METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR REPAIRING AND/OR REPLACING INTERVERTEBRAL DISC COMPONENTS AND PROMOTING HEALING

• US 20110034975A1
• Filed: 08/13/2010
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bret A. Ferree
• Original Assignee: Bret A. Ferree
• Inventors: Ferree, Bret A.
• Application Number:
  US12/855,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20110034975A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/105
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/70 Spinal positioners or stabilisers ; Bone stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• 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 17/742 having one or more longitudinal elements oriented along or parallel to the axis of the neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/864 hollow, e.g. with socket or cannulated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1651 for cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• 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 2002/2817 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 2002/30448 using adhesives
• 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 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30578 having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30917 for avoiding direct contact between bone and implant, e.g. extensible membrane for preventing contamination or for easy removal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30932 for retarding or preventing ingrowth of bone tissue
• 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 2002/449 : comprising multiple spinal implants located in different intervertebral spaces or in different vertebrae
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4495 : having a fabric structure, e.g. made from wires or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 : using adhesives
• 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 2250/0098 : radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments provide for treatment of the anulus fibrosus (AF) and intevertebral disc (IVD), including herniated discs, anular tears of the disc, or disc degeneration, while enabling surgeons to contain blood, fluid, proteins, or other materials that are placed into or migrate into or near defective regions of the spine. The invention also concentrates mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the surgical area and increases the area of bone to be fused. Other aspects of the invention may be used to raise the temperature of tissues, including surgical tissues, to stimulate inflammation, thereby stimulating tissue healing. According to these embodiments, the invention places a heating element below the skin and adjacent to the tissue to stimulate the healing thereof.

Claims

1. Apparatus for heating internal human or animal tissue, comprising:

an elongated, biocompatible member having a distal tip adapted for implantation within a body adjacent to tissue;

a heating element disposed at the distal tip; and

a source of power operative to maintain the temperature of the heating element and the tissue at a few degrees above body temperature.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the heating element is an electrically conductive wire; and

the source of power is a battery connected to the wire.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the heating element is an electrically conductive wire;

the source of power is a battery connected to the wire; and

the battery is also adapted for implantation within the body.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the heating element includes a heated fluid; and

the source of power includes a fluid heater and pump to circulate the fluid through the distal tip.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated, biocompatible member is thermally insulated along its length with the exception of the heated distal tip.

6. A method of promoting healing, comprising the steps of:

providing the apparatus of claim 1; and

positioning the heated distal tip 1 to 25 centimeters or more below the surface of the skin of a recipient.

7. A method of promoting healing, comprising the steps of:

providing the apparatus of claim 1; and

positioning the heated, distal tip adjacent an injured intervertebral disc, ligament, meniscus, articular cartilage or other tissue to stimulate the healing thereof.

8. A method of promoting healing, comprising the steps of:

providing the apparatus of claim 1; and

positioning the heated, distal tip through a blood vessel and into the heart to increase the temperature of the blood within the heart and stimulate the healing of myocardial tissue following a myocardial infarction (MI).

9. A method of promoting healing, comprising the steps of:

providing the apparatus of claim 1; and

positioning the heated, distal tip adjacent a bone or vertebral body to stimulate bone growth following a spinal fusion operation.

10. A method of promoting healing, comprising the steps of:

providing the apparatus of claim 1; and

positioning the heated, distal tip into a prosthetic joint to stimulate bone in-growth associated with an artificial hip, knee, shoulder, or other joint.

11. A method of promoting healing, comprising the steps of:

providing the apparatus of claim 1; and

positioning the heated, distal tip near arteries or other blood vessels that supply surgically treated tissues.

12. A method of promoting healing, comprising the steps of:

providing the apparatus of claim 1; and

implanting the apparatus for a period of 1 to 72 hours following a surgical operation.