Devices and methods for stabilizing tissue and implants

• US 20060089646A1
• Filed: 10/26/2005
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Original Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M.
• Application Number:
  US11/258,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20060089646A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/279
• 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 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1615 Drill bits, i.e. rotating tools extending from a handpiece to contact the worked material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/56 Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/683 comprising bone transfixation elements, e.g. bolt with a distal cooperating element such as a nut
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7022 Tethers, i.e. longitudinal elements capable of transmitting tension only, e.g. straps, sutures or cables A61B17/702 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/842 Flexible wires, bands or straps A61B17/72, A61B17/82, A61B17/86 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8869 Tensioning devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2926 Details of heads or jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/08 Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments sutures A61B17/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0811 Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30749 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• 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 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 2002/30677 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• 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 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00293 : containing a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00359 : Bone or bony tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2430/38 : for reconstruction of the spine, vertebrae or intervertebral discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/12 : Phosphorus-containing materials, e.g. apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/225 : Fibrin; Fibrinogen
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/24 : Collagen
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3834 : Cells able to produce different cell types, e.g. hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, marrow stromal cells, embryonic stem cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/54 : Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L27/227 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/58 : Materials at least partially resorbable by the body

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for intervertebral disc surgery. The method includes creating a passage in a vertebral body adjacent to the intervertebral disc. The passage extends from a side surface of the vertebral body to a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. Annulus fibrosis tissue of the intervertebral disc is not incised during the surgery.

Claims

1. A method for intervertebral disc surgery comprising:

creating a passage in a vertebral body adjacent to the intervertebral disc, the passage extending from a side surface of the vertebral body to a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein annulus fibrosis tissue of the intervertebral disc is not incised.

3. The method of claim 2 further including repairing the nucleus pulposus.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein repairing the nucleus pulposus includes removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus.

5. The method of claim 4 further including closing the passage in the vertebral body after repairing the nucleus pulposus.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein closing the passage includes positioning a plug in an end of the passage adjacent the nucleus pulposus.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein closing the passage includes placing a substance in the passage.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the substance is selected from the group consisting of antibiotics, hydroxypatite, anti-inflammatory agents, steroids, antibiotics, analgesic agents, chemotherapeutic agents, bone morphogenetic protein, demineralized bone matrix, collagen, growth factors, autogenetic bone marrow, progenitor cells, calcium sulfate, immo suppressants, fibrin, osteoinductive materials, apatite compositions, germicides, fetal cells, stem cells, enzymes, proteins, hormones, cell therapy substances, gene therapy substances, and combinations thereof.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein closing the passage includes positioning a seal in an end of the passage adjacent the side surface of the vertebral body.

10. The method of claim 4 further including passing a nucleus pulposus implant through the passage and to an area where at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus was removed.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the nucleus pulposus implant is nucleus pulposus replacement material.

12. The method of claim 11 further including closing the passage in the vertebral body after repairing the nucleus pulposus.

13. The method of claim 4 further including repairing soft tissue resected while gaining access to the vertebral body, the repair of the soft tissue occurring after repair of the nucleus pulposus.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein repairing soft tissue includes repairing or reconstructing a ligament.

15. The method claim 13 wherein repairing soft tissue includes repairing a muscle.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein repairing soft tissue includes repairing a tendon.

17. The method of claim 4 further including stabilizing the spine after repairing the nucleus pulposus.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein stabilizing the spine includes positioning a stabilization member between vertebrae located adjacent to the repaired nucleus pulposus.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein stabilizing the spine includes positioning a stabilization member adjacent a facet joint between vertebrae located adjacent to the repaired nucleus pulposus.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein stabilizing the spine includes positioning a stabilization member between spinous processes of vertebrae located adjacent to the repaired nucleus pulposus.