US6482235B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Devices and methods of vertebral disc augmentation
Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics Inc
•
Filing: 2000-08-18
•
Granted: 2002-11-19
•
Expires: 2020-08-18
Abstract
Abstract Devices for implantation into an intervertebral disc can include a membrane support member to augment a disc having a defect. A defect in the annulus of a disc can be repaired using a prosthesis such as a barrier. The barrier can include a sealant and an enlarger. The barrier can be implanted into the disc using a delivery cannula, an advancer and at least one control filament to control the positioning of the barrier. A stiffening element can be included within the barrier to impart stiffness to the barrier. The support member can also be connected to an anchor.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory H. Lambrecht
- 👤 Robert Kevin Moore
- 👤 Thomas Banks
- 👤 Russel J. Redmond
- 👤 Claude A. Vidal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4657; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B5/1076; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/442; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557; A61B2017/320044; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/061; A61B5/45; A61B5/4514; A61F2/28; A61F2/2846; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30723; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30907; A61F2/4601; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30075; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30131; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30228; A61F2002/30291; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30462; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30565; A61F2002/30571; A61F2002/30589; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30677; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/4435; A61F2002/444; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/4635; A61F2002/4658; A61F2002/4661; A61F2002/4662; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2210/0061; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0075; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0013; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2230/0091; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00365; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/00976
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of closing off a defect in an anulus of an intervertebral disc, said intervertebral disc being part of a spine, including the steps of: inserting a barrier through an opening into a disc; and positioning said barrier between native nucleus tissue and an interior surface of a anulus lamella such that said barrier spans beyond the periphery of said defect in more than one direction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of closing off a defect in an anulus of an intervertebral disc, said intervertebral disc being part of a spine, including the steps of: inserting a barrier through an opening into a disc; and positioning said barrier between native nucleus tissue and an interior surface of a anulus lamella such that said barrier spans beyond the periphery of said defect in more than one direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said opening is spacially separated from said defect.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the barrier comprises a frame and a membrane; and further comprising the steps of positioning said barrier proximate to said defect; and expanding said barrier such that said barrier obstructs passage of material from the interior of said disc into said defect.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said annulus has multiple layers, said method comprising the steps of: inserting a first portion of the barrier between at least two layers of said annulus on a first side of said defect; and inserting a second portion of said barrier between at least two layers of said annulus fibrosis on a second side of said defect, such that said barrier spans said defect and is maintained in position at least in part by the annulus fibrosis on each side of said defect, said barrier acting to obstruct passage of material from the interior of said disc to the exterior of said disc through said defect.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the opening is through the defect.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of inserting biocompatible material into the interior of the disc to aid in restoring disc height.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the material comprises a fibrous material including collagen or cellulous.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the material comprises a hydrogel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises a frame and a membrane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the membrane covers at least a portion of the frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the membrane has a thickness in a range between 0.025 mm and 2.5 mm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the membrane comprises a material selected from the group consisting of synthetic polyamide, synthetic polyester, polyethylene, collagen, PTFE and e-PTFE.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the barrier has concavity such that upon implantation into the disc the concavity is directed toward the interior of the disc.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the barrier comprises a frame that elastically changes from a compressed state to an expanded state upon insertion into the disc.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the barrier further comprises a plurality of pores, the pores having an average size in a range from 0.05 mm 2 and 0.75 mm 2 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the barrier comprises a frame having a thickness in a range between 0.1 mm and 0.6 mm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises a frame that comprises a material selected from the group consisting of nickel and titanium, stainless steel, cobalt, chrome, titanium, polyethylene, and silicone rubber.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of obstructing a defect in an anulus of an intervertebral disc, said intervertebral disc being part of a spine and including a native nucleus tissue comprising the steps of: inserting a barrier through an opening into the disc; and positioning a first portion of the barrier between the native nucleus tissue and the defect, and a second portion of the barrier between the native nucleus tissue and an interior surface of an anulus lamella adjacent to the defect such that said barrier spans beyond the periphery of said defect in more than one direction.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of obstructing a defect in an anulus of an intervertebral disc, said intervertebral disc being part of a spine and including a native nucleus tissue comprising the steps of: inserting a barrier through an opening into the disc; and positioning a first portion of the barrier between the native nucleus tissue and the defect, and a second portion of the barrier between the native nucleus tissue and an interior surface of an anulus lamella adjacent to the defect such that said barrier spans beyond the periphery of said defect in more than one direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of obstructing a defect in an anulus of an intervertebral disc as in claim 18 , wherein the opening is the defect.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of obstructing a defect in an anulus of an intervertebral disc as in claim 18 , wherein the opening is spaced apart from the defect.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of inserting a membrane into an intervertebral disc to obstruct a defect in an anulus fibrosus, comprising the steps of: providing a membrane on an insertion device; inserting the insertion device trough an opening in the anulus fibrosus and into the intervertebral disc; and deploying the membrane within the intervertebral disc to obstruct the defect, wherein said membrane is positioned between a native nucleus tissue and an interior surface of an annulus lamella substantially in front of said defect such that said membrane spans beyond the periphery of said defect.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of inserting a membrane into an intervertebral disc to obstruct a defect in an anulus fibrosus, comprising the steps of: providing a membrane on an insertion device; inserting the insertion device trough an opening in the anulus fibrosus and into the intervertebral disc; and deploying the membrane within the intervertebral disc to obstruct the defect, wherein said membrane is positioned between a native nucleus tissue and an interior surface of an annulus lamella substantially in front of said defect such that said membrane spans beyond the periphery of said defect.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising affixing the membrane to tissue in or surrounding the intervertebral disc.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising expanding the membrane from a reduced state for the insertion step to an expanded state to occlude the defect.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising removing the insertion device from the intervertebral disc.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the inserting step comprises inserting the insertion device into the intervertebral disc at a point located a distance away from the defect in the annular fibrosis of the intervertebral disc and advancing the membrane across the defect.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the providing step further comprises providing a frame on which the membrane is mounted.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the providing step comprises providing a frame including an alloy of nickel and titanium.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the providing step further comprises providing a frame including a longitudinal strut and a plurality of radial elements.
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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) | 2005-11-18 | 2006-05-20 | 2006-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-18 | 2010-05-20 | 2010-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-18 | 2014-05-20 | 2014-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |