US6969404B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Annulus fibrosis augmentation methods and apparatus
Assignee: Anova Corp
•
Filing: 2002-04-11
•
Granted: 2005-11-29
•
Expires: 2022-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A device and method are used in fortifying an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis with an inner wall. According to the method, a hole is formed through the annulus fibrosis, and a collapsed bag is inserted into the disc through the hole. The bag is inflated, or allowed to expand within the disc space, then filling with one or more biocompatible materials. The hole in the annulus fibrosis is then closed. In one preferred embodiment, the bag includes an inflatable bladder or balloon which is filled with a gas or liquid to expand the bag. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the bag includes a self-expanding frame that assumes a collapsed state for introduction into the disc space and an expanded state once inserted through the hole in the annulus. The self-expanding frame is composed of a shape-memory material, for example. The bag preferably features a wall which is porous to allow for the diffusion of body fluids therethrough, and the bag and/or frame may be fastened to the inner wall of the annulus at one or more points. The biocompatible material may include autograft nucleus pulposis, allograft nucleus pulposis or xenograft nucleus pulposis. In the preferred embodiment, the biocompatible material includes morselized nucleus or annulus from the same disc.
Inventors
- 👤 Bret A. Ferree
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:54
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/50; A61L27/54; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B17/1662; A61B17/1671; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/28; A61F2/2846; A61F2/30; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30742; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/442; A61F2/4455; A61F2/4465; A61F2/447; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61L27/36; A61L27/3604; A61L27/3608; A61L27/3641; A61L27/3645; A61L27/3654; A61L27/3658; A61L27/38; A61L27/3839; A61L27/3843; A61L27/3852; A61L27/3856; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B2017/0256; A61F2/30744; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2/3094; A61F2/30965; A61F2/4601; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30092; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30131; A61F2002/30133; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30153; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/302; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30235; A61F2002/30261; A61F2002/3028; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30383; A61F2002/30433; A61F2002/30461; A61F2002/30462; A61F2002/30518; A61F2002/3052; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30537; A61F2002/30538; A61F2002/30556; A61F2002/30565; A61F2002/30576; A61F2002/30579; A61F2002/30581; A61F2002/30584; A61F2002/30589; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/30621; A61F2002/30624; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30677; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30774; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30787; A61F2002/3082; A61F2002/30827; A61F2002/30828; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30879; A61F2/30907; A61F2002/30909; A61F2002/30975; A61F2002/4435; A61F2002/4445; A61F2002/445; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2210/0019; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2220/0041; A61F2220/0075; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0013; A61F2230/0015; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0019; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0065; A61F2230/0069; A61F2230/0082; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0004; A61F2250/0006; A61F2250/0009; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/0069; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00029; A61L2300/00; A61L2430/00; A61L2430/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
An augmentation device for an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis, comprising: a bag which is porous to allow for the diffusion of body fluids therethrough; a self-expanding frame within the bag; and wherein the bag and frame combination exhibits a compression state facilitating introduction into the disc through a hole formed in the annulus, and an expanded state assumed after the bag and frame combination is inserted into the disc.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
An augmentation device for an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis, comprising: a bag which is porous to allow for the diffusion of body fluids therethrough; a self-expanding frame within the bag; and wherein the bag and frame combination exhibits a compression state facilitating introduction into the disc through a hole formed in the annulus, and an expanded state assumed after the bag and frame combination is inserted into the disc.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the self-expanding frame is composed of a shape-memory material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 , further including a biocompatible material within the bag and frame combination.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 3 , wherein the biocompatible material includes autograft nucleus pulposis, allograft nucleus pulposis or xenograft nucleus pulposis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 3 , wherein the biocompatible material includes morselized nucleus or annulus from the same disc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 , further including a biologic material within the bag and frame combination.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 6 , wherein the biologic material includes tissues, cells, or extracellular matrix components.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of fortifying an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis with an inner wall between opposing vertebral endplates, comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus fibrosis while preserving the vertebral endplates; inserting a collapsed bag into the disc through the hole in the annulus fibrosis, the bag including a self-expanding frame that assumes a collapsed state for introduction into the disc space and an expanded state once inserted through the hole in the annulus; inflating or allowing the bag to expand within the disc space; filling the expanded bag with one or more biologic or biocompatible materials; and closing the hole in the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of fortifying an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis with an inner wall between opposing vertebral endplates, comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus fibrosis while preserving the vertebral endplates; inserting a collapsed bag into the disc through the hole in the annulus fibrosis, the bag including a self-expanding frame that assumes a collapsed state for introduction into the disc space and an expanded state once inserted through the hole in the annulus; inflating or allowing the bag to expand within the disc space; filling the expanded bag with one or more biologic or biocompatible materials; and closing the hole in the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the bag includes an inflatable bladder or balloon which is filled with a gas or liquid to expand the bag.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the self-expanding frame is composed of a shape-memory material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the bag features a wall which is porous to allow for the diffusion of body fluids therethrough.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8 , further including the step of fastening the bag to the inner wall of the annulus at one or more points.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8 , further including the step of fastening the frame to the inner wall of the annulus at one or more points.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the biologic material includes tissues, cells, or extracellular matrix components.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the biocompatible material includes autograft nucleus pulposis, allograft nucleus pulposis or xenograft nucleus pulposis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the biocompatible material includes morselized nucleus or annulus from the same disc.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of fortifying an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis with an inner wall, comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus fibrosis; providing an implant in the form of a covered frame having a collapsed state and an expanded state; inserting the implant in the collapsed state into the disc through the hole in the annulus fibrosis; filling the implant with a gas or liquid to expand the covered frame within the disc space; filling the expanded implant with one or more biologic or biocompatible materials; and closing the hole in the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of fortifying an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis with an inner wall, comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus fibrosis; providing an implant in the form of a covered frame having a collapsed state and an expanded state; inserting the implant in the collapsed state into the disc through the hole in the annulus fibrosis; filling the implant with a gas or liquid to expand the covered frame within the disc space; filling the expanded implant with one or more biologic or biocompatible materials; and closing the hole in the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the frame is a self-expanding frame composed of a shape-memory material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the covering is porous to allow for the diffusion of body fluids therethrough.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 17 , further including the step of fastening the covering of the frame to the inner wall of the annulus at one or more points.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 17 , further including the step of fastening the frame to the inner wall of the annulus at one or more points.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the biologic material includes tissues, cells, or extracellular matrix components.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the biocompatible material includes autograft nucleus pulposis, allograft nucleus pulposis or xenograft nucleus pulposis.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the biocompatible material includes morselized nucleus or annulus from the same disc.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of fortifying an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis with an inner wall, comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus fibrosis; inserting a collapsed bag into the disc through the hole in the annulus fibrosis; inflating or allowing the bag to expand within the disc space; fastening the bag to the inner wall of the annulus fibrosis at one or more points; filling the expanded bag with one or more biologic or biocompatible materials; and closing the hole in the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of fortifying an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis with an inner wall, comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus fibrosis; inserting a collapsed bag into the disc through the hole in the annulus fibrosis; inflating or allowing the bag to expand within the disc space; fastening the bag to the inner wall of the annulus fibrosis at one or more points; filling the expanded bag with one or more biologic or biocompatible materials; and closing the hole in the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the bag includes an inflatable bladder or balloon which is filled with a gas or liquid to expand the bag.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the bag includes a self-expanding frame that assumes a collapsed state for introduction into the disc space and an expanded state once inserted through the hole in the annulus.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein the self-expanding frame is composed of a shape-memory material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the bag features a wall which is porous to allow for the diffusion of body fluids therethrough.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 27 , further including the step of fastening the frame to the inner wall of the annulus at one or more points.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the biologic material includes tissues, cells, or extracellular matrix components.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the biocompatible material includes autograft nucleus pulposis, allograft nucleus pulposis or xenograft nucleus pulposis.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the biocompatible material includes morselized nucleus or annulus from the same disc.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of fortifying an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis with an inner wall, comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus fibrosis; inserting a collapsed bag into the disc through the hole in the annulus fibrosis, including a self-expanding frame that assumes a collapsed state for introduction into the disc space and an expanded state once inserted through the hole in the annulus; inflating or allowing the bag to expand within the disc space; filling the expanded bag with disc tissue or tissues that function like disc tissue; and closing the hole in the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of fortifying an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis with an inner wall, comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus fibrosis; inserting a collapsed bag into the disc through the hole in the annulus fibrosis, including a self-expanding frame that assumes a collapsed state for introduction into the disc space and an expanded state once inserted through the hole in the annulus; inflating or allowing the bag to expand within the disc space; filling the expanded bag with disc tissue or tissues that function like disc tissue; and closing the hole in the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein the bag includes an inflatable bladder or balloon which is filled with a gas or liquid to expand the bag.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein the bag includes a self-expanding frame that assumes a collapsed state for introduction into the disc space and an expanded state once inserted through the hole in the annulus.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein the self-expanding frame is composed of a shape-memory material.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein the bag features a wall which is porous to allow for the diffusion of body fluids therethrough.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 34 , further including the step of fastening the bag to the inner wall of the annulus at one or more points.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 34 , further including the step of fastening the frame to the inner wall of the annulus at one or more points.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein the tissue includes disc cells or extracellular matrix components.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein the tissue includes autograft nucleus pulposis, allograft nucleus pulposis or xenograft nucleus pulposis.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein the tissue includes morselized nucleus or annulus from the same disc.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of fortifying an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis with an inner wall, comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus fibrosis; inserting a collapsed bag into the disc through the hole in the annulus fibrosis; inflating or allowing the bag to expand within the disc space; filling the expanded bag with disc tissue or tissues that function like disc tissue; and fastening the bag to the inner wall of the annulus at one or more points; closing the hole in the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of fortifying an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis with an inner wall, comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus fibrosis; inserting a collapsed bag into the disc through the hole in the annulus fibrosis; inflating or allowing the bag to expand within the disc space; filling the expanded bag with disc tissue or tissues that function like disc tissue; and fastening the bag to the inner wall of the annulus at one or more points; closing the hole in the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of fortifying an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis with an inner wall, comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus fibrosis; providing an implant in the form of a covered frame having a collapsed state and an expanded state; inserting the implant in the collapsed state into the disc through the hole in the annulus fibrosis; inflating or allowing the covered frame to expand within the disc space; filling the expanded implant with one or more biologic or biocompatible materials; and fastening the frame to the inner wall of the annulus at one or more points; closing the hole in the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of fortifying an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis with an inner wall, comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus fibrosis; providing an implant in the form of a covered frame having a collapsed state and an expanded state; inserting the implant in the collapsed state into the disc through the hole in the annulus fibrosis; inflating or allowing the covered frame to expand within the disc space; filling the expanded implant with one or more biologic or biocompatible materials; and fastening the frame to the inner wall of the annulus at one or more points; closing the hole in the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of fortifying an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis with an inner wall, comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus fibrosis; providing an implant in the form of a covered frame having a collapsed state and an expanded state; inserting the implant in the collapsed state into the disc through the hole in the annulus fibrosis; inflating or allowing the covered frame to expand within the disc space; filling the expanded implant with one or more biologic or biocompatible materials including includes autograft nucleus pulposis, allograft nucleus pulposis or xenograft nucleus pulposis; and closing the hole in the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of fortifying an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis with an inner wall, comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus fibrosis; providing an implant in the form of a covered frame having a collapsed state and an expanded state; inserting the implant in the collapsed state into the disc through the hole in the annulus fibrosis; inflating or allowing the covered frame to expand within the disc space; filling the expanded implant with one or more biologic or biocompatible materials including includes autograft nucleus pulposis, allograft nucleus pulposis or xenograft nucleus pulposis; and closing the hole in the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of fortifying an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis with an inner wall, comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus fibrosis; providing an implant in the form of a covered frame having a collapsed state and an expanded state; inserting the implant in the collapsed state into the disc through the hole in the annulus fibrosis; inflating or allowing the covered frame to expand within the disc space; filling the expanded implant with one or more biologic or biocompatible materials including morselized nucleus or annulus from the same disc; and closing the hole in the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of fortifying an intervertebral disc having an annulus fibrosis with an inner wall, comprising the steps of: forming a hole through the annulus fibrosis; providing an implant in the form of a covered frame having a collapsed state and an expanded state; inserting the implant in the collapsed state into the disc through the hole in the annulus fibrosis; inflating or allowing the covered frame to expand within the disc space; filling the expanded implant with one or more biologic or biocompatible materials including morselized nucleus or annulus from the same disc; and closing the hole in the annulus fibrosis.
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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) | 2008-11-28 | 2009-05-30 | 2009-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-11-28 | 2013-05-30 | 2013-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-11-28 | 2017-05-30 | 2017-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |