Prosthetic intervertebral disc
AssigneeReGen Corporation
InventorKevin R. Stone
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A prosthetic intervertebral disc is disclosed which can be implanted in the human skeleton, and which can act as a scaffold for regrowth of intervertebral disc material. The disc includes a dry, porous, volume matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers which may be interspersed with glyscosaminoglycan molecules. The matrix is adapted to have in vivo an outer surface contour substantially the same as that of a natural intervertebral disc, whereby said matrix establishes an at least partially bioresorbable scaffold adapted for ingrowth of intervertebral fibrochondrocytes. Cross-links may be provided by a portion of the GAG molecules.
Claims27
A prosthetic intervertebral disc comprising a dry, porous volume matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers, said fibers selected from the group consisting of natural polymers, and analogs and mixtures thereof,
- said matrix being adapted to have in vivo an outer surface contour substantially the same as that of a natural intervertebral disc,
- whereby said matrix establishes an at least partially bioresorbable scaffold adapted for ingrowth of vertebral fibrochondrocytes, and wherein said scaffold and said ingrown vertebral fibrochondrocytes support natural intervertebral load forces.
A method of regenerating intervertebral tissue in vivo comprising the steps of:
- (a) fabricating a prosthetic intervertebral disc comprising a dry porous volume matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers, said fibers selected from the group consisting of natural polymers, and analogs and mixtures thereof,
- said matrix being adapted to have in vivo an outer surface contour substantially the same as that of a natural intervertebral disc, whereby said matrix establishes an at least partially bioresorbable scaffold adapted for ingrowth of vertebral fibrochondrocytes, and wherein said scaffold and said ingrown vertebral fibrochondrocytes support natural intervertebral load forces;
- and
- (b) implanting said disc into a spine by surgical procedures.
- said implanted disc stimulating regeneration of intervertebral tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.