Disc Dynamics, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090131939 | INFLATABLE MOLD FOR MAINTAINING POSTERIOR SPINAL ELEMENTS IN A DESIRED ALIGNMENT - A system for the in situ formation of prostheses between adjacent vertebrae of a patient. The system includes a first mold adapted to be located in an intervertebral disc space between the adjacent vertebrae and at least a second mold adapted to be positioned between adjacent posterior elements. Lumens are fluidly coupled to each of the molds. One or more in situ curable biomaterials are delivered through the lumens to the molds. The at least partially cured biomaterial and the molds cooperate to maintain a desired alignment and spacing of the intervertebral disc space and the posterior elements. | 05-21-2009 |
20090112326 | IN SITU ADJUSTABLE DYNAMIC INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT - A system for forming a spinal prosthesis in situ within an intervertebral space located between first and second adjacent vertebrae includes at least one mold having at least one internal compartment adapted to receive at least one flowable biomaterial. The system also includes a retaining member adapted to secure the mold between the first and second vertebrae, the retaining member including first and second portions adapted to be engaged with first and second surfaces of the first and second vertebrae, respectively. The retaining member also includes an intermediate body operatively coupling the first portion to the second portion, the intermediate body adapted to be positioned in or adjacent to the intervertebral space. A biomaterial delivery apparatus is in fluid communication with the mold at a pressure sufficient for the mold to engage with the retaining member. The spinal prosthesis selectively position the first vertebrae relative to the second vertebrae. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112221 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING THE SHAPE OF INTERNAL BODY CAVITIES - A method and system of evaluating the geometry of the nuclear cavity within the annulus. A three-dimensional mold of the nuclear cavity is created. The three-dimensional mold is preferably removed from the nuclear cavity. The three-dimensional mold can be used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the nuclear cavity. | 04-30-2009 |
20090076518 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR STABILIZING ADJACENT VERTEBRAE - A method of stabilizing adjacent vertebrae including the steps of forming at least one annulotomy in an annulus. At least a portion of the nucleus material is removed through the annulotomy to form a cavity in an intervertebral disc space between the adjacent vertebrae. A reservoir containing a flowable biomaterial is fluidly coupled to the intervertebral disc space. A flowable biomaterial is delivered to the cavity. The delivery of the flowable biomaterial into the intervertebral disc space is controlled in accordance with at least a first operating parameter. The biomaterial is at least partially cured to stabilize the adjacent vertebrae. | 03-19-2009 |
20090054990 | MULTI-LUMEN MOLD FOR INTERVERTEBRAL PROSTHESIS AND METHOD OF USING SAME - A multi-lumen mold is for the in situ formation of a prosthesis in an intervertebral disc space located between adjacent vertebrae of a patient. The multi-lumen mold a flexible mold, a first lumen, a second lumen and a curable biomaterial. The flexible mold is shaped to be positioned in the intervertebral disc space. The first lumen and the second lumen each have a distal end is fluidly coupled to the flexible mold at a first location and a second location, respectively. The first lumen is shaped to extend out through a first opening extending through one of the adjacent vertebrae when the mold is positioned in the intervertebral disc space. The curable biomaterial is delivered into the flexible mold through at least one of the first and second lumens. The first and second locations can optionally be located on generally opposite sides of the mold, on the same side of the mold, or a variety of other configurations. One or more securing members can be used to secure the mold in the intervertebral disc space. The securing members can engage with the annulus, the end plates, and/or another surface of a vertebrae. | 02-26-2009 |
20090012618 | RETENTION STRUCTURE FOR IN SITU FORMATION OF AN INTERVERTEBRAL PROSTHESIS - An assembly for the in situ formation of a prosthesis in an intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebrae of a patient. At least one retention structure is located in the intervertebral disc space. A distal end of at least one lumen is located proximate the at least one retention structure. One or more in situ curable biomaterials are delivered to the intervertebral disc space through the first lumen and into engagement with the retention structure. The retention structure serves to retain at least a portion of the biomaterial in the intervertebral disc space by surface tension, adhesion, mechanical capture, friction, viscosity, and/or a variety of other mechanisms. The at least partially cured biomaterial and the at least one retention structure cooperate to comprise the prosthesis. | 01-08-2009 |