US7452351B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spinal diagnostic methods and apparatus
Assignee: Globus Medical Inc
•
Filing: 2004-04-16
•
Granted: 2008-11-18
•
Expires: 2024-04-16
Abstract
Abstract Methods, devices and systems facilitate diagnosis, and in some cases treatment, of back pain originating in intervertebral discs. Methods generally involve introducing one or more substances into one or more discs using a catheter device. In one embodiments, a patient assumes a position that causes back pain, and a substance such as an anesthetic or analgesic is introduced into the disc to determine whether the substance relieves the pain. Injections into multiple discs may optionally be performed, to help pinpoint a disc as a sources of the patient's pain. In some embodiments, the catheter device is left in place, and possibly coupled with another implantable device, to provide treatment of one or more discs. A catheter device includes at least one anchoring member for maintaining a distal portion of the catheter within a disc.
Inventors
- 👤 David R. Miller
- 👤 Todd Alamin
- 👤 Peter F. Campbell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M31/00; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3478; A61B17/56; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B17/3472; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/0046; A61B2017/00469; A61B2017/348; A61B2017/3482; A61B2017/3484; A61B2017/3488
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for introducing one or more substances into an intervertebral disc having a nucleus, the method comprising: positioning a distal portion of a catheter device in the disc nucleus; anchoring the distal portion of the catheter device in the nucleus after it has been positioned to maintain the distal portion in the disc nucleus so that the catheter device will remain in the nucleus upon movement of the patient; causing the patient to assume a position in which substantial spinal pain is experienced; introducing at least one substance into the disc nucleus through the catheter device while the distal portion remains anchored in the disc nucleus, wherein the at least one substance includes at least one anesthetic or analgesic; and allowing the patient to move so that the distal end of the catheter would be pulled from the nucleus if it weren't anchored.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for introducing one or more substances into an intervertebral disc having a nucleus, the method comprising: positioning a distal portion of a catheter device in the disc nucleus; anchoring the distal portion of the catheter device in the nucleus after it has been positioned to maintain the distal portion in the disc nucleus so that the catheter device will remain in the nucleus upon movement of the patient; causing the patient to assume a position in which substantial spinal pain is experienced; introducing at least one substance into the disc nucleus through the catheter device while the distal portion remains anchored in the disc nucleus, wherein the at least one substance includes at least one anesthetic or analgesic; and allowing the patient to move so that the distal end of the catheter would be pulled from the nucleus if it weren't anchored.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as in claim 1 , further comprising: positioning a distal portion of a second catheter device in a second intervertebral disc; anchoring the distal portion of the second catheter device to maintain the distal portion in the second disc; and introducing at least one substance into the second disc through the second catheter device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 2 , further comprising, causing the patient to assume a position in which substantial spinal pain is experienced, wherein the at least one substance includes at least one anesthetic or analgesic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 3 , further comprising determining which of the discs into which the at least one substance was introduced is causing the patient's spinal pain.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 1 , further comprising performing a discography procedure on the intervertebral disc before positioning the distal portion of the catheter device in the disc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 1 , further comprising performing a discography procedure on the intervertebral disc after introducing the at least one anesthetic or analgesic.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for introducing one or more substances into an intervertebral disc having a nucleus, the method comprising: positioning a distal portion of a catheter device in the disc nucleus; anchoring the distal portion of the catheter device in the nucleus after it has been positioned to maintain the distal portion in the disc nucleus so that the catheter device will remain in the nucleus upon movement of the patient; introducing at least one substance into the disc nucleus through the catheter device while the distal portion remains anchored in the disc nucleus, wherein the at least one substance is introduced automatically over a period of time; and allowing the patient to move so that the distal end of the catheter would be pulled from the nucleus if it weren't anchored.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for introducing one or more substances into an intervertebral disc having a nucleus, the method comprising: positioning a distal portion of a catheter device in the disc nucleus; anchoring the distal portion of the catheter device in the nucleus after it has been positioned to maintain the distal portion in the disc nucleus so that the catheter device will remain in the nucleus upon movement of the patient; introducing at least one substance into the disc nucleus through the catheter device while the distal portion remains anchored in the disc nucleus, wherein the at least one substance is introduced automatically over a period of time; and allowing the patient to move so that the distal end of the catheter would be pulled from the nucleus if it weren't anchored.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 7 , further comprising recording one or more patient inputs describing back pain experienced by the patient.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for introducing one or more substances into an intervertebral disc having a nucleus, the method comprising: positioning a distal portion of a catheter device in the disc nucleus; anchoring the distal portion of the catheter device in the nucleus after it has been positioned to maintain the distal portion in the disc nucleus so that the catheter device will remain in the nucleus upon movement of the patient; introducing at least one substance into the disc nucleus through the catheter device while the distal portion remains anchored in the disc nucleus; allowing the patient to move so that the distal end of the catheter would be pulled from the nucleus if it weren't anchored; leaving the catheter device in position with the distal portion in the disc; and administering the at least one substance over time to provide treatment of spinal pain.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for introducing one or more substances into an intervertebral disc having a nucleus, the method comprising: positioning a distal portion of a catheter device in the disc nucleus; anchoring the distal portion of the catheter device in the nucleus after it has been positioned to maintain the distal portion in the disc nucleus so that the catheter device will remain in the nucleus upon movement of the patient; introducing at least one substance into the disc nucleus through the catheter device while the distal portion remains anchored in the disc nucleus; allowing the patient to move so that the distal end of the catheter would be pulled from the nucleus if it weren't anchored; leaving the catheter device in position with the distal portion in the disc; and administering the at least one substance over time to provide treatment of spinal pain.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 9 , wherein at least one substance is administered over time via a subcutaneous injection port or implanted pump, the method further comprising coupling the catheter device to the subcutaneous injection port or implanted pump.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for identifying an intervertebral disc that is causing pain, the method comprising: positioning a distal portion of a catheter device in a nucleus of a disc of a patient; anchoring the distal portion of the catheter device in the disc nucleus after it has been positioned to maintain the distal portion in the disc nucleus; instructing the patient to assume a position in which substantial spinal pain is experienced, wherein the patient assumes a position which would pull the distal end of the catheter from the disc nucleus if it weren't anchored; and introducing at least one analgesic or anesthetic into the disc through the catheter after the patient has assumed the position, wherein the patient observes whether the analgesic or anesthetic has reduced the pain experienced.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for identifying an intervertebral disc that is causing pain, the method comprising: positioning a distal portion of a catheter device in a nucleus of a disc of a patient; anchoring the distal portion of the catheter device in the disc nucleus after it has been positioned to maintain the distal portion in the disc nucleus; instructing the patient to assume a position in which substantial spinal pain is experienced, wherein the patient assumes a position which would pull the distal end of the catheter from the disc nucleus if it weren't anchored; and introducing at least one analgesic or anesthetic into the disc through the catheter after the patient has assumed the position, wherein the patient observes whether the analgesic or anesthetic has reduced the pain experienced.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 11 , wherein positioning the distal portion comprises passing the catheter device through a lumen of an introducer device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as in claim 12 , wherein positioning the catheter device comprises: passing the catheter device through the lumen of the introducer device over a pointed stylet; piercing through an annulus fibrosis of the disc using the stylet; and withdrawing the stylet from the catheter device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 12 , wherein positioning the distal portion further comprises piercing through the annulus fibrosis into the disc with a tapered distal end of the catheter device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 14 , wherein positioning the distal portion further comprises passing the catheter device over a guidewire.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 12 , wherein a distal end of the introducer device is advanced to a position within the disc before the catheter device is passed through the introducer device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 16 , wherein positioning the distal portion further comprises passing the catheter device over a guidewire.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 17 , wherein the catheter device is passed through the introducer device over a guidewire.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 17 , wherein the introducer device is removed over the guidewire before the catheter device is passed over the guidewire.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 11 , wherein positioning the distal portion comprises visualizing at least one radiopaque marker or material at or near the distal portion to assess the location of the distal portion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 11 , wherein anchoring comprises deploying at least one anchoring member of the catheter device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 21 , wherein the at least one anchoring member is deployed on or near the distal portion of the catheter device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 22 , wherein anchoring comprises inflating at least a first expandable member in the disc.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 23 , further comprising inflating at least a second expandable member adjacent an outer surface of the disc.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 11 , wherein anchoring comprises deploying at least one mechanism along the distal portion of the catheter device to increase the effective cross-sectional diameter of the catheter at one or more locations.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 11 , wherein anchoring comprises causing at least part of the distal portion to change from a substantially straight shape to a substantially curved or geometric shape.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 11 , wherein anchoring comprises attaching part of the distal portion to an annulus fibrosis of the disc.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 11 , further comprising introducing at least one substance comprises introducing a placebo substance into the disc.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as in claim 11 , further comprising: positioning a distal portion of a second catheter device in a second intervertebral disc; anchoring the distal portion of the second catheter device to maintain the distal portion in the second disc; and introducing at least one analgesic or anesthetic into the second disc through the second catheter device.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as in claim 29 , further comprising, before or after introducing the at least one analgesic or anesthetic into the second disc, causing the patient to assume a position in which substantial spinal pain is experienced, wherein the patient observes where the position causes pain the second disc.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 30 , further comprising determining which of the discs into which the at least one substance was introduced is causing the patient's spinal pain.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 11 , further comprising performing a discography procedure on the intervertebral disc.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 11 , further comprising: leaving the catheter device in position with the distal portion in the disc; and administering at least one treatment substance over time to provide treatment of spinal pain.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 33 , wherein at least one substance is administered over time via a subcutaneous injection port or implanted pump, the method further comprising coupling the catheter device to the subcutaneous injection port or implanted pump.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 11 , wherein the at least one substance is introduced automatically over a period of time.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 11 , further comprising recording one or more patient inputs describing back pain experienced by the patient.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 11 , wherein the patient is instructed to perform a task.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 37 , wherein the patient is instructed to bend over.
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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) | 2011-11-18 | 2012-05-19 | 2012-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2015-11-18 | 2016-05-19 | 2016-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2019-11-18 | 2020-05-19 | 2020-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |