US20040010317A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Devices and method for augmenting a vertebral disc
Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics Inc
•
Filing: 2003-05-07
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2023-05-07
Abstract
Abstract A vertebral disc prosthesis, a method of implanting a prosthesis and a deployment device is provided. The prosthesis may be implanted into the interior region of the vertebral disc so as to displace existing vertebral tissue, such as NP. The size or amount of the prosthesis inserted into the interior region of the vertebral disc may be a characteristic of the disc or the prosthesis. For example, the amount or size of prosthesis inserted into the disc may be dependent upon restoring the functionality of the disc (e.g., the ability of the disc to transfer nutrients or otherwise survive, the ability of the disc to carry the required loads and absorb stress or the reduction of pain). Restoring disc function may be determined by the resulting disc height desired, the resulting disc pressure desired or the resulting disc volume desired. The prosthesis may be sized or positioned within the interior of the vertebral disc such that it is spaced from at least one of the end plates of the vertebral disc. The prosthesis may be formed of a material having a compression strength that is less than 4 mn/m 2 . A deployment device may be used to facilitate placement of the prosthesis within the vertebral disc. The prosthesis may include a grouping of multiple components that can be deployed as group.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory Lambrecht
- 👤 Jason Partin
- 👤 Sean Kavanaugh
- 👤 Jacob Einhorn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B5/1076; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320708; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7094; A61B17/7095; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/442; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/4657; A61B17/7061; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557; 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; A61F2002/4625; 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: 121
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
1 . A method of implanting a prosthesis material into an interior region of a vertebral disc, the method comprising: locating an access site on the disc; inserting, through an opening of the disc at the access site, the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc; and monitoring at least one of: a) one or more characteristics of the vertebral disc, and b) one or more characteristics of the prosthesis material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
1 . A method of implanting a prosthesis material into an interior region of a vertebral disc, the method comprising: locating an access site on the disc; inserting, through an opening of the disc at the access site, the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc; and monitoring at least one of: a) one or more characteristics of the vertebral disc, and b) one or more characteristics of the prosthesis material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
2 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising determining when a sufficient amount of the prosthesis material has been inserted into the interior region of the vertebral disc based on the monitored characteristic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein locating an access site comprises forming an opening in the annulus fibrosis of the vertebral disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein locating an access site comprises locating a defect in the annulus fibrosis of the vertebral disc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein monitoring one or more characteristics of the vertebral disc comprises monitoring a disc height of the vertebral disc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
6 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
7 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a height ranging between approximately 1 mm and approximately 10 mm is achieved.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
8 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a height ranging between approximately 0.1 mm and approximately 5 mm is achieved.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
9 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a height ranging between approximately 5 mm and approximately 10 mm is achieved.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
10 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a height ranging between approximately 0.1 mm and approximately 3 mm is achieved.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
11 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a height ranging between approximately 3 mm and approximately 6 mm is achieved.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
12 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a height ranging between approximately 6 mm and approximately 9 mm is achieved.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
13 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein monitoring one or more characteristics of the prosthesis material comprises monitoring a volume of prosthesis material inserted into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
14 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting approximately 0.1 ml to approximately 6 ml of the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
15 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein monitoring one or more characteristics of the vertebral disc comprises monitoring a disc pressure of the vertebral disc.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
16 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc pressure is achieved.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
17 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc pressure is achieved comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a disc pressure ranging between approximately 0.1 atmospheres and 5 atmospheres is achieved.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
18 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein monitoring one or more characteristics of the vertebral disc comprises monitoring a disc pressure of the vertebral disc when the disc is in a resting state.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
19 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein monitoring one or more characteristics of the vertebral disc comprises monitoring a force resisting insertion of the prosthesis material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
20 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting hydrogel material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
21 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting an isotropic mass of material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
22 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material that occupies a space that is less than an entire space of the interior region.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
23 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising positioning the prosthesis material so as to be spaced from at least one endplate of the vertebral disc.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
24 . The method according to claim 23 , further comprising positioning the prosthesis material so as to be spaced from both endplates of the vertebral disc.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
25 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising shaping the prosthesis material so as to resist extrusion from the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
26 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising positioning the prosthesis material so as to alter an axis of rotation of the spine.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
27 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising forming the prosthesis material with a therapeutic amount of a desired substance.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
28 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting a prosthesis material having compressive strength that is less than 4 MN/m 2 .
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
29 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting a solid prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
30 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting a fluid prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
31 . The method according to claim 30 , further comprising curing or drying the fluid prosthesis material to form into a solid or semi-solid prosthesis.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
32 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting a semi-solid prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
33 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising inserting a barrier into the vertebral disc so as to cover an opening in the annulus of the vertebral disc.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
34 . The method according to claim 33 , further comprising locating the barrier adjacent the prosthesis material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
35 . The method according to claim 34 , further comprising locating the prosthesis material within the interior region of the vertebral disc so as to be surrounded by nucleus pulposus within the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
39 words
36 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting the prosthesis material without removing a substantial amount of nucleus pulposus from the interior region.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
63 words
37 . A method of restoring function of a vertebral disc, the method comprising: locating an access site on the disc; and inserting, through an opening of the disc at the access site, a prosthesis material into an interior region of the vertebral disc without removing a substantial amount of nucleus pulposus from the interior region so as to augment existing nucleus pulposus.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
63 words
37 . A method of restoring function of a vertebral disc, the method comprising: locating an access site on the disc; and inserting, through an opening of the disc at the access site, a prosthesis material into an interior region of the vertebral disc without removing a substantial amount of nucleus pulposus from the interior region so as to augment existing nucleus pulposus.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
38 . The method according to claim 37 , wherein locating an access site comprises forming an opening in the annulus fibrosis of the vertebral disc.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
39 . The method according to claim 37 , wherein locating an access site comprises locating a defect in the annulus fibrosis of the vertebral disc.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
42 words
40 . The method according to claim 37 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
52 words
41 . The method according to claim 40 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises increasing the height of the vertebral disc comprises increasing the height to a range between approximately 0.1 mm and approximately 3 mm.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
52 words
42 . The method according to claim 40 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises increasing the height of the vertebral disc comprises increasing the height to a range between approximately 3 mm and approximately 6 mm.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
52 words
43 . The method according to claim 40 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises increasing the height of the vertebral disc comprises increasing the height to a range between approximately 6 mm and approximately 9 mm.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
52 words
44 . The method according to claim 40 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises increasing the height of the vertebral disc comprises increasing the height to a range between approximately 1 mm and approximately 10 mm.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
42 words
45 . The method according to claim 37 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired augmentation volume is achieved.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
43 words
46 . The method according to claim 37 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting approximately 0.1 ml to approximately 6 ml of the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
46 words
47 . The method according to claim 37 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc pressure is achieved.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
53 words
48 . The method according to claim 47 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a disc pressure ranging between approximately 0.1 atmospheres and 5 atmospheres is achieved.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
34 words
49 . The method according to claim 37 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting hydrogel material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
37 words
50 . The method according to claim 37 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting an isotropic mass of material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
29 words
51 . The method according to claim 37 , further comprising positioning the prosthesis material so as to be spaced from at least one endplate of the vertebral disc.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
27 words
52 . The method according to claim 51 , further comprising positioning the prosthesis material so as to be spaced from both endplates of the vertebral disc.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
28 words
53 . The method according to claim 37 , further comprising shaping the prosthesis material so as to resist extrusion from the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
26 words
54 . The method according to claim 37 , further comprising positioning the prosthesis material so as to alter an axis of rotation of the spine.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
23 words
55 . The method according to claim 37 , further comprising forining the prosthesis material with a therapeutic amount of a desired substance.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
38 words
56 . The method according to claim 37 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting a prosthesis material having compressive strength that is less than 4 MN/m 2 .
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
36 words
57 . The method according to claim 37 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting a solid prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
36 words
58 . The method according to claim 37 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting a fluid prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
26 words
59 . The method according to claim 58 , further comprising curing or drying the fluid prosthesis material to form into a solid or semi-solid prosthesis.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
36 words
60 . The method according to claim 37 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting a fluid prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
31 words
61 . The method according to claim 37 , further comprising inserting a barrier into the vertebral disc so as to cover an opening in the annulus of the vertebral disc.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
18 words
62 . The method according to claim 61 , further comprising locating the barrier adjacent the prosthesis material.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
39 words
63 . The method according to claim 37 , further comprising locating the prosthesis material within the interior region of the vertebral disc so as to be surrounded by nucleus pulposus within the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
28 words
64 . The method according to claim 37 , further comprising locating the prosthesis material within the interior region of the vertebral disc and adjacent the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
111 words
65 . A method of implanting a prosthesis material into an interior region of a vertebral disc, the vertebral disc having first and second endplates, the method comprising: locating an access site on the disc; inserting, through an opening of the disc at the access site, the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc without removing a substantial amount of nucleus pulposus; spacing the prosthesis material from the endplates of the vertebral disc such that the nucleus pulposus substantially surrounds the prosthesis material; and monitoring at least one of: a) one or more characteristics of the vertebral disc, and b) one or more characteristics of the prosthesis material.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
111 words
65 . A method of implanting a prosthesis material into an interior region of a vertebral disc, the vertebral disc having first and second endplates, the method comprising: locating an access site on the disc; inserting, through an opening of the disc at the access site, the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc without removing a substantial amount of nucleus pulposus; spacing the prosthesis material from the endplates of the vertebral disc such that the nucleus pulposus substantially surrounds the prosthesis material; and monitoring at least one of: a) one or more characteristics of the vertebral disc, and b) one or more characteristics of the prosthesis material.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
26 words
66 . The method according to claim 65 , wherein locating an access site comprises forming an opening in the annulus fibrosis of the vertebral disc.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
26 words
67 . The method according to claim 65 , wherein locating an access site comprises locating a defect in the annulus fibrosis of the vertebral disc.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
28 words
68 . The method according to claim 65 , wherein monitoring one or more characteristics of the vertebral disc comprises monitoring a disc height of the vertebral disc.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
44 words
69 . The method according to claim 68 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
60 words
70 . The method according to claim 69 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a height ranging between approximately 1 mm and approximately 10 mm is achieved.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
60 words
71 . The method according to claim 69 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a height ranging between approximately 0.1 mm and approximately 3 mm is achieved.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
60 words
72 . The method according to claim 69 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a height ranging between approximately 3 mm and approximately 6 mm is achieved.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
60 words
73 . The method according to claim 69 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a height ranging between approximately 6 mm and approximately 9 mm is achieved.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
35 words
74 . The method according to claim 65 , wherein monitoring one or more characteristics of the prosthesis material comprises monitoring a volume of prosthesis material inserted into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
43 words
75 . The method according to claim 74 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting approximately 0.1 ml to approximately 6 ml of the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
28 words
76 . The method according to claim 65 , wherein monitoring one or more characteristics of the vertebral disc comprises monitoring a disc pressure of the vertebral disc.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
44 words
77 . The method according to claim 76 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc pressure is achieved.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
60 words
78 . The method according to claim 77 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc pressure is achieved comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a disc pressure ranging between approximately 0.1 atmospheres and 5 atmospheres is achieved.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
34 words
79 . The method according to claim 65 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting hydrogel material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
37 words
80 . The method according to claim 65 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting an isotropic mass of material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
28 words
81 . The method according to claim 65 , further comprising shaping the prosthesis material so as to resist extrusion from the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
26 words
82 . The method according to claim 65 , further comprising positioning the prosthesis material so as to alter an axis of rotation of the spine.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
23 words
83 . The method according to claim 65 , further comprising forming the prosthesis material with a therapeutic amount of a desired substance.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
38 words
84 . The method according to claim 65 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting a prosthesis material having compressive strength that is less than 4 MN/m 2 .
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
28 words
85 . The method according to claim 65 , further comprising locating the prosthesis material within the interior region of the vertebral disc and adjacent the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
82 words
86 . A method of increasing a height of a vertebral disc, the method comprising: locating an access site on the disc; and inserting, through an opening of the disc at the access site, an amount of prosthesis material into an interior region of the vertebral disc without removing a substantial amount of nucleus pulposus from the interior region so as to augment existing nucleus pulposus; and monitoring the height of the disc to determine whether a desired disc height is achieved.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
82 words
86 . A method of increasing a height of a vertebral disc, the method comprising: locating an access site on the disc; and inserting, through an opening of the disc at the access site, an amount of prosthesis material into an interior region of the vertebral disc without removing a substantial amount of nucleus pulposus from the interior region so as to augment existing nucleus pulposus; and monitoring the height of the disc to determine whether a desired disc height is achieved.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
26 words
87 . The method according to claim 86 , wherein locating an access site comprises forming an opening in the annulus fibrosis of the vertebral disc.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
26 words
88 . The method according to claim 86 , wherein locating an access site comprises locating a defect in the annulus fibrosis of the vertebral disc.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
52 words
89 . The method according to claim 86 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises increasing the height of the vertebral disc comprises increasing the height to a range between approximately 0.1 mm and approximately 3 mm.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
52 words
90 . The method according to claim 86 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises increasing the height of the vertebral disc comprises increasing the height to a range between approximately 3 mm and approximately 6 mm.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
52 words
91 . The method according to claim 86 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises increasing the height of the vertebral disc comprises increasing the height to a range between approximately 6 mm and approximately 9 mm.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
52 words
92 . The method according to claim 86 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc height is achieved comprises increasing the height of the vertebral disc comprises increasing the height to a range between approximately 1 mm and approximately 10 mm.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
34 words
93 . The method according to claim 86 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting hydrogel material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
37 words
94 . The method according to claim 86 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting an isotropic mass of material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
29 words
95 . The method according to claim 86 , further comprising positioning the prosthesis material so as to be spaced from at least one endplate of the vertebral disc.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
27 words
96 . The method according to claim 86 , further comprising positioning the prosthesis material so as to be spaced from both endplates of the vertebral disc.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
31 words
97 . The method according to claim 86 , further comprising inserting a barrier into the vertebral disc so as to cover an opening in the annulus of the vertebral disc.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
18 words
98 . The method according to claim 97 , further comprising locating the barrier adjacent the prosthesis material.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
81 words
99 . A method of increasing a intradiscal pressure of a vertebral disc, the method comprising: locating an access site on the disc; and inserting, through an opening of the disc at the access site, an amount of prosthesis material into an interior region of the vertebral disc without removing a substantial amount of nucleus pulposus from the interior region so as to augment existing nucleus pulposus; and monitoring the intradiscal pressure to determine whether a desired intradiscal pressure is achieved.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
81 words
99 . A method of increasing a intradiscal pressure of a vertebral disc, the method comprising: locating an access site on the disc; and inserting, through an opening of the disc at the access site, an amount of prosthesis material into an interior region of the vertebral disc without removing a substantial amount of nucleus pulposus from the interior region so as to augment existing nucleus pulposus; and monitoring the intradiscal pressure to determine whether a desired intradiscal pressure is achieved.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
26 words
100 . The method according to claim 99 , wherein locating an access site comprises forming an opening in the annulus fibrosis of the vertebral disc.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
26 words
101 . The method according to claim 99 , wherein locating an access site comprises locating a defect in the annulus fibrosis of the vertebral disc.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
60 words
102 . The method according to claim 99 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a desired disc pressure is achieved comprises inserting an amount of prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc until a disc pressure ranging between approximately 0.1 atmospheres and 5 atmospheres is achieved.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
34 words
103 . The method according to claim 99 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting hydrogel material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
37 words
104 . The method according to claim 99 , wherein inserting the prosthesis material into the interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting an isotropic mass of material into the interior region of the vertebral disc.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
29 words
105 . The method according to claim 99 , further comprising positioning the prosthesis material so as to be spaced from at least one endplate of the vertebral disc.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
27 words
106 . The method according to claim 99 , further comprising positioning the prosthesis material so as to be spaced from both endplates of the vertebral disc.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
31 words
107 . The method according to claim 99 , further comprising inserting a barrier into the vertebral disc so as to cover an opening in the annulus of the vertebral disc.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
18 words
108 . The method according to claim 107 , further comprising locating the barrier adjacent the prosthesis material.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
34 words
109 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into an interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting a plurality of individual prostheses as a group.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
34 words
110 . The method according to claim 37 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into an interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting a plurality of individual prostheses as a group.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
34 words
111 . The method according to claim 65 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into an interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting a plurality of individual prostheses as a group.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
34 words
112 . The method according to claim 86 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into an interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting a plurality of individual prostheses as a group.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
34 words
113 . The method according to claim 99 , wherein inserting an amount of prosthesis material into an interior region of the vertebral disc comprises inserting a plurality of individual prostheses as a group.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
73 words
114 . A kit of parts for use in augmenting vertebral tissue, the kit comprising: a prosthesis adapted for insertion into the vertebral disc; a delivery device for inserting the prosthesis into the interior region of the vertebral disc; and instructions for inserting the prosthesis, the instructions comprising instructions for inserting the prosthesis material into an interior region of the vertebral disc without removing a substantial amount of nucleus pulposus from the disc.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
73 words
114 . A kit of parts for use in augmenting vertebral tissue, the kit comprising: a prosthesis adapted for insertion into the vertebral disc; a delivery device for inserting the prosthesis into the interior region of the vertebral disc; and instructions for inserting the prosthesis, the instructions comprising instructions for inserting the prosthesis material into an interior region of the vertebral disc without removing a substantial amount of nucleus pulposus from the disc.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
64 words
115 . A kit of parts for use in augmenting vertebral tissue, the kit comprising: a prosthesis adapted for insertion into the vertebral disc; a delivery device for inserting the prosthesis into the interior region of the vertebral disc; and instructions for inserting the prosthesis, the instructions comprising the method of any of claims 1 , 37 , 65 , 86 and 99 .
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