion of an intervertebral disc space; and a central hub to which the body is peripherally attached.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The artificial disc replacement of claim 1 , wherein the body further features moisture-permeable superior and inferior surfaces.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of filling at least a portion of an intervertebral disc space to treat disc degeneration, comprising the steps of: providing an artificial disc replacement in the form of a shaped body having an initial volume which is smaller than the final volume; cutting a hole or flap in the annulus of the disc, inserting the shaped body in the initial volume into the space through the flap; introducing the shaped body having the initial volume into the disc space; expanding or allowing the body to expand into the final volume so as to fill at least a portion of the disc space; and closing the flap.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of filling at least a portion of an intervertebral disc space to treat disc degeneration, comprising the steps of: providing an artificial disc replacement in the form of a shaped body having an initial volume which is smaller than the final volume; cutting a hole or flap in the annulus of the disc, inserting the shaped body in the initial volume into the space through the flap; introducing the shaped body having the initial volume into the disc space; expanding or allowing the body to expand into the final volume so as to fill at least a portion of the disc space; and closing the flap.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein: the filling of the shaped body is a gas, a liquid, or a gel; and the method includes the step of inflating the shaped body with the gas, liquid or gel after the body is introduced into the disc space until the body assumes the final volume.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein: the shaped body is water-permeable and filled with a hydrogel; and the method includes the step introducing the body into the disc space in a dehydrated state so as to imbibe water and assume the final volume.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method of claim 10 , further including the steps of: cutting two adjacent holes or flaps in the annulus of the disc; inserting a mechanical distraction tool into one of the holes or flaps and distracting the vertebrae above and below the disc space using the tool; inserting one of the shaped bodies in the initial volume into the space through the other hole or flap; removing the mechanical distraction tool; and inserting the other shaped bodies in the initial volume into the space previously occupied by the mechanical distraction tool.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 12 , further including the steps of: providing a shaped body having one or more liquids or solids disposed therein which, when mixed, generate a gas operative to expand the body; and causing the materials within the body to mix after the body has been introduced into the disc space.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The artificial replacement for a natural intervertebral disc of claim 1 , including two or more shaped bodies appropriately sized to occupy the same disc space; and wherein the bodies feature an interlocking outer body shape enabling them to be coupled to one another.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
The artificial replacement for a natural intervertebral disc of claim 1 , wherein the body is disposed between upper and lower vertebrae, and the replacement further includes: an element attached to one or both of the upper and lower vertebrae for maintaining the body within the disc space.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The artificial replacement for a natural intervertebral disc of claim 16 , wherein the element attached to one or both of the upper and lower vertebrae includes one or more resilient straps.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-07-15 | 2006-01-14 | 2006-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-15 | 2010-01-14 | 2010-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-15 | 2014-01-14 | 2014-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |