US6692528B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Devices that change size/shape via osmotic pressure
Assignee: DSM Biomedical Inc
•
Filing: 2001-11-08
•
Granted: 2004-02-17
•
Expires: 2021-11-08
Abstract
Abstract Devices implantable in animal bodies, possibly configured as self-inflating spinal disc prostheses. Alternatively, non-implantable water-desalination and/or purification devices. The devices include specified types of water-absorbing solute encapsulated by non-porous, water-permeable polymer membranes having specified properties. Also, methods of using the devices in biomedical applications or water treatment.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert S. Ward
- 👤 Sallie K. Coviello
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:25
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/44; A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/14; A61L27/16; A61L27/18; A61L27/50; B; B01; B01D; B01D61/00; B01D61/002; B01D61/0022; B01D69/00; B01D69/02; B01D71/00; B01D71/06; B01D71/54; B01D71/76; B01D71/80; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30075; A61F2/442; A61F2002/444; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2210/0061; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/124; Y02A20/131
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A device implantable in an animal body, said device comprising a water-absorbing solute encapsulated by a non-porous, water-permeable polymer membrane, wherein said polymer is a block copolymer having a polyurethane and/or polyurea hard segment and a soft segment selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene oxides, polyalkylene carbonates, poly-siloxanes, and linear or branched hydrocarbons, wherein said membrane has a thickness of 1 to 16 mil and has a moisture vapor transmission rate by ASTM Method E96BW greater than 100 g/square meter/day at 1 mil thickness, a dry tensile strength of greater than 500 psi, and a permeability to said solute of less than 10 −3 cm 2 /sec, and wherein said solute is capable of providing said device with a pressure of approximately 0.1 psi or more for a period of at least 24 hours.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A device implantable in an animal body, said device comprising a water-absorbing solute encapsulated by a non-porous, water-permeable polymer membrane, wherein said polymer is a block copolymer having a polyurethane and/or polyurea hard segment and a soft segment selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene oxides, polyalkylene carbonates, poly-siloxanes, and linear or branched hydrocarbons, wherein said membrane has a thickness of 1 to 16 mil and has a moisture vapor transmission rate by ASTM Method E96BW greater than 100 g/square meter/day at 1 mil thickness, a dry tensile strength of greater than 500 psi, and a permeability to said solute of less than 10 −3 cm 2 /sec, and wherein said solute is capable of providing said device with a pressure of approximately 0.1 psi or more for a period of at least 24 hours.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said membrane has a moisture vapor transmission rate by ASTM Method E96BW greater than 2000 g/square meter/day at 1 mil thickness, a dry tensile strength of greater than 2000 psi, and a permeability to said solute of less than 10 −4 cm 2 /sec, and wherein said solute is capable of providing said device with a pressure of approximately 100 psi or more for a period of at least six weeks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said soft segment is a polyalkylene oxide soft segment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said membrane has dispersed therein or covalently bound thereto a water-soluble additive and said device decreases in permeability over time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 4 , wherein said water-soluble additive is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, glycerine, and polyethylene oxides.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said solute is a polyacrylamide having a nominal weight-average molecular weight of 1200-3000 Daltons.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said solute is present in an amount of 0.1-50 grams.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 7 , wherein said solute is present in an amount of 1-3 grams.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 , which comprises a self-inflating prosthetic spinal disc nucleus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 9 , which comprises a self-inflating spinal disc nucleus surrounded by a reinforced perimeter and attachment means, configured to form a complete spinal disc prosthesis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 , in which the solute comprises a blend of low molecular weight solute for quick inflation of the device and a high molecular weight solute to provide long term pressure and stability.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1 , in which the membrane decreases in permeability over time to permit rapid short term inflation and persistent long term avoidance of solute leakage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for treating a spine of a vertebrate which comprises inserting a device according to claim 9 or 10 into an area of the spine that contains a degenerated, damaged, or missing disc and allowing the device to expand by permeation of aqueous fluid into a cavity containing the solute.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
141 words
A device implantable in an animal body, said device comprising a water-absorbing solute encapsulated by a non-porous, water-permeable polymer membrane, wherein said polymer comprises a member selected from the groups consisting of polyurethane elastomers, crosslinked silicone elastomers, silicon-containing copolymers, polyolefin elastomers, Kraton styrene-diene elastomers, Hytrel polyester-polyether elastomers, and Pebax polyamide-polyether elastomers, wherein said membrane has a thickness of 1 to 16 mil and has a moisture vapor transmission rate by ASTM Method E96BW greater than 2000 g/square meter/day at 1 mil thickness, a dry tensile strength of greater than 2000 psi, and a permeability to said solute of less than 10 −4 cm 2 /sec, and wherein said solute is present in an amount of 0.1-50 grams and is capable of providing said device with a pressure of approximately 100 psi or more for a period of at least six weeks.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
141 words
A device implantable in an animal body, said device comprising a water-absorbing solute encapsulated by a non-porous, water-permeable polymer membrane, wherein said polymer comprises a member selected from the groups consisting of polyurethane elastomers, crosslinked silicone elastomers, silicon-containing copolymers, polyolefin elastomers, Kraton styrene-diene elastomers, Hytrel polyester-polyether elastomers, and Pebax polyamide-polyether elastomers, wherein said membrane has a thickness of 1 to 16 mil and has a moisture vapor transmission rate by ASTM Method E96BW greater than 2000 g/square meter/day at 1 mil thickness, a dry tensile strength of greater than 2000 psi, and a permeability to said solute of less than 10 −4 cm 2 /sec, and wherein said solute is present in an amount of 0.1-50 grams and is capable of providing said device with a pressure of approximately 100 psi or more for a period of at least six weeks.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 14 , wherein said membrane has dispersed therein or covalently bound thereto a water-soluble additive and said device decreases in permeability over time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 15 , wherein said water-soluble additive is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, glycerine, and polyethylene oxides.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 14 , wherein said solute is a polyacrylamide having a nominal weight-average molecular weight of 1200-3000 Daltons.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 14 , wherein said solute is present in an amount of 1-3 grams.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 14 , which comprises a self-inflating prosthetic spinal disc nucleus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 19 , which comprises a self-inflating spinal nucleus surrounded by a reinforced perimeter and attachment means, configured to form a complete spinal disc prosthesis.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 14 , in which the solute comprises a blend of low molecular weight solute for quick inflation of the device and a high molecular weight solute to provide long term pressure and stability.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 14 , in which the membrane decreases in permeability over time to permit rapid short term inflation and persistent long term avoidance of solute leakage.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for treating a spine of a vertebrate which comprises inserting a device according to claim 19 or 20 into an area of the spine that contains a degenerated, damaged, or missing disc and allowing the device to expand by permeation of aqueous fluid into a cavity containing the solute.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4157085A
Cited
EP0121099A2
Cited
EP0353936A1
Cited
US4904260A
Cited
US5005591A
Cited
US5047055A
Cited
US5192326A
Cited
US5756632A
Cited
US5428123A
Cited
US5589563A
Cited
WO1996001598A1
Cited
US5976186A
Cited
EP0784987A2
Cited
US6022376A
Cited
WO2001022902A2
Cited
US6264695B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-02-16 | 2007-08-18 | 2008-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-02-16 | 2011-08-18 | 2012-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-02-16 | 2015-08-18 | 2016-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |