Method of treating spinal internal disk derangement

• US 8,951,255 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2013
• Issued: 02/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 33 Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SpineOvations Inc
• Inventors: Alleyne, Neville, Young, Stuart
• Primary Examiner(s): SEVILLA, CHRISTIAN ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US13/790,259
• Publication Number:
  US 20140067068A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 606/76, 606/907, 623/17.16
• US Class Current: 606/76
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7061 for stabilising vertebrae or discs by improving the condition of their tissues, e.g. using implanted medication or fluid exchange intraosseous injection devices A61B17/3472
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7094 Solid vertebral fillers; devices for inserting such fillers
• 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 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3008 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30242 spherical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30754 Implants for interposition between two natural articular surfaces
• 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 2230/0071 spherical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00365 Proteins; Polypeptides; Degradation products thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 19/02 for joint disorders, e.g. arthritis, arthrosis

Abstract

A method of treating a spinal disk according to the present invention can include inserting an alloplastic bulking agent into the spinal disk to treat the defect. The alloplastic bulking agent has a plurality of microparticles. The bulking agent results in at least one of sealing the defect, increasing a pressure of the disk, increasing a height of the disk, improving stability of the disk and improving structural integrity of the disk.

Claims

1. A method of treating a spinal disk comprising:

identifying a disk for removal in a fusion surgical operation;

performing a preoperative discography procedure on one or more spinal disks adjacent to the disk identified for removal; and

delivering an agent to a nucleus pulposus of one or more spinal disks adjacent to the disk for removal through at least one aperture present in the one or more spinal disks adjacent to the disk for removal created during the discography procedure, wherein the agent comprises a plurality of microparticles of an inert histocompatible polymer suspended in a medium comprising collagen.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of increasing a pressure of the one or more spinal disks, increasing a height of the one or more spinal disks, improving stability of the one or more spinal disks, and improving structural integrity of the one or more spinal disks.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the microparticles are substantially spherical.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the microparticles have a diameter in the range of about 15 to about 200 microns.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the microparticles comprise one or more of poly methacrylate, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), a cured polymer, a fully polymerized polymer, and glass.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the agent comprises at least one of water, saline, a tenside, radiopaque dye, and a chromophobe.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the agent comprises delivering about 0.5 to 1.5 cubic centimeters of the agent.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the agent comprises using a syringe.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the agent comprises viewing the one or more spinal disks through a scope.