Keith F Collins

US Patent:

7556650, Jul 7, 2009

Filed:

Jun 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/170382

Inventors:

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 NC, US

Assignee:

Spine Wave, Inc. - Shelton CT

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1711

Abstract:

A method for treating a diseased or damaged spinal disc having an inner nucleus pulposus and an outer annulus is provided comprises the steps of: providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus; removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus to create an intradiscal space; determining the integrity of the annulus; and then sealably introducing under pressure a curable biomaterial through the annulus access directly into the intradiscal space. The step of determining the integrity of the annulus may be accomplished by introducing into the disc a fluid solution under a first pressure. The curable biomaterial may subsequently be introduced through the annulus directly into said intradiscal space at a second pressure that is increased or decreased from the first pressure as a function of the viscosity of the biomaterial relative to the fluid solution. In certain embodiments, a distraction force is applied to the disc space.

US Patent:

7722579, May 25, 2010

Filed:

Jun 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/170010

Inventors:

Keith Collins - Milford CT, US
Lawrence Boyd - Durham CT, US
Andrew Carter - Trumbull CT, US
Dennis Lee - Milford CT, US
John Pafford - Eads TN, US
Jared Walkenhorst - Fairfield CT, US
Thomas G. Wilson - Guilford CT, US
Mark D. LoGuidice - Southport CT, US
Lance Middlelton - Soddy Daisy TN, US

Assignee:

Spine Wave, Inc. - Shelton CT

International Classification:

A61M 25/00

US Classification:

604264, 604 57, 604122, 604174, 604272

Abstract:

A vented needle assembly is provided for sealably injecting biomaterial into an intradiscal space interiorly of the annulus of a spinal disc and for providing an exhaust for the intradiscal space. The vented needle assembly comprises a compressible seal body for pressing against an outer surface of the annulus, and a needle extending through the seal. The needle may be configured to connect to a syringe for pressure injection of the biomaterial. The seal includes a vent extending therethrough with an opening for communication with the intradiscal space and an opening for the discharge of excess biomaterial filling the intradiscal space. A kit of parts is also provided for use in the treatment of a spinal disc, the kit comprising the vented needle assembly and an inflatable trial device. The trial device is removably introduced into the intradiscal space and inflated to determine the available size of the intradiscal space.

US Patent:

7740660, Jun 22, 2010

Filed:

Jun 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/169405

Inventors:

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 NC, US

Assignee:

Spine Wave, Inc. - Shelton CT

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1712

Abstract:

A method for treating a herniated spinal disc between opposing vertebral bodies having a damaged outer annulus and an inner nucleus pulposus comprises the steps of: providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus; removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus to create an intradiscal space; applying a first distraction force on the opposing vertebral bodies from within the intradiscal space; applying a second distraction force on the opposing vertebral bodies externally of the intradiscal space; and introducing a curable biomaterial through the annulus access directly into the intradiscal space. The first distraction force is applied within the disc space to distract the anterior aspect of the intradiscal space, while the second distraction force is applied exterior to the disc to act on the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies. The first distraction force is applied prior to the application of the second distraction force and then removed. The second distraction force is maintained during the introduction of the biomaterial into the intradiscal space.

US Patent:

7789913, Sep 7, 2010

Filed:

Jun 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/170577

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

Spine Wave, Inc. - Shelton CT

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1712

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.

US Patent:

7837733, Nov 23, 2010

Filed:

Jun 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/170588

Inventors:

Keith Collins - Milford CT, US
Thomas S. Wilson - Guilford CT, US
Jared Walkenhorst - Fairfield CT, US
Andrew Carter - Trumbull CT, US
Mark D. LoGuidice - Southport CT, US

Assignee:

Spine Wave, Inc. - Shelton CT

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1712, 606102, 606105

Abstract:

A method for treating a spinal disc comprises the steps of: determining the integrity of the annulus by subjecting the annulus to a first pressure applied internally of the annulus; providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus without removing any tissue from the annulus or from the nucleus pulposus; and sealably injecting curable biomaterial through the annulus access directly into the nucleus pulposus at a second pressure correlated with the first pressure. The integrity of the annulus may be determined by a pre-operative discogram using a contrast medium that has a viscosity substantially similar to the viscosity of the biomaterial to be injected. The curable biomaterial may be injected under a pressure sufficient to distract opposing vertebral bodies communicating with the disc space.

US Patent:

8337557, Dec 25, 2012

Filed:

Jun 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/170657

Inventors:

Keith Collins - Milford CT, US
Thomas G. Wilson - Guilford CT, US
Andrew Carter - Trumbull CT, US

Assignee:

Spine Wave, Inc. - Shelton CT

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1712

Abstract:

A kit of parts is provided that comprises: a cannula, the distal end of the cannula adapted to be inserted through the disc annulus; an injection needle, the distal end adapted to be inserted into the proximal end of the cannula and configured for relatively close sliding fit therewithin; and a syringe for containing a quantity of curable biomaterial, the syringe adapted to be coupled to the proximal end of the needle and to inject the biomaterial into the needle under pressure. The kit may further comprise a quantity of curable biomaterial that is selected to have upon curing strong adhesive properties such as a protein polymer.

US Patent:

8444694, May 21, 2013

Filed:

Aug 23, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/861037

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

Spine Wave, Inc. - Shelton CT

International Classification:

A61F 2/44

US Classification:

623 1712

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; (c) determining the size of the intradiscal space; and (d) sealably introducing under pressure a curable biomaterial through the annulus directly into the intradiscal space. 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.

US Patent:

8535325, Sep 17, 2013

Filed:

Jan 17, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/743817

Inventors:

Keith Collins - Milford CT, US
Robert T. Potash - Seymour CT, US
Andrew Carter - Stow MA, US

Assignee:

Spine Wave, Inc. - Shelton CT

International Classification:

A61B 17/58
A61B 17/60
A61F 2/00

US Classification:

606 92

Abstract:

A kit for injecting a biomaterial into an intradiscal space accessed through an opening in the disc annulus comprises a plurality of needles, each sized for introduction through the annulus opening with a passageway for injecting the biomaterial therethrough, and each including a distal end to be disposed within the intradiscal space when the needle extends through the annulus opening. Each needle includes a stop affixed thereto at different pre-determined distances from the distal end to define the location of the distal end within the intradiscal space when the needle extends through the opening in the annulus. The kit further includes a plurality of seals defining a bore for sliding engagement with a needle, each of the plurality of seals including a sealing face for engaging the annulus around the needle. Each sealing face defines a differently configured area of contact, such as circular, elliptical, tapered and threaded.