Percutaneous implantable nuclear prosthesis
AssigneeSpinal Stabilization Technologies LLC
InventorsNadi S. Hibri, James D. Lutz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-chamber balloon for a nuclear implant has an elastomeric membrane defining inner and outer chambers integral with a valve body. The valve body includes a core portion and sealing membrane for sealing the inner and outer chambers. An assembly for manufacturing the multi-chamber balloon includes a balloon mandrel which may be dip coated in a silicone dispersion to create an elastomeric membrane for the inner and outer chambers integral with the valve body. The elastomeric membrane formed on the mandrel is partially inverted to form a coaxial elastomeric structure with the smaller inner chamber disposed within the larger outer chamber. The valve is incorporated into the inner and outer chambers to form a unitary structure.
Claims20
An implantable prosthetic device comprising:
- an inner inflatable enclosure having a first opening and a second opening generally opposite of the first opening;
- an outer inflatable enclosure having a first opening and a second opening generally opposite of the first opening of the outer inflatable enclosure, the outer inflatable enclosure encapsulating the inner inflatable enclosure;
- a valve assembly sealingly coupled to the first opening of the outer inflatable enclosure and the first opening of the inner inflatable enclosure, the valve assembly being configured to allow independent inflation of the outer and inner inflatable enclosures;
- and
- a plug sealingly coupled to the second opening of the inner inflatable enclosure and the second opening of the outer inflatable enclosure.
A valve assembly for inflating an implantable prosthetic device comprising an inner inflatable enclosure connected to an outer inflatable enclosure;
- the valve assembly comprising:
- an elastomeric membrane forming a passageway from an interior of the inner inflatable enclosure to an exterior of the outer inflatable enclosure, the elastomeric membrane having an opening into an interior of the outer inflatable enclosure;
- a valve core disposed in the passageway so that the elastomeric membrane surrounds the valve core, the valve core comprising a conduit extending from a first end to a second end;
- a resealable, puncturable membrane at the second end of the conduit for providing resealable access to the inner inflatable enclosure;
- and
- an opening in the conduit extending from an interior of the conduit to an exterior of the conduit;
- the opening in the valve core being offset from the opening in the elastomeric membrane to form a one way valve allowing material introduced into the interior of the conduit to pass into the interior of the outer inflatable enclosure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.