Method of performing an anchor implantation procedure within a disc

• US 9,706,947 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2011
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.
• Inventors: Lambrecht, Gregory H., Moore, Robert Kevin, Einhorn, Jacob
• Primary Examiner(s): Merene, Jan Christopher
• Assistant Examiner(s): COTRONEO, STEVEN J
• Application Number:
  US13/017,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20110125271A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,360 Days
• Field of Search: 606 41, 606 86 A, 606 99, 623 1711- 1716
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320708 Curettes, e.g. hollow scraping instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/70 Spinal positioners or stabilisers ; Bone stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22077 with a part piercing the tissue A61B2017/22044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3445 used as instrument channel for multiple instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4514 Cartilage
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2846 Support means for bone substitute or for bone graft implants, e.g. membranes or plates for covering bone defects nets or sleeves applied to surface of endoprostheses A61F2/30907; bone plates A61B17/80; bone regeneration in dental surgery A61C8/0006
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30723 Plugs or restrictors for sealing a cement-receiving space tools for inserting plugs A61F2/4614; sealing collars for use during cementing A61B17/8808
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30907 Nets or sleeves applied to surface of prostheses or in cement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/441 made of inflatable pockets or chambers filled with fluid, e.g. with hydrogel
• 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 2/4601 for introducing bone substitute, for implanting bone graft implants or for compacting them in the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4657 Measuring instruments used for implanting artificial joints for surgical instruments A61B90/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2817 Bone stimulation by chemical reactions or by osteogenic or biological products for enhancing ossification, e.g. by bone morphogenetic or morphogenic proteins [BMP] or by transforming growth factors [TGF]
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30075 : swellable, e.g. when wetted
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30131 : horseshoe- or crescent- or C-shaped or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30224 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30228 : Cylinders of elliptical or oval basis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30291 : spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 : retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30571 : Leaf springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30583 : filled with hardenable fluid, e.g. curable in-situ
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30589 : Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 : Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 : Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 : parallel
• 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 2002/448 : comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants
• 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 2002/4635 : using minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4658 : for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4661 : for measuring thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4662 : for measuring penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0061 : swellable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0085 : hardenable in situ, e.g. epoxy resins
• 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 2230/0013 : Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0091 : helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00365 : Proteins; Polypeptides; Degradation products thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/0097 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00976 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of proteins or of polypeptides, e.g. of bone morphogenic proteins BMP or of transforming growth factors TGF

Abstract

Methods of performing procedures within an intervertebral disc are disclosed. The methods include performing procedures such as implant delivery, tissue manipulation, tissue diagnostics, and therapeutic and diagnostic agent delivery at selected locations within intervertebral discs. In one embodiment, a method includes delivering an anchor and an implant within a functional spinal unit using a surgical device having at least one depth stop.

Claims

1. A method of performing a procedure on an intervertebral disc of a functional spine unit comprising:

advancing at least a portion of a distal end of an implantation instrument into disc tissue,

wherein said implantation instrument comprises a probe;

wherein said probe is releasably coupled to an implant;

wherein the implant is coupled to an anchor;

wherein said anchor is configured to penetrate a portion of a vertebral body adjacent the intervertebral disc;

retracting at least a portion of the implantation instrument such that at least a portion of the implant is placed between an anulus lamella and a portion of a nucleus of the intervertebral disc; and

implanting at least a portion of said anchor in the adjacent vertebral body.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising implanting at least a portion of a second anchor within said anulus or said adjacent vertebral body and connecting the second anchor to the first anchor.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing tension between said first and second anchors to close a defect in the anulus.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant comprises a barrier.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising connecting said barrier to said anchor.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing the implantation instrument comprising the probe from the functional spine unit.

7. A method of performing a procedure on an intervertebral disc of a functional spine unit comprising:

identifying an anulus of an intervertebral disc, wherein the anulus comprises a defect;

advancing at least a portion of a distal end of a delivery device comprising a distal intradiscal component located at the distal end of said delivery device into a portion of the intervertebral disc;

wherein the distal intradiscal component is releasably coupled to an implant comprising an anchor;

wherein said anchor is configured to penetrate a portion of a vertebral body adjacent to the intervertebral disc;

positioning at least a portion of said implant between the anulus and a portion of a nucleus of the intervertebral disc; and

positioning at least a portion of said anchor the adjacent vertebral body.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising implanting at least a portion of a second anchor within said anulus or said adjacent vertebral body in addition to said anchor and connecting the second anchor to said anchor.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing tension between said anchors to close said defect.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the implant comprises a barrier.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising connecting said barrier to said anchor.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising removing the delivery device comprising the distal intradiscal component from the functional spine unit.

13. A method of performing a procedure on an intervertebral disc of a functional spine unit comprising:

identifying a defect in an anulus of an intervertebral disc;

advancing at least a portion of a distal end of a delivery device comprising a distal intradiscal component located at a distal end of said delivery device into a portion of the intervertebral disc;

wherein the distal intradiscal component is releasably coupled to an implant comprising an anchor;

wherein said anchor is configured to penetrate a portion of a vertebral body adjacent the intervertebral disc;

positioning at least a portion of said implant between the anulus and a portion of a nucleus of the intervertebral disc; and

inserting at least a portion of said anchor in the adjacent vertebral body.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising implanting at least a portion of a second anchor within said anulus or said adjacent vertebral body in addition to said anchor and connecting the second anchor to said anchor.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing tension between said anchors to close said defect.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the implant comprises a barrier.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising connecting said barrier to said anchor.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising removing the delivery device comprising the distal intradiscal component from the functional spine unit.