US6454804B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Engineered tissue annulus fibrosis augmentation methods and apparatus
Assignee: Anova Corp
•
Filing: 2000-10-16
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Granted: 2002-09-24
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Expires: 2020-10-16
Abstract
Abstract Living annulus fibrosis cells are combined with annulus fibrosis extracellular matrix obtained from recently deceased human or animal donors to restore disc function and eliminate pain in patients with disc disease. Additional therapeutic substances like culture medium, growth factors, differentiation factors, hydrogels, polymers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or immunosuppressive medications could be added to the transplanted annulus fibrosis tissue. The process can be used to replace or repair other tissues or organs of the body such as the meniscus of the knee.
Inventors
- 👤 Bret A. Ferree
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/441; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7059; A61B2017/7073; 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; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30677; A61F2002/3082; A61F2002/30827; A61F2002/30828; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30879; A61F2002/4435; A61F2002/4445; A61F2002/445; 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; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/902; Y10S623/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of augmenting the annulus fibrosis, comprising the steps of: harvesting fibrocytes from a tendon of the patient; harvesting the extracellular matrix of the annulus fibrosis from a recently deceased human or animal; combining the harvested cells with the extracellular matrix to produce an engineered annulus fibrosis; and transplanting the engineered annulus fibrosis into or onto the disc.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of augmenting the annulus fibrosis, comprising the steps of: harvesting fibrocytes from a tendon of the patient; harvesting the extracellular matrix of the annulus fibrosis from a recently deceased human or animal; combining the harvested cells with the extracellular matrix to produce an engineered annulus fibrosis; and transplanting the engineered annulus fibrosis into or onto the disc.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the steps of: forming a passageway through the disc and transplanting the engineered annulus into the disc through the passageway, or placing the engineered annulus onto the disc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the step of adding one or more therapeutic substances to the engineered annulus fibrosis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3 , 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 6
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 7
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of treating a diseased or traumatized intervertebral disc having a nucleus and annulus fibrosis, comprising the steps of: harvesting cells that differentiate into annulus fibrosis cells, or annulus fibrosis cells, or liver cells that function like cells of the annulus fibrosis; harvesting the extracellular matrix of the annulus fibrosis from a recently deceased human or animal; combining the harvested cells with the extracellular matrix to produce an engineered annulus fibrosis; and transplanting the engineered annulus fibrosis into or onto the disc.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of treating a diseased or traumatized intervertebral disc having a nucleus and annulus fibrosis, comprising the steps of: harvesting cells that differentiate into annulus fibrosis cells, or annulus fibrosis cells, or liver cells that function like cells of the annulus fibrosis; harvesting the extracellular matrix of the annulus fibrosis from a recently deceased human or animal; combining the harvested cells with the extracellular matrix to produce an engineered annulus fibrosis; and transplanting the engineered annulus fibrosis into or onto the disc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6 , further including the steps of transplanting the engineered annulus fibrosis into or onto the disc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 6 , further including the step of adding one or more therapeutic substances to the engineered annulus fibrosis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 8 , 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 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 6 , further including the step of keeping the harvested cells viable until placed into the disc being treated.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of preparing an engineered annulus fibrosis, comprising the steps of: harvesting fibrocytes from a healthy tendon; harvesting the extracellular matrix of the annulus fibrosis from a recently deceased human or animal; combining the harvested cells with the harvested extracellular matrix to produce an engineered annulus fibrosis; and keeping the engineered annulus fibrosis viable until transplantation.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of preparing an engineered annulus fibrosis, comprising the steps of: harvesting fibrocytes from a healthy tendon; harvesting the extracellular matrix of the annulus fibrosis from a recently deceased human or animal; combining the harvested cells with the harvested extracellular matrix to produce an engineered annulus fibrosis; and keeping the engineered annulus fibrosis viable until transplantation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
An engineered annulus fibrosis according to the method of claim 11 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
8 words
The engineered annulus fibrosis of claim 12 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The engineered annulus fibrosis of claim 12 , further including one or more therapeutic substances.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The engineered annulus fibrosis 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 19
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of preparing an engineered annulus fibrosis, comprising the steps of: harvesting cells that differentiate into annulus fibrosis like cells, or live cells that function like cells of the annulus fibrosis; harvesting the extracellular matrix of the annulus fibrosis from a recently deceased human or animal; combining the harvested cells with the harvested extracellular matrix to produce an engineered annulus fibrosis; and keeping the engineered annulus fibrosis viable until use.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of preparing an engineered annulus fibrosis, comprising the steps of: harvesting cells that differentiate into annulus fibrosis like cells, or live cells that function like cells of the annulus fibrosis; harvesting the extracellular matrix of the annulus fibrosis from a recently deceased human or animal; combining the harvested cells with the harvested extracellular matrix to produce an engineered annulus fibrosis; and keeping the engineered annulus fibrosis viable until use.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The engineered annulus fibrosis of claim 16 , further including one or more therapeutic substances.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The engineered annulus fibrosis of claim 17 , 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 23
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of preparing an engineered tissue, comprising the steps of: harvesting fibrocytes and/or chondrocytes from healthy musculoskeletal tissues; harvesting the extracellular matrix of musculoskeletal tissues from a recently deceased human or animal; and combining the harvested cells with the harvested extracellular matrix to produce an engineered tissue viable until transplantation.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of preparing an engineered tissue, comprising the steps of: harvesting fibrocytes and/or chondrocytes from healthy musculoskeletal tissues; harvesting the extracellular matrix of musculoskeletal tissues from a recently deceased human or animal; and combining the harvested cells with the harvested extracellular matrix to produce an engineered tissue viable until transplantation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
An engineered tissue according to the method of claim 19 .
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The engineered tissue of claim 20 , further including one or more therapeutic substances.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The engineered tissue of claim 21 , 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 28
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of preparing an engineered tissue, comprising the steps of: harvesting cells that differentiate into fibrocyte or chondrocyte like cells, or live cells that function like fibrocytes or chondrocytes; harvesting the extracellular matrix of a musculoskeletal tissue from a recently deceased human or animal; and combining the harvested cells with the harvested extracellular matrix to produce an engineered tissue; and keeping the engineered tissue viable until use.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of preparing an engineered tissue, comprising the steps of: harvesting cells that differentiate into fibrocyte or chondrocyte like cells, or live cells that function like fibrocytes or chondrocytes; harvesting the extracellular matrix of a musculoskeletal tissue from a recently deceased human or animal; and combining the harvested cells with the harvested extracellular matrix to produce an engineered tissue; and keeping the engineered tissue viable until use.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The engineered tissue of claim 23 , further including one or more therapeutic substances.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
The engineered tissue of claim 24 , 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 32
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of preparing an engineered tissue, comprising steps of: harvesting cells from healthy tissues; harvesting the extracellular matrix of tissues from a recently deceased human or animal; and combining the harvested cells with the harvested extracellular matrix to produce an engineered tissue viable until transplantation.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of preparing an engineered tissue, comprising steps of: harvesting cells from healthy tissues; harvesting the extracellular matrix of tissues from a recently deceased human or animal; and combining the harvested cells with the harvested extracellular matrix to produce an engineered tissue viable until transplantation.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The engineered tissue of claim 26 , further including one or more therapeutic substances.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
The engineered tissue of claim 27 , 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.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-09-23 | 2006-03-25 | 2006-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-23 | 2010-03-25 | 2010-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-23 | 2014-03-25 | 2014-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |