US20020151979A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Devices and method for nucleus pulposus augmentation and retention
Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics Inc
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Filing: 2001-10-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2021-10-25
Abstract
Abstract Systems for minimally invasive disc augmentation include an anulus augmentation component and a nucleus augmentation component. Both are suited for minimally invasive deployment. The nucleus augmentation component restores disc height and/or replaces missing nucleus pulposus. The anulus augmentation component shields weakened regions of the anulus fibrosis and/or resists escape of natural nucleus pulposus and/or the nucleus augmentation component. Methods and deployment devices are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Greg Lambrecht
- 👤 Robert Moore
- 👤 Jacob Einhorn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/0401; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320708; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B5/1076; A61F2/441; A61F2/4455; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/4657; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557; A61B2017/044; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22072; A61B2017/22074; A61B2017/22077; A61B2017/320044; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B2017/3445; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/061; A61B2090/062; A61B5/45; A61B5/4514; A61F2/28; A61F2/2846; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30723; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30907; A61F2/4601; A61F2002/2817; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30075; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30131; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30228; A61F2002/30291; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30462; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30565; A61F2002/30571; A61F2002/30581; A61F2002/30583; A61F2002/30589; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30677; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/4435; A61F2002/444; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/4615; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4635; A61F2002/4658; A61F2002/4661; A61F2002/4662; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2210/0061; A61F2210/0085; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0075; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0013; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2230/0091; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00029; A61F2310/00179; A61F2310/00293; A61F2310/00365; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/0097; A61F2310/00976
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
28 words
1 . A disc augmentation system configured to repair or rehabilitate an intervertebral disc comprising: at least one anulus augmentation device; and at least one nuclear augmentation material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
28 words
1 . A disc augmentation system configured to repair or rehabilitate an intervertebral disc comprising: at least one anulus augmentation device; and at least one nuclear augmentation material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said anulus augmentation device prevents the extrusion of materials from within the space normally occupied by the nucleus pulposus and inner anulus fibrosus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said anulus augmentation device is a barrier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said nuclear augmentation material restores diminished disc height and pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said nuclear augmentation material induces the growth or formation of material within the nuclear space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said anulus augmentation device is removable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said nuclear augmentation material is removable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said nuclear augmentation material comprises a pharmacologically active agent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said nuclear augmentation material is selected from the group consisting of: liquids, gels, solids, and gases.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said nuclear augmentation material is capable of changing phase.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein said liquid comprises a fluid nuclear augmentation material selected from the group consisting of: steroids, antibiotics, tissue necrosis factors, tissue necrosis factor antagonists, analgesics, growth factors, genes, gene vectors, hyaluronic acid, non-crosslinked collagen, fibrin, liquid fat, oils, synthetic polymers, polyethylene glycol, liquid silicones, synthetic oils, and saline.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein said gel is a hydrogel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein said hydrogel is selected from the group consisting of: acrylonitriles, acrylic acids, polyacrylimides, acrylimides, acrylimidines, polyacrylonitriles, and polyvinylalcohols.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein said solid is cube-like, spheroid, disc-like, ellipsoid, rhombohedral, cylindrical, or amorphous.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein said solid is in powder form.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
79 words
16 . The system of claim 9 , wherein said solid is selected from the group consisting of: titanium, stainless steels, nitinol, cobalt, chrome, resorbable, polyurethane, polyester, PEEK, PET, FEP, PTFE, ePTFE, PMMA, nylon, carbon fiber, Delrin, polyvinyl alcohol gels, polyglycolic acid, polyethylene glycol; silicone gel, silicone rubber, vulcanized rubber, gas filled vesicles, bone, hydroxy apetite, cross-linked collagen, muscle tissue, fat, cellulose, keratin, cartilage, protein polymers, transplanted nucleus pulposus, bioengineered nucleus pulposus, transplanted anulus fibrosus and bioengineered anulus fibrosus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
17 . The system of claim 9 , wherein said gel is impregnated or coated with one or more biologically active compounds.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein said biologically active compound is selected from the group consisting of: drug carriers, genetic vectors, naked genes, therapeutic agents, growth renewal agents, growth inhibitory agents, analgesics, anti-infectious agents, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
19 . The system of claim 9 , wherein said solid is impregnated or coated with at least one biologically active compound.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein said biologically active compound is selected from the group consisting of: drug carriers, genetic vectors, naked genes, therapeutic agents, growth renewal agents, growth inhibitory agents, analgesics, anti-infectious agents, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
21 . A method of repairing or rehabilitating an intervertebral disc by augmentation comprising: inserting at least one anulus augmentation device; and inserting at least one nuclear augmentation material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
21 . A method of repairing or rehabilitating an intervertebral disc by augmentation comprising: inserting at least one anulus augmentation device; and inserting at least one nuclear augmentation material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein said nuclear augmentation material conforms to healthy regions of the anulus while said anulus augmentation device shields weaker regions of the anulus.
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