Method and apparatus for the treatment of the intervertebral disc annulus

• US 7,951,201 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2007
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: KRT Investors, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Wales, Lawrence W., Burns, Matthew M., Houfburg, Rodney L., Farrell, Joseph D., Cauthen, Joseph C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert; Eduardo C
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAMMOND, ELLEN CHRISTINA
• Application Number:
  US11/622,631
• Publication Number:
  US 20070185497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,600 Days
• Field of Search: 623 1711- 1716, 606/86.A
• US Class Current: 623/17.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0057 Implements for plugging an opening in the wall of a hollow or tubular organ, e.g. for sealing a vessel puncture or closing a cardiac septal defect sutures A61B17/04; closing rectum or urethra near body surface A61F2/0009
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0482 Needle or suture guides guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; for puncturing needles A61B17/3403
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0065 the implement being an adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00663 the implement being a suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00668 the implement being a tack or a staple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0462 One way system, i.e. also tensioning the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0472 Multiple-needled, e.g. double-needled, instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0474 Knot pushers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0475 using sutures having a slip knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0477 with pre-tied sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06052 Needle-suture combinations in which a suture is extending inside a hollow tubular needle, e.g. over the entire length of the needle hollow suture needles A61B2017/061
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06176 with protrusions, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0646 for insertion into cartillege, e.g. meniscus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 : having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 : Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30907 : Nets or sleeves applied to surface of prostheses or in cement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3872 : Meniscus for implantation between the natural bone surfaces
• 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 2/4603 : for insertion or extraction of endoprosthetic joints or of accessories thereof
• 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 2002/30062 : (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3008 : radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 : using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30158 : trapezoidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30171 : rosette- or star-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30172 : T-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30299 : umbrella-shaped or mushroom-shaped
• 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 2002/305 : Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 : with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 : Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30784 : Plurality of holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 : Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30879 : Ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30892 : parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30909 : Nets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3097 : using laser
• 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 2002/4662 : for measuring penetration depth
• 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 2310/00155 : Gold or Au-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/902 : Method of implanting

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and devices for treating the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices employ a fixation device delivery tool having a curved body portion. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed for placement in intervertebral disc tissue.

Claims

1. A method of treating an intervertebral disc comprising:

providing a first delivery tool having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end carrying a treatment device;

providing at least one second delivery tool having a body with a proximal end and a distal end, the body having a curved feature proximate the distal end, the distal end configured to deliver a fixation element;

introducing the distal end of the first delivery tool at least partially into the intervertebral disc through an aperture in the intervertebral disc;

deploying said treatment device, including expanding the treatment device so as to span across the aperture;

introducing the distal end of said at least one second delivery tool at least partially into the intervertebral disc at a location adjacent to the aperture;

deploying at least one fixation device into, or through, annular tissue to hold said treatment device at least partially within the intervertebral disc space, including disposing a first portion of the fixation device within the disc and against an internally oriented portion of the treatment device, and disposing a second portion of the fixation device at and in engagement with an outer surface of the annulus,

removing said at least one second delivery tool; and

removing said first delivery tool.

2. A method of claim 1, wherein said fixation device comprises at least one surgical suture.

3. A method of claim 2, wherein said surgical suture material is biodegradable.

4. A method of claim 1, wherein said fixation device comprises at least one anchor portion and at least one band portion.

5. A method of claim 4, wherein said anchor portion comprises at least one T-anchor.

6. A method of claim 4, wherein said anchor portion comprises at least one barb.

7. A method of claim 6, wherein said at least one tip of the at least one barb is formed from biodegradable material.

8. A method of claim 4, wherein said at least one band is formed from suture material.

9. A method of claim 4, wherein said at least one band is formed from wire.

10. A method of claim 9, wherein said at least one wire comprises a nickel titanium alloy or stainless steel.

11. A method of claim 4, wherein the portion of said band that is contiguous with said anchor portion is formed from at least one wire, and the portion of said band spanning said aperture is formed from suture material.

12. A method of claim 11, wherein said suture material is in the form of a mesh tube.

13. A method of claim 11, wherein said suture material has a width greater than its height.

14. A method of claim 1, wherein said fixation device is formed from biodegradable material or bioabsorbable material.

15. A method of claim 1, wherein said fixation device is secured with a knot.

16. A method of claim 15, wherein said knot is pre-tied.

17. A method of claim 1, wherein said fixation device is secured with a band locking device.