Radially compressed dehydrated spinal nucleus implants
AssigneeReplication Medical, Inc.
InventorsGerald Gontarz, Ann Prewett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A radially compressed xerogel spinal nucleus implant is manufactured and utilized for implantation into an intervertebral disc space. The implant has an optimized cross-sectional ellipsoid configuration which facilitates insertion of the implant through a minimal incision in the annulus. Radial compression is achieved by exerting substantially equilateral circumferential compression on an object contained within a radially collapsible member for exerting substantially equilateral circumferential compression on the object. Radial compression may also be achieved by exerting substantially equilateral circumferential compression force on a spinal nucleus implant via gas pressure in a sealed chamber.
Claims52
A spinal nucleus implant comprising a substantially dehydrated hydrogel, the implant having at least first and second configurations, the first configuration occurring when the hydrogel is substantially dehydrated, the first configuration being substantially rod-shaped, the second configuration being a substantially ellipsoid disc, wherein upon hydration of the substantially dehydrated hydrogel, the implant transforms from the first configuration to the second configuration.
A method for minimizing the length of an incision in the annulus during insertion of a dehydrated rod-shaped spinal nucleus implant comprising making an incision in the annulus which is smaller than the diameter of the implant, and inserting the dehydrated spinal nucleus implant through the incision thus dilating the incision.
A method of shaping a spinal nucleus implant comprising providing a spinal nucleus implant made, at least in part, of a hydrogel, inserting the implant into a radially collapsible member for exerting substantially equilateral circumferential compression on an object contained within the member, exerting substantially equilateral circumferential compression on the implant, thereby causing the implant to assume a rod-shaped configuration substantially corresponding to the configuration of the radially collapsible member.
A method of shaping a spinal nucleus implant comprising providing a spinal nucleus implant made, at least in part, of a hydrogel;
- placing the spinal nucleus implant within a pressure chamber having at least one sealed channel in communication with the implant, the sealed channel providing for egress of moisture from the implant;
- exerting pressure by increasing gas pressure in the pressure chamber to cause substantially equilateral circumferential compression of the implant.
A method of reshaping a radially compressed xerogel spinal nucleus implant by applying heat to the implant and subjecting the implant to post-compression thermoforming.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.