US6482234B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Prosthetic spinal disc
Assignee: Pearl Technology Holdings LLC
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Filing: 2000-04-26
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Granted: 2002-11-19
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Expires: 2020-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A prosthetic spinal disc may include a nucleus and an annulus that together may be optionally shaped, using a computed tomography (CT) scan, ultrasound imaging and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The nucleus includes a central area having a material density that is different than the material density of the annulus. The nucleus may alternately include an area for the introduction of a central supporting fluid or gel. An optional fiberoptic carriage may be used to provide tissue ingrowth from the supported vertebrae and optional internal baffling provides additional stabilization.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul J. Weber
- 👤 Luiz B. Da Silva
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/442; A61F2/30767; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/30004; A61F2002/30006; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30563; A61F2002/30581; A61F2/30721; A61F2002/30733; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30879; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0014; A61F2250/0015; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00365
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: a biocompatible annulus comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; and a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a second material density, wherein an outer portion of said spinal disc comprises at least one pore to allow ingrowth of biological material, wherein said outer portion is selected from a group consisting of said first outer portion and said second outer portion, wherein said at least one pore comprises a plurality of pores formed at an angle with respect to said outer portion, wherein said plurality of pores are each formed at about 30 degrees in a spiral pattern.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: a biocompatible annulus comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; and a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a second material density, wherein an outer portion of said spinal disc comprises at least one pore to allow ingrowth of biological material, wherein said outer portion is selected from a group consisting of said first outer portion and said second outer portion, wherein said at least one pore comprises a plurality of pores formed at an angle with respect to said outer portion, wherein said plurality of pores are each formed at about 30 degrees in a spiral pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
123 words
A prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: a biocompatible annulus comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a second material density; and at least one fiber optic passing through said annulus and terminating at an outer portion of said annulus selected from a group consisting of said first outer portion and said second outer portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
123 words
A prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: a biocompatible annulus comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a second material density; and at least one fiber optic passing through said annulus and terminating at an outer portion of said annulus selected from a group consisting of said first outer portion and said second outer portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The prosthetic spinal disc of claim 2 , wherein said at least one fiber optic comprises a plurality of fiber optics.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The prosthetic spinal disc of claim 3 , wherein said plurality of fiber optics pass through said annulus and said nucleus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The prosthetic spinal disc of claim 3 , further comprising means for providing electromagnetic radiation into said at least one fiber optic, wherein said electromagnetic radiation comprises a wavelength that causes ingrowth of beneficial tissues and cells.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The prosthetic spinal disc of claim 5 , wherein said means for providing electromagnetic radiation comprise a laser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The prosthetic spinal disc of claim 6 , wherein said laser comprises a pulsed HO:YAG laser at a wavelength of about 2.09 μm, with a pulse duration of about 300 μs, a pulse repetition rate of about 5 Hz and a pulse energy within a range from 0.005 Joules to 0.08 Joules.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The prosthetic spinal disc of claim 6 , wherein said laser comprises a continuous wave Erbium fiber laser at a wavelength of 1.56 μm and a power of from 1.5 to 3.0 watts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
A prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: a biocompatible annulus comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; and a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a second material density, wherein said nucleus comprises septae for dividing and strengthening said nucleus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
A prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: a biocompatible annulus comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; and a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a second material density, wherein said nucleus comprises septae for dividing and strengthening said nucleus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
139 words
A prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: a biocompatible annulus comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; and a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a second material density, wherein an outer portion of said spinal disc comprises at least one pore to allow ingrowth of biological material wherein said outer portion is selected from a group consisting of said first outer portion and said second outer portion, wherein said at least one pore comprises a growth factor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
139 words
A prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: a biocompatible annulus comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; and a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a second material density, wherein an outer portion of said spinal disc comprises at least one pore to allow ingrowth of biological material wherein said outer portion is selected from a group consisting of said first outer portion and said second outer portion, wherein said at least one pore comprises a growth factor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
109 words
A prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: a biocompatible annulus comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; and a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a second material density, wherein said biocompartible annulus comprises a material selected from a group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polytretrafluoroethylene, polyurethane and polydinethylsiloxane.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
109 words
A prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: a biocompatible annulus comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; and a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a second material density, wherein said biocompartible annulus comprises a material selected from a group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polytretrafluoroethylene, polyurethane and polydinethylsiloxane.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of making a prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: forming a biocompatible annulus from material comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; forming a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a material having a second material density; and obtaining values for contouring said first outer portion and said second outer portion, wherein said values are obtained with a machine selected from a group consisting of a magnetic resonance imaging machine, a computed tomography machine and an ultrasound imaging machine.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of making a prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: forming a biocompatible annulus from material comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; forming a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a material having a second material density; and obtaining values for contouring said first outer portion and said second outer portion, wherein said values are obtained with a machine selected from a group consisting of a magnetic resonance imaging machine, a computed tomography machine and an ultrasound imaging machine.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of making a prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: forming a biocompatible annulus from material comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; forming at least one pore in said outer portion to allow ingrowth of biological material, wherein said outer portion is selected from a group consisting of said first outer portion and said second outer portion, wherein said at least one pore comprises a plurality of pores formed at an angle with respect to said outer portion; and forming a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a material having a second material density, wherein said plurality of pores are each formed at about 30 degrees in a spiral pattern.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of making a prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: forming a biocompatible annulus from material comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; forming at least one pore in said outer portion to allow ingrowth of biological material, wherein said outer portion is selected from a group consisting of said first outer portion and said second outer portion, wherein said at least one pore comprises a plurality of pores formed at an angle with respect to said outer portion; and forming a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a material having a second material density, wherein said plurality of pores are each formed at about 30 degrees in a spiral pattern.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of making a prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: forming a biocompatible annulus from material comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; forming a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a material having a second material density; and providing at least one fiber optic passing through said annulus and terminating at an outer portion of said annulus selected from a group consisting of said first outer portion and said second outer portion.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of making a prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: forming a biocompatible annulus from material comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; forming a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a material having a second material density; and providing at least one fiber optic passing through said annulus and terminating at an outer portion of said annulus selected from a group consisting of said first outer portion and said second outer portion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said at least one fiber optic comprises a plurality of fiber optics.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein said plurality of fiber optics pass through said annulus and said nucleus.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of making a prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: forming a biocompatible annulus from material comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; forming a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a material having a second material density; and forming septae in said nucleus for dividing and strengthening said nucleus.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of making a prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: forming a biocompatible annulus from material comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) will be located; forming a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a material having a second material density; and forming septae in said nucleus for dividing and strengthening said nucleus.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of making a prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: forming a biocompatible annulus from material comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (ii) will be located; forming at least one pore in said outer portion to allow ingrowth of biological material, wherein said outer portion is selected from a group consisting of said first outer portion and said second outer portion; and forming a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a material having a second material density, wherein said at least one pore comprises a growth factor.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of making a prosthetic spinal disc, comprising: forming a biocompatible annulus from material comprising a first material density, wherein said biocompatible annulus comprises (i) a first outer portion, (ii) a second outer portion and (iii) at least one lip, wherein at least one of said (i), (ii) or (iii) are contoured to substantially correspond to a surface of a vertebrae prior to placement against said vertebra against which at least one of said (i), (ii) or (ii) will be located; forming at least one pore in said outer portion to allow ingrowth of biological material, wherein said outer portion is selected from a group consisting of said first outer portion and said second outer portion; and forming a nucleus within said biocompatible annulus, wherein said nucleus comprises a material having a second material density, wherein said at least one pore comprises a growth factor.
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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) | 2005-11-18 | 2006-05-20 | 2006-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-18 | 2010-05-20 | 2010-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-18 | 2014-05-20 | 2014-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |