Spinal disc annulus reconstruction method and deformable spinal disc annulus stent

US7052516B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Anulex Technologies, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Joseph Cauthen · Gainesville, US
• Matthew M. Burns · Orono, US
• Thomas R. Hektner · Medina, US
• Paul Burmeister · Maple Grove, US
• Lawrence W. Wales · Maplewood, US
• Daniel O. Adams · Orr, US
• Rodney L. Houfburg · Prior Lake, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 29, 2002
• Grant date: May 30, 2006
• Expiry date: Jun 14, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S623/902
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A spinal disc annulus repair stent for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. In an illustrative embodiment, the design of the spinal disc annulus stent advantageously allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.