US7553330B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods of reinforcing an intervertebral disc annulus
Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics Inc
•
Filing: 2006-08-22
•
Granted: 2009-06-30
•
Expires: 2026-08-22
Abstract
Abstract Methods of reinforcing annulus fibrosis tissue within an intervertebral disc include the implantation of a support member also functioning as a barrier to resist damage to the tissue or herniation of tissue outside the disc. The device may be anchored to the surrounding tissue. The device is compressible and may be delivered in a minimally invasive manner through a cannula.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory H. Lambrecht
- 👤 Robert Kevin Moore
- 👤 Thomas Banks
- 👤 Russel J. Redmond
- 👤 Claude A. Vidal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B5/1076; A61B17/00; A61B17/0057; A61B17/04; A61B17/0401; A61B17/068; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320708; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/442; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/4657; A61B17/0469; A61B17/0487; A61B17/064; A61B17/34; A61B17/3468; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7094; A61B17/7095; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557; A61B2017/00637; A61B2017/00646; A61B2017/00654; A61B2017/00659; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61B2017/044; A61B2017/0446; A61B2017/0458; A61B2017/0488; A61B2017/0496; A61B2017/0647; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22072; A61B2017/22074; A61B2017/22077; A61B2017/320044; 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; A61F2002/4635; 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: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of reinforcing an annulus of an intervertebral disc comprising: identifying a pre-existing defect in the annulus; wherein the defect is bordered by an outermost layer of the annulus and an innermost layer of the annulus, the method comprising: providing a biocompatible support member; and implanting the biocompatible support member along an innermost surface of the annulus without removing a substantial portion of the nucleus pulposus; positioning said biocompatible support member entirely beyond said defect; positioning said biocompatible support member to span said defect, thereby closing said defect and minimizing leakage of a naturally-occurring nucleus pulposus material into the defect; anchoring the biocompatible support member; wherein said biocompatible support member extends entirely along the innermost layer of the annulus, and wherein said biocompatible support member is positioned in front of said defect and disposed against said innermost layer, thereby reinforcing the annulus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of reinforcing an annulus of an intervertebral disc comprising: identifying a pre-existing defect in the annulus; wherein the defect is bordered by an outermost layer of the annulus and an innermost layer of the annulus, the method comprising: providing a biocompatible support member; and implanting the biocompatible support member along an innermost surface of the annulus without removing a substantial portion of the nucleus pulposus; positioning said biocompatible support member entirely beyond said defect; positioning said biocompatible support member to span said defect, thereby closing said defect and minimizing leakage of a naturally-occurring nucleus pulposus material into the defect; anchoring the biocompatible support member; wherein said biocompatible support member extends entirely along the innermost layer of the annulus, and wherein said biocompatible support member is positioned in front of said defect and disposed against said innermost layer, thereby reinforcing the annulus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of anchoring the biocompatible support member comprises anchoring said biocompatible support member to the annulus or a vertebral body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of attaching the biocompatible support member to a connector and anchoring the connector to a wall of the annulus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of attaching the biocompatible support member to a connector and anchoring the connector to a vertebral endplate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of attaching a connector to a wall of the annulus, wherein said connector is coupled to said support member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of attaching a connector to a vertebral endplate, wherein said connector is coupled to said biocompatible support member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising displacing a herniated annulus segment to approximately its pre-herniated location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a biocompatible support member comprises providing a barrier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of implanting the biocompatible support member comprises placing said support member to substantially seal a defect in the intervertebral disc.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising securely establishing the biocompatible support member to, within, or posterior to a herniated segment in the disc.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 10 , further comprising returning at least a portion of the herniated segment of the annulus to a site substantially within its pre-herniated borders.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising distributing pressure within the disc space.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising facilitating tissue ingrowth of disc tissue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing augmentation material operable to augment the nucleus pulposus of the disc.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of treating an intervertebral disc comprising an annulus fibrosis and a nucleus pulposus, said disc comprising a defect in a wall of the annulus fibrosis, wherein the defect is bordered by an outermost layer of the annulus and an innermost layer of the annulus, the method comprising: providing at least one support member; providing at least one fixation device; inserting said at least one fixation device through and beyond said defect and into a vertebra adjacent to said defect; inserting said support member through and entirely beyond said defect without removing a substantial portion of the nucleus pulposus; positioning said support member entirely against the innermost surface of the annulus to close said defect; and securing said support member using said at least one fixation device.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of treating an intervertebral disc comprising an annulus fibrosis and a nucleus pulposus, said disc comprising a defect in a wall of the annulus fibrosis, wherein the defect is bordered by an outermost layer of the annulus and an innermost layer of the annulus, the method comprising: providing at least one support member; providing at least one fixation device; inserting said at least one fixation device through and beyond said defect and into a vertebra adjacent to said defect; inserting said support member through and entirely beyond said defect without removing a substantial portion of the nucleus pulposus; positioning said support member entirely against the innermost surface of the annulus to close said defect; and securing said support member using said at least one fixation device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the defect is a naturally occurring defect.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the support member comprises a patch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein said at least one fixation device comprises a bone anchor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein said at least one fixation device comprises a suture.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 15 , further comprising inserting a second fixation device into a second vertebra adjacent to said defect, wherein the second vertebra and the first vertebra are opposing vertebrae.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15 , further comprising partially or fully closing the defect by pulling together surrounding tissue.
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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) | 2012-06-29 | 2012-12-29 | 2013-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2016-06-29 | 2016-12-29 | 2017-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2020-06-29 | 2020-12-29 | 2021-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |