US6936070B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intervertebral disc prosthesis and methods of implantation
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2002-01-15
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Granted: 2005-08-30
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Expires: 2022-01-15
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides biocompatible intervertebral disc prostheses that are resilient to compressive forces, that may be adapted to an intervertebral space. When implanted in the spinal column of a patient, the intervertebral disc prostheses according to the present invention is intended to maintain the separation between adjacent vertebrae and provide shock absorbent protection. Flexibility of the spinal column may also be maintained. The present invention further provides methods for the implantation of the intervertebral disc prosthesis of the present invention and an optional intervertebral spacer into the spinal column of a human or animal patient.
Inventors
- 👤 Nabil L. Muhanna
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30136; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30448; A61F2002/30459; A61F2002/30461; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30563; A61F2/3094; A61F2002/30971; A61F2002/444; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/005; A61F2220/0066; A61F2220/0075; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
45 words
An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising: a body adapted to fit an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, wherein the body comprises a resilient biocompatible material; and wherein the resilient biocompatible material has at least one defined line for removing a portion of the resilient biocompatible material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
45 words
An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising: a body adapted to fit an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, wherein the body comprises a resilient biocompatible material; and wherein the resilient biocompatible material has at least one defined line for removing a portion of the resilient biocompatible material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The intervertebral disc prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the at least one defined line is selected from a linear indentation, a plurality of indentations or a plurality of perforations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The intervertebral disc prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the resilient biocompatible material removed is a ribbon.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of maintaining an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising the steps of: (a) excising only a portion of an intervertebral disc, thereby creating a receiving slot in the intervertebral disc; and (b) inserting into the receiving slot at least one intervertebral disc prosthesis, the intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising a body adapted to fit an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, wherein the body comprises a resilient, compressible, biocompatible material.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of maintaining an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising the steps of: (a) excising only a portion of an intervertebral disc, thereby creating a receiving slot in the intervertebral disc; and (b) inserting into the receiving slot at least one intervertebral disc prosthesis, the intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising a body adapted to fit an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, wherein the body comprises a resilient, compressible, biocompatible material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising: a body adapted to fit an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, wherein the body comprises a resilient biocompatible material; and wherein the resilient biocompatible material is treated with a blood anti-coagulant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising: a body adapted to fit an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, wherein the body comprises a resilient biocompatible material; and wherein the resilient biocompatible material is treated with a blood anti-coagulant.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of maintaining an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising the steps of: (a) excising at least a portion of an intervertebral disc, thereby creating a receiving slot; and (b) inserting into the receiving slot at least one intervertebral disc prosthesis, the intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising a body adapted to fit an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, wherein the body comprises a dissected animal pericardium, and wherein the dissected animal pericardium is detoxified, fixed and treated with an anti-calcification process before implantation into a patient.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of maintaining an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising the steps of: (a) excising at least a portion of an intervertebral disc, thereby creating a receiving slot; and (b) inserting into the receiving slot at least one intervertebral disc prosthesis, the intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising a body adapted to fit an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, wherein the body comprises a dissected animal pericardium, and wherein the dissected animal pericardium is detoxified, fixed and treated with an anti-calcification process before implantation into a patient.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of maintaining an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising the steps of: (a) removing a minimal portion of the bony process of a vertebrae, thereby creating access to a damaged intervertebral disc; (b) excising only a portion of the intervertebral disc, thereby creating a receiving slot in the intervertebral disc; and (c) inserting into the receiving slot at least one intervertebral disc prosthesis, the intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising a body adapted to fit an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, wherein the body comprises a resilient biocompatible material.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of maintaining an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising the steps of: (a) removing a minimal portion of the bony process of a vertebrae, thereby creating access to a damaged intervertebral disc; (b) excising only a portion of the intervertebral disc, thereby creating a receiving slot in the intervertebral disc; and (c) inserting into the receiving slot at least one intervertebral disc prosthesis, the intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising a body adapted to fit an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, wherein the body comprises a resilient biocompatible material.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of maintaining an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising the steps of: (a) making an incision in an intervertebral disc; and (b) inserting a biocompatible material into the interior of the intervertebral disc, the interior of the intervertebral disc being at least partially hollowed out by removal of disc tissue or by disc herniation.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of maintaining an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising the steps of: (a) making an incision in an intervertebral disc; and (b) inserting a biocompatible material into the interior of the intervertebral disc, the interior of the intervertebral disc being at least partially hollowed out by removal of disc tissue or by disc herniation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 , further comprising removing at least a portion of the intervertebral disc tissue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 , further comprising removing only a portion of the intervertebral disc tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 8 , further comprising selecting the amount of material to be inserted into the interior of the intervertebral disc from a sheet of the biocompatible material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the material is a ribbon.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the material is compressible.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the material comprises a substance that, when in the interior of the intervertebral disc, has a consistency ranging from a semi-solid state to a solid state.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of a silicone-based polymer, methyl acrylate, a collagen-based gel, and a plastic.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of maintaining an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising the steps of: (a) making an incision in an intervertebral disc; (b) selecting an amount of material to be inserted into the interior of the intervertebral disc from a sheet of a biocompatible material, wherein the sheet comprises at least one defined line selected from the group consisting of an indentation, a plurality of indentations, and a plurality of partial perforations; and (c) inserting into the interior of the intervertebral disc the biocompatible material.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of maintaining an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising the steps of: (a) making an incision in an intervertebral disc; (b) selecting an amount of material to be inserted into the interior of the intervertebral disc from a sheet of a biocompatible material, wherein the sheet comprises at least one defined line selected from the group consisting of an indentation, a plurality of indentations, and a plurality of partial perforations; and (c) inserting into the interior of the intervertebral disc the biocompatible material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
A sheet of biocompatible material for use in an intervertebral disc procedure, the sheet comprising at least one defined line selected from the group consisting of an indentation, a plurality of indentations, and a plurality of partial perforations.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
A sheet of biocompatible material for use in an intervertebral disc procedure, the sheet comprising at least one defined line selected from the group consisting of an indentation, a plurality of indentations, and a plurality of partial perforations.
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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) | 2008-08-29 | 2009-02-28 | 2009-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-08-29 | 2013-02-28 | 2013-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-08-29 | 2017-02-28 | 2017-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |