Patent US7189235B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7189235B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Spinal disc annulus reconstruction method and spinal disc annulus stent
Assignee: KRT INVESTORS Inc
•
Filing: 2003-03-19
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Granted: 2007-03-13
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Expires: 2023-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A surgical method of repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, incorporating suture closure, or stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. The design of the spinal disc annulus stent allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph C. Cauthen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:52
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; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61B2017/00004; A61B2017/06176; A61B2017/0641; A61B2017/0647; A61B2017/0648; A61F2/0063; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30907; A61F2/4601; 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; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A method for treating an intervertebral disc having an aperture in the annulus fibrosus, wherein the aperture provides a pathway for the migration of intradiscal material from the subannular space, the method comprising the steps of: providing a device having a first folded configuration and second unfolded configuration, wherein said unfolded configuration has a width dimension, a depth dimension, and a height dimension, wherein, in use, said height dimension lies substantially parallel to the axis of a patient's spine, the depth dimension lies substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine, and the width dimension lies substantially parallel to the circumference of the patient's disc annulus, and wherein said width dimension is greater than said height dimension and said height dimension is greater than said depth dimension; wherein the first folded configuration comprises dimensions permitting said device to pass through the aperture and the second unfolded configuration comprises at least one dimension larger than a dimension of the aperture; inserting the device through the aperture in the first configuration; and causing or allowing the device to obtain said second configuration whereby said width or height dimension at least partially spans said aperture, thereby providing a barrier restricting the migration of intradiscal material through the aperture.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
205 words
A method for treating an intervertebral disc having an aperture in the annulus fibrosus, wherein the aperture provides a pathway for the migration of intradiscal material from the subannular space, the method comprising the steps of: providing a device having a first folded configuration and second unfolded configuration, wherein said unfolded configuration has a width dimension, a depth dimension, and a height dimension, wherein, in use, said height dimension lies substantially parallel to the axis of a patient's spine, the depth dimension lies substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine, and the width dimension lies substantially parallel to the circumference of the patient's disc annulus, and wherein said width dimension is greater than said height dimension and said height dimension is greater than said depth dimension; wherein the first folded configuration comprises dimensions permitting said device to pass through the aperture and the second unfolded configuration comprises at least one dimension larger than a dimension of the aperture; inserting the device through the aperture in the first configuration; and causing or allowing the device to obtain said second configuration whereby said width or height dimension at least partially spans said aperture, thereby providing a barrier restricting the migration of intradiscal material through the aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the device is comprised at least in part of a shape memory material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is comprised at least in part of biocompatible fabric.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is at least in part bioabsorbable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of treating the annulus tissue surrounding the aperture to reduce the relative motion thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of reapproximating the aperture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises at least one fixation element for attaching the device to the annulus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the device further comprises at least one element for reapproximating the aperture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is pathologic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is formed at least in part by a surgical incision.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method for treating an intervertebral disc having an aperture in the annulus fibrosus, wherein the method of claim 1 is performed following discectomy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying sutures to acutely stabilize said device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said device is comprised at least in part from autograft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said autograft is muscle fascia.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said device is comprised at least in part from allograft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said device is comprised at least in part from a biocompatible membrane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein said biocompatible membrane is a medical grade biocompatible fabric.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein said biocompatible membrane is a medical grade polymeric sheet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said device is applied at least in part in said aperture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein said device comprises a filler material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein said filler is at least in part form-fitting.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein said filler is at least in part non-form-fitting.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of placing sutures at about equal distances along the sides of the aperture.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the device comprises a biodegradable or bioresorbable material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the biodegradable or bioresorbable material comprises a fibrous mesh.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the biodegradable material comprises a medical grade polymeric sheet.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is comprised at least in part of biocompatible fibrous mesh.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of expandable polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), a material to facilitate regeneration of disc tissue, and a hygroscopic material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the material to facilitate tissue growth comprises a bioactive silica based material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the material to facilitate tissue growth comprises a tissue growth factor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is comprised at least in part of polymer fibers.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the device is porous.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the device is non-porous.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the device is formed at least in part of xenograft.
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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) | 2010-03-12 | 2010-09-11 | 2011-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-03-12 | 2014-09-11 | 2015-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-03-12 | 2018-09-11 | 2019-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |