US7553330B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods of reinforcing an intervertebral disc annulus
Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics Inc
•
Filing: 2006-08-22
•
Granted: 2009-06-30
•
Expires: 2026-08-22
Abstract
Abstract Methods of reinforcing annulus fibrosis tissue within an intervertebral disc include the implantation of a support member also functioning as a barrier to resist damage to the tissue or herniation of tissue outside the disc. The device may be anchored to the surrounding tissue. The device is compressible and may be delivered in a minimally invasive manner through a cannula.
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 02:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B5/1076; A61B17/00; A61B17/0057; A61B17/04; A61B17/0401; A61B17/068; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320708; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/442; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/4657; A61B17/0469; A61B17/0487; A61B17/064; A61B17/34; A61B17/3468; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7094; A61B17/7095; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557; A61B2017/00637; A61B2017/00646; A61B2017/00654; A61B2017/00659; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61B2017/044; A61B2017/0446; A61B2017/0458; A61B2017/0488; A61B2017/0496; A61B2017/0647; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22072; A61B2017/22074; A61B2017/22077; A61B2017/320044; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B2017/3445; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/061; A61B2090/062; A61B5/45; A61B5/4514; A61F2/28; A61F2/2846; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30723; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30907; A61F2/4601; A61F2002/2817; 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; A61F2002/30581; A61F2002/30583; 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; A61F2210/0085; 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; A61F2310/00029; A61F2310/00179; A61F2310/00293; A61F2310/00365; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/0097; A61F2310/00976
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of reinforcing an annulus of an intervertebral disc comprising: identifying a pre-existing defect in the annulus; wherein the defect is bordered by an outermost layer of the annulus and an innermost layer of the annulus, the method comprising: providing a biocompatible support member; and implanting the biocompatible support member along an innermost surface of the annulus without removing a substantial portion of the nucleus pulposus; positioning said biocompatible support member entirely beyond said defect; positioning said biocompatible support member to span said defect, thereby closing said defect and minimizing leakage of a naturally-occurring nucleus pulposus material into the defect; anchoring the biocompatible support member; wherein said biocompatible support member extends entirely along the innermost layer of the annulus, and wherein said biocompatible support member is positioned in front of said defect and disposed against said innermost layer, thereby reinforcing the annulus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of reinforcing an annulus of an intervertebral disc comprising: identifying a pre-existing defect in the annulus; wherein the defect is bordered by an outermost layer of the annulus and an innermost layer of the annulus, the method comprising: providing a biocompatible support member; and implanting the biocompatible support member along an innermost surface of the annulus without removing a substantial portion of the nucleus pulposus; positioning said biocompatible support member entirely beyond said defect; positioning said biocompatible support member to span said defect, thereby closing said defect and minimizing leakage of a naturally-occurring nucleus pulposus material into the defect; anchoring the biocompatible support member; wherein said biocompatible support member extends entirely along the innermost layer of the annulus, and wherein said biocompatible support member is positioned in front of said defect and disposed against said innermost layer, thereby reinforcing the annulus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of anchoring the biocompatible support member comprises anchoring said biocompatible support member to the annulus or a vertebral body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of attaching the biocompatible support member to a connector and anchoring the connector to a wall of the annulus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of attaching the biocompatible support member to a connector and anchoring the connector to a vertebral endplate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of attaching a connector to a wall of the annulus, wherein said connector is coupled to said support member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of attaching a connector to a vertebral endplate, wherein said connector is coupled to said biocompatible support member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising displacing a herniated annulus segment to approximately its pre-herniated location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a biocompatible support member comprises providing a barrier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of implanting the biocompatible support member comprises placing said support member to substantially seal a defect in the intervertebral disc.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising securely establishing the biocompatible support member to, within, or posterior to a herniated segment in the disc.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 10 , further comprising returning at least a portion of the herniated segment of the annulus to a site substantially within its pre-herniated borders.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising distributing pressure within the disc space.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising facilitating tissue ingrowth of disc tissue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing augmentation material operable to augment the nucleus pulposus of the disc.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of treating an intervertebral disc comprising an annulus fibrosis and a nucleus pulposus, said disc comprising a defect in a wall of the annulus fibrosis, wherein the defect is bordered by an outermost layer of the annulus and an innermost layer of the annulus, the method comprising: providing at least one support member; providing at least one fixation device; inserting said at least one fixation device through and beyond said defect and into a vertebra adjacent to said defect; inserting said support member through and entirely beyond said defect without removing a substantial portion of the nucleus pulposus; positioning said support member entirely against the innermost surface of the annulus to close said defect; and securing said support member using said at least one fixation device.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of treating an intervertebral disc comprising an annulus fibrosis and a nucleus pulposus, said disc comprising a defect in a wall of the annulus fibrosis, wherein the defect is bordered by an outermost layer of the annulus and an innermost layer of the annulus, the method comprising: providing at least one support member; providing at least one fixation device; inserting said at least one fixation device through and beyond said defect and into a vertebra adjacent to said defect; inserting said support member through and entirely beyond said defect without removing a substantial portion of the nucleus pulposus; positioning said support member entirely against the innermost surface of the annulus to close said defect; and securing said support member using said at least one fixation device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the defect is a naturally occurring defect.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the support member comprises a patch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein said at least one fixation device comprises a bone anchor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein said at least one fixation device comprises a suture.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 15 , further comprising inserting a second fixation device into a second vertebra adjacent to said defect, wherein the second vertebra and the first vertebra are opposing vertebrae.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15 , further comprising partially or fully closing the defect by pulling together surrounding tissue.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3526567A
Cited
US3867728A
Cited
US3875595A
Cited
US3921632A
Cited
US4349921A
Cited
JPS64887B2
Cited
US4502161B1
Cited
US4502161A
Cited
US4473070A
Cited
US4741330A
Cited
US4532926A
Cited
US4665906A
Cited
US4873976A
Cited
US4837285A
Cited
US4781190A
Cited
US4798205A
Cited
US4821942A
Cited
JPS6395043U
Cited
US4871094A
Cited
US4932969A
Cited
EP0277678A1
Cited
US4852568A
Cited
US4890612A
Cited
US4744364A
Cited
US4863477A
Cited
EP0298235B1
Cited
US4955908A
Cited
EP0298233B1
Cited
US4917704A
Cited
US5624463A
Cited
US5306311A
Cited
US5258043A
Cited
US4904260A
Cited
US4772287A
Cited
US4946378A
Cited
US5035716A
Cited
US5002576A
Cited
US4911718A
Cited
US5772661A
Cited
JPH0529694Y2
Cited
US5545229A
Cited
US5171281A
Cited
US5053046A
Cited
US4919667A
Cited
FR2639823A1
Cited
US5192301A
Cited
US5071437A
Cited
US5108438A
Cited
US5059206A
Cited
US5445639A
Cited
US5100422A
Cited
US5129906A
Cited
US5061274A
Cited
US5201729A
Cited
US5171259A
Cited
US5171280A
Cited
US5021059A
Cited
US5342394A
Cited
US5219359A
Cited
US5591204A
Cited
US5437631A
Cited
US5192300A
Cited
US5116357A
Cited
US5122155A
Cited
US5141515A
Cited
US5366460A
Cited
US5047055A
Cited
WO1992010982A1
Cited
US5192326A
Cited
US5108420A
Cited
US5171252A
Cited
US5456720A
Cited
US5464407A
Cited
US5123926A
Cited
US5254133A
Cited
US5269783A
Cited
US5239982A
Cited
US5242448A
Cited
US5383477A
Cited
US5320644A
Cited
US5189789A
Cited
US5282827A
Cited
US5222974A
Cited
US5935147A
Cited
US5258000A
Cited
US5397331A
Cited
RU2020901C1
Cited
US5860425A
Cited
US5836315A
Cited
US5620012A
Cited
US5147374A
Cited
US5176692A
Cited
US5207649A
Cited
US5425773A
Cited
US5562738A
Cited
US6179836B1
Cited
US6105581A
Cited
US5405360A
Cited
US5370697A
Cited
US5746765A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2012-06-29 | 2012-12-29 | 2013-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2016-06-29 | 2016-12-29 | 2017-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2020-06-29 | 2020-12-29 | 2021-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |