US 6,280,475 B1 · Hydrogel intervertebral disc nucleus implantation method

Abstract

An article for use in the preparation of a hydrogel prosthetic nucleus, for an intervertebral disc, having equilibrium water contents (EWCs) of from about 30 to about 90% and compressive strengths of at least 4 meganewtons per square meter (MNm−2), at their EWCs, when subjected to the same constraints as the normal nucleus, comprising one or more xerogel rods containing from zero to less than the EWC. A method for preparing a hydrogel prosthetic nucleus, for a vertebral disc, comprising one or more hydrogel rods containing from about 30 to about 90% water, and having compressive strengths of at least 1 MNmn−2, at their EWCs, which comprises inserting one or more hydrophilic xerogel rods, which at their EWC will contain from about 30 to about 90% water and have compressive strengths of at least 1 MNm−2, containing water in an amount from about zero to less than their EWC, into the cavity of the disc through an opening in its annulus and allowing the rod, or rods, to absorb sufficient water from the body fluids to attain their EWCs and essentially fill the intervertebral nuclear disc cavity.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of treating a intervertebral disc comprising:

(a) providing an elongate, partially hydrated hydrogel member having a cross-sectional diameter of between about 2 mm and about 10 mm;
(b) inserting at least part of the member into a cavity within an intervertebral disc to only partially fill the cavity wherein the member folds upon itself a plurality of times during insertion and;
(c) allowing the part of the member within the cavity to increase in hydration and essentially fill and conform to the shape of the cavity.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hydrogel intervertebral disc nucleus implantation method

Life of this patent

Hydrogel intervertebral disc nucleus implantation method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20