Method of treating a herniated disc

• US 8,231,678 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2006
• Issued: 07/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.
• Inventors: Lambrecht, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Sweet, Thomas J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Prone, Christopher D
• Application Number:
  US11/417,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20060200246A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,281 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• 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 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30069 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/302 toroidal, e.g. rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30224 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30225 Flat cylinders, i.e. discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3023 wedge-shaped cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30235 tubular, e.g. sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30242 spherical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30252 quadric-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30405 made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves
• 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 2002/444 for replacing the nucleus pulposus
• 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 2002/4661 for measuring thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4663 for measuring volumes or other three-dimensional shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4666 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0065 : toroidal, e.g. ring-shaped, doughnut-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0071 : spherical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0073 : Quadric-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00011 : Metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00293 : containing a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00359 : Bone or bony tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00365 : Proteins; Polypeptides; Degradation products thereof

Abstract

Methods of treating a herniated disc are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes establishing a first biocompatible support member to, within, or posterior to a portion of an anulus adjacent a herniated segment of the anulus and establishing a second biocompatible support member to, within, or posterior to the anulus adjacent the segment or within an adjacent vertebral body. The method further includes connecting the first and second support members with a connection member and applying tension between the first and second support members along the connection member, thereby displacing the herniated segment.

Claims

1. A method of treating a herniated disc, the method comprising:

identifying a herniated segment of an anulus, wherein the herniated segment of the anulus protrudes beyond a pre-herniated border of the disc;

wherein the anulus is bounded by an outermost surface and an innermost surface;

providing a first and at least a second biocompatible support member;

providing a connection member, wherein the connection member has a first and a second end and wherein the member is operable to couple the first and at least second support members and provide tension therebetween;

positioning both the first and second biocompatible support members against the innermost surface of the anulus;

connecting the first and at least second support members with the connection member;

applying tension between the first and at least second support members along the connection member, thereby displacing the herniated segment such that at least a portion of the herniated segment is returned to a position substantially within the pre-herniated border of the disc; and

thereby supporting the herniated segment by maintaining said tension.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising closing a defect associated with the herniated segment.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said connection member at least partially traverses an intervertebral disc space.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said connection member comprises one or more of the following:

a suture, wire, woven tube, web of material, and band of material.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second support member comprise the same material.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second support members comprises an anchor.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said anchor comprises one or more of the following:

barbed anchor, bone anchor, soft tissue anchor, coil, and screw.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the second biocompatible support member comprises screwing or suturing an anchor into a bone or a tissue.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second support members is shaped like a bar, plate, bead, or cap.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said method of treating the herniated disc is performed without removing more than a deminimis amount of disc material.

11. A method of treating a herniated disc, the method comprising:

identifying a herniated segment of an anulus, wherein the herniated segment of the anulus protrudes beyond a pre-herniated border of the disc;

wherein the anulus is bounded by an outermost surface and an innermost surface;

wherein the anulus is disposed between a superior and inferior vertebral body;

providing a first and at least a second biocompatible support member;

providing a connection member, wherein the connection member has a first and a second end and wherein the member is operable to couple the first and at least second support members and provide tension therebetween;

establishing the first biocompatible support member to an innermost surface of the anulus;

establishing the at least second biocompatible support member to at least one of the superior or inferior vertebral body;

connecting the first and at least second support members with the connection member; and

applying tension between the first and at least second support members along the connection member, thereby displacing the herniated segment such that at least a portion of the herniated segment is returned to a position substantially within the pre-herniated border of the disc.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second biocompatible support members comprises an anchor.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said connection member comprises a suture.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of said first and second support members is shaped like a bar.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising closing a defect associated with the herniated segment.