US6684886B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intervertebral disc repair methods and apparatus
Assignee: Prospine Inc
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Filing: 2001-01-22
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Granted: 2004-02-03
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Expires: 2021-01-22
Abstract
Abstract Minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques include expanding an incision with an expanding cannula, inserting a retractor for retracting a nerve root, and inserting a thermal probe for repairing the annulus. A light absorbing dye may be applied to the annulus for localized heating.
Inventors
- 👤 Neville Alleyne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B90/00; A61B90/30; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of treating a disc pathology comprising: making a posterior surgical incision to expose a portion of a patient's spine; inserting an expandable cannula into said incision; expanding said cannula; inserting a retractor into said cannula; retracting a portion of a nerve; selectively applying a light absorbing dye only to a specific area localized near a previously visualized disc pathology; and thermally shrinking annular collagen by applying thermal energy to said disc annulus without applying a damaging amount of heat to said nerve by directing light to said light absorbing dye so as to selectively heat said dye.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of treating a disc pathology comprising: making a posterior surgical incision to expose a portion of a patient's spine; inserting an expandable cannula into said incision; expanding said cannula; inserting a retractor into said cannula; retracting a portion of a nerve; selectively applying a light absorbing dye only to a specific area localized near a previously visualized disc pathology; and thermally shrinking annular collagen by applying thermal energy to said disc annulus without applying a damaging amount of heat to said nerve by directing light to said light absorbing dye so as to selectively heat said dye.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , comprising applying sealant to said specific area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said dye comprises one or more dyes selected from the group consisting of indigocarmine, methylene blue, and indosidin green.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 , comprising applying a mixture of sealant and light absorbing dye.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of treating a disc pathology comprising: making a surgical incision to expose a portion of a patient's spine; inserting a cannula into said incision; inserting a retractor into said cannula; retracting a portion of a nerve; selectively applying a mixture of light absorbing dye and protein sealant to a portion of a disc; and thermally shrinking annular collagen by applying thermal energy to said disc annulus without applying a damaging amount of heat to said nerve by directing light to said mixture so as to selectively heat said dye.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of treating a disc pathology comprising: making a surgical incision to expose a portion of a patient's spine; inserting a cannula into said incision; inserting a retractor into said cannula; retracting a portion of a nerve; selectively applying a mixture of light absorbing dye and protein sealant to a portion of a disc; and thermally shrinking annular collagen by applying thermal energy to said disc annulus without applying a damaging amount of heat to said nerve by directing light to said mixture so as to selectively heat said dye.
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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) | 2007-02-02 | 2007-08-04 | 2008-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-02-02 | 2011-08-04 | 2012-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-02-02 | 2015-08-04 | 2016-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |