US6984247B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spinal disc annulus reconstruction method and spinal disc annulus stent
Assignee: KRT INVESTORS Inc
•
Filing: 2003-02-12
•
Granted: 2006-01-10
•
Expires: 2023-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A surgical method of repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, incorporating suture closure, or stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. The design of the spinal disc annulus stent allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph C. Cauthen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/442; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B17/06166; A61B17/064; A61B17/0642; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61B2017/00004; A61B2017/06176; A61B2017/0641; A61B2017/0647; A61B2017/0648; A61F2/0063; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30907; A61F2/4601; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2817; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30092; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30158; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30299; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30579; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/4435; A61F2002/444; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2210/0014; A61F2210/0019; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0026; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0093; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for primarily treating an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc having an aperture in the annulus fibrosus, wherein the aperture provides a pathway for the migration of intradiscal material from the subannular space, the method comprising the steps of: providing a device having a dimension during deployment permitting said device to pass through the aperture; inserting the device through the aperture into the subannular space; and causing or allowing the device to orient in the subannular space such that said device at least partially spans said aperture, wherein said device has a portion that is provided primarily for treating said aperture and serves as a barrier restricting the migration of intradiscal material through the aperture.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for primarily treating an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc having an aperture in the annulus fibrosus, wherein the aperture provides a pathway for the migration of intradiscal material from the subannular space, the method comprising the steps of: providing a device having a dimension during deployment permitting said device to pass through the aperture; inserting the device through the aperture into the subannular space; and causing or allowing the device to orient in the subannular space such that said device at least partially spans said aperture, wherein said device has a portion that is provided primarily for treating said aperture and serves as a barrier restricting the migration of intradiscal material through the aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is comprised at least in part of a shape memory material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is comprised at least in part of biocompatible fabric.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is at least in part bioabsorbable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of treating the annulus tissue surrounding the aperture to reduce the relative motion thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of reapproximating the aperture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises at least one fixation element for attaching the device to the annulus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the device further comprises at least one element for reapproximating the aperture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is pathologic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is formed at least in part by a surgical incision.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for treating an intervertebral disc having an aperture in the annulus fibrosus, wherein the method of claim 1 is performed following a discectomy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying sutures to acutely stabilize said device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said device is comprised at least in part from autograft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said autograft is muscle fascia.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said device is comprised at least in part from allograft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said device is comprised at least in part from a biocompatible membrane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein said biocompatible membrane is a medical grade biocompatible fabric.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein said biocompatible membrane is a medical grade polymeric sheet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said device is applied at least in part in said aperture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein said device is a filler.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein said filler is at least in part form-fitting.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein said filler is at least in part non-form-fitting.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of placing sutures at about equal distances along the sides of the aperture.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said device is comprised at least in part from xenograft.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a portion of said device serves as a scaffold for cells across the aperture to enhance natural healing.
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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) | 2009-01-09 | 2009-07-11 | 2010-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-01-09 | 2013-07-11 | 2014-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-01-09 | 2017-07-11 | 2018-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |