Nucleus pulposus spinal implant and method of using the same
OwnerEric R. VonGunteninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An implant configured to completely replace degenerated or damaged nucleus pulposus in an intervertebral disc. The implant comprises a silicone elastomer shell that is implanted into a void within the annulus fibrosus created by at least partial removal of the nucleus pulposus therefrom. A colloidal suspension of platinum cured silicone-based polymer and carbon nanotubes is injected into the elastomer shell. The colloidal suspension is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation, particularly infrared or near infrared light, to the point that it hardens. The hardened implant becomes a mechanical replacement for the original nucleus pulposus in the intervertebral disc.
Claims24
An implant for replacement of the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc, said implant comprising:
- an implant receptacle having an outer wall, said implant receptacle being adapted to be introduced into a void within the intervertebral disc;
- a cavity defined by the outer wall;
- an ingress defined in the outer wall, wherein the ingress is in fluid communication with the cavity;
- and
- an implant substance introduced into the cavity through the ingress after the implant receptacle has been introduced into the void;
- and wherein said implant substance is introduced into the cavity in a fluid state and is caused to solidify to a state that is substantially similar naturally-occurring nucleus pulposus.
A method of replacing at least part of the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc in a patient's body, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing an implant substance;
- inserting an implant receptacle into a void defined within the intervertebral disc;
- injecting the implant substance that is in a flowable state into a cavity defined by the implant receptacle;
- and
- irradiating the implant substance with laser light from outside the patient's body;
- changing the implant substance from a flowable state to a state that is similar to naturally-occurring nucleus pulposus.
A method of forming an implant prosthesis for an intervertebral disc comprising the steps of:
- injecting a prosthetic material into a void defined by an annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc when the prosthetic material is in a fluid state;
- and
- directing electromagnetic radiation towards the prosthetic material when located within the void defined by the annulus fibrosus;
- altering the state of the prosthetic material, by way of the directed electromagnetic radiation, from a fluid state to a state where the altered prosthetic material is able to act as a shock absorber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.