US6685695B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for providing nutrition to intervertebral disc tissue
Assignee: Anova Corp
•
Filing: 2002-05-10
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Granted: 2004-02-03
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Expires: 2022-05-10
Abstract
Abstract An intervertebral disc is treated by providing supplemental nutrition to increase viability and longevity. In the preferred embodiment, the invention uses one or more porous stents that function to irrigate the disc space. The stents provide channels for diffusion of fluids and nutrients from the vertebral endplates. The stents may extend across the vertebral endplates to facilitate the transfer of nutrients and oxygen from the vertebral bodies.
Inventors
- 👤 Bret A. Ferree
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7061; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/28; A61F2/2846; A61F2/30; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30742; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/4455; A61F2/447; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/36; A61L27/3641; A61L27/3645; A61L27/3654; A61L27/3658; A61L27/38; A61L27/3839; A61L27/3843; A61L27/3852; A61L27/3856; A61L27/50; A61L27/54; A61F2/30744; A61F2/3094; A61F2/30965; A61F2/442; A61F2/4601; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30092; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30131; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30153; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/302; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30235; A61F2002/30261; A61F2002/3028; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30433; A61F2002/30461; A61F2002/30518; A61F2002/3052; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30537; A61F2002/30538; A61F2002/30556; A61F2002/30565; A61F2002/30579; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/30621; A61F2002/30624; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30677; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30774; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30787; A61F2002/3082; A61F2002/30827; A61F2002/30828; A61F2/30907; A61F2002/30909; A61F2002/30975; A61F2002/4435; A61F2002/444; A61F2002/4445; A61F2002/445; A61F2002/448; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2210/0019; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0041; A61F2220/0075; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0013; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0019; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0065; A61F2230/0069; A61F2230/0082; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0004; A61F2250/0006; A61F2250/0009; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00029; A61L2300/00; A61L2300/40; A61L2300/404; A61L2300/406; A61L2300/41; A61L2300/412; A61L2300/414; A61L2300/416; A61L2400/00; A61L2400/06; A61L2430/00; A61L2430/38; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/902; Y10S623/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of providing nutrients to an intervertebral disc situated between the endplates of upper and lower vertebra, comprising the steps of: forming a passageway into the disc space; placing a cannulated element in the passageway; and providing one or more substances beneficial to the intervertebral disc through the cannulated element.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of providing nutrients to an intervertebral disc situated between the endplates of upper and lower vertebra, comprising the steps of: forming a passageway into the disc space; placing a cannulated element in the passageway; and providing one or more substances beneficial to the intervertebral disc through the cannulated element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the passageway extends through one of the vertebral endplates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the beneficial substance contains a nutrient.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the beneficial substance contains a therapeutic agent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the therapeutic agents include one or more of the following: culture media, growth factors, differentiation factors, hydrogels, polymers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or immunosuppressive medications.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the step of transplanting cells or tissues into the disc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of transplanting the cells or tissues includes the use a needle and syringe or small cannula through the annulus fibrosis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of transplanting the cells or tissues includes percutaneously or laparoscopically injecting the cells or tissues into the disc being treated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the step of providing a reservoir containing the beneficial substance in communication with the cannulated element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the cannulated element is a stent.
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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 |