# US 2018/0021148 A1 · Cannulated screw with balloon

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- Number: US 2018/0021148 A1
- Document ID: US20180021148A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/695,521
- Filed: 2017-09-05
- Published: 2018-01-25
- Earliest claimed: 2013-03-14
- Assignees: Atlas Spine, Inc.
- Applicants: Atlas Spine, Inc.
- Inventors: Matthew G. Baynham
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021148A1

## CPC

- A61F 2/441: {made of inflatable pockets or chambers filled with fluid, e.g. with hydrogel}
- A61F 2/442: {Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient (non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455)}
- A61F 2/30744: {End caps, e.g. for closing an endoprosthetic cavity}
- A61F 2/4611: {of spinal prostheses}
- A61F 2002/30563: {having elastic means or damping means, different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric core or shock absorbers}
- A61F 2002/30588: {filled with solid particles}
- A61F 2002/3085: {with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface}
- A61F 2002/444: {for replacing the nucleus pulposus}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)

## Abstract

A cannulated screw having a resilient balloon structure capable of supporting compressive and cyclic loads. The balloon provides an artificial disc prosthesis by use of the balloon that mimics the properties of the natural disc by maintaining the intervertebral disc space through a full range of natural motion, absorbing shocks and permitting a natural range of motion.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cannulated screw comprising: a hollow body with an open first end and an open second end, a balloon body secured to said open first end with a ferrule element, said balloon body extending entirely into said hollow body when in a non-deployed position and extending out of said hollow body when volumetric material is directed through said open second end causing expansion of said balloon body in a deployed position, a threaded cap attached to said open second end, said threaded cap having threads positioned along an inner surface, and a locking plug securable to said threaded cap, said locking plug maintaining volumetric material in said balloon body to maintain said balloon body in the deployed position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cannulated screw of claim 1, wherein the ferrule is inserted in an open end of the balloon body forming a seal between said open first end of the hollow body arid said balloon body.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The cannulated screw of claim 1, wherein said open second end comprises threads for receiving said threaded cap, said threaded cap includes threads for temporarily receiving a dispenser for use in inserting volumetric material into said balloon body.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The cannulated screw of claim 1, wherein the locking plug further comprises an O-ring seal.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The cannulated screw of claim 1, wherein volumetric material comprises a biological agent or other material delivered to said balloon body from said open second end of the hollow body.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The cannulated screw of claim 1, wherein the cannulated screw comprises external threading, the external threading extending from said open second end and extending for one half to a quarter of the length of the cannulated screw.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The cannulated screw of claim 1, wherein said open second end comprises a terminal end having a diameter-greater than the hollow body for receiving the locking plug.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The cannulated screw of claim 1, wherein said volumetric material can be viscous or non-viscous.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The cannulated screw of claim 1, wherein said volumetric material may be selected from the group comprising saline, gels, latex, polymers, polyethylenes, silicones, polyurethanes, metallics, ceramics, collagen, and hydrogels.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The cannulated screw of claim 1, wherein said volumetric material may include radio-opaque contrast agents permitting fluoroscopic viewing.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The cannulated screw of claim 10, wherein wherein fluoroscopic viewing during injection permits visual determination of material pressure with said balloon.