Method for Providing an InVivo Model of Disc Degeneration
AssigneeMi4Spine, LLC
InventorMiguelangelo Perez-Cruet
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for providing an InVivo model of disc degeneration. The method includes percutaneously inserting a needle into a non-human surrogate disc, generally the disc of a rabbit, so that the needle ruptures the annulus of the disc. Fluoroscopy X-ray images can be used to visualize the placement of the needle to the proper location. By using the proper surrogate, rupture of the annulus of the disc will have a quick degenerative effect on the disc, which can be visualized using MRI or other suitable imaging devices. By studying the etiologies associated with disc degeneration of the surrogate, treatments can then be devised to attempt to reduce the rate of degeneration, reverse degeneration, or other disc treatment procedures.
Claims20
A method for providing an InVivo model of disc degeneration, said method comprising:
- providing a non-human animal;
- and
- percutaneously inserting a needle into the animal so that the needle ruptures an annulus of a disc between vertebrae in the animal where the rupture induces disc degeneration.
A method for providing an InVivo model of disc degeneration, said method comprising:
- providing a rabbit;
- percutaneously inserting a needle into the rabbit so that the needle ruptures an annulus of a disc between vertebrae in the rabbit where the rupture induces disc degeneration;
- and
- performing imaging of the rabbit after the needle has been inserted to visualize the disc degeneration in the rabbit.
A method for providing an InVivo model of disc degeneration, said method comprising:
- providing a non-human animal;
- intentionally damaging a disc between vertebrae in the animal so as to induce disc degeneration;
- and
- injecting stem cells into the damaged disc to regenerate the disc.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.