Devices and methods of vertebral disc augmentation

• US 6,508,839 B1
• Filed: 10/25/2000
• Issued: 01/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intrinsic Orthopedics, Inc.
• Inventors: Moore, Robert Kevin, Banks, Thomas, Vidal, Claude A., Lambrecht, Gregory H., Redmond, Russel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Snow, Bruce
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barrett, Thomas C.
• Application Number:
  US09/696,636
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 623/17-1-, 128/898
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320708 Curettes, e.g. hollow scraping instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22077 with a part piercing the tissue A61B2017/22044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors blunt suture needles A61B2017/06085
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3445 used as instrument channel for multiple instruments catheters A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2846 Support means for bone substitute or for bone graft implants, e.g. membranes or plates for covering bone defects nets or sleeves applied to surface of endoprostheses A61F2/30907; bone plates A61B17/80; bone regeneration in dental surgery A61C8/0006
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30723 Plugs or restrictors for sealing a cement-receiving space tools for inserting plugs A61F2/4614; sealing collars for use during cementing A61B17/8808
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30907 Nets or sleeves applied to surface of prostheses or in cement
• 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 2/4601 for introducing bone substitute, for implanting bone graft implants or for compacting them in the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4657 Measuring instruments used for implanting artificial joints for surgical instruments A61B90/06
• 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 2002/30014 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30075 swellable, e.g. when wetted
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• 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 2002/30166 : H-shaped or I-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30172 : T-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30177 : W-shaped, M-shaped or sigma shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30187 : D-shaped or half-disc-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/302 : toroidal, e.g. rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30224 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30228 : Cylinders of elliptical or oval basis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30261 : parallelepipedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30289 : helically-coiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30291 : spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 : retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30566 : Helical springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30571 : Leaf springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30576 : with extending fixation tabs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30583 : filled with hardenable fluid, e.g. curable in-situ
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30589 : Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30601 : telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 : Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 : Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 : parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30909 : Nets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30971 : Laminates, i.e. layered products
• 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 2002/448 : comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants
• 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 2002/4635 : using minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4658 : for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4661 : for measuring thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4662 : for measuring penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 : using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0061 : swellable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0085 : hardenable in situ, e.g. epoxy resins
• 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 2230/0004 : 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 2230/0028 : Shapes in the form of latin or greek characters
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0034 : D-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0052 : T-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0056 : W-shaped, e.g. M-shaped, sigma-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0065 : toroidal, e.g. ring-shaped, doughnut-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• 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 2250/0018 : differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 : Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00029 : Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00161 : Carbon; Graphite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00293 : containing a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00365 : Proteins; Polypeptides; Degradation products thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/0097 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00976 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of proteins or of polypeptides, e.g. of bone morphogenic proteins BMP or of transforming growth factors TGF

Abstract

Devices for implantation into an intervertebral disc can include a membrane support member to augment a disc having a defect. A defect in the annulus of a disc can be repaired using a prosthesis such as a barrier. The barrier can include a sealant and an enlarger. The barrier can be implanted into the disc using a delivery cannula, an advancer and at least one control filament to control the positioning of the barrier. A stiffening element can be included within the barrier to impart stiffness to the barrier. The support member can also be connected to an anchor.

Claims

1. A method of inserting a membrane into an intervertebral disc, comprising:

providing a membrane on an insertion device;

inserting the insertion device into the intervertebral disc along a first axis; and

deploying the membrane laterally from the insertion device within the intervertebral disc between the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosis along a second axis which is transverse to the first axis.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising affixing the membrane to tissue in or surrounding the intervertebral disc.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising expanding the membrane to an expanded state.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising removing the insertion device from the intervertebral disc.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising inserting the insertion device into the intervertebral disc at a point located a distance away from a defect in the annular fibrosis of the intervertebral disc and advancing the membrane across the defect.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a frame on which the membrane is mounted.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a frame including an alloy of nickel and titanium.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a frame including a longitudinal strut and a plurality of radial elements.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a frame with a first end and a second end that extend at oblique angles relative to a longitudinal axis of the frame.

10. A method of inserting a membrane into an intervertebral disc, comprising:

providing a membrane on an insertion device;

inserting the insertion device into the intervertebral disc along a first axis, at a point located a distance away from a defect in the annulus fibrosis of the intervertebral disc and advancing the membrane across the defect; and

deploying the membrane laterally from the insertion device within the intervertebral disc along a second axis which is transverse to the first axis.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising affixing the membrane to tissue in surrounding the intervertebral disc.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising deploying the membrane between the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosis of the intervertebral disc.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising expanding the membrane to an expanded state.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising removing the insertion device from the intervertebral disc.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising providing a frame on which the membrane is mounted.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprising providing a frame including an alloy of nickel and titanium.

17. The method of claim 10 further comprising providing a frame including a longitudinal strut and a plurality of radial elements.

18. The method of claim 10 further comprising providing a frame with a first end and a second end that extend at oblique angles relative to a longitudinal axis of the frame.