Patent US7004945B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7004945B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Devices and methods for the restoration of a spinal disc
Assignee: Spine Wave Inc
•
Filing: 2002-10-29
•
Granted: 2006-02-28
•
Expires: 2022-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A system and method is provided for maintaining a proper intervertebral disc height during the replacement or augmentation of the spinal disc. In one embodiment, a cannulated distractor is used to distract the adjacent vertebrae and maintain a proper disc space height. The cannulated distractor is fluidly connected to a source of fluent material for injection into the disc space. The distraction includes a distraction tip resident within the disc space that includes a central lumen and a number of openings communicating with the lumen to dispense the fluent material within the disc space.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence M. Boyd
- 👤 Maureen L. Upton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4675; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/88; A61B17/8802; A61B17/8805; A61B17/8811; A61P; A61P3/00; A61P3/12; A61P3/14; A61P43/00; A61P9/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218; A61B17/34; A61B17/3472; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/0046; A61B2017/00469; A61B17/025; A61B2017/0256; A61B2017/564; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2002/444; A61F2002/4635; A61F2002/4677
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space comprising the steps of: creating a portal in the annulus fibrosis in communication with the intradiscal space; impacting a cannulated distractor into the portal, the distractor configured to distract the vertebrae adjacent the intradiscal space and to establish a disc space height between the adjacent vertebrae; and introducing the fluent material into the intradiscal space through a lumen of the cannulated distractor while the distractor maintains the established disc space height.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space comprising the steps of: creating a portal in the annulus fibrosis in communication with the intradiscal space; impacting a cannulated distractor into the portal, the distractor configured to distract the vertebrae adjacent the intradiscal space and to establish a disc space height between the adjacent vertebrae; and introducing the fluent material into the intradiscal space through a lumen of the cannulated distractor while the distractor maintains the established disc space height.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 1 , further comprising: the step of performing a discectomy after the step of creating a portal, the discectomy forming a cavity within the intradiscal space; wherein the step of impacting a cannulated distractor includes positioning the distractor so that the lumen is in communication with the cavity; and wherein the step of introducing the fluid includes introducing the fluid into the cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 2 , wherein the discectomy is a total discectomy in which substantially all of the nucleus pulposus is removed from the disc space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space of claim 2 , wherein the fluent material is a curable biomaterial and the step of introducing the fluent material includes maintaining the distractor in its impacted position until the biomaterial cures in situ.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space of claim 1 , wherein the step of introducing the fluent material includes introducing the fluent material under pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space of claim 5 , wherein the cannulated distractor is sized to seal the portal when the distractor is impacted therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space of claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a vent in the cannulated distractor, wherein the step of introducing the fluent material includes introducing the material into the intradiscal space until the fluent material seeps from the vent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space of claim 1 , wherein the step of introducing the fluent material includes: fluidly engaging the cannulated distractor to a fluid injector apparatus; and actuating the apparatus to inject the fluent material through the lumen of the cannulated distractor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space of claim 1 , wherein the step of introducing the fluent material includes: extending a tube through the lumen in the cannulated distractor, the tube fluidly connected to a source of the fluent material; and introducing the fluent material through the tube into the intradiscal space.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space of claim 9 , wherein the step of extending the tube through the lumen includes providing a seal between the tube and the lumen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space of claim 9 , wherein the step of introducing the fluent material through the tube includes manipulating the tube so that the discharge opening of the tube sweeps through the intradiscal space while the fluent material is introduced through the tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space of claim 9 , wherein the step of introducing the fluent material through the tube includes gradually withdrawing the tube from the lumen while the fluent material is introduced through the tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space of claim 1 , wherein the step of introducing the fluent material includes: extending a tube through the lumen in the cannulated distractor, the tube fluidly connected to a source of the fluent material; and introducing the fluent material through the tube into the intradiscal space.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space of claim 13 , wherein the step of extending the tube through the lumen includes providing a seal between the tube and the lumen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space of claim 13 , wherein the step of introducing the fluent material through the tube includes manipulating the tube so that the discharge opening of the tube sweeps through the intradiscal space while the fluent material is introduced through the tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space of claim 13 , wherein the step of introducing the fluent material through the tube includes gradually withdrawing the tube from the lumen while the fluent material is introduced through the tube.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space comprising the steps of: creating a portal in the annulus fibrosis in communication with the intradiscal space; placing a cannulated distractor into the portal, the distractor configured after placement to distract the vertebrae adjacent the intradiscal space and to establish a disc space height between the adjacent vertebrae; and introducing the fluent material into the intradiscal space through a lumen of the cannulated distractor while the distractor maintains the established disc space height.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space comprising the steps of: creating a portal in the annulus fibrosis in communication with the intradiscal space; placing a cannulated distractor into the portal, the distractor configured after placement to distract the vertebrae adjacent the intradiscal space and to establish a disc space height between the adjacent vertebrae; and introducing the fluent material into the intradiscal space through a lumen of the cannulated distractor while the distractor maintains the established disc space height.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 17 , further comprising: the step of performing a discectomy after the step of creating a portal, the discectomy forming a cavity within the intradiscal space; wherein the step of placing a cannulated distractor includes positioning the distractor so that the lumen is in communication with the cavity; and wherein the step of introducing the fluid includes introducing the fluid into the cavity.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space of claim 18 , wherein the fluent material is a curable biomaterial and the step of introducing the fluent material includes maintaining the distractor in its position until the biomaterial cures in situ.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space of claim 17 , wherein the step of introducing the fluent material includes introducing the fluent material under pressure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method for injecting a fluent material into a disc space of claim 17 , further comprising the step of providing a vent in the cannulated distractor, wherein the step of introducing the fluent material includes introducing the material into the intradiscal space until the fluent material seeps from the vent.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
105 words
A device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space comprising: a distraction member having opposite surfaces configured to distract adjacent vertebrae to the disc space, the distraction member having a proximal end and a distal end portion, at least the distal end portion configured to be disposed within the disc space; a fluid passageway defined between said proximal end and said distal end portion, said fluid passageway defining an opening at said proximal end and at said distal end portion; and said proximal end of said distraction member being configured for fluidly connecting said distraction member to a source of the fluent material.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
105 words
A device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space comprising: a distraction member having opposite surfaces configured to distract adjacent vertebrae to the disc space, the distraction member having a proximal end and a distal end portion, at least the distal end portion configured to be disposed within the disc space; a fluid passageway defined between said proximal end and said distal end portion, said fluid passageway defining an opening at said proximal end and at said distal end portion; and said proximal end of said distraction member being configured for fluidly connecting said distraction member to a source of the fluent material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 22 , wherein at least said distal end portion of said distraction member is bullet-shaped.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 22 , wherein at least said distal end portion of said distraction member is wedge-shaped with opposite substantially flat sides.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 22 , wherein at least said distal end portion of said distraction member is cruciate-shaped.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 22 , wherein at least said distal end portion of said distraction member is I-beam shaped.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 22 , wherein at least said distal end portion of said distraction member is C-shaped.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 22 , wherein said fluid passageway defines a plurality of openings at said distal end portion of said distraction member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 28 , wherein: said fluid passageway is an elongated passageway extending from said proximal end to said distal end portion of said distraction member; and said plurality of openings includes an opening along the length of said elongated passageway and a plurality of openings transverse to said elongated passageway.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 22 , wherein said distraction member defines a vent opening separate from said fluid passageway.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
76 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 22 , further comprising an injection tube sized to extend through said fluid passageway in said distraction member, said injection tube having a proximal end configured for fluidly connecting to a source of the fluent material and a discharge opening at an opposite distal end, said distal end configured to be disposed within the disc space when extending through said fluid passageway.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 31 , further comprising a seal disposed between said passageway in said distraction member and said injection tube.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 31 , wherein said injection tube is sized relative to said fluid passageway so that said distal end of said injection tube can be manipulated within the disc space when said injection tube extends through said fluid passageway.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 31 , wherein said distraction member defines a vent opening separate from said fluid passageway.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 22 , wherein said distraction member is formed of a bioresorbable material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 22 , wherein said distraction member includes a sealing element associated with a proximal portion of said distal end portion, said sealing element configured to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal within the disc space.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 36 , wherein said sealing element includes a number of seal rings disposed on said distal end portion.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 37 , wherein said seal rings are integral with said distal end portion.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 38 , wherein said seal rings are elastomeric rings mounted on said distal end portion.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 22 , wherein said proximal end of said distraction member includes a fitting for fluidly connecting said distraction member to the source of the fluent material.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
67 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 40 , further comprising an elongated cannula defining a lumen therethrough, said cannula having a first fitting at one end thereof configured for fluid tight connection to said fitting of said distraction member and a second fitting at an opposite end thereof configured for fluid connection to a source of the fluent material.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device for injecting a fluent material into a disc space according to claim 41 , wherein said distraction member is integral with said cannula and said second fitting is said fitting associated with said proximal end of said distraction member.
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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) | 2009-02-27 | 2009-08-29 | 2010-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-02-27 | 2013-08-29 | 2014-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-02-27 | 2017-08-29 | 2018-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |