Method for vertebral endplate reconstruction

• US 8,454,612 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2009
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.
• Inventors: Lambrecht, Gregory, Boyajian, Thomas, Velagic, Almir, Moore, Robert Kevin, Tarapata, Christopher, Einhorn, Jacob, Kavanaugh, Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Kevin T
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOLES, SAMEH RAAFAT
• Application Number:
  US12/545,020
• Publication Number:
  US 20100049259A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,384 Days
• Field of Search: 606/86.R, 606/279, 606/246
• US Class Current: 606/86.R
• 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 17/0642 for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0412 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from suture anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0437 the barbs being resilient or spring-like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/044 with a threaded shaft, e.g. screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/036 abutting on tissue or skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0811 Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• 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 2/4455 for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages intervertebral discs A61F2/442
• 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 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30451 soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30471 connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30481 using a locking clip
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30492 : using a locking pin
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/305 : Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3082 : Grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 : Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30884 : Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30899 : Protrusions pierced with apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 : serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• 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 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 2220/0058 : soldered or brazed or welded
• 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 2220/0091 : connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• 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 2310/00293 : containing a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. apatite

Abstract

Embodiments relate generally to tissue anchors and methods of delivering same to the intervertebral disc or other sites within the body. In some embodiments, the anchors provide increased pull-out resistance, stability and/or contact with tissue involving a reduced amount of penetration. In some embodiments, delivery methods are minimally invasive and can include linear, lateral, and off-angle implantation or driving of anchors along, against or within tissue surfaces. Several embodiments disclose anchors and anchoring systems that effectively reconstruct or augment vertebral endplate surfaces.

Claims

1. A method of reconstructing and augmenting a vertebral endplate surface, comprising:

identifying a vertebral body having an outer surface and a vertebral endplate surface adjacent a damaged tissue;

driving first and second anchors into the outer surface of said vertebral body and along and across a cupped cortical rim of said vertebral endplate surface adjacent said damaged tissue;

wherein each of said first and second anchors comprises an upper neck and a lower bone engagement portion;

positioning the lower bone engagement portion below said vertebral endplate surface adjacent said damaged tissue;

recessing the lower bone engagement portion within the outer surface of the vertebral body;

inserting augmentation material along said vertebral endplate surface adjacent said damaged tissue;

wherein the augmentation material comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion;

coupling an attachment site of said upper neck of said first anchor to the proximal portion of the augmentation material; and

coupling an attachment site of said upper neck of said second anchor to the distal portion of the augmentation material, thereby reconstructing and augmenting said vertebral endplate.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning said augmentation material to contact said vertebral endplate surface adjacent said damaged tissue.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said augmentation material comprises a mesh, scaffold, band or suture.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said lower bone engagement portion comprises a shaft, prong, plate or keel.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second anchors are driven into said outer surface and along said vertebral endplate at an angle of about 0 to 90 degrees.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second anchors are driven into said outer surface and along said vertebral endplate at an angle of about 0 to 20 degrees.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of connecting the attachment sites of said first anchor and said second anchor comprises forming a band around the entire periphery of the endplate.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said damaged tissue comprises tissue bordering a section of removed tissue.