Treating back pain by re-establishing the exchange of nutrient and waste
US8226600B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L2430/38
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The intervertebral disc is avascular. With aging, endplates become occluded by calcified layers, and diffusion of nutrients and oxygen into the disc diminishes. The disc degenerates, and pain ensues. Conduits are delivered and deployed into the intervertebral disc to reestablish the exchange of nutrients and waste between the disc and bodily circulation to stop or reverse disc degeneration and relieve pain. The intervertebral disc installed with semi-permeable conduits may be used as an immuno-isolated capsule to encapsulate donor cells capable of biosynthesizing therapeutic molecules. The semi-permeable conduits establish the exchange of nutrients and therapeutic molecules between disc and bodily circulation to treat a disease without using immunosuppressive drugs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.