Method of treating spinal internal disk derangement

• US 20060074424A1
• Filed: 08/30/2005
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 33 Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SpineOvations Inc
• Inventors: Alleyne, Neville, Young, Stuart
• Granted Patent: US 8,398,638 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/76
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7061 for stabilising vertebrae or discs by improving the condition of their tissues, e.g. using implanted medication or fluid exchange intraosseous injection devices A61B17/3472
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7094 Solid vertebral fillers; devices for inserting such fillers
• 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 2/4455 for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages intervertebral discs A61F2/442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3008 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30242 spherical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30754 Implants for interposition between two natural articular surfaces
• 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 2230/0071 spherical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00365 Proteins; Polypeptides; Degradation products thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 19/02 for joint disorders, e.g. arthritis, arthrosis

Abstract

A method of treating a spinal disk according to the present invention can include inserting an alloplastic bulking agent into the spinal disk to treat the defect. The alloplastic bulking agent has a plurality of microparticles. The bulking agent results in at least one of sealing the defect, increasing a pressure of the disk, increasing a height of the disk, improving stability of the disk and improving structural integrity of the disk.

Claims

1. A method of treating a spinal disk comprising delivering an agent to the spinal disk, wherein the agent comprises a plurality of microparticles.

2. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising identifying a defect in the spinal disk.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of sealing the defect, increasing a pressure of the disk, increasing a height of the disk, improving stability of the disk and improving structural integrity of the disk.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the agent is configured to be at least patially replaced with host tissue.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the agent further comprises collagen.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the agent comprises at least one of water, saline, a tenside, radiopaque dye, and a chromophobe.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the microparticles comprise a histocompatible solid.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said microparticles are substantially spherical with diameters in the range of about 15 to about 200 microns.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said microparticles comprise one or more of poly methacrylate, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), a cured polymer, a fully polymerized polymer, and glass.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising resecting tissue on or around the spinal disk or adjacent tissue to allow bleeding.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the agent comprises viewing the spinal disk through a scope.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the defect comprises at least one of displaced inner disk spinal material, a spinal annular defect, an internal disk derangement.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the agent comprises delivering about 0.5 to 1.5 cubic centimeters of the agent.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the agent comprises using a syringe.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the agent comprises delivering the agent to a nucleus pulposus of the disk.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the agent occurs during at least one of a discography, laminotomy, laminectomy, hemilaminotomy, and hemilaminectomy, and open procedure.

17. A medical kit comprising:

an agent comprising microparticles; and

one or more surgical tools configured for repairing at least one spinal disk.

18. The medical kit of claim 17, further comprising a delivery device configured to deliver the implant.

19. An implant agent comprising a plurality of microparticles, for use in repairing and/or improving structural integrity of spinal disks.

20. The implant agent of claim 19, wherein said implant agent comprises substantially spherical microparticles in a biocompatible medium.

22. A method of treating a spinal disk comprising placing a plurality of particles into an interior portion of said spinal disk.

21. The implant agent of claim 24, wherein said biocompatible medium comprises collagen.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said plurality of particles are suspended in a solution containing collagen.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein said particles are substantially spherical, and wherein said particles have a diameter of about 15 microns to about 200 microns.