US6835205B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Devices and methods for the treatment of spinal disorders
Assignee: KRT INVESTORS Inc
•
Filing: 2002-03-07
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Granted: 2004-12-28
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Expires: 2022-03-07
Abstract
Abstract Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. Dynamic bias devices and reinforcement devices are disclosed, which may be used individually or in combination, to eliminate nerve impingement associated with the damaged disc, and/or to reinforce the damaged disc, while permitting relative movement of the vertebrae adjacent the damaged disc.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Atkinson
- 👤 Peter T. Keith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7001; A61B17/7002; A61B17/7019; A61B17/7025; A61B17/7026; A61B17/7062; A61B17/7011; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2002/4435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of treating an annulus of an intervertebral disc in a patient's spine, the method comprising the steps of: providing an inflatable elongate member; providing an inflation device; connecting the inflation device to the inflatable elongate member; positioning the inflatable elongate member in the annulus of the intervertebral disc such that the inflatable elongate member extends along a circumferential portion of the annulus; inflating the inflatable elongate member in the annulus; and disconnecting the inflation device from the inflatable elongate member in the annulus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of treating an annulus of an intervertebral disc in a patient's spine, the method comprising the steps of: providing an inflatable elongate member; providing an inflation device; connecting the inflation device to the inflatable elongate member; positioning the inflatable elongate member in the annulus of the intervertebral disc such that the inflatable elongate member extends along a circumferential portion of the annulus; inflating the inflatable elongate member in the annulus; and disconnecting the inflation device from the inflatable elongate member in the annulus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , wherein the inflatable elongate member is implanted in the annulus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , wherein the annulus has been subjected to tissue removal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is positioned in a portion of the annulus not subjected to tissue removal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , wherein the inflatable elongate member is disposed completely within the annulus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , wherein the inflatable elongate member is positioned in a posterior portion of the annulus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , wherein the inflatable elongate member extends substantially parallel to a circumferential portion of the annulus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: providing a tubular insertion tool having a proximal end and a distal end; inserting the tubular insertion tool into the patient's back such the proximal end is disposed outside the patient's back and the distal end is disposed in or adjacent the annulus; and advancing the inflatable elongate member into the annulus utilizing the tubular insertion tool.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 8 , further comprising the steps of: providing a curved insertion tool having a proximal end and a curved distal end; inserting the curved insertion tool into the tubular insertion tool such the proximal end of the curved insertion tool is disposed outside the patient's back and the curved distal end of the curved insertion tool is disposed in the annulus; and advancing the inflatable elongate member into the annulus utilizing the curved insertion tool.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of treating an annulus of an intervertebral disc in a patient's spine, the method comprising the steps of: providing an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end; and positioning the elongate member in the annulus of the intervertebral disc such that the elongate member extends along a circumferential portion of the annulus wherein the elongate member further includes a plurality of portions which permit relatively easy insertion into the annulus but resist withdrawal from the annulus.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of treating an annulus of an intervertebral disc in a patient's spine, the method comprising the steps of: providing an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end; and positioning the elongate member in the annulus of the intervertebral disc such that the elongate member extends along a circumferential portion of the annulus wherein the elongate member further includes a plurality of portions which permit relatively easy insertion into the annulus but resist withdrawal from the annulus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 10 , wherein the plurality of portions, comprise ridges.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of treating an annulus of an intervertebral disc in a patient's spine, the method comprising the steps of: providing an elongate member; providing a tubular insertion tool having a proximal end and a distal end; providing a curved insertion tool having a proximal end and a curved distal end; inserting the tubular insertion tool into the patient's back such the proximal end of the tubular insertion tool is disposed outside the patient's back and the distal end of the tubular insertion tool is disposed in or adjacent the annulus; inserting the curved insertion tool into the tubular insertion tool such the proximal end of the curved insertion tool is disposed outside the patient's back and the curved distal end of the curved insertion tool is disposed in the annulus; and advancing the elongate member into the annulus utilizing the curved insertion tool.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of treating an annulus of an intervertebral disc in a patient's spine, the method comprising the steps of: providing an elongate member; providing a tubular insertion tool having a proximal end and a distal end; providing a curved insertion tool having a proximal end and a curved distal end; inserting the tubular insertion tool into the patient's back such the proximal end of the tubular insertion tool is disposed outside the patient's back and the distal end of the tubular insertion tool is disposed in or adjacent the annulus; inserting the curved insertion tool into the tubular insertion tool such the proximal end of the curved insertion tool is disposed outside the patient's back and the curved distal end of the curved insertion tool is disposed in the annulus; and advancing the elongate member into the annulus utilizing the curved insertion tool.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 12 , wherein the elongate member is implanted in the annulus.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 12 , wherein the annulus has been subjected to tissue removal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 12 , wherein the elongate member is positioned in a portion of the annulus not subjected to tissue removal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of beating an annulus in claim 12 , wherein the elongate member is disposed completely within the annulus.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 12 , wherein the elongate member is positioned along a circumferential portion of the annulus.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 17 , wherein the elongate member extends substantially parallel to the circumferential portion of the annulus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 12 , wherein the elongate member is positioned in a posterior portion of the annulus.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of treating an annulus in claim 12 , wherein a portion of the elongate member engages the annulus to limit relative movement therebetween.
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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) | 2007-12-28 | 2008-06-28 | 2008-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-12-28 | 2012-06-28 | 2012-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-12-28 | 2016-06-28 | 2016-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |