Granted Patent B2

US 8,105,384 · App. 12/494,144 · Granted Jan 31, 2012

Assignee: Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc.

Abstract

Claims (58)

1. A method of repairing a weakened segment of an anulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc comprising the steps of:

identifying a weakened segment in an anulus fibrosus, wherein the weakened segment comprises a hole;

wherein the hole is bordered by an outermost layer of the anulus and an innermost layer of the anulus;

providing a disc repair device comprising a first support member, a connection member, and a second support member,

wherein said first support member has at least one dimension larger than the hole,

wherein said second support member comprises a plate or rod,

wherein said connection member comprises a suture, and

wherein said connection member connects the first support member and the second support member;

inserting at least a portion of said disc repair device into the weakened segment;

positioning the disc repair device so that at least a portion of the first support member is beyond the innermost layer of the anulus;

positioning the disc repair device so that at least a portion of the second support member contacts the weakened segment of the annulus; and

anchoring the second support member to a vertebral body.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first support member is positioned against two opposing vertebral endplates or overlying cartilage.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first support member augments a nucleus pulposus of the disc to avoid or reverse disc height loss.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second support member comprises a bone or tissue anchor.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first support member, the connection member, and the second support member are a single integral unit.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the disc repair device facilitates tissue ingrowth.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first support member is configured to reduce the extrusion of disc material through the hole.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hole comprises a pre-existing tear.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hole comprises a surgically-formed puncture.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting at least a portion of said disc repair device into the weakened segment comprises inserting at least a portion of said disc repair device through the hole.

11. A method of repairing a weakened segment of an anulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc comprising the steps of:

identifying a weakened segment in an anulus fibrosus, wherein the weakened segment comprises a herniated segment;

wherein the herniated segment is bordered by an outermost layer of the anulus and an innermost layer of the anulus;

providing a disc repair device comprising a first support member, a connection member, and a second support member,

wherein said second support member comprises a plate-shaped anchor,

wherein said connection member connects the first support member and the second support member;

inserting the disc repair device through a portion of the weakened segment so that at least a portion of the first support member is beyond the innermost layer of the anulus;

positioning the disc repair device so that at least a portion of the second support member contacts the weakened segment of the annulus: and

securing the second support member to a vertebral body.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first support member is positioned against two opposing vertebral endplates or overlying cartilage.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the plate-shaped anchor is a bone anchor.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first support member, the connection member, and the second support member are a single integral unit.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the disc repair device facilitates tissue ingrowth.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the connection member is a member selected from the group consisting of: a rigid rod, suture, wire, pin, woven tube, and web of material.

17. A method of repairing a weakened segment of an anulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc comprising the steps of:

identifying a weakened segment in an anulus fibrosus, wherein the weakened segment comprises a hole;

wherein the hole is bordered by an outermost layer of the anulus and an innermost layer of the anulus;

providing a disc repair device comprising a first support member, a connection member, and a second support member,

wherein said first support member has at least one dimension larger than the hole,

wherein said second support member comprises a plate or rod,

wherein said connection member comprises a suture, and

wherein said connection member connects the first support member and the second support member;

inserting at least a portion of said disc repair device into the weakened segment;

positioning the disc repair device so that at least a portion of the first support member is beyond the innermost layer of the anulus;

positioning the disc repair device so that at least a portion of the second support member contacts the weakened segment of the annulus; and

anchoring the first support member to a vertebral body.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the hole comprises a pre-existing tear.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the hole comprises a surgically-formed puncture.

20. A method of repairing a weakened segment of an anulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc comprising the steps of:

identifying a weakened segment in an anulus fibrosus, wherein the weakened segment comprises a herniated segment;

wherein the herniated segment is bordered by an outermost layer of the anulus and an innermost layer of the anulus;

providing a disc repair device comprising a first support member, a connection member, and a second support member,

wherein said second support member comprises a plate-shaped anchor,

wherein said connection member connects the first support member and the second support member;

inserting the disc repair device through a portion of the weakened segment so that at least a portion of the first support member is beyond the innermost layer of the anulus;

positioning the disc repair device so that at least a portion of the second support member contacts the weakened segment of the annulus; and

securing the first support member to a vertebral body.

Assignments (2)

Continuity (9)