# US 9,039,741 B2 · Bone anchor systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,741 B2 - Document ID: US9039741B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/789,314 - Filed: 2013-03-07 - Published: 2013-07-18 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2005-12-28 - Assignees: Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc. - Applicants: Intrinsic Therapeutics, Inc. - Inventors: Gregory H. Lambrecht; Almir Velagic; Robert Kevin Moore; Christopher J. Tarapata; Jacob Einhorn; Sean M. Kavanaugh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039741B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7056: {Hooks with specially-designed bone-contacting part} - A61B 17/0401: {Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors (A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811)} - A61B 17/0642: {for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone} - A61B 17/0682: {for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil} - A61B 17/68: Internal fixation devices {, including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin (bone staples A61B17/0642)} - 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)} - A61B 17/8085: {with pliable or malleable elements or having a mesh-like structure, e.g. small strips (A61B17/8071, A61B17/8076 take precedence)} - A61B 2017/0409: {Instruments for applying suture anchors} - A61B 2017/0414: {having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening} - A61B 2017/0647: {having one single leg, e.g. tacks} - A61B 2017/0649: {Coils or spirals} - A61F 2002/4435: {Support means or repair of the natural disc wall, i.e. annulus, e.g. using plates, membranes or meshes} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - 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 Embodiments of the invention relate generally to tissue anchors and methods of delivering same to the intervertebral disc or other sites within the body. In some embodiments, the anchors provide pull-out resistance, stability and/or maximize contact with tissue involving a minimum amount of penetration. In some embodiments, delivery methods are minimally invasive and include linear, lateral, and off-angle implantation or driving of anchors along, against or within tissue surfaces. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bone anchor system for establishing an attachment site along an endplate adjacent an intervertebral disc, comprising: a bone anchor configured for insertion into an outer surface of a vertebral body and for presenting an attachment site along an endplate of the vertebral body, wherein the outer surface is offset at an angle substantially perpendicular to the endplate, the bone anchor comprising: a neck, wherein said neck has a length defined by a sharpened leading edge and a trailing end, wherein said neck comprises an attachment site along at least a portion of its length, wherein said attachment site is configured to be coupled to a prosthetic device; a bone anchoring region extending at least substantially perpendicular from the neck, wherein the bone anchoring region comprises a sharpened leading edge, wherein the sharpened leading edge of the bone anchoring region is configured for advancement within the outer surface of the vertebral body while the attachment site is simultaneously advanced along and across the endplate, wherein said attachment site is configured to extend above the endplate while the bone anchoring region is advanced within the outer surface of the vertebral body, and wherein the anchoring region is configured for countersinking within said outer surface such that no portion of said bone anchor lies beyond said outer surface of the vertebral body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a prosthetic device pre-coupled to the bone anchor at the attachment site prior to insertion of the bone anchor into the outer surface of the vertebral body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a prosthetic device that is configured to be coupled to the attachment site after insertion of the bone anchor into the outer surface of the vertebral body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the bone anchoring region comprises a plate-like keel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the bone anchoring region comprises two keels. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein each of said keels comprises at least two friction zones configured for resisting rotation and pull-out of the bone anchor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the prosthetic device and the bone anchor form a unitary construct. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the attachment site comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a fabric, a wire, a linkage, a fastener component, a hook eye, a loop, and a plate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the prosthetic device comprises a polymer and wherein the bone anchor comprises titanium. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the prosthetic device comprises a polymer and wherein the bone anchor comprises titanium. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the prosthetic device comprises a mesh. ### Claim 12 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the prosthetic device comprises a mesh. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the bone anchor is at least partially constructed from one or more of the following: nickel titanium alloy, cobalt chrome alloy, and steel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the bone anchor is at least partially constructed from titanium. ### Claim 15 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the bone anchor is rotationally coupled to the prosthetic device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the bone anchor is rotationally coupled to the prosthetic device. ### Claim 17 A bone anchor system for establishing an attachment site along an endplate adjacent an intervertebral disc, comprising: a bone anchor configured for insertion into an outer surface of a vertebral body and for presenting an attachment site along an endplate of the vertebral body, wherein the outer surface is offset at an angle substantially perpendicular to the endplate, the bone anchor comprising: a neck having a sharpened leading edge, wherein said neck comprises an attachment site configured for coupling to a tissue containment member; a bone anchoring region extending from an end portion of the neck, wherein the bone anchoring region comprises a sharpened leading edge, wherein the sharpened leading edge of the bone anchoring region is configured for advancement within the outer surface of the vertebral body while the attachment site is simultaneously advanced along and across the endplate, wherein said attachment site is configured to extend above the endplate while the bone anchoring region is advanced within the outer surface of the vertebral body, and wherein the anchoring region is configured for countersinking within said outer surface such that no portion of said bone anchor lies beyond said outer surface of the vertebral body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, further comprising a tissue containment member that is pre-coupled to the bone anchor at the attachment site prior to insertion of the bone anchor into the outer surface of the vertebral body. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, further comprising a tissue containment member that is configured to be coupled to the attachment site after insertion of the bone anchor into the outer surface of the vertebral body. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the bone anchoring region comprises a plate-like keel extending perpendicularly from the neck.