Minimally invasive apparatus to manipulate and revitalize spinal column disc

• US 20070073399A1
• Filed: 04/14/2006
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arthrodisc LLC
• Original Assignee: Arthrodisc LLC
• Inventors: Zipnick, Richard, Stultz, Randall
• Granted Patent: US 7,727,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.110
• 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 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• 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 17/3476 Powered trocars, e.g. electrosurgical cutting, lasers, powered knives
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/888 the driver bit acting on the central region of the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32113 with extendable or retractable guard or blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0801 Prevention of accidental cutting or pricking
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30771 applied in original prostheses, e.g. holes or grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3094 Designing or manufacturing processes
• 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 2/4425 made of articulated components
• 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 2/446 having a circular or elliptical cross-section substantially parallel to the axis of the spine, e.g. cylinders or frustocones
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30112 Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30131 horseshoe- or crescent- or C-shaped or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30136 : undulated or wavy, e.g. serpentine-shaped or zigzag-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30153 : rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30172 : T-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30205 : conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30224 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30233 : Stepped cylinders, i.e. having discrete diameter changes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30253 : ellipsoidal or ovoid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30261 : parallelepipedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30285 : rugby-ball-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30286 : barrel-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30293 : Cylindrical body made by spirally rolling up a sheet or a strip around itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30294 : Conical or frustoconical body made by spirally rolling up a sheet or a strip around itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30331 : made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30393 : with additional means for limiting said rotation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30398 : Sliding
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30401 : with additional means for preventing or locking said sliding
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30428 : made by inserting a protrusion into a slot
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30471 : connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 : using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30517 : using a locking plate
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30528 : Means for limiting said movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30545 : for adjusting a diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3055 : for adjusting length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30553 : for adjusting a position by translation along an axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30566 : Helical springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30571 : Leaf springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30573 : 2-D spiral springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 : with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 : hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30594 : slotted, e.g. radial or meridian slot ending in a polar aperture, non-polar slots, horizontal or arcuate slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30601 : telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30604 : modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30624 : Hinged joint, e.g. with transverse axle restricting the movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30634 : biaxial
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30649 : Ball-and-socket joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30662 : with rotation-limiting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30772 : Apertures or holes, e.g. of circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30818 : castellated or crenellated
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30822 : Circumferential grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30823 : having the shape of a reverse dovetail
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30831 : perpendicular with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 : Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30881 : Circumferential ribs, flanges or fins
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30883 : dovetail-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30884 : Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4415 : elements of the prosthesis being arranged in a chain like manner
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/443 : having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/444 : for replacing the nucleus pulposus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4627 : with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4629 : connected to the endoprosthesis or implant via a threaded connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4677 : using a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0033 : made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0091 : connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0004 : Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0013 : Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0019 : rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0052 : T-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0063 : Three-dimensional shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0067 : conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0071 : spherical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0076 : ellipsoidal or ovoid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0082 : parallelepipedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0091 : helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0008 : for adjusting a position by translation along an axis or two perpendicular axes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/001 : for adjusting a diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00011 : Metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 : Ceramics or ceramic-like structures

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided to manipulate and revitalize a spinal column disc while minimizing or preventing the removal of material comprising the disc. The method allows a device to be inserted in the disc either through a pre-existing rupture or through an opening formed in the front, back, or sides of the disc. Increasing the space between the vertebra bounding the disc or removing disc material often is not necessary to insert the device in the disc. The device generates internal traction or other forces acting on the disc to alter the shape of the disc. The shape of the disc is altered to relieve pressure on nerves adjacent the disc. The shape of the disc is also altered to draw nuclear hernias back into the interior of the disc and to produce a disc shape that improves functioning of the disc.

Claims

1. A method to position a pair of opposing tissue surfaces, said method comprising the steps of

(a) providing an implant comprised of at least an upper and a lower arcuate concave surface each contacting a different one of said tissue surfaces to space apart said tissue surfaces;

and,

(b) inserting said implant intermediate said opposing tissue surfaces.

2. A method to form an opening within the body, comprising the steps of

(a) providing an instrument

(i) with a distal end shaped and dimensioned to be manipulated to pass through tissue to a selected location within the body, and,

(ii) housing a deployable instrument to make an opening;

(b) manipulating said distal end to pass through tissue to said selected location;

(c) deploying said instrument; and

(d) making an opening.

3. A method to fix an implant to at least one tissue surface, comprising the steps of

(a) providing an implant having a surface and at least one opening formed in said surface and increasing in width as the distance from said surface increases;

(b) packing said opening with a composition;

(c) inserting said implant adjacent said tissue surface such that said composition contacts said tissue surface.

4. A method to fix an implant to at least one tissue surface, comprising the steps of

(a) providing an implant having a surface and an arm extending outwardly from said surface and shaped and dimensioned to penetrate and interlock with said tissue surface;

and,

(b) inserting said implant adjacent said tissue surface such that said arm penetrates and interlocks with said tissue surface.

5. A method of passing an implant through tissue to a location intermediate a pair of opposing joint members, comprising the steps of

(a) providing an elongate guide unit;

(b) providing an implant structure shaped and dimensioned to move along said guide unit; and

,

(c) moving said implant structure along said guide unit to the location intermediate the joint members.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said implant and said guide unit are shaped and dimensioned such that said guide unit prevents rotation of said implant about the longitudinal axis of said guide unit.