Compositions and methods for treating intervertebral discs with collagen-based materials
First Claim
1. A method of augmenting intervertebral disc nucleus, said method comprising surgically adding to an intervertebral disc nucleus contained within a disc annulus:
- a) a plurality of particles of natural, collagen-rich tissue, wherein said plurality of particles of natural, collagen-rich tissue has a mean particle size of between 0.05 mm and 5.0 mm; and
b) a biologically active substance effective to promote healing, repair, regeneration and/or restoration of the disc, and/or to facilitate proper disc function.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of augmenting an intervertebral disc nucleus by injecting or otherwise adding to a disc nucleus a plurality of particles of natural, collagen-rich tissue. The mean particle size of the pieces of natural, collagen-rich tissue may be between 0.25 mm and 1.0 mm. The particles may be dehydrated before implantation, and rehydrated after implantation, or they may be implanted in a “wet” state—such as a slurry or gel. Radiocontrast materials may be included to enhance imaging of the injected material. Other additives may include analgesics, antibiotics, proteoglycans, growth factors, stem cells, and/or other cells effective to promote healing and/or proper disc function.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of augmenting intervertebral disc nucleus, said method comprising surgically adding to an intervertebral disc nucleus contained within a disc annulus:
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a) a plurality of particles of natural, collagen-rich tissue, wherein said plurality of particles of natural, collagen-rich tissue has a mean particle size of between 0.05 mm and 5.0 mm; and
b) a biologically active substance effective to promote healing, repair, regeneration and/or restoration of the disc, and/or to facilitate proper disc function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A kit for augmenting an intervertebral disc nucleus, said kit comprising:
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a) a plurality of particles of natural, collagen-rich tissue, wherein said plurality of particles of natural, collagen-rich tissue has a mean particle size of between 0.05 mm and 5.0 mm; and
b) a biologically active substance effective to promote healing, repair, regeneration and/or restoration of the disc, and/or to facilitate proper disc function.
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27. An augmented intervertebral disc, comprising:
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a) a disc annulus fibrosis;
b) a surgically-added plurality of particles of natural, collagen-rich tissue, wherein said plurality of particles of natural, collagen-rich tissue has a mean particle size of between 0.05 mm and 5.0 mm; and
c) a surgically-added biologically active substance effective to promote healing, repair, regeneration and/or restoration of the disc, and/or to facilitate proper disc function.
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28. A composition effective for augmenting intervertebral disc nucleus, said composition comprising:
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a) a plurality of particles of natural, collagen-rich tissue, wherein said plurality of particles of natural, collagen-rich tissue has a mean particle size of between 0.05 mm and 5.0 mm; and
b) a biologically active substance effective to promote healing, repair, regeneration and/or restoration of the disc, and/or to facilitate proper disc function.
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Specification