Biodegradable/bioactive nucleus pulposus implant and method for treating degenerated intervertebral discs

An implant for repairing an intervertebral disc, said disc having a nuclear space located between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising:

• an inflatable membrane;
• said membrane configured to be inserted in a nuclear space between the first and second adjacent vertebrae;
• said membrane having an internal chamber;
• said membrane being adjustable within the nuclear space from the collapsed configuration to an inflated configuration with a geometry configured to substantially fill the nuclear space such that a first portion of the membrane is located adjacent the first vertebra, a second portion of the membrane located opposite the first portion is positioned adjacent the second vertebra;
• and
• means for sealing a fill material within said chamber;
• wherein said means for sealing a fill material is coupled to the internal chamber such that a compressive load between the first and second vertebrae, and thus between the first and second membrane portions, seals said internal chamber.

An implant for repairing an intervertebral disc located between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising:

• an inflatable, elastic membrane;
• said membrane being insertable into said disc in a collapsed configuration through a passageway formed in the disc and into a nuclear space between the first and second adjacent vertebrae;
• said membrane having an internal chamber;
• and
• said membrane having an internal self-sealing fill valve located within the internal chamber;
• wherein said membrane is configured to be inflated within the nuclear space to substantially fill the nuclear space such that a first portion of the membrane is located adjacent the first vertebra, a second portion of the membrane located opposite the first portion is positioned adjacent the second vertebra;
• wherein said internal self-sealing fill valve comprises internal opposing walls that are disposed relative to the membrane so as to collapse as a result of a compressive load between the first and second vertebrae, and thus between the first and second membrane portions, and thereby disposed on said internal chamber;
• and
• wherein said membrane in the inflated configuration within the nuclear space is configured to contribute substantial support to the disc under the compressive load between the adjacent vertebrae.

An implant for repairing an intervertebral disc located between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising:

• an inflatable, biodegradable, aliphatic polycarbonate polyurethane membrane;
• said membrane configured to be installed between the adjacent vertebrae and inflated such that a first portion of the membrane contacts the first vertebrae, and a second portion of the membrane contacts a second vertebrae;
• said membrane having an internal chamber;
• and
• said membrane having an integral, internal self-sealing fill valve located within the internal chamber;
• wherein said internal self-sealing fill valve comprises internal opposing walls in communication with said membrane such that the internal walls collapse as a result of a compressive load disposed on said internal chamber through the first and second adjacent vertebrae and resulting contact with said first and second membrane portions.

An implant for repairing an intervertebral disc located between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising:

• an inflatable, biodegradable, aliphatic polycarbonate polyurethane membrane;
• said membrane having an internal chamber filled with a hydrogel;
• said membrane configured to be installed between the adjacent vertebrae and inflated so that a first portion of the membrane contacts the first vertebrae, and a second portion of the membrane contacts a second vertebrae;
• and
• said membrane having an integral, internal self-sealing fill valve located within the internal chamber;
• wherein said internal self-sealing fill valve comprises internal opposing walls in communication with said membrane such that the internal walls collapse as a result of a compressive load disposed on said internal chamber through the first and second adjacent vertebrae and resulting contact with said first and second membrane portions.

An implant system for repairing an intervertebral disc located between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising:

• an inflatable membrane;
• said membrane having an internal chamber;
• said membrane having an integral, internal self-sealing fill valve located within the internal chamber;
• said membrane configured for insertion into a nuclear space created by removing nucleus pulposus tissue in an intervertebral disc;
• said nuclear space being bounded at least partially by said first and second adjacent vertebrae;
• wherein said membrane is configured to be inflated within the nuclear space so that a first portion of the membrane is located adjacent the first vertebra, and a second portion of the membrane located opposite the first portion is positioned adjacent the second vertebra;
• and
• an annular buttress configured for placement in the annulus fibrosus of said intervertebral disc and retention of said membrane in said nuclear space;
• wherein said internal self-sealing fill valve comprises internal opposing walls that are disposed relative to the membrane so as to collapse as a result of a compressive load between the first and second vertebrae, and thus between the first and second membrane portions, and thereby disposed on said internal chamber.

An implant system for repairing an intervertebral disc located between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising:

• an inflatable membrane;
• said membrane having an internal chamber;
• said membrane configured to cooperate with a means for sealing a fill material within said chamber;
• said membrane configured for insertion into a nuclear space created by removing nucleus pulposus tissue in an intervertebral disc;
• said nuclear space being bounded by adjacent vertebral endplates located on opposing ends of the intervertebral disc;
• wherein said membrane is configured to be inflated within the nuclear space so that a first portion of the membrane is located adjacent the first vertebra, and a second portion of the membrane located opposite the first portion is positioned adjacent the second vertebra;
• and
• an annular buttress configured for placement in the annulus fibrosus of said intervertebral disc and retention of said membrane in said nuclear space
• wherein said membrane and said means for sealing a fill material seal the internal chamber in response to a compressive load the first and second vertebrae, and thus between the first and second membrane portions.

An implant system for repairing an intervertebral disc located between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising:

• an inflatable, elastic membrane;
• said membrane having an internal chamber;
• said membrane having an integral, internal self-sealing fill valve located within the internal chamber;
• said membrane configured for insertion into a nuclear space created by removing nucleus pulposus tissue in an intervertebral disc;
• said nuclear space being bounded at least partially by said first and second adjacent vertebrae;
• wherein said membrane is configured to be inflated within the nuclear space so that a first portion of the membrane is located adjacent the first vertebra, and a second portion of the membrane located opposite the first portion is positioned adjacent the second vertebra;
• and
• an annular buttress configured for placement in the annulus fibrosus of said intervertebral disc and retention of said membrane in said nuclear space;
• wherein said internal self-sealing fill valve comprises internal opposing walls that are disposed relative to the membrane so as to collapse as a result of a compressive load between the first and second vertebrae, and thus between the first and second membrane portions, and thereby disposed on said internal chamber.

An implant system for repairing an intervertebral disc located between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising:

• an inflatable, biodegradable, aliphatic polycarbonate polyurethane membrane;
• said membrane having an internal chamber;
• said membrane having an integral, internal self-sealing fill valve located within the internal chamber;
• wherein said membrane and said internal self-sealing fill valve are a unitary piece of material;
• said membrane configured for insertion into a nuclear space created by removing nucleus pulposus tissue in an intervertebral disc;
• said nuclear space being bounded at least partially by said first and second adjacent vertebrae;
• wherein said membrane is configured to be inflated within the nuclear space so that a first portion of the membrane is located adjacent the first vertebra, and a second portion of the membrane located opposite the first portion is positioned adjacent the second vertebra;
• and
• an annular buttress configured for placement in the annulus fibrosus of said intervertebral disc and retention of said membrane in said nuclear space;
• wherein said internal self-sealing fill valve comprises internal opposing walls that are disposed relative to the membrane so as to collapse as a result of a compressive load between the first and second vertebrae, and thus between the first and second membrane portions, and thereby disposed on said internal chamber.

An implant system for repairing an intervertebral disc located between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising:

• an inflatable, biodegradable, aliphatic polycarbonate polyurethane membrane;
• said membrane having an internal chamber filled with a hydrogel;
• said membrane having an integral, internal self-sealing fill valve located within the internal chamber;
• said membrane configured for insertion into a nuclear space created by removing nucleus pulposus tissue in an intervertebral disc;
• said nuclear space being bounded at least partially by said first and second adjacent vertebrae;
• wherein said membrane is configured to be inflated within the nuclear space so that a first portion of the membrane is located adjacent the first vertebra, and a second portion of the membrane located opposite the first portion is positioned adjacent the second vertebra;
• and
• an annular buttress configured for placement in the annulus fibrosus of said intervertebral disc and retention of said membrane in said nuclear space;
• wherein said internal self-sealing fill valve comprises internal opposing walls that are disposed relative to the membrane so as to collapse as a result of a compressive load between the first and second vertebrae, and thus between the first and second membrane portions, and thereby disposed on said internal chamber.

An implant system for repairing an intervertebral disc located between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising:

• an inflatable, biodegradable, aliphatic polycarbonate polyurethane membrane;
• said membrane having an internal chamber filled with a nucleophilic “8-arm” octomer (PEG-NH2, MW 20 kDa) and a “2-arm” amine-specific electrophilic dimer;
• said membrane having an integral, internal self-sealing fill valve located within the internal chamber;
• wherein said membrane and said internal self-sealing fill valve are a unitary piece of material;
• said membrane configured for insertion into a nuclear space created by removing nucleus pulposus tissue in an intervertebral disc;
• said nuclear space being bounded at least partially by said first and second adjacent vertebrae;
• wherein said membrane is configured to be inflated within the nuclear space so that a first portion of the membrane is located adjacent the first vertebra, and a second portion of the membrane located opposite the first portion is positioned adjacent the second vertebra;
• and
• an annular buttress configured for placement in the annulus fibrosus of said intervertebral disc and retention of said membrane in said nuclear space;
• wherein said internal self-sealing fill valve comprises internal opposing walls that are disposed relative to the membrane so as to collapse as a result of a compressive load between the first and second vertebrae, and thus between the first and second membrane portions, and thereby disposed on said internal chamber.