Patent US6579291B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6579291B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Devices and methods for the treatment of spinal disorders
Assignee: KRT INVESTORS Inc
•
Filing: 2000-10-10
•
Granted: 2003-06-17
•
Expires: 2020-10-10
Abstract
Abstract Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. The present invention provides disc reinforcement therapy (DRT) which involves implanting one or more reinforcement members in the annulus of the disc. The reinforcement members may be used to stabilize the annulus and/or compresses a portion of the annulus so as to reduce a bulge and/or close a fissure.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter T. Keith
- 👤 Robert E. Atkinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2002/4435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of treating an annulus of an intervertebral disc in a patient's spine, the method comprising the steps of: providing an elongate member; positioning the elongate member in the annulus of the intervertebral disc such that the elongate member extends along a circumferential portion of the annulus; and actively applying compression to the annulus to cause displacement of the annulus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of treating an annulus of an intervertebral disc in a patient's spine, the method comprising the steps of: providing an elongate member; positioning the elongate member in the annulus of the intervertebral disc such that the elongate member extends along a circumferential portion of the annulus; and actively applying compression to the annulus to cause displacement of the annulus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is implanted in the annulus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is positioned in a portion of the annulus subjected to tissue removal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is positioned in a portion of the annulus not subjected to tissue removal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is positioned in a posterior portion of the annulus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , wherein the elongate member extends substantially parallel to the circumferential portion of the annulus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , wherein the elongate member extends across a fracture or fissure in the annulus, and wherein the step of applying compression to the annulus at least partially closes the fracture or fissure in the annulus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , wherein the step of applying compression to the annulus causes the annulus to at least partially compress, and wherein the elongate member causes the annulus to remain at least partially compressed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , wherein the step of applying compression to the annulus is performed by the elongate member during the positioning step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: providing a tubular insertion tool having a proximal end and a distal end; inserting the tubular insertion tool into the patient's back such the proximal end is disposed outside the patient's back and the distal end is disposed in the annulus; and advancing the elongate member into the annulus utilizing the tubular insertion tool.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: providing a curved insertion tool having a proximal end and a curved distal end; inserting the curved insertion tool into the patient's back such the proximal end of the curved insertion tool is disposed outside the patient's back and the curved distal end of the curved insertion tool is disposed in the annulus; and advancing the elongate member into the annulus utilizing the curved insertion tool.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , wherein the displacement of the annulus is radial.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , wherein the displacement of the annulus is circumferential.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of treating an annulus of an intervertebral disc in a patient's spine, the method comprising the steps of: providing an elongate member; positioning the elongate member in a natural portion of the annulus of the intervertebral disc; and actively applying compression to the annulus to cause displacement of the annulus.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of treating an annulus of an intervertebral disc in a patient's spine, the method comprising the steps of: providing an elongate member; positioning the elongate member in a natural portion of the annulus of the intervertebral disc; and actively applying compression to the annulus to cause displacement of the annulus.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 14 , wherein the elongate member is implanted in the annulus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 14 , wherein the elongate member extends across a fracture or fissure in the annulus, and wherein the step of applying compression to the annulus at least partially closes the fracture or fissure in the annulus.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 14 , further comprising the steps of: providing a tubular insertion tool having a proximal end and a distal end; inserting the tubular insertion tool into the patient's back such the proximal end is disposed outside the patient's back and the distal end is disposed in the annulus; and advancing the elongate member into the annulus utilizing the tubular insertion tool.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 14 , further comprising the steps of: providing a curved insertion tool having a proximal end and a curved distal end; inserting the curved insertion tool into the patient's back such the proximal end of the curved insertion tool is disposed outside the patient's back and the curved distal end of the curved insertion tool is disposed in the annulus; and advancing the elongate member into the annulus utilizing the curved insertion tool.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 14 , wherein the compression is radial.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 14 , wherein the compression is circumferential.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4743260A
Cited
US6187043B1
Cited
US5092866A
Cited
US5201729A
Cited
US5171280A
Cited
US5180393A
Cited
US5192326A
Cited
US5047055A
Cited
US5306310A
Cited
US5728097A
Cited
US5375823A
Cited
US5496318A
Cited
US5480401A
Cited
US5415661A
Cited
US5534028A
Cited
US5755797A
Cited
US5672175A
Cited
US5433739A
Cited
US5562737A
Cited
US5549679A
Cited
US5645599A
Cited
US6280475B1
Cited
US5976186A
Cited
US5785705A
Cited
US5824093A
Cited
US5919235A
Cited
US5645597A
Cited
US5823994A
Cited
US5951555A
Cited
US5980504A
Cited
US6122549A
Cited
US6007570A
Cited
US6126682A
Cited
US6073051A
Cited
US6095149A
Cited
US6099514A
Cited
US6068628A
Cited
US5716416A
Cited
US5876404A
Cited
US6168593B1
Cited
US6135999A
Cited
US5954716A
Cited
US6022376A
Cited
US5984925A
Cited
US6007533A
Cited
US6004320A
Cited
US6231615B1
Cited
US5989291A
Cited
WO1999061084A1
Cited
US6224630B1
Cited
US6132465A
Cited
US6110210A
Cited
WO2000062832A1
Cited
US6162217A
Cited
WO2001010316A1
Cited
US6245107B1
Cited
WO2001012107A1
Cited
US6425919B1
Cited
US6264695B1
Cited
US6402750B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-06-16 | 2006-12-16 | 2007-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-16 | 2010-12-16 | 2011-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-16 | 2014-12-16 | 2015-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |