Apparatus and methods for the treatment of the intervertebral disc

• US 20070100348A1
• Filed: 09/26/2006
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KRT Investors, Inc.
• Original Assignee: KRT Investors, Inc.
• Inventors: Bentley, Ishmael, Wales, Lawrence, Houfburg, Rodney, Cauthen, Joseph, Wessman, Bradley, Burns, Matthew, Brian L., Dukart
• Granted Patent: US 8,632,590 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/99
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06166 Sutures suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0642 for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0412 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from suture anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0427 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from the anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0462 One way system, i.e. also tensioning the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30907 Nets or sleeves applied to surface of prostheses or in cement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3872 Meniscus for implantation between the natural bone surfaces
• 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 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0072 Delivery tools therefor
• 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 2002/3008 : radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 : using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30158 : trapezoidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30299 : umbrella-shaped or mushroom-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30451 : soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30461 : sutured, ligatured or stitched
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/305 : Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 : with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 : Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30784 : Plurality of holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 : Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30879 : Ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30892 : parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3097 : using laser
• 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 2002/4627 : 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 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0019 : operated at only one temperature whilst inside or touching the human body, e.g. constrained in a non-operative shape during surgery, another temperature only occurring before the operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0058 : soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 : sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0026 : trapezoidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0093 : Umbrella-shaped, e.g. mushroom-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 : radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00011 : Metals or alloys

Abstract

The present inventions provide apparatuses and methods for repairing or otherwise treating an intervertebral disc. The apparatus and methods in accordance with the present inventions may be used to treat or repair a tear, rent, incision, defect, aperture or delamination of the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc. The apparatus and methods may employ fixation delivery apparatuses, fixation apparatuses, patch delivery tools and patches positioned in or on aspects of an intervertebral disc for treatment or repair of the intervertebral disc or its components.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

a. Providing a fixation delivery apparatus comprising a fixation apparatus body, a shaft, a displacement rod, and an actuator, the shaft secured to and extending from the body, the shaft defining a lumen, at least a portion of the displacement rod movably received within the lumen, and the actuator communicating with the displacement rod to position the displacement rod in at least a first;

a second position and a third position;

b. Removably securing a fixation apparatus to the fixation delivery apparatus, the fixation apparatus comprising at least a first anchor and a second anchor secured together by at least one elongated member, the at least one elongated member configured to be positionable in at least a first length and a second length, where the second length is shorter than the first length;

c. Inserting at least a portion of the shaft of the fixation delivery apparatus at a first location into an intervertebral disc of a patient;

d. Displacing a first anchor at the first location in the intervertebral disc by moving the displacement rod from the first position to the second position;

e. Removing the at least the portion of the shaft of the delivery apparatus from the first location in the intervertebral disc;

f. Inserting at least a portion of the shaft of the fixation delivery apparatus at a second location into an intervertebral disc of a patient;

g. Displacing a second anchor at the second location in the intervertebral disc by moving the displacement rod to the third position;

h. Removing the at least the portion of the shaft of the delivery apparatus from the second location in the intervertebral disc; and

i. Moving the position of the band from a first position to a second position.

2. The method, as in claim 1, further comprising at least one of the first anchor and the second anchor configured as a T-anchor.