Red light implants for treating osteoporosis

• US 9,474,912 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2014
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Attawia, Mohamed, DiMauro, Thomas M, Sutton, Jeffrey K
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Pedro
• Application Number:
  US14/499,520
• Publication Number:
  US 20150073558A1
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 623/17.16, 623/23.72, 606/328, 606/821, 606/279, 606/11, 606/9, 606300-321, 607/51, 607 88- 94, 128/898, 600/476, 600/473, 424/423
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7001 Screws or hooks combined with longitudinal elements which do not contact vertebrae A61B17/7058 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7032 Screws or hooks with U-shaped head or back through which longitudinal rods pass
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8805 for introducing fluid filler into bone or extracting it A61B17/7097, A61B17/8833 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/564 Methods for bone or joint treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0612 using probes penetrating tissue; interstitial probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0643 Applicators, probes irradiating specific body areas in close proximity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 Diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0659 infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0663 Coloured light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0613 Apparatus adapted for a specific treatment

Abstract

Red light implants for delivering red light to spinal implants to enhance osteointegration.

Claims

1. A method of treating a spine of a patient, comprising the steps of:

a) implanting an implant into a spine, and

b) irradiating a bone in the spine with an effective amount of red light to induce osteointegration around the implant,

wherein the light enters the bone via a transmitter located underneath the skin of the patient.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the implant is an intervertebral implant.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the red light is delivered in an amount effective to enhance the osteointegration of the implant.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the red light is delivered through an LED.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the red light has a wavelength of between about 600 nm and about 1000 nm.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the red light irradiates a portion of the cancellous bone region with between about 0.02 J/cm² and 200 J/cm² energy.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the implant is a screw.