Prosthetic nucleus apparatus and method

• US 20080004707A1
• Filed: 09/07/2007
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andrew Cragg, Bradley Wessman, Robert Assell
• Original Assignee: Andrew Cragg, Bradley Wessman, Robert Assell
• Inventors: Assell, Robert, Wessman, Bradley, Cragg, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US11/899,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20080004707A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8811 characterised by the introducer tip, i.e. the part inserted into or onto the bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/441 made of inflatable pockets or chambers filled with fluid, e.g. with hydrogel
• 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 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30069 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30235 tubular, e.g. sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30581 having a pocket filled with fluid, e.g. liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30583 filled with hardenable fluid, e.g. curable in-situ
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30588 filled with solid particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3085 with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface
• 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 2210/0004 bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0085 hardenable in situ, e.g. epoxy resins
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00011 Metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00359 Bone or bony tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00365 Proteins; Polypeptides; Degradation products thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00377 : Fibrin
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00383 : Gelatin

Abstract

Prosthetic nucleus apparatus and methods for treating an intervertebral disc are disclosed. Prosthetic nucleus apparatus may include a barrier sealant membrane and a prosthetic nucleus material. The barrier sealant membrane forms a chamber which can receive the prosthetic nucleus material. The barrier sealant membrane can be formed by depositing a layer of material on a tissue surface within a de-nucleated space within an intervertebral disc. The prosthetic nucleus material may be positioned within the chamber of the barrier sealant membrane after the barrier sealant membrane is deposited within the de-nucleated space. The barrier sealant membrane and the prosthetic nucleus material may be positioned within a patient through an axial trans-sacral bore. A plug may also be included to prevent expulsion of the barrier sealant membrane and prosthetic nucleus material.

Claims

1. A method for treating an at least partially de-nucleated intervertebral disc, comprising:

boring a hole axially through a vertebral body using a trans sacral approach to access a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc;

removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus to define a de-nucleated space within the intervertebral disc space;

depositing a barrier sealant membrane onto a tissue surface defining the de-nucleated space within an intervertebral disc; and

deploying a prosthetic nucleus material into the chamber defined by the barrier sealant membrane.

2. A method, as in claim 1, further comprising curing the barrier sealant membrane on the tissue surface.

3. A method, as in claim 1, further comprising bonding the barrier sealant membrane to the tissue surface.

4. A method, as in claim 3, further comprising the barrier sealant membrane including an agent to contact the tissue surface and to bond the barrier sealant membrane to the tissue surface.

5. A method, as in claim 1, further comprising, the barrier sealant membrane and prosthetic nucleus material comprise materials which are insoluble and non-degradable.

6. A method, as in claim 1, wherein said barrier sealant membrane comprises materials which are bioabsorbable.

7. A method, as in claim 1, wherein said barrier sealant membrane comprises materials which are non-degradable.

8. A method, as in claim 1, wherein said prosthetic nucleus material comprises materials which are insoluble and non-degradable.

9. A method, as in claim 1, wherein said barrier sealant membrane and said prosthetic nucleus material comprises the same materials.

10. A method, as in claim 1, wherein said barrier sealant membrane and said prosthetic nucleus material comprises silicone.

11. A method, as in claim 1, wherein said barrier sealant membrane is deposited within the de-nucleated space through an axial bore through one or more inferior vertebrae.

12. A method, as in claim 1, wherein the barrier sealant membrane comprises a hydrogel.

13. A method, as in claim 12, wherein said hydrogel comprises polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

14. A method, as in claim 12, wherein said hydrogel comprises polyethylene glycol.

15. A method, as in claim 12, wherein said hydrogel comprises polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

16. A method, as in claim 1, wherein said barrier sealant membrane comprises an elastomeric material.

17. A method, as in claim 16, wherein said elastomeric material comprises a silicone.

18. A method, as in claim 16, wherein said elastomeric material comprises a polyurethane.

19. A method, as in claim 1, wherein said barrier sealant membrane comprises a blend of an elastomeric material and a hydrogel.

20. A method, as in claim 1, wherein said prosthetic nucleus material comprises an elastomeric material.

21. A method, as in claim 20, wherein said elastomeric material comprises a silicone.

22. A method, as in claim 20, wherein said elastomeric material comprises a polyurethane.

23. A method, as in claim 1, wherein said prosthetic nucleus material comprises a hydrogel.

24. A method, as in claim 23, wherein said hydrogel comprises polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

25. A method, as in claim 23, wherein said hydrogel comprises polyethylene glycol.

26. A method, as in claim 23, wherein said hydrogel comprises polyvinyl pyrrolidone.