Methods for injecting a curable biomaterial into an intervertebral space

US7556650B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SPINE WAVE, INC. · US

Inventors

• Keith Collins · Milford, US
• Thomas G. Wilson · Guilford, US
• Jared Walkenhorst · Denver, US
• Dennis Lee · Swarthmore, US
• Andrew J. Carter · McNeil, US
• John Pafford · Bartlett, US
• Mark D. LoGuidice · Southport, US
• Lance Middleton · Soddy-Daisy, US
• Lawrence M. Boyd · Memphis, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 29, 2005
• Grant date: Jul 7, 2009
• Expiry date: Jan 5, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2002/4663
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for treating a diseased or damaged spinal disc having an inner nucleus pulposus and an outer annulus is provided comprises the steps of: providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus; removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus to create an intradiscal space; determining the integrity of the annulus; and then sealably introducing under pressure a curable biomaterial through the annulus access directly into the intradiscal space. The step of determining the integrity of the annulus may be accomplished by introducing into the disc a fluid solution under a first pressure. The curable biomaterial may subsequently be introduced through the annulus directly into said intradiscal space at a second pressure that is increased or decreased from the first pressure as a function of the viscosity of the biomaterial relative to the fluid solution. In certain embodiments, a distraction force is applied to the disc space.