| US 7,513,911 B2 | ||
| Method of implanting dynamically stable spinal implant | ||
| Gregory H. Lambrecht, Natick, Mass. (US); Robert Kevin Moore, Natick, Mass. (US); and Jacob Einhorn, Brookline, Mass. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc., Woburn, Mass. (US) | ||
| Filed on Sep. 20, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/945,336. | ||
| Application 10/945336 is a continuation of application No. 10/237332, filed on Sep. 05, 2002, granted, now 6,883,520. | ||
| Application 10/237332 is a continuation of application No. 09/696636, filed on Oct. 25, 2000, granted, now 6,508,839. | ||
| Application 09/696636 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/642450, filed on Aug. 18, 2000, granted, now 6,482,235. | ||
| Application 09/642450 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/608797, filed on Jun. 30, 2000, granted, now 6,425,919. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/149490, filed on Aug. 18, 1999. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/161085, filed on Oct. 25, 1999. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/172996, filed on Dec. 21, 1999. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2005/0033441 A1, Feb. 10, 2005 | ||
| This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer. | ||
| Int. Cl. A61F 2/44 (2006.01); A61B 19/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 623—17.11 [623/17.16; 128/898] | 15 Claims |
| 1. A method of implanting an implant in an intervertebral disc having an anulus fibrosis and a nucleus pulposus, comprising:
identifying a defective region in the anulus fibrosis of the disc;
selecting an implantation site with a first region comprising a weakened curved surface adjacent more than one region comprising
a healthy surface;
wherein said implantation site is located beyond the innermost layer of the anulus fibrosis;
providing an implant having first and second end portions and a medial portion with greater flexibility than said first and
second end portions;
implanting the medial portion of the implant along the weakened curved surface such that the end portions extend along the
adjacent healthy surfaces along the innermost layer of the anulus fibrosis;
wherein said implant minimizes or prevents the migration of the nucleus pulposus from within the disc toward the defective
region in the anulus; and
wherein said implant is implanted without removing a substantial portion of the nucleus.
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