Patents Assigned to Disc Dynamics, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7001431
    Abstract: A system for repairing an intervertebral disc by delivering and curing a biomaterial in situ within the disc. The system includes both a device, having an insertable balloon and related lumen, controls and adapters, as well as an in situ curable biomaterial (and related biomaterial delivery means). The system can allow the doctor to determine a suitable endpoint for biomaterial delivery, by controlling distraction and/or biomaterial delivery pressure, and in turn, to deliver a desired quantity of biomaterial to the balloon in order to achieve improved polymer cure and implant characteristics. Also provided is a related method for repairing an intervertebral disc by using such a system to deliver and cure the biomaterial in situ. The system can be used to implant a prosthetic total disc, or a prosthetic disc nucleus in a manner that leaves the surrounding disc tissue substantially intact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Disc Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi-Bin Bao, Robert Garryl Hudgins, Jeffrey C. Felt, Alexander Arsenyev, Hansen A. Yuan
  • Publication number: 20050209602
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluidly coupling a reservoir containing a flowable biomaterial to a mold. The flow of the flowable biomaterial into the mold is controlled in accordance with a first operating parameter. At least one injection condition is monitored. The flow of the flowable biomaterial is controlled in accordance with a second operating parameter in response to one or more of the injection conditions reaching a threshold level. The second operating parameter is maintained during at least a portion of the curing of the flowable biomaterial. In some embodiments, the second operating parameter may optionally include permitting a portion of the flowable biomaterial to be expelled from the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: Disc Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Bowman, Robert Kohler, Erik Martz, Daniel Melink, Khin Myint, Michael Ahrens, Jean-Charles Lehuec, John Sherman, Scott Hook, Dennis Johnson, Qi-Bin Bao, Robert Hudgins
  • Publication number: 20050209601
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluidly coupling a reservoir containing a flowable biomaterial to a mold. The flow of the flowable biomaterial into the mold is controlled in accordance with a first operating parameter. At least one injection condition is monitored. The flow of the flowable biomaterial is controlled in accordance with a second operating parameter in response to one or more of the injection conditions reaching a threshold level. The second operating parameter is maintained during at least a portion of the curing of the flowable biomaterial. In some embodiments, the second operating parameter may optionally include permitting a portion of the flowable biomaterial to be expelled from the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: Disc Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Bowman, Robert Kohler, Erik Martz, Daniel Melink, Khin Myint, Michael Ahrens, Jean-Charles Lehuec, John Sherman, Scott Hook, Dennis Johnson, Qi-Bin Bao, Robert Hudgins
  • Patent number: 6443988
    Abstract: A method, and related composition and apparatus for repairing a tissue site. The method involves the use of a curable polyurethane biomaterial composition having a plurality of parts adapted to be mixed at the time of use in order to provide a flowable composition and to initiate cure. The flowable composition can be delivered using minimally invasive means to a tissue site and there fully cured provide a permanent and biocompatible prosthesis for repair of the tissue site. Further provided are a mold apparatus, e.g., in the form of a balloon or tubular cavity, for receiving a biomaterial composition, and a method for delivering and filling the mold apparatus with a curable composition in situ to provide a prosthesis for tissue repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Disc Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Felt, Mark A. Rydell, Richard J. Zdrahala, Alexander Arsenyev