Patent US20030191536A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US20030191536A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Artificial intervertebral disc replacements incorporating reinforced wall sections
Assignee: Anova Corp
•
Filing: 2003-04-04
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2023-04-04
Abstract
Abstract An Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) includes a body and/or outer wall that is fortified, reinforced, stiffened or otherwise strengthened with a higher durometer, for example, where it rests against a weakened or deficient area of the annulus fibrosis (AF). The “less stiff” portions facilitate the transfer of load to the healthier portion of the AF. A hydrogel or other compressible and/or resilient material may be used within the center of the ADR to selectively transfer the forces to the outer wall. The outer wall may constructed of an elastomer, and may include a radial ply, bias ply, and/or belted construction. Methods of determining a properly sized ADR are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Bret Ferree
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/441; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2/3094; A61F2/30965; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30133; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30383; A61F2002/30462; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30581; A61F2002/30584; A61F2002/3082; A61F2002/30827; A61F2002/30828; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30879; A61F2002/4435; A61F2002/448; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2220/0075; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0015; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61L; A61L2430/00; A61L2430/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
1 . An artificial disc replacement (ADR) configured for placement within an annulus fibrosis (AF) having a defective or weakened section, the ADR comprising: a body having a center portion and an outer wall; and wherein the outer wall is locally fortified so that stresses applied to the center result in less pressure on the defective or weakened section as compared to other sections of the AF.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
1 . An artificial disc replacement (ADR) configured for placement within an annulus fibrosis (AF) having a defective or weakened section, the ADR comprising: a body having a center portion and an outer wall; and wherein the outer wall is locally fortified so that stresses applied to the center result in less pressure on the defective or weakened section as compared to other sections of the AF.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
2 . The ADR of claim 1 , wherein the local fortification of the outer wall is achieved through a localized thickening of the same material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
3 . The ADR of claim 1 , wherein the local fortification of the outer wall is achieved through the use of a different, stiffer material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
4 . The ADR of claim 3 , wherein the different material is bonded to or embedded within the outer wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
5 . The ADR of claim 3 , wherein the different material compositionally transitions from the bulk of the material comprising the outer wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
6 . The ADR of claim 1 , wherein the outer wall includes a bias-ply, radial, or bias-belted fiber-reinforced structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
7 . The ADR of claim 6 , wherein the fiber-reinforced wall structure includes one or more biologically compatible fabrics composed of nylon, polyester, metal, fiberglass, or a combination thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
8 . The ADR of claim 1 , wherein the center portion includes a gas, liquid or gel to promote resilient compressibility.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
9 . The ADR of claim 8 , wherein the gel is a hydrogel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
10 . A method of replacing at least a portion of a natural intervertebral disc within an annulus fibrosis (AF) having a defective or weakened section, comprising the steps of: providing an artificial disc replacement (ADR) having a compressible center portion and an outer wall including at least one fortified region to withstand greater stress transferred from the center portion during compression; and implanting the ADR within a disc space such that the fortified region is aligned with the defective or weakened section of the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
10 . A method of replacing at least a portion of a natural intervertebral disc within an annulus fibrosis (AF) having a defective or weakened section, comprising the steps of: providing an artificial disc replacement (ADR) having a compressible center portion and an outer wall including at least one fortified region to withstand greater stress transferred from the center portion during compression; and implanting the ADR within a disc space such that the fortified region is aligned with the defective or weakened section of the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
11 . A method of determining the proper size for an artificial disc replacement (ADR), comprising the steps of: filling a disc space with a measured volume of gas or liquid; and selecting an ADR in accordance with the measured volume.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
11 . A method of determining the proper size for an artificial disc replacement (ADR), comprising the steps of: filling a disc space with a measured volume of gas or liquid; and selecting an ADR in accordance with the measured volume.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the volume is measured using a graduated syringe coupled to an inflatable balloon within the disc space.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the liquid is a polymer or other substance which is cured within the disc space, removed and measured to determine the volume.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2677369A
Cited
US3366975A
Cited
US3426364A
Cited
US3551560A
Cited
US3593342A
Cited
US3648294A
Cited
US3855638A
Cited
US3867728A
Cited
US3883902A
Cited
US3875595A
Cited
US4229839A
Cited
US4349921A
Cited
US4309777A
Cited
US4707872A
Cited
US4759766A
Cited
US4657550A
Cited
US4663358A
Cited
US4932969A
Cited
US4878915A
Cited
US4714469A
Cited
US4863477A
Cited
US4917704A
Cited
US5258043A
Cited
US4904260A
Cited
US4772287A
Cited
US4946378A
Cited
US4874389A
Cited
US5035716A
Cited
US5002576A
Cited
US4911718A
Cited
US5609635A
Cited
US5545229A
Cited
US5171281A
Cited
US5026373A
Cited
US5071437A
Cited
US5108438A
Cited
US5314477A
Cited
US5171280A
Cited
US5192326A
Cited
US5047055A
Cited
US5123926A
Cited
US5693100A
Cited
US5192327A
Cited
US5245773A
Cited
US5464421A
Cited
US5320644A
Cited
US5344459A
Cited
US5258031A
Cited
US5556431A
Cited
US5401269A
Cited
US5370697A
Cited
US5375823A
Cited
US5292332A
Cited
US5246458A
Cited
US5336223A
Cited
US5534030A
Cited
US5534028A
Cited
US5702450A
Cited
US5645596A
Cited
US5674294A
Cited
US5711960A
Cited
US5514180A
Cited
US5458642A
Cited
US6306177B1
Cited
US6187048B1
Cited
US5571192A
Cited
US5976186A
Cited
US5906616A
Cited
US5824093A
Cited
US5865846A
Cited
US5674296A
Cited
US5645565A
Cited
US5645597A
Cited
US5814084A
Cited
US5865845A
Cited
US5683465A
Cited
US5702455A
Cited
US6045554A
Cited
US5964807A
Cited
US5716416A
Cited
US6090112A
Cited
US5800549A
Cited
US6022376A
Cited
US5893889A
Cited
US5824094A
Cited
US5888226A
Cited
US5899941A
Cited
US6146420A
Cited
US6132465A
Cited
US5928284A
Cited
US6200347B1
Cited
US6113639A
Cited
US6110210A
Cited
US20030125807A1
Cited
US6264695B1
Cited
US6533818B1
Cited
US20030199984A1
Cited
US6786930B2
Cited
US20020077701A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.