Surgical implants
AssigneeNuVasive, Inc.
InventorsChristopher Reah, Alan McLeod
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for replacement of an intervertebral disc are provided. The spinal implant comprises an elastomeric material that has been treated with an additive to decrease the ability of emissions to pass through the elastomeric material and to increase at least one of wear resistance, stiffness, and Shore hardness of the elastomeric material. The additive may be a barium-containing compound, one or more metals, or one or more x-ray opaque materials. The additive may be included in certain localities of the implant. A series of implants may be provided with different sizes and different structural properties that mimic the stiffness and shock absorbing properties of the natural intervertebral disc to be replaced.
Claims17
A method of performing disc replacement surgery comprising:
- removing at least a part of a natural intervertebral disc;
- selecting a surgical implant for replacement of at least a part of the natural intervertebral disc that comprises an elastomeric material that has been treated with an additive to decrease the ability of emissions to pass through the elastomeric material and to increase at least one of wear resistance, stiffness, and Shore hardness of the elastomeric material, wherein the additive is varied to provide a surgical implant having different structural properties that mimic the natural intervertebral disc to be replaced;
- and
- implanting the surgical implant having the selected structural properties in a body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.