US6340369B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Treating degenerative disc disease with harvested disc cells and analogues of the extracellular matrix
Assignee: Anova Corp
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Filing: 2000-08-14
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Granted: 2002-01-22
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Expires: 2020-08-14
Abstract
Abstract Living intervertebral disc cells are harvested, cultured and combined with type-specific collagen-glycosaminoglycan extracellular matrix analogues to restore disc function and eliminate pain in patients with disc disease. In the preferred embodiment, the engineered disc tissue is morselized to allow insertion through a small puncture in the annulus fibrosis with a needle and syringe. Additional therapeutic substances such as culture medium, growth factors, differentiation factors, hydrogels polymers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or immunosuppressive medications are disclosed as additives to the engineered disc tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 Bret A. Ferree
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/36; A61L27/38; A61L27/3804; A61L27/3817; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61L27/3839; A61L27/3843; A61L27/3852; A61L27/3856; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30537; A61F2002/30538; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30677; A61F2/442; A61F2002/4435; A61F2002/444; A61F2002/4445; A61F2002/445; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0004; A61F2250/0006; A61L2400/00; A61L2400/06; A61L2430/00; A61L2430/38; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/915; Y10S623/919
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of treating a diseased or traumatized intervertebral disc having a nucleus and annulus fibrosis, comprising the steps of: harvesting live, intervertebral disc cells; combining the harvested cells with an analogue of the extracellular matrix to produce an engineered disc tissue; and transplanting the engineered disc tissue into the disc.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of treating a diseased or traumatized intervertebral disc having a nucleus and annulus fibrosis, comprising the steps of: harvesting live, intervertebral disc cells; combining the harvested cells with an analogue of the extracellular matrix to produce an engineered disc tissue; and transplanting the engineered disc tissue into the disc.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the harvested cells are nucleus pulposus cells, precursors of nucleus pulposus cells, or cells capable of differentiating into nucleus pulposus cells; and the harvested cells are transplanted into the nucleus of the disc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the harvested cells are annulus fibrosis cells, precursors of annulus fibrosis cells, or cells capable of differentiating into annulus fibrosis cells; and the harvested cells are transplanted into the annulus fibrosis of the disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the steps of: morselizing the engineered disc tissue; forming a passageway through the annulus fibrosis; and transplanting the engineered disc tissue into the disc through the passageway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the step of adding one or more therapeutic substances to the engineered disc tissue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the therapeutic substances include one or more of the following: culture media, growth factors, differentiation factors, hydrogels, polymers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or immunosuppressive medications.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of transplanting the engineered disc tissue into the disc includes injecting the engineered disc tissue into the disc through a needle and syringe or small cannula.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of transplanting the engineered disc tissue includes percutaneously or laparoscopically injecting the engineered disc tissue into the disc being treated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the step of keeping the harvested cells viable until placed into the disc being treated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the analogues of the extracellular matrix include collagen-glycosaminoglycans.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of treating a diseased or traumatized intervertebral disc, comprising the steps of: harvesting live cells from a human or animal donor; and transplanting the harvested cells into the disc being treated while the harvested cells are still viable, wherein, subsequent to transplantation: a) at least some of the cells differentiate into nucleus pulposus like cells, b) at least some of the cells differentiate into annulus fibrosis like cells, or both a) and b).
Claim 13
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of treating a diseased or traumatized intervertebral disc, comprising the steps of: harvesting live cells from a human or animal donor; and transplanting the harvested cells into the disc being treated while the harvested cells are still viable, wherein, subsequent to transplantation: a) at least some of the cells differentiate into nucleus pulposus like cells, b) at least some of the cells differentiate into annulus fibrosis like cells, or both a) and b).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 , further including the step of adding one or more therapeutic substances to the cells prior to transplantation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the therapeutic substances include one or more of the following: culture media, growth factors, differentiation factors, hydrogels, polymers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or immunosuppressive medications.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of transplanting the cells includes the step of injecting the cells into the disc being treated with a needle and syringe or through a small cannula.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of transplanting the cells includes the step of percutaneously or laparoscopically injecting the cells into the disc being treated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11 , further including the steps of: combining the nucleus pulposus like cells with type II collagen-glycosaminoglycans; and combining the annulus fibrosis like cells with type I collagen-glycosaminoglycans.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 11 , further including the steps of: combining the harvested cells with an analogue of the extracellular matrix to create an engineered disc tissue; and transplanting the engineered disc tissue into the disc being treated.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 17 , further including the steps of: morselizing the engineered disc tissue; forming a passage into the disc being treated through the annulus fibrosis; inserting the engineered disc tissue into the disc through the passageway.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the analogues of the extracellular matrix are collagen-glycosaminoglycans.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
43 words
A method of preparing engineered intervertebral disc tissue, comprising the steps of: harvesting live intervertebral disc cells; combining the harvested cells with an analogue of the extracellular matrix to produce an engineered disc tissue; and keeping the engineered disc tissue viable until use.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
43 words
A method of preparing engineered intervertebral disc tissue, comprising the steps of: harvesting live intervertebral disc cells; combining the harvested cells with an analogue of the extracellular matrix to produce an engineered disc tissue; and keeping the engineered disc tissue viable until use.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
Engineered disc tissue prepared according to the method of claim 20 .
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
The engineered disc tissue of claim 21 , wherein: the harvested cells are nucleus pulposus cells, precursors of nucleus pulposus cells, or cells capable of differentiating into nucleus pulposus cells; and the harvested cells are transplanted into the nucleus of the disc.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
The engineered disc tissue of claim 21 , wherein: the harvested cells are annulus fibrosis cells, precursors of annulus fibrosis cells, or cells capable of differentiating into annulus fibrosis cells; and the harvested cells are transplanted into the annulus fibrosis of the disc.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The engineered disc tissue of claim 21 , wherein the constituents are morselized.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The engineered disc tissue of claim 21 , further including one or more therapeutic substances.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The engineered disc tissue of claim 25 , wherein the therapeutic substances include one or more of the following: culture media, growth factors, differentiation factors, hydrogels, polymers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or immunosuppressive medications.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The engineered disc tissue of claim 21 , wherein the analogues of the extracellular matrix include collagen-glycosaminoglycans.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of preparing engineered intervertebral disc tissue for subsequent transplantation, comprising the steps of: harvesting live cells from a human or animal donor wherein, following transplantation: a) at least some of the cells differentiate into nucleus pulposus like cells, b) at least some of the cells differentiate into annulus fibrosis like cells, or c) both a) and b); combining the nucleus pulposus like cells with type II collagen-glycosaminoglycans; and combining the annulus fibrosis like cells with type I collagen-glycosaminoglycans.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of preparing engineered intervertebral disc tissue for subsequent transplantation, comprising the steps of: harvesting live cells from a human or animal donor wherein, following transplantation: a) at least some of the cells differentiate into nucleus pulposus like cells, b) at least some of the cells differentiate into annulus fibrosis like cells, or c) both a) and b); combining the nucleus pulposus like cells with type II collagen-glycosaminoglycans; and combining the annulus fibrosis like cells with type I collagen-glycosaminoglycans.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
Engineered intervertebral disc tissue prepared according to the method of claim 28 .
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The intervertebral disc tissue of claim 29 , further including one or more therapeutic substances.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein the therapeutic substances include one or more of the following: culture media, growth factors, differentiation factors, hydrogels, polymers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or immunosuppressive medications.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of preparing engineered intervertebral disc tissue, comprising the steps of: harvesting live cells from a human or animal donor; and transplanting the harvested cells into the disc being treated while the harvested cells are still viable, wherein, subsequent to transplantation: a) at least some of the cells differentiate into nucleus pulposus like cells, b) at least some of the cells differentiate into annulus fibrosis like cells, or c) both a) and b); and combining the harvested cells with an analogue of the extracellular matrix.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of preparing engineered intervertebral disc tissue, comprising the steps of: harvesting live cells from a human or animal donor; and transplanting the harvested cells into the disc being treated while the harvested cells are still viable, wherein, subsequent to transplantation: a) at least some of the cells differentiate into nucleus pulposus like cells, b) at least some of the cells differentiate into annulus fibrosis like cells, or c) both a) and b); and combining the harvested cells with an analogue of the extracellular matrix.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
Engineered intervertebral disc tissue prepared according to the method of claim 32 .
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The intervertebral disc tissue of claim 33 , further including one or more therapeutic substances.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein the therapeutic substances include one or more of the following: culture media, growth factors, differentiation factors, hydrogels, polymers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or immunosuppressive medications.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-01-21 | 2005-07-23 | 2006-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-01-21 | 2009-07-23 | 2010-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-01-21 | 2013-07-23 | 2014-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |