Flexible implant for intervertebral disc repair

• US 20050060038A1
• Filed: 09/20/2004
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gregory E. Lambrecht, Jacob Einhorn, Robert Kevin Moore
• Original Assignee: Gregory E. Lambrecht, Jacob Einhorn, Robert Kevin Moore
• Inventors: Lambrecht, Gregory E., Einhorn, Jacob, Moore, Robert Kevin
• Application Number:
  US10/945,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20050060038A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.160
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0057 Implements for plugging an opening in the wall of a hollow or tubular organ, e.g. for sealing a vessel puncture or closing a cardiac septal defect sutures A61B17/04; closing rectum or urethra near body surface A61F2/0009
• 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 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320708 Curettes, e.g. hollow scraping instruments
• 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 17/7095 the filler comprising unlinked macroscopic particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00637 for sealing trocar wounds through abdominal wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00654 entirely comprised between the two sides of the opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00659 located only on one side of the opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/044 with a threaded shaft, e.g. screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0488 Instruments for applying suture clamps, clips or locks for applying suture anchors A61B2017/0409; for applying wound clamps A61B17/10; for applying ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/128
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 : having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22077 : with a part piercing the tissue A61B2017/22044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 : Blunt dissectors blunt suture needles A61B2017/06085
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3445 : used as instrument channel for multiple instruments catheters A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 : for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 : penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 : for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4514 : Cartilage
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2846 : Support means for bone substitute or for bone graft implants, e.g. membranes or plates for covering bone defects nets or sleeves applied to surface of endoprostheses A61F2/30907; bone plates A61B17/80; bone regeneration in dental surgery A61C8/0006
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30723 : Plugs or restrictors for sealing a cement-receiving space tools for inserting plugs A61F2/4614; sealing collars for use during cementing A61B17/8808
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30907 : Nets or sleeves applied to surface of prostheses or in cement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/441 : made of inflatable pockets or chambers filled with fluid, e.g. with hydrogel
• 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 2/4601 : for introducing bone substitute, for implanting bone graft implants or for compacting them in the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 : of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4657 : Measuring instruments used for implanting artificial joints for surgical instruments A61B90/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2817 : Bone stimulation by chemical reactions or by osteogenic or biological products for enhancing ossification, e.g. by bone morphogenetic or morphogenic proteins [BMP] or by transforming growth factors [TGF]
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 : (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30075 : swellable, e.g. when wetted
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30131 : horseshoe- or crescent- or C-shaped or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30224 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30228 : Cylinders of elliptical or oval basis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30291 : spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 : retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30571 : Leaf springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30583 : filled with hardenable fluid, e.g. curable in-situ
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30589 : Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 : Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 : Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 : parallel
• 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 2002/444 : for replacing the nucleus pulposus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/448 : comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4635 : using minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4658 : for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4661 : for measuring thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4662 : for measuring penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0061 : swellable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0085 : hardenable in situ, e.g. epoxy resins
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 : sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0013 : Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0091 : helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
• 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 2310/00029 : Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00293 : containing a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00365 : Proteins; Polypeptides; Degradation products thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/0097 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics
• 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 for implantation into an intervertebral disc can include a membrane support member to augment a disc having a defect. A defect in the anulus 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.

Claims

1. An implant for treating an intervertebral disc comprising:

a barrier,

wherein said barrier has a first and a second axis, wherein said second axis is perpendicular to said first axis,

wherein said barrier has a variable flexibility along at least said first axis or said second axis; and

wherein at least a portion of said barrier has pre-formed concavity.

2. The implant of claim 1, wherein the barrier has a variable flexibility along at least a portion the first axis and along at least a portion the second axis.

3. The implant of claim 1, wherein the barrier has a flexibility along the first axis that differs from the flexibility of the second axis.

4. The implant of claim 1, wherein the barrier is invariably flexible or stiff along the second axis.

5. The implant of claim 1, wherein the first axis is the transverse axis.

6. The implant of claim 1, wherein the first axis is the longitudinal axis.

7. The implant of claim 1, wherein the first axis is along the height of the barrier.

8. The implant of claim 1, wherein the first axis is along the length of the barrier.

9. The implant of claim 1, wherein said variable flexibility enhances the barrier'"'"'s ability to resist migration in the intervertebral disc spec.

10. The implant of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises one or more struts.

11. The implant of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises one or more struts that provide differing degrees of flexibility to the barrier.

12. The implant of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises one or more slots.

13. The implant of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises one or more slots that provide differing degrees of flexibility to the barrier.

14. The implant of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises at least one expander and at least one membrane.

15. The implant of claim 14, wherein said at least one membrane covers at least a portion of said at least one expander.

16. The implant of claim 14, wherein said at least one membrane coats at least a portion of said at least one expander.

17. The implant of claim 14, wherein said at least one membrane comprises a sealant, wherein said sealant is adapted to minimize or prevent the flow of a material through a defect in the anulus fibrosis.

18. The implant of claim 14, wherein said at least one expander is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of one or more of the following:

silicon, rubber, plastic, stainless steel, and nickel titanium alloy.

19. The implant of claim 14, wherein said at least one expander comprises a lattice.

20. The implant of claim 1, wherein said variable flexibility causes a flexible bend axis along a central area of the height of the barrier and a stiff region along the length of the barrier.

21. The implant of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises one or more fingers.

22. The implant of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises one or more fingers that are adapted to vary the flexibility of the barrier.

23. The implant of claim 1, wherein said barrier is adapted to fit between opposing endplates adjacent an intervertebral disc.

24. The implant of claim 1, wherein said barrier has a length in the range of about 3 mm to a length corresponding to the entire inner perimeter of an anulus fibrosus.

25. An implant for treating an intervertebral disc comprising:

a sealing means adapted to seal at least a portion of a defect in the anulus fibrosis,

wherein said sealing means has a first and a second axis that is perpendicular to said first axis,

wherein said sealing means has a variable flexibility along at least said first axis or said second axis.

26. An implant for treating an intervertebral disc comprising:

a patch adapted to at least partially seal a defect in the intervertebral disc, wherein said patch has a height and a length,

wherein said patch is at least partially flexible along its height, thereby facilitating flexion and extension of the disc; and

wherein said patch is at least partially rigid along its length, thereby minimizing or preventing extrusion of undesired material through a defect in the intervertebral disc.

27. An implant for treating an intervertebral disc comprising:

a sealing means adapted to obstruct at least a portion of a defect in the anulus fibrosis thereby minimizing or preventing the expulsion of nucleus pulposus,

wherein said sealing means comprises a first region and a second region,

wherein said sealing means comprises a first axis and a second axis,

wherein said first region and said second region lie along said first axis,

wherein said first region and said second region are contiguous,

wherein said first region has a different flexibility than said second region thereby providing a patch with variable stiffness,

and wherein said variable stiffness enhances the sealing means'"'"' ability to resist migration within the intervertebral disc.

28. An implant for treating an intervertebral disc comprising:

a barrier,

wherein said barrier has a first and a second axis, wherein said second axis is perpendicular to said first axis, and

wherein said barrier has a variable flexibility along at least said first axis or said second axis.