US7004970B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods and devices for spinal disc annulus reconstruction and repair
Assignee: KRT INVESTORS Inc
•
Filing: 2002-12-24
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Granted: 2006-02-28
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Expires: 2022-12-24
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides methods and devices for annulus disc repair with and without the use of a patch or stent. The methods and devices are particularly suited to the repair and/or reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, with reduced failure rate as compared to conventional surgical procedures.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph C. Cauthen III
- 👤 Matthew M. Burns
- 👤 Lawrence W. Wales
- 👤 Brian L. Dukart
- 👤 Bradley J. Wessman
- 👤 Rodney L. Houfburg
- 👤 Paul Burmeister
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:20
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; A61B17/11; A61B17/115; A61B17/1155; A61B2017/00004; A61B17/0401; A61B2017/0409; A61B2017/0417; A61B17/0469; A61B2017/0472; A61B2017/06052; A61B2017/06176; A61B2017/0641; A61B2017/0647; A61B2017/0648; A61F2/0063; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30907; A61F2/4601; A61F2002/0072; 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
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of intervertebral disc repair for treating a disc having an aperture, weakened, or thin portion in the wall of the annulus fibrosus of said intervertebral disc comprising: providing a fixation device having a first member connected to a second member; placing the first member of the fixation device into, or through, the wall of an annulus in a portion surrounding the aperture, or weakened or thin portion of the wall of said annulus; placing the second member of the fixation device in subannular space; and causing, or allowing, the first member of the fixation device to be drawn in tension to pull together, wholly or partially, the annular tissue surrounding said aperture, weakened, or thin portion of said annulus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of intervertebral disc repair for treating a disc having an aperture, weakened, or thin portion in the wall of the annulus fibrosus of said intervertebral disc comprising: providing a fixation device having a first member connected to a second member; placing the first member of the fixation device into, or through, the wall of an annulus in a portion surrounding the aperture, or weakened or thin portion of the wall of said annulus; placing the second member of the fixation device in subannular space; and causing, or allowing, the first member of the fixation device to be drawn in tension to pull together, wholly or partially, the annular tissue surrounding said aperture, weakened, or thin portion of said annulus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of claim 1 , wherein said fixation device comprises at least one surgical suture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method of claim 2 , wherein said surgical suture material is biodegradable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of claim 1 , wherein said fixation device comprises at least one anchor portion and at least one band portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method of claim 1 , wherein said fixation device is formed from biodegradable material or bioabsorbable material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method of claim 4 , wherein said anchor portion comprises at least one T-anchor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method of claim 4 , wherein said anchor portion comprises at least one barb.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of claim 7 , wherein at least one tip of the at least one barb is formed from biodegradable material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method of claim 4 , wherein said at least one band portion is formed from suture material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of claim 4 , wherein said at least one band portion is formed from at least one wire.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of claim 10 , wherein said at least one wire comprises a nickel titanium alloy or stainless steel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method of claim 4 , wherein a portion of said band that is contiguous with said anchor portion is formed from at least one wire, and a portion of said band spanning said aperture is formed from suture material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method of claim 12 , wherein said suture material is in the form of a mesh tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of claim 12 , wherein said suture material has a width greater than its height.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method of claim 1 , wherein said fixation device further comprises a knot.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method of claim 15 , wherein said knot is pre-formed prior to placement of said fixation device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method of claim 1 , wherein said fixation device further comprises a locking device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the step of rotating the second member in the subannular space prior to causing or allowing the first member to be drawn in tension.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said fixation device comprises a biocompatible material.
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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 |