US7258700B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Devices and method for nucleus pulposus augmentation and retention
Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics Inc
•
Filing: 2001-10-25
•
Granted: 2007-08-21
•
Expires: 2021-10-25
Abstract
Abstract Systems for minimally invasive disc augmentation include an anulus augmentation component and a nucleus augmentation component. Both are suited for minimally invasive deployment. The nucleus augmentation component restores disc height and/or replaces missing nucleus pulposus. The anulus augmentation component shields weakened regions of the anulus fibrosis and/or resists escape of natural nucleus pulposus and/or the nucleus augmentation component. Methods and deployment devices are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Greg H. Lambrecht
- 👤 Robert Kevin Moore
- 👤 Jacob Einhorn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/0401; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320708; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B5/1076; A61F2/441; A61F2/4455; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/4657; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557; A61B2017/044; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22072; A61B2017/22074; A61B2017/22077; A61B2017/320044; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B2017/3445; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/061; A61B2090/062; A61B5/45; A61B5/4514; A61F2/28; A61F2/2846; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30723; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30907; A61F2/4601; A61F2002/2817; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30075; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30131; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30228; A61F2002/30291; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30462; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30565; A61F2002/30571; A61F2002/30581; A61F2002/30583; A61F2002/30589; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30677; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/4435; A61F2002/444; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/4615; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4635; A61F2002/4658; A61F2002/4661; A61F2002/4662; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2210/0061; A61F2210/0085; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0075; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0013; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2230/0091; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00029; A61F2310/00179; A61F2310/00293; A61F2310/00365; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/0097; A61F2310/00976
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An intervertebral disc system comprising: at least one annulus augmentation device; at least one nuclear augmentation material; wherein the annulus augmentation device is configured to resist migration within the disc region bounded by the annulus and vertebral body endplates without depending on the nuclear augmentation material, wherein the annulus augmentation device is independent of the nuclear augmentation material, wherein the annulus augmentation device comprises a biocompatible support member, wherein said biocompatible support member comprises a metallic lattice frame and a membrane, wherein said biocompatible support member is adapted to partially encapsulates the nuclear augmentation material, and wherein said nuclear augmentation material comprises a fluid that is adapted to remain fluid after said nuclear augmentation material is implanted or infused in an intervertebral disc.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
An intervertebral disc system comprising: at least one annulus augmentation device; at least one nuclear augmentation material; wherein the annulus augmentation device is configured to resist migration within the disc region bounded by the annulus and vertebral body endplates without depending on the nuclear augmentation material, wherein the annulus augmentation device is independent of the nuclear augmentation material, wherein the annulus augmentation device comprises a biocompatible support member, wherein said biocompatible support member comprises a metallic lattice frame and a membrane, wherein said biocompatible support member is adapted to partially encapsulates the nuclear augmentation material, and wherein said nuclear augmentation material comprises a fluid that is adapted to remain fluid after said nuclear augmentation material is implanted or infused in an intervertebral disc.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said annulus augmentation device prevents the extrusion of materials from within the space normally occupied by the nucleus pulposus and inner annulus fibrosus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said annulus augmentation device is a barrier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said nuclear augmentation material restores diminished disc height and pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said nuclear augmentation material induces the growth or formation of material within the nuclear space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said annulus augmentation device is removable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said nuclear augmentation material is removable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said nuclear augmentation material comprises a pharmacologically active agent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said fluid is selected from the group consisting of one or more of the following: steroids, antibiotics, tissue necrosis factors, tissue necrosis factor antagonists, analgesics, growth factors, genes, gene vectors, hyaluronic acid, non-crosslinked collagen, fibrin, liquid fat, oils, synthetic polymers, polyethylene glycol, liquid silicones, synthetic oils, and saline.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The intervertebral disc system of claim 1 , furthering comprising at least one anchor, wherein said at least one anchor is adapted to be coupled to at least a portion of the annulus augmentation device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The intervertebral disc system of claim 1 , wherein the annulus augmentation device comprises a barrier.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The intervertebral disc system of claim 1 , wherein the annulus augmentation device has a cylindrical cross-section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The intervertebral disc system of claim 1 , wherein the annulus augmentation device is configured to present a concavity facing the nucleus in the implanted orientation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The intervertebral disc system of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said fluid is absorbable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The intervertebral disc system of claim 1 , wherein the frame is non-inflatable.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of repairing or rehabilitating an intervertebral disc by augmentation comprising: inserting at least one nuclear augmentation material; inserting at least one annulus augmentation device to partially encapsulate the nuclear augmentation material; and anchoring the annulus augmentation device to the disc; wherein said at least one annulus augmentation device is configured to resist migration within the disc region bounded by the annulus and vertebral body endplates without depending on the nuclear augmentation material; wherein said at least one annulus augmentation device comprises a membrane and a frame, wherein said at least one nuclear augmentation material is independent of said annulus augmentation device, and wherein said nuclear augmentation material comprises a fluid that remains fluid after said nuclear augmentation material is implanted or infused in an intervertebral disc.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of repairing or rehabilitating an intervertebral disc by augmentation comprising: inserting at least one nuclear augmentation material; inserting at least one annulus augmentation device to partially encapsulate the nuclear augmentation material; and anchoring the annulus augmentation device to the disc; wherein said at least one annulus augmentation device is configured to resist migration within the disc region bounded by the annulus and vertebral body endplates without depending on the nuclear augmentation material; wherein said at least one annulus augmentation device comprises a membrane and a frame, wherein said at least one nuclear augmentation material is independent of said annulus augmentation device, and wherein said nuclear augmentation material comprises a fluid that remains fluid after said nuclear augmentation material is implanted or infused in an intervertebral disc.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein said nuclear augmentation material conforms to healthy regions of the annulus while said annulus augmentation device shields weaker regions of the annulus.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein the step of inserting at least one annulus augmentation device to partially encapsulate the nuclear augmentation material comprises inserting at least one annulus augmentation device to partially encapsulate the nuclear augmentation without inflating the annulus augmentation device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein the step of inserting at least one nuclear augmentation material comprises inserting at least one nuclear augmentation material without removing a substantial portion of native nucleus.
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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) | 2010-08-20 | 2011-02-19 | 2011-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-08-20 | 2015-02-19 | 2015-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-08-20 | 2019-02-19 | 2019-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |