The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 07, 2010
Filed:
Jun. 29, 2005
Keith Collins, Milford, CT (US);
Thomas G. Wilson, Guilford, CT (US);
Jared Walkenhorst, Fairfield, CT (US);
Dennis Lee, Milford, CT (US);
Andrew Carter, Trumbull, CT (US);
John Pafford, Eads, TN (US);
Mark D. Loguidice, Southport, CT (US);
Lance Middleton, Soddy Daisy, TN (US);
Lawrence Boyd, Durham, CT (US);
Keith Collins, Milford, CT (US);
Thomas G. Wilson, Guilford, CT (US);
Jared Walkenhorst, Fairfield, CT (US);
Dennis Lee, Milford, CT (US);
Andrew Carter, Trumbull, CT (US);
John Pafford, Eads, TN (US);
Mark D. LoGuidice, Southport, CT (US);
Lance Middleton, Soddy Daisy, TN (US);
Lawrence Boyd, Durham, CT (US);
Spine Wave, Inc., Shelton, CT (US);
Abstract
A method for treating a diseased or damaged spinal disc comprises the steps of: (a) providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus; (b) removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus to create an intradiscal space; determining the size of the intradiscal space; and (c) sealably introducing under pressure a curable biomaterial through the annulus directly into the intradiscal space. The method may include the additional steps of applying a force to distract the opposing vertebral bodies about the intradiscal space and then removing the distraction force after the biomaterial has cured. The step of determining the size of the intradiscal space may be accomplished by expanding a compliant balloon within the intradiscal space using a contrast medium capable of visualization under fluoroscopy. The curable material is sealably introduced through a vented needle inserted through the opening. The curable biomaterial is introduced until a quantity of the material flows into the vent.