Patent Application
20120029643
The present invention is directed towards means and methods of restoring damaged body organs (e.g., degenerative disc, torn tendon) or treatments of different diseases (e.g., cancer). More specifically the present invention relates alleviating symptoms due to degenerative disc. More specifically, the invention provides means and methods of restoring disc height as well as biomechanical properties and preventing the risk of eventual disc extrusion into the neural elements.
The present invention is directed towards means and methods of restoring damaged body organs (e.g., degenerative disc, torn tendon) or treatments of different diseases (e.g., cancer).
The following description provides a mere example of use of the present invention in degenerative disc disease.
Degenerative disc disease refers to wear changes in the individual discs of the spine in any part of the spine. Spondylosis is another term for degenerative disc disease.
DDD can affect any part of the spine, although common sites are the lumbar (lower back) and cervical (neck) spine; thoracic DDD is very uncommon.
Radiographic (x-ray) findings of DDD are a narrower disc space and some osteophyte (bony outgrowth of spur) formation. As people age, these changes tend to show up on the radiographs of most men and women. However, the first imaging modality to detect changes of DDD is MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), even before plain radiographs. Loss of water content (hydration) in the invertebral disc is an early finding, which is followed by narrowing of the disc space. People in the 20's and 30's may already have changes to their discs but no clinical symptoms. As the aging processes continues, the prevalence of DDD increases.
In the early phases of DDD, spontaneous or post-traumatic tears, degeneration, fibrosis, and collapse of the disc may lead to failure of mechanical function. This is associated with low back pain and possible leg pain if there is nerve root impingement (radiculopathy).
As DDD progresses, there is ligamentous buckling and osteophyte development which can cause narrowing of the space for the spinal cord and nerve roots. Lumbar spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the neural canal and foramina to an extent that results in confession of the lumbosacral nerve roots or cauda equina. Acquired lumbar stenosis is caused primarily by degenerative disease of the spine. However, a congenitally narrow or small spinal canal is a common finding; when present, it requires less disc degeneration, smaller disc herniation, or osteophytes to cause symptoms.
Furthermore, as s DDD progresses there would be an abnormal segmental motion with segmental instability.
Degenerative disc disease can result from trauma (either acute or chronic/repetitive), infection, or the natural processes of aging. It can euphemistically be referred to as the “grey hairs of the spine”. The hallmark of DDD is dessication of the nucleus leading to its becoming smaller and thinner. A thin nucleus leads to bulging of the annulus fibers and pressure on nerves. The bulging fibers are mechanically disadvantaged and tend to undergo fraying and breakage. Thus nucleus herniation becomes possible.
The process of degeneration of the spine may lead to local pain, stiffness, and restricted activity. If there is disc herniation or rupture, one may also have leg/groin/knee pain dependent upon which nerve root is affected.
In general the treatment of disc degeneration includes both (i) elevation of the disc height (which will releases pressure from the nerves and will restores facet orientation and prevents osteoarthritic pain); and (ii) restoring the mechanical properties (which will reduces abnormal motion and pain derived from end plate irritation).
Primary management for DDD is non-operative and includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and exercise programs to strengthen abdominal and spinal musculature, improve aerobic fitness, and reduce lumbar lordosis (swayback).
Surgical intervention is an option when nonoperative medical management fails to adequately relieve the intolerable pain during activities of daily living which is individual-specific. It should also be considered in patients with initial signs and symptoms of progressive neurologic deterioration, specifically numbness or muscle weakness.
DDD which has failed non-operative management is classically treated by surgical spinal fusion. However, advances in disc replacement technologies have made disc replacement a viable option for many individuals. Early investigations have demonstrated lumbar disc replacements have had outcomes equivalent to spine fusion. Not all individuals with DDD are good candidates for disc replacement surgery. Concomitant spinal deformity (scoliosis, kyphosis), history of spinal infection, posterior spinal arthritis, and multilevel disc disease are relative or absolute contraindications.
For those individuals who are not candidates for lumbar disc replacement, lumbar spine fusions have had good short-term and long-term outcomes. Fusion involves creating a solid bony connection between two or more vertebrae anteriorly, posteriorly, or both.
In a spine fusion procedure, the surgeon joins two or more adjacent vertebrae. Bone taken from other parts of the body, usually the pelvis just above the hip joint, is placed across the vertebrae. Plugs of bone shaped like hockey pucks or cages made of metal or plastic are used between the vertebrae anteriorly. Posteriorly the bone is ground up into small pieces and laid down over the spine. The vertebrae and bone graft grow together as healing progresses, eventually forming a single unit without motion across them.
If the spine is in overall good position, spinal implants may not be necessary. So while not all spinal fusions require implants, many patients whose spines are weakened by injury or disease or whose deformities must be corrected are treated with internal fixation or spinal implants. If the spine needs to be placed and maintained in a new position, spinal implants will typically be necessary. The implants can include rods, screws, and hooks to fixate and stabilize the spine. Various types of implants are used depending on the problem that required the fusion, the patient's age, and the surgeon's judgment. These implants are usually left implanted indefinitely to minimize the possible loss of spinal alignment. The development of a spine fusion may take up to one year during which time physical activity may be limited and a spine brace may be recommended.
Fusion surgery is inherently more complicated, more painful, and riskier than procedures such as discectomy and laminectomy. There is no consensus in the medical community as to the appropriate indications for fusion surgery.
Nucleus pulposus is the jelly-like substance in the middle of the spinal disc. It is the remnant of the notochord. It functions to distribute hydraulic pressure in all directions within each disc under compressive loads. The nucleus pulposus consists of chondrocytes, collagen fibrils, and proteoglycan aggrecans that have hyaluronic long chains which attract water. Attached to each hyaluronic chain are side chains of chondroitin sulfate and keratan sulfate.
Herniated nucleus pulposus is a condition in which part or all of the soft, gelatinous central portion of an intervertebral disk is forced through a weakened part of the disk, resulting in back pain and nerve root irritation. Several solutions have been offered to alleviate this condition. U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,576 to Haldiman proposes a method of repairng a defect in an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc. In this method a biocompatible flowable and curable material is introduced into the hollow space left by the defect. No solution apart from chemical crosslinking with the remaining annulus fibrosus is offered for confining the introduced material in the hollow space to prevent leakage. U.S. Pat. No. 6,140,452 to Felt et al provides for in situ tissue repair using polyurethane compositions. Such compositions are foreign to the body and have potentially unfavourable sequelae. U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,597 to Krapiva requires the removal of the natural disc, and insertion of a sac filled with a gel. The sac remains in situ. U.S. Pat. No. 7,258,700 to Lambrecht requires implantation of a metallic annulus replacement device to prevent leakage of the gel. Other prior art solutions also offer permanently implanted devices, which tend to have long term deleterious effects to the patient, including the development of wear debris with time, and implant displacement.
The US patent application of Donovan 2008/0249604 ('604) taught devices and methods for performing a procedure within a spine. A collapsed balloon is inserted into a patient's body and then, inflated (Prior Art
It is therefore a long and unmet need to provide means and methods of disc restoration which are efficacious over time, and as conservative as possible.
It is one aspect of the invention to provide a disc restoration system for relieving symptoms of a degenerative disc, wherein said system comprising;
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said filler is selected from a group consisting of chitosan Fibrin, Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Biosyntech glycerol phosphate/chitosan or any combination thereof.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said expandable element is injected into the rotator cuff tears in the shoulder so as to limit the movement of said filler in said first flowable state until said filler is set into said second state.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said scaffold includes scaffolding means selected from the group consisting of deployable arms, bulges, struts, swellings, irregular shapes and regular shapes or any combination thereof.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said expandable element is configured for being removed from said disc within about 1-60 minutes after insertion of said expandable element, thereby leaving said chitosan filler in said set second state supporting said disc in situ.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said expandable element is inflatable by a fluid via a lumen.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said scaffold is balloon-like.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said balloon-like scaffold is provided with means of insertion in an uninflated state between two adjacent vertebraes, further wherein said balloon-like scaffold is inflatable in situ so as to create space between said two adjacent vertebrae so as to provide mechanical support for the same.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said balloon-like scaffold is provided with means of filling said space between said vertebrae with bone growth encouraging material.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said balloon-like scaffold is provided with means of insertion intrapedicularly into spaces within a vertebral fracture further wherein said balloon-like scaffold is inflatable in situ so as to create space within said vertebral fracture.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said balloon-like scaffold is provided with means of filling said space within said vertebral fracture with bone growth encouraging material.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said scaffold has interstices that are narrower at a proximal site of injection of said filler into the interior of said raised disc than at sites distal to said site of injection, so as to facilitate gelation and setting of said filler in a proximal to distal direction, such that leakage of said filler is prevented.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said expandable element additionally comprises a plurality of predetermined orifices from which said filler is introduced into said confined volume of said expandable element
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said scaffold has a spiral-like configuration.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said chitosan filler comprises any chitosan hybrid
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said scaffold has a serpentine-like configuration.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said scaffold has a jack-like configuration.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said expandable element comprises at least one rigid or semi rigid members.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said scaffold is formed from shape memory alloys.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said expandable element is provided with means for sustained drug delivery.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said expandable element is provided with means for rapid drug delivery.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said expandable element is provided with a removable posterior wall supporting means.
It is an aspect of the invention to provide the above mentioned disc restoration system, wherein said filler additionally comprises endogenous or non-endogenous disc-cells
It is another aspect of the invention to disclose a method for relieving symptoms of a degenerative disc, comprising steps of;
It is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, additionally comprising step of providing said expandable element with scaffolding means selected from a group consisting of deployable arms, bulges, struts, swellings, irregular shapes and regular shapes or any combination thereof.
It is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, additionally comprising step of withdrawing said expandable element from the interior of said disc within about 1-60 minutes following insertion of said expandable element, thereby leaving said filler in said gelated second state supporting said disc in situ
It is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, wherein said step of fully expanding said element is performed by a fluid via a lumen.
It is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, additionally comprising step of selecting said filler from a group consisting of chitosan Fibrin, Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Biosyntech glycerol phosphate/chitosan or any combination thereof
It is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, wherein said chitosan filler comprises any chitosan hybrid.
It is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, additionally comprising step of configuring saod scaffold to have a balloon-like structure.
It is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, additionally comprising step of injecting said expandable element into the rotator cuff tears in the shoulder; thereby limiting the movement of said filler in said first flowable state until said filler is set into said second state.
It is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, wherein said method further comprises steps of:
It is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, further comprising steps of filling said space between said vertebrae with bone growth encouraging material.
It is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method wherein said method further comprises steps of:
It is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method further comprising steps of filling said spaces within said vertebral fracture with bone growth encouraging material.
It is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, additionally comprising step of providing said scaffold with interstices that are narrower at the proximal site of injection of said chitosan filler into the interior of said raised disc than at sites distal to said site of injection, thereby facilitating gelation and setting of said chitosan filler in a proximal to distal direction, thereby preventing leakage of said filler.
It is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, additionally comprising step of configuring said scaffold in a configuration selected from a spiral-like configuration, a serpentine-like configuration or any combination thereof.
It is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, additionally comprising step of configuring said scaffold in a jack-like configuration.
It is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, additionally comprising step of providing said expandable element with at least one rigid or semi rigid members.
It is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, additionally comprising step of forming said scaffold from shape memory alloys.
It is a further aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, additionally comprising step of providing said expandable element with means for sustained drug delivery.
It is a further aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, additionally comprising step of providing said filler with endogenous or non-endogenous disc-cells
Moreover, it is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, additionally comprising step of providing said expandable element with means for rapid drug delivery.
Lastly is another aspect of the invention to disclose the above mentioned method, additionally comprising step of providing said expandable element with a removable posterior wall supporting means.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a restoration system; wherein said system comprising:
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said expandable element comprises at least two coaxial cylindrically shaped balloons.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said region of interest in the body is suspicious to be cancerous; such that said cancer is confined within the inner space between two neighboring balloons; further wherein said filler is a chemotherapy agent released from the outer balloon towards said cancer, such that said restoration system is used for treating said cancer.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said restoration system is used for treating cancer.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said region of interest is selected from pancreas, Pancreas, liver and other soft tissue.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said filler is selected from a group consisting of chitosan Fibrin, Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Biosyntech glycerol phosphate/chitosan or any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said expandable element is injected into the rotator cuff tears in the shoulder so as to limit the movement of said filler in said first flowable state until said filler is set into said second state.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said scaffold includes scaffolding means selected from the group consisting of deployable arms, bulges, struts, swellings, irregular shapes and regular shapes or any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said expandable element is configured for being removed from said disc within about 1-60 minutes after insertion of said expandable element, thereby leaving said filler in said set second state supporting said disc in situ.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said expandable element is inflatable by a fluid via a lumen.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said scaffold is balloon-like.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said balloon-like scaffold is provided with means of insertion in an uninflated state between two adjacent vertebraes, further wherein said balloon-like scaffold is inflatable in situ so as to create space between said two adjacent vertebrae so as to provide mechanical support for the same.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said balloon-like scaffold is provided with means of filling said space between said vertebrae with bone growth encouraging material.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said balloon-like scaffold is provided with means of insertion intrapedicularly into spaces within a vertebral fracture; further wherein said balloon-like scaffold is inflatable in situ so as to create space within said vertebral fracture.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said balloon-like scaffold is provided with means of filling said space within said vertebral fracture with bone growth encouraging material.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said scaffold has interstices that are narrower at a proximal site of injection of said filler into the interior of said raised disc than at sites distal to said site of injection, so as to facilitate gelation and setting of said filler in a proximal to distal direction, such that leakage of said filler is prevented.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said expandable element additionally comprises a plurality of predetermined orifices from which said filler is introduced into said confined volume of said expandable element.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said scaffold has a spiral-like configuration.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said scaffold has a serpentine-like configuration.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said scaffold has a jack-like configuration.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said expandable element comprises at least one rigid or semi rigid member.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said scaffold is formed from shape memory alloys.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said expandable element is provided with means for sustained drug delivery.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said filler additionally comprises nano-particles.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said expandable element is provided with means for rapid drug delivery.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said expandable element is provided with a removable posterior wall supporting means.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said filler additionally comprises endogenous or non-endogenous disc-cells.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said at least two elements are adapted to apply pressure on an organ enclosed within said confined volume.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the restoration system as defined above, wherein said organ is selected from a group consisting of tendon, Pancreas, liver and other soft tissue.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for treating a body organ, comprising steps of;
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of providing said expandable element with at least two coaxial cylindrically shaped balloons.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said region of interest in the body is suspicious to be cancerous; such that said cancer is confined within the inner space between two neighboring balloons; further wherein said filler is a chemotherapy agent released from the outer balloon towards said cancer, such that said restoration system is used for treating said cancer.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said organ is selected from a group consisting of tendon.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of providing said expandable element with scaffolding means selected from a group consisting of deployable arms, bulges, struts, swellings, irregular shapes and regular shapes or any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of withdrawing said expandable element from the interior of said disc within about 1-60 minutes following insertion of said expandable element, thereby leaving said filler in said gelated second state supporting said disc in situ.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said step of fully expanding said element is performed by a fluid via a lumen.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of selecting said filler from a group consisting of chitosan Fibrin, Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Biosyntech glycerol phosphate/chitosan or any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of configuring saod scaffold to have a balloon-like structure.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of injecting said expandable element into the rotator cuff tears in the shoulder; thereby limiting the movement of said filler in said first flowable state until said filler is set into said second state.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said method further comprises steps of:
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, further comprising steps of filling said space between said vertebrae with bone growth encouraging material.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said method further comprises steps of:
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, further comprising step of filling said spaces within said vertebral fracture with bone growth encouraging material.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of providing said scaffold with interstices that are narrower at the proximal site of injection of said chitosan filler into the interior of said raised disc than at sites distal to said site of injection, thereby facilitating gelation and setting of said chitosan filler in a proximal to distal direction, thereby preventing leakage of said filler.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of configuring said scaffold in a configuration selected from a spiral-like configuration, a serpentine-like configuration or any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of configuring said scaffold in a jack-like configuration.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of providing said expandable element with at least one rigid or semi rigid members.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of forming said scaffold from shape memory alloys.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of providing said expandable element with means for sustained drug delivery.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of providing said expandable element with means for rapid drug delivery.
It is still an object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of providing said expandable element with a removable posterior wall supporting means.
It is lastly an object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of providing said filler with endogenous or non-endogenous disc-cells.
In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be implemented in practice, a few preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which;
In the following description, various aspects of the invention will be described. For the purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be also apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without specific details presented herein. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the invention.
In
Furthermore, once the expandable element is expanded—a confined volume is created into which the filler will be introduced to.
Now, once the expandable element is fully expanded, the filler is introduced.
It should be emphasized that the filler is introduced, in its first flowable state, into the scaffold following expansion of said expandable element in said disc. In this example, the filler flows into the disc cavity through predetermined orifices in the expandable element, which, in this example as mentioned above, is balloon like.
As can be seen in
Now the filler infiltrates the crevices and fills the tissue from within and not as one bulk.
It should be emphasized that the use of the system of the present invention enables the following:
The gel/filler used can be selected from Fibrin, Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Biosyntech glycerol phosphate/chitosan or any combination thereof.
The main features of the device are as follows:
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gel/filler is thermal and pH responsive and gelates upon tissue contact. Thus, it does not leak out of a perforated annulus provided a balloon off-loads the disc.
As it is widely known, the human degenerated disc is typified by annular cracks; thus an eminent danger of injections into it is the leakage of material to the neural elements.
According to another embodiment of the present invention the gel/filler of the present invention is hyperelastic, thus when extended to about 20 percent strain, it does not absorb energy. Hence, it indicates superior fatigue performance.
Such device does not and can not provide constant mechanical support to the discs (i.e., to two adjacent vertebrae) all through the procedure since the introduction of the filler to the degenerate disc is accompanied by at partially deflating the expandable member. Such deflation will most probably result in the collapse of two adjacent vertebrae.
It should be emphasized that the device of the present invention enables/provides mechanical support to the discs due to the special 3D shape of the same which, upon expansion, creates a confined volume into which the filler is injected.
The expandable element of Donovan (US application US2008/0249604) does not produce a confined volume; therefore, in order to introduce the filler, the expandable element has to be at least partially deflated (so as to ‘clear out’ space to the filler).
Reference is now made to
FIG. 17—in which the expandable element comprises several joints which provides the same with flexibility.
It is acknowledged herein that in some embodiments of the invention the term “chitosan” or “chitosan filler” may also refer to chitosan hybrids which can be used as fillers. In some embodiments of the invention the aforementioned chitosan filler used for filling the disc is a chitosan-GAG crosslinked hybrid.
Chitosan is a naturally occurring polysugar similar in structure to ECM constituents (GAGs).
Common chitosan is known to be positively charged and to precipitate at pH levels above 6.5. Usually mixing common chitosan with any negatively charged GAGs (Glycos-amino-glycans) results in fast precipitation (e.g. chitosan with HA, with chondroitin-sulphate)
A homogenous hybrid of common chitosan with negatively charged polymers is used in some embodiments of the invention and requires pH of 7 and above. This is possible through either of the following:
It is further acknowledged herein that in some embodiments of the invention the aforementioned chitosan filler may be any polysugar, protein, GAGs, PLA (Polylactic acid), PGA(Polyglycolic acid), PLGA(poly lactic-co-glycolic acid) or a hybrid/mixture of such that can be made to gel either physically or using a cross-linking agent such as DVS (divynilsulfon), Geninip, GA (Glutaraldehyde).
See International patent application PCT/IL2007/001530 of Ben-shalom, Nevo, Patchornik and Robinson
A core principle of the invention is the means and method provided herein for preventing a degenerate or diseased disc extruding into the neural elements, and embodiments of the invention have been directed to this purpose.
A core principle of the invention is to provide a disc restoration device for relieving symptoms of a degenerative disc. The device comprises
The aforementioned chitosan filler is insertable into said disc and flowable around said scaffold in a first state, and gelatable, settable and non flowable in a second state. Moreover, the expandable element is adapted for raising said disc to about normal disc dimensions such that said chitosan filler in said first state can be injected into the interior of said raised disc and flow into said scaffolding interstices. The filler is adapted to gelate and set in said second state. The expandable element is removable after gelation and setting of said chitosan filler in said second state such that said disc is supported internally by said gelated, set and non flowing chitosan filler. This novel invention allows the surgeon more time to work within the very confined space, and is easier for the surgeon, since it separates the removal of the expandable element from injection of the chitosan filler. This is in complete contrast to the prior art of Donovan which teaches simultaneous delivery of the filler material and withdrawal of the expandable member (Prior art
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are provided wherein the insertable expandable element is a balloon, which can be spiral or any other convenient shape which is adapted and designed to prevent leakage of fluid toward the posterior elements. The balloon is inflatable, and is able to raise the disc and support the disc, leaving intersticies in the nucleus pulpulosus. The intersticies may be labrinthine in nature, irregular or regular. The interstices themselves may be filled by injection with a chitosan filler of special gelatable, hardening, weight bearing, pressure bearing and setting properties such that within less than about 60 minutes the insertable expandable balloon may be removed, leaving the disc supported by the chitosan filler which has filled the labrinthine spaces, hardened and is able to support the treated disc.
In other embodiments of the invention the expandable element is a jack-like mechanical device which can likewise be removed, after the chitosan filler has been injected into the intersticies formed by the jack like mechanical device in the nucleus pulpulosus. It is herein acknowledged that the aforementioned device may be provided with a lumen for injecting the aforementioned chitosan filler. It is further envisaged that the chitosan filler composition, in some embodiments, may require an additional crosslinking material to be injected and integrated with it in situ to enable setting, hardening, curing and gelation to occur within a short time. It is further acknowledged that some embodiments of the device are provided with a lumen for the injection of the aforementioned crosslinking material.
Embodiments of the invention are herein provided wherein the expandable element of the disc restoration device is provided with scaffolding means selected from the group consisting of deployable arms, bulges, struts, swellings, irregular shapes and regular shapes or any combination thereof.
Embodiments of the invention are herein provided wherein the aforementioned expandable member is adapted for withdrawal from interior of said disc within about 1 minutes to about 60 minutes of insertion of said expandable member, thereby leaving said chitosan filler in said gelated second state supporting said disc in situ.
Embodiments of the invention are herein provided wherein the said expandable member is inflatable by a fluid via a lumen.
Embodiments of the invention are herein provided wherein the aforementioned scaffolding means is adapted is adapted to form labrinthine like intersticies within the nucleus pulposus.
In another embodiment of the device the spiral or otherwise shaped balloon is inserted into the disc space and a material encouraging bone formation is injected resulting in fusion of the intervertebral disc to the adjacent vertebrae.
In another embodiment of the device the balloon is inserted intrapedicularly or through the endplate and bone forming substance is injected into the vertebrae to ecourage healing of vertebral fractures.
Embodiments of the invention are herein provided wherein the aforementioned scaffolding means is balloon-like
Embodiments of the disc restoration device are herein provided wherein the aforementioned wherein said interstices of said scaffolding are narrower at the proximal site of said injection of said chitosan filler into the interior of said raised disc than at sites distal to said site of injection, thereby facilitating said gelation and said setting of said chitosan filler in a proximal to distal direction, thereby preventing leakage of said chitosan filler.
Further embodiments of the disc restoration device are herein provided wherein the said scaffolding means is spiral-like.
Further embodiments of the aforementioned disc restoration device are provided with said scaffolding means which are serpentine-like.
Further embodiments of the invention are provided wherein said scaffolding means is jack-like.
Further embodiments of the invention are provided wherein said expandable member comprises rigid or semi rigid members
Further embodiments of the invention are provided wherein said scaffolding means comprises shape memory alloys.
Further embodiments of the invention are provided wherein said expandable member is provided with means for sustained drug delivery.
Further embodiments of the invention are provided wherein said expandable member is provided with means for rapid drug delivery
Further embodiments of the invention are provided wherein said device is provided with a removable posterior wall supporting means.
A method for relieving symptoms of a degenerative disc is herein disclosed comprising steps of
The above mentioned method is disclosed wherein said expandable element is provided with scaffolding means selected from the group consisting of deployable arms, bulges, struts, swellings, irregular shapes and regular shapes or any combination thereof.
The above mentioned method is disclosed wherein said expandable member is adapted for withdrawal from interior of said disc within about 60 minutes to about 10 minutes of insertion of said expandable member, thereby leaving said chitosan filler in said gelated second state supporting said disc in situ.
The above mentioned method is disclosed wherein said expandable member is inflatable by a fluid via a lumen.
The above mentioned method is disclosed wherein said scaffolding means is balloon-like.
The above mentioned method is disclosed wherein said interstices of said scaffolding are narrower at the proximal site of said injection of said chitosan filler into the interior of said raised disc than at sites distal to said site of injection, thereby facilitating said gelation and said setting of said chitosan filler in a proximal to distal direction, thereby preventing leakage of said chitosan filler.
The above mentioned method is disclosed wherein said scaffolding means is spiral-like.
The above mentioned method is disclosed wherein said scaffolding means is serpentine-like.
The above mentioned method is disclosed wherein said scaffolding means is jack-like.
The above mentioned method is disclosed wherein said expandable member comprises rigid or semi rigid members.
The above mentioned method is disclosed wherein said scaffolding means comprises shape memory alloys.
The above mentioned method is disclosed wherein said expandable member is provided with means for sustained drug delivery.
The above mentioned method is disclosed wherein said expandable member is provided with means for rapid drug delivery.
The above mentioned method is disclosed wherein said device is provided with a removable posterior wall supporting means.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the balloon provided is adapted to create a volume in the tissue. Such an embodiment can be used to treat cancer, fuse tattered tendon's two end.
As described, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the device of the present invention is used in cancer treatment.
Reference is now made to
In
The inner cylinder (illustrated as numerical reference 30) is inserted so as to at least partially separate the tumor from the pancreatic duct and to protect the pancreatic duct such that the gel/filler/drug will not obstruct it. Now that the duct is protected and the caner is at least partially located on the outer surface of the inner balloon, the outer cylindrical balloon (illustrated as numerical reference 31) is inflated and compresses the tumor tissues. The outer balloon also enables the insertion of gel containing slow release chemotherapy agent.
Hence according to said embodiment, the restoration system comprises (a) at least two percutaneously insertable coaxial expandable elements adapted to be (i) inserted into a region of interest in the body; and, (ii) expanded in the same to form a scaffold; said expandable element is characterized by a predetermined 3D shape, such that upon expansion of said two elements, a confined volume within the same is created such that the outer element is adapted to confine said volume; and, (b) an injectable filler having a first flowable state, and a second non-flowable set state;
said filler is configured for being introduced, in said first flowable state, into said confined volume of said scaffold following the full expansion of said two expandable elements in said region of interest so as to prevent any leakage of said filler out of said confined volume.; and, following introduction of said filler into said confined volume of said scaffold, said filler is adapted to set into said second non-flowable state.
According to another embodiment, the outer cylinder may release antibiotic treatment for pancreatitis.
According to another embodiment, the device of the present invention is used in aiding vertebroplasty.
The pre-design shape of the balloon can act as temporary posterior vertebral wall allowing filling a vertebral tumor with cement without risk of cement leakage into the epidural space with ensuing neurological damage.
Reference is now made to
In
In
The pre-design shape balloon 36 of device 35 acts as a leakage preventing element adapted to prevent the flowable material from reaching the neural elements.
The balloon 36 creates virtual space in the tumor mass to which flowable material is inserted and is restricted to said space.
According to another embodiment, the device of the present invention is used for gluing of tears.
Reference is now made to
The special configurations require two balloons which create a closed space within the same; allowing gel injection and gluing of tendon ends.
While the balloon is inflated—its brings into closed contacts the two ends; then, once the two ends are close gel or other gluing material can be introduced which will result in a healing process of the tendon.
According to another embodiment, the inflation of the balloon can lead to instillation of polymer mesh into the tendon to create primary repair.
Reference is now made to
The balloons 40 are adapted to compress the 41 stent and hence anchoring it into the tendon 42.
While the balloon is inflated—its brings into closed contacts the two ends. This is performed, according to this embodiment, by slowly pressing on the stent, which in turn capture the two ends of the tendon.
Once the two ends are secured and brought into close contact, a curing gel can be released.
While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claim as and claims hereafter introduced be interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.
Examples are given in order to prove the embodiments claimed in the present invention. The example, which is a clinical test, describes the manner and process of the present invention and set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention, but are not to be construed as limiting the invention.
As described above, the main features of the device are as follows:
Reference is now made to
On the contrary, the post discectomy mechanical behavior when the device of the present invention is used (illustrates as numerical reference 183), demonstrates mechanical behavior which is similar to that of the normal disc (i.e., linear behavior).
Reference is now made to
As can be seem from the figure the different examples gave a mechanical result which is similar to the mechanical behavior of the normal disc. In other words, the filler of the present invention restore the mechanical properties close to normal.
Reference is now made to
As can be seen from the figure, the degenerated disc (blue, illustrates as numerical reference 201) displaces readily compared with normal (yellow and pink, illustrates as numerical reference 202) while repaired disc (violet turquoise, illustrates as numerical reference 203) behaves similarly to normal discs.
Reference is now made to
As can be seen from the figure, while using the balloon, gel and the balloon and gel in plastic model gives the same results, using the balloon and gel combined with the balloon in sheep spine, degenerated human spine provides 6 to 17 times better results.
Reference is now made to
As can be seen from the figure, there is no difference between using the balloon alone, the gel alone or the balloon and gel in the plastic model.
On the other hand performing the same experiment, in sheep's spine using the gel alone provide a relatively small increase in the disc height, while using the balloon and the combined gel and balloon provides 4-5 times more elevation in disc height.
The same is observed in human spine.
The main difference between the balloon alone and the balloon and gel is the fact the balloon maintains disc height disc as long as the balloon is kept inflated. On the other hand the gel injection allows maintenance of disc height constantly without the requirement to keep the balloon inflated.
The gel/filler used in the present invention is both biocompatible and biodegradable. Reference is now made to
As can be seen from the figure, the filler of the present invention may degrade within 3-4 months.
In the following examples the model that was used is silicone based with an internal gel/filler.
As it is widely known—the removal of “nucleus pulposus” caused mechanical insufficiency of the disc.
Reference is now made to
Reference is now made to
As can be seen from the
In this example the parameter that was measured was the amount of translation after 20 kg force application.
Reference is now made to
Reference is now made to
As can be seen from the figure, a ratio of 0.7:0.3 has the slowest degradation. (n=5).
In the following experimental protocol, 8 rabbits were used. The discs were punctured which causes slow disc degeneration.
In each three discs were examined:
It should be noted that the masuda model was used (i.e., Masuda et al recently developed a new rabbit model of mild, reproducible disc degeneration by an anulus needle puncture. This procedure, using 16 to 21-gauge needles with controlled depth, resulted in a slower decrease in disc height than that obtained with the classic stab procedure, The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American). 2006;88:88-94).
It should be further noted that due to the reproducibility and controllability of the degree of degeneration, this new model has been shown to be effective in studying the effect of a variety of molecules, such as growth factors, on the progression of disc degeneration. In studying intervertebral disc degeneration, investigators should be reminded that there is no correlation between disc degeneration and pain.
The results of 3 months follow-up are illustrates in
As can be seen from the figure, the difference is significant between the control (the rabbits which were damaged without treatment and the treatment), illustrated in the graph as the CNTL (numerical reference 151), with the rabbits treated with device of the present invention, illustrated in the graph as the C2G-H (numerical reference 152) injection at the 10-weeks and 14-weeks time points.
Anova for the 14 weeks sacrifice timepoints is noted on the graph.
As can be further seen from the graph, the height of the treated disc with the device of the present invention is almost the same as the height of the untreated disc's (i.e. the normal discs) height (numerical reference 153). This is in contrast to the control rabbits which were damaged without any treatment.
Reference is now made to
In the figure, the CNTL (illustrated as numerical reference no. 122) is the control and C2G (illustrated as numerical reference no. 121) refers to the use of the device and gel/filler of the present invention.
As can be seen from the figure, the use of the device of the present invention delays osteophytosis.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IL10/00243 | 3/23/2010 | WO | 00 | 9/22/2011 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61162367 | Mar 2009 | US |
