Devices and methods for annular repair of intervertebral discs

• US 20030187445A1
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KRT Investors, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Keith, Peter T., Atkinson, Robert E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,805,695 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/72
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3472 for bones, e.g. intraosseus injections
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/842 Flexible wires, bands or straps A61B17/72, A61B17/82, A61B17/86 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8897 Guide wires or guide pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/08 by means of electrically-heated probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4435 : Support means or repair of the natural disc wall, i.e. annulus, e.g. using plates, membranes or meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4627 : with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0023 : operated at different temperatures whilst inside or touching the human body, heated or cooled by external energy source or cold supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 : Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00976 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of proteins or of polypeptides, e.g. of bone morphogenic proteins BMP or of transforming growth factors TGF

Abstract

Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. The present invention provides disc reinforcement therapy (DRT) which involves implanting one or more reinforcement members in and preferably around the annulus of the disc. The reinforcement members may be used to stabilize the annulus and/or compresses a portion of the annulus so as to reduce a bulge and/or close a fissure. The implantable devices and associated delivery tools may incorporate heating capabilities to thermally treat the annular tissue. Alternatively or in combination, other devices may be specifically employed for such thermal treatment.

Claims

1. A method for treating an annulus of an intervertebral disc in a patient'"'"'s spine, comprising:

providing an implant;

anchoring the implant to the annulus with an anchor, wherein the anchor extends around annular tissue.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the anchor defines a path which circumscribes annular tissue.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein the anchor extends around annular and nuclear tissue.

4. A method as in claim 2, wherein the anchor extends through and around annular tissue.

5. A method as in claim 2, wherein the implant comprises a pledget.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein the anchor comprises a flexible elongate member.

7. A method as in claim 6, wherein the flexible elongate member comprises a suture.

8. A method for treating an annulus of an intervertebral disc in a patient'"'"'s spine, comprising:

providing a device having a heating element configured to be inserted into the annulus;

positioning the heating element in the annulus;

heating the annulus with the heating element while the heating element is positioned in the annulus; and

removing the device from the annulus.

9. A method as in claim 8, wherein the device penetrates the annulus but does not penetrate the nucleus.

10. A method for treating an intervertebral disc in a patient'"'"'s spine, comprising:

providing an elongate member having two ends;

circumscribing the disc with said elongate member; and

securing said ends together.

11. A method as in claim 10, wherein the elongate member comprises a suture.

12. A method as in claim 10, wherein the ends are secured by a knot.

13. A method as in claim 10, further comprising:

providing a pledget; and

securing the pledget to the elongate member.