Annulus-reinforcing band

• US 7,220,282 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Issued: 05/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Spineology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Spineology Incorporated
• Inventors: Kuslich, Stephen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rodriguez; Cris
• Assistant Examiner(s): STOKES, CANDICE CAPRI
• Application Number:
  US11/447,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20070016300A1
• Time in Patent Office: 350 Days
• Field of Search: 623/17.16, 623/17.11
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7095 the filler comprising unlinked macroscopic particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7098 wherein the implant is permeable or has openings, e.g. fenestrated screw hollow surgical screws A61B17/864
• 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 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 2002/2821 Bone stimulation by electromagnetic fields or electric current for enhancing ossification
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2835 Bone graft implants for filling a bony defect or an endoprosthesis cavity, e.g. by synthetic material or biological material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/302 toroidal, e.g. rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30563 having elastic means or damping means, different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric core or shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• 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 2002/4495 having a fabric structure, e.g. made from wires or fibres
• 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 2002/4631 the prosthesis being specially adapted for being cemented
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4635 : using minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 : using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0065 : toroidal, e.g. ring-shaped, doughnut-shaped
• 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 2310/00071 : Nickel or Ni-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 : Ceramics or ceramic-like structures

Abstract

A pliable band or hoop that is flexible to normal handling, but cannot stretch circumferentially once it has reached the limits of its circumferential length. The band may have a structural portal to be used for filling, or it may simply be constructed of a fabric-like material that allows a fill tube to perforate its walls to allow for filling. In the latter case, the perforated wall tends to self-seal once the fill tube is withdrawn. The band may be flat or tubular in cross-section. However, unlike a balloon, the band does not require either a bottom or a top, as we found that a top and bottom are unnecessary when using a band or hoop to enclose material injected into a reamed out intervertebral space.

Claims

1. A method for stabilizing a spinal segment comprising:

(a) providing a generally flexible mesh member sized to fit and expand transversely into a hollowed region of an intervertebral space or intravertebral space, the mesh member defining an interior space, the mesh member constructed and arranged to expand from a reduced state to an expanded state by the introduction of fill material into the interior space, the mesh member including a plurality of pores, the plurality of pores being sized to allow ingress and egress of liquids, solutions or small particle suspensions and ingrowth of bony trabeculae or fibrous elements into and through the device when the device is positioned in the hollowed region of a intervertebral space or intravertebral space, the plurality of pores being sized to retain the fill material within the interior space of the mesh member, the mesh member including at least one fill opening through which the fill material may be introduced into the interior space, the at least one fill opening comprising at least one of the plurality of pores;

(b) inserting the mesh member into the intervertebral space or intravertebral space;

(c) inserting the fill material into the interior space of the mesh member through the at least one fill opening using a fill tube having a means for deflecting the fill material at an angle from a longitudinal axis of the fill tube such that a force tending to eject the fill tube from the member in response to inserting the fill material is reduced; and

(d) allowing the at least one fill opening to self-seal to prevent egress of the fill material.

2. A method for stabilizing a spinal segment comprising:

(a) providing a generally flexible mesh member sized to fit and expand transversely into a hollowed region of an intervertebral space or intravertebral space, the mesh member defining an interior space, the mesh member constructed and arranged to expand from a reduced state to an expanded state by the introduction of fill material into the interior space, the mesh member including a plurality of pores, the plurality of pores being sized to allow ingress and egress of liquids, solutions or small particle suspensions and ingrowth of bony trabeculae or fibrous elements into and through the device when the device is positioned in the hollowed region of a intervertebral space or intravertebral space, the plurality of pores being sized to retain the fill material within the interior space of the mesh member, the mesh member including at least one fill opening through which the fill material may be introduced into the interior space, the at least one fill opening comprising at least one of the plurality of pores;

(b) inserting the mesh member into the intervertebral space or intravertebral space;

(c) inserting the fill material into the interior space of the mesh member through the at least one fill opening using a fill tube having a means for deflecting the fill material at an angle from a longitudinal axis of the fill tube such that the fill material applies a force within the mesh member sufficient to stabilize the spinal segment.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of:

repeating the step of fill material insertion with a sequence of fill tubes;

removing each fill tube after the fill material has been delivered; and

inserting a rigid bar of fill material into the interior space of the mesh member such that the space within the mesh member previously occupied by the fill tube is filled.

4. A method for stabilizing a spinal segment comprising:

(a) providing a generally flexible mesh member sized to fit and expand transversely into a hollowed region of an intervertebral space or intravertebral space, the mesh member defining an interior space, the mesh member constructed and arranged to expand from a reduced state to an expanded state by the introduction of fill material into the interior space, the mesh member including a plurality of pores, the plurality of pores being sized to allow ingress and egress of liquids, solutions or small particle suspensions and ingrowth of bony trabeculae or fibrous elements into and through the device when the device is positioned in the hollowed region of a intervertebral space or intravertebral space, the plurality of pores being sized to retain the fill material within the interior space of the mesh member, the mesh member including at least one fill opening through which the fill material may be introduced into the interior space, the at least one fill opening comprising at least one of the plurality of pores;

(b) inserting the mesh member into the intervertebral space or intravertebral space;

(c) inserting the fill material into the interior space of the mesh member through the at least one fill opening using a fill tube having a means for deflecting the fill material at an angle from a longitudinal axis of the fill tube such that the fill material applies a force within the mesh member sufficient to stabilize the spinal segment; and

(d) allowing the at least one fill opening to self-seal to prevent egress of the fill material.

5. A method for stabilizing a spinal segment comprising:

(a) providing a generally flexible mesh member sized to fit and expand transversely into a hollowed region of an intervertebral space or intravertebral space, the mesh member defining an interior space, the mesh member constructed and arranged to expand from a reduced state to an expanded state by the introduction of fill material into the interior space, the mesh member including a plurality of pores, the plurality of pores being sized to allow ingress and egress of liquids, solutions or small particle suspensions and ingrowth of bony trabeculae or fibrous elements into and through the device when the device is positioned in the hollowed region of a intervertebral space or intravertebral space, the plurality of pores being sized to retain the fill material within the interior space of the mesh member, the mesh member including at least one fill opening through which the fill material may be introduced into the interior space, the at least one fill opening comprising at least one of the plurality of pores;

(b) inserting the mesh member into the intervertebral space or intravertebral space;

(c) inserting the fill material into the interior space of the mesh member through the at least one fill opening using a fill tube having a means for deflecting the fill material at an angle from a longitudinal axis of the fill tube such that the fill material applies a force within the mesh member sufficient to stabilize the spinal segment; and

(d) inserting a rigid bar of fill material into the interior space of the mesh member such that the pressure of the fill material within the mesh member is exerted against the walls of the mesh member effectively containing the fill material within the mesh member.