Method of using an implant for treament of ligaments and tendons

• US 8,127,770 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2005
• Issued: 03/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sprezzatura Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: SpineOvations Inc
• Inventors: Alleyne, Neville, Young, Stuart
• Primary Examiner(s): Isabella, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): IWAMAYE, ANDREW MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US11/215,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20060074423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,380 Days
• Field of Search: 623/23.58, 623 1111- 1318, 424/423
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/08 Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments sutures A61B17/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0805 Implements for inserting tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/24 Collagen
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/48 with macromolecular fillers

Abstract

A method of treating a ligament or tendon according to the present invention can include inserting a tissue-generating implant into the ligament or tendon to thereby treat the defect. The tissue-generating implant has a plurality of microparticles. The microparticles subsequently form a biological scaffold which operates at least as partial connective tissue in the ligament or tendon giving structural support during regrowth.

Claims

1. A method of treating a ligament comprising

identifying a defect in the ligament of a patient having congenital, idiopathic, or acquired scoliosis or kyphosis and

delivering an injectable composition comprising loose polymer microparticles suspended in partially denatured collagen and at least one of water, alcohol, saline, a tenside, radiopaque dye, and a chromophobe onto or into the ligament,

wherein the ligament is in a region of the patient'"'"'s spine exhibiting abnormal curvature and is a spinal ligament selected from an anterior longitudinal ligament, a posterior longitudinal ligament, a supraspinous ligament, an intraspinous ligament, and a capsular ligament,

wherein said composition forms a biological scaffold comprising at least a portion of the microparticles, and wherein the biological scaffold operates as partial connective tissue in the ligament.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said collagen is configured to be partially replaced with host tissue.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the microparticles comprise a histocompatible solid.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said microparticles are substantially spherical with diameters in the range of about 15 to about 200 microns.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing tissue treatments on or within the ligament or adjacent tissue to facilitate tissue reactions.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising retarding progression of the curvature or partially correcting the curvature.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a chromophobe, the method further comprising activating the chromophobe with a laser to accelerate a reaction in or near the ligament.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a radiopaque material, the method further comprising visualizing the composition via the radiopaque material.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the radiopaque material comprises barium.

10. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising viewing the ligament through a scope.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the scope comprises a video fluoroscope and delivering the composition is fluoroscopically guided.