Stabilized intervertebral disc barrier

• US 7,553,329 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2004
• Issued: 06/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.
• Inventors: Einhorn, Jacob, Moore, Robert Kevin, Lambrecht, Gregory H., Kavanaugh, Sean, Boyajian, Thomas, Tarapata, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): SNOW, BRUCE EDWARD
• Application Number:
  US10/970,589
• Publication Number:
  US 20050234557A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,713 Days
• Field of Search: 623 1711- 1716
• US Class Current: 623/17.11
• 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
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• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4514 Cartilage
• 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
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• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30291 : spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2D spiral cross-section
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• 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
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• 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
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• 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
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• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0028 : Shapes in the form of latin or greek characters
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• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0065 : toroidal, e.g. ring-shaped, doughnut-shaped
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• 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

Presented are new resilient sheet-like surgical meshes that may be compressed for minimally invasive delivery in the intervertebral discs. According to one or more embodiments, the surgical mesh can be robust, fatigue resistant, stable and capable of withstanding the dynamic environment generic to intervertebral discs.

Claims

1. An anulus augmentation device for reinforcing an intervertebral disc comprising:

a support member comprising a mesh frame;

wherein said mesh frame comprises a “

C”

cross-sectional shape extending along a vertical axis;

wherein said mesh frame is elongated along a horizontal axis having a first and second end;

wherein said mesh frame comprises a plurality of flexible interconnected curvilinear members,

wherein said plurality of flexible interconnected curvilinear members are adapted to provide flexibility and resilience to said mesh frame;

a membrane, wherein said membrane covers at least a portion of said mesh frame; and

a bow-like anterior stabilizing projection coupled to both ends of said support member,

wherein said bow-like projection extends at an angle from about 30-150 degrees relative to the vertical axis of the support member; and

wherein the bow-like projection is configured to prevent migration around the circumference of an intervertebral disc.

2. The anulus augmentation device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of flexible interconnected curvilinear members comprise a metal alloy selected from group consisting of one or more of the following:

steel, nickel titanium, and cobalt chrome.

3. The anulus augmentation device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of flexible interconnected curvilinear members comprise a material selected from group consisting of one or more of the following:

nylon, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, polycaprolactone, polyacrylate, ethylene-vinyl acetate, polystyrene, polyvinyl oxide, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinyl imidazoles, chlorosulphonated polyolefin, polyethylene oxide, polytetrafluoroethylene, acetal, poly(p-phenyleneterephtalamide) (Kevlar™

), poly carbonate, carbon, and graphite.

4. The anulus augmentation device of claim 1, wherein said membrane comprises a material selected from a group consisting of one or more of the following:

polymers, elastomers, and gels.

5. The anulus augmentation device of claim 1, wherein said membrane comprises a material selected from a group consisting of one or more of the following:

elastin, albumin, collagen, fibrin and keratin.

6. The anulus augmentation device of claim 1, wherein said membrane comprises a material selected from a group consisting of one or more of the following:

antibodies, antiseptics, genetic vectors, bone morphogenic proteins, steroids, cortisones, and growth factors.

7. The anulus augmentation device of claim 1, wherein said membrane is a coating material.

8. The anulus augmentation device of claim 1, where at least a portion of said plurality of flexible interconnected curvilinear members form a horizontal member or central strut.

9. The anulus augmentation device of claim 1, where said plurality of flexible interconnected curvilinear members are arranged in a parallel configuration.

10. The anulus augmentation device of claim 1, wherein said mesh frame is concave along at least a portion of at least one axis of said mesh frame.

11. The anulus augmentation device of claim 1, wherein said mesh frame has a length in the range of about 0.5 cm to about 5 cm.

12. The anulus augmentation device of claim 1, wherein said mesh frame is sized to cover at least a portion of an interior surface of an anulus lamella.

13. The anulus augmentation device of claim 1, wherein said mesh frame is adapted to extend circumferentially along the entire surface of an anulus lamella.

14. The anulus augmentation device of claim 1, further comprising at least one projection that radiates from the mesh frame.

15. The anulus augmentation device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the mesh frame has a vertical cross-section of a shape selected from the group consisting of one or more of the following:

flat, concave, convex, and curvilinear.