System and method for the pretreatment of the endplates of an intervertebral disc

• US 20050130929A1
• Filed: 02/03/2005
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spine Wave Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Spine Wave Incorporated
• Inventors: Boyd, Lawrence M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,450,288 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 514/44.R
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3472 for bones, e.g. intraosseus injections
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8811 characterised by the introducer tip, i.e. the part inserted into or onto the bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00469 for insertion of instruments, e.g. guide wire, optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/564 Methods for bone or joint treatment
• 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 2/4675 for cleaning or coating bones, e.g. bone cavities, prior to endoprosthesis implantation or bone cement introduction for cleaning teeth cavities A61C17/00; irrigators A61M3/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/444 for replacing the nucleus pulposus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4635 using minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4677 using a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/14 for calcium homeostasis vitamin D A61P3/02; parathyroid hormones A61P5/18; calcitonin A61P5/22; osteoporosis A61P19/10; bone metastasis A61P35/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/00 Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system

Abstract

A method for the pre-treatment of an intervertebral disc prior to the introduction of a disc prosthesis or implant includes removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc to expose at least a portion of the endplate of an adjacent vertebra to the disc. A fluent treatment material is then injected into the disc space to come into contact with the portion of the endplate. The fluent treatment material is operable to prepare the portion of the endplate to accommodate a disc prosthesis, implant or graft subsequently introduced into the disc space. Different fluent treatment materials are provided that depend upon the condition of the vertebral endplates.

Claims

1-21. -21. (canceled)

21. A method of providing nutrients to an intervertebral disc situated between the endplates of upper and lower vertebrae, comprising the steps of:

forming a passageway into the disc space;

placing a cannulated element in the passageway; and

providing one or more substances beneficial to the intervertebral disc through the cannulated element.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the beneficial substances include a therapeutic agent.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the therapeutic agent includes a growth factor.

24. The method of claim 21, further including the step of transplanting cells or tissues into the disc.

25. The method of claim 21, further including the step of providing a reservoir containing the beneficial substance in communication with the cannulated element.

26. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc to expose at least a portion of the endplate of an adjacent vertebra to the disc.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the beneficial substance includes a fluent material operable to prepare the portion of the endplate to accommodate a disc prosthesis or graft subsequently introduced into the disc space.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the fluent material is a vascular growth factor.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of retaining the fluent material within the disc space for an incubation period sufficient for substantially complete operation of the fluent material on the portion of the endplate.

30. The method of claim 21, further comprising the subsequent step of flushing the disc space to remove at least portion of the beneficial substances and any byproducts thereof.

31. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of maintaining the upper and lower vertebrae in a distracted position while the beneficial substance is provided through the cannulated element.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the cannulated element is a cannulated distractor operable to distract the upper and lower vertebrae and including a lumen in communication with the disc space through which the fluent treatment material is injected.

33. A method of improving nutrient flow into the intervertebral disc space situated between the endplates of upper and lower vertebrae, comprising the steps of:

extending a cannulated element into the disc space between the endplates; and

introducing through the cannulated element one or more substances beneficial to improving nutrient flow into the disc space.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the beneficial substances contain a therapeutic agent.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the therapeutic agent includes a growth factor.

36. The method of claim 33, further including the step of transplanting cells or tissues into the disc.

37. The method of claim 33, further including the step of providing a reservoir containing the beneficial substance in communication with the cannulated element.