Radially compressed dehydrated spinal nucleus implants
AssigneeReplication Medical, Inc.
InventorsGerald Gontarz, Ann Prewett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A radially compressed xerogel spinal nucleus implant is manufactured and utilized for implantation into an intervertebral disc space. The implant has an optimized cross-sectional ellipsoid configuration which facilitates insertion of the implant through a minimal incision in the annulus. Radial compression is achieved by exerting substantially equilateral circumferential compression on an object contained within a radially collapsible member for exerting substantially equilateral circumferential compression on the object. Radial compression may also be achieved by exerting substantially equilateral circumferential compression force on a spinal nucleus implant via gas pressure in a sealed chamber.
Claims55
A spinal nucleus implant comprising a hydrogel, the implant having at least first and second configurations, the first configuration occurring when the hydrogel is substantially dehydrated, the first configuration being a substantially rod-shaped monolithic solid body having a longitudinal axis defining the length of the rod-shaped solid body and a transverse axis defining the width of the rod-shaped solid body, the second configuration being a substantially ellipsoid solid body disc, wherein upon hydration of the substantially dehydrated hydrogel, the implant increases in volume by circumferential expansion along the transverse axis, from the first configuration to the second configuration.
A spinal nucleus implant comprising a hydrogel, the implant having first and second configurations, the first configuration occurring when the hydrogel is substantially dehydrated, the first configuration being a substantially rod shaped compressed monolithic solid body having a longitudinal axis defining the length of the rod-shaped compressed solid body and a transverse axis defining the width of the rod-shaped solid body, the second configuration being a substantially ellipsoid disc, wherein upon hydration of the substantially dehydrated hydrogel, the implant increases in volume by circumferential expansion along the transverse axis, from the first configuration to the second configuration.
A spinal nucleus implant comprising a hydrogel, the hydrogel having at least first and second phases, the implant having at least first and second configurations, the first configuration occurring when the hydrogel is substantially dehydrated to amount of about 2% to about 30% water by weight, the first configuration being a substantially rod-shaped monolithic solid body having a longitudinal axis defining the length of the rod-shaped solid body and a transverse axis defining the width of the rod-shaped solid body, the second configuration being a substantially ellipsoid solid body disc, wherein upon hydration of the first phase with water to an amount of about 60% to about 90% by weight of the substantially dehydrated hydrogel, the implant increases in volume by circumferential expansion along the transverse axis, from the first configuration to the second configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.