Process for implanting an invertebral prosthesis

Abstract

An implant consisting of several support members (7), which are produced from an elastic plastic, is provided as a replacement for a part, which is no longer capable of bearing loads, of the core region of an intervertebral disk (3). The support members (7) are inserted one after the other into a central cavity (5) constructed in the core region by means of a tube (6) passing through an outer annular region (4) of the intervertebral disk (3) until said cavity is filled. When the cavity (5) becomes clogged with the filling members (7), they become deposited on the boundary walls of the annular region (4) and against one another and are elastically deformed under stress. Accordingly a universal implant which can be adapted to cavities (5) of any shape, and which forms a relatively compact, elastic support structure, can be achieved.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.