Intervertebral disc augmentation and rehydration with superabsorbent polymers
AssigneeWarsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
InventorHai H. Trieu
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Abstract
The embodiments provide a method for treating an intervertebral disc having a nucleus pulposus and an annulus fibrosis, using one or more superabsorbent polymers. Additionally, the embodiments provide a method for bulking up an intervertebral disc having a nucleus pulposus and an annulus fibrosis, using one or more superabsorbent polymers. The methods comprise introducing an amount of the superabsorbent polymers into the intervertebral disc space without removing nucleus pulposus or annulus fibrosis material.
Claims40
A method for treating an intervertebral disc having a nucleus pulposus and an annulus fibrosis, using one or more partially, chemically crosslinked superabsorbent polymers capable of absorbing fluid in an amount that is at least ten times the weight of the superabsorbent polymer in its dry form, comprising:
- mixing the partially, chemically crosslinked superabsorbent polymers with a binder that degrades in vivo to form a solid device;
- and
- introducing the solid device into the intervertebral disc space having an intact and competent annuls fibrosis without removing nucleus pulposus or annulus fibrosis material, thereby rehydrating the intervertebral disc space.
A method for bulking up an intervertebral disc having a nucleus pulposus and an annulus fibrosis, using one or more partially, chemically crosslinked superabsorbent polymers capable of absorbing fluid in an amount that is at least ten times the weight of the superabsorbent polymer in its dry form, comprising:
- mixing the partially, chemically crosslinked superabsorbent polymers with a binder that degrades in vivo to form a solid device;
- and
- introducing the solid device into the intervertebral disc space having an intact and competent annuls fibrosis without removing nucleus pulposus or annulus fibrosis material, thereby accomplishing at least one of an increase in the disc height, an increase in the disc volume, and an increase in the intra-discal pressure.
A method for augmenting an intervertebral disc comprising:
- inserting an inflatable member through the annulus fibrosis into the nucleus pulposus;
- inflating the inflatable member to stretch the annulus fibrosis;
- deflating the inflatable member;
- removing the inflatable member;
- mixing partially, chemically crosslinked superabsorbent polymers with a binder that degrades in vivo to form a solid device;
- and
- Introducing the solid device into the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc having an intact and competent annuls fibrosis, wherein the superabsorbent polymer is not more than about 30% crosslinked and wherein the superabsorbent polymer increases the water affinity of the intervertebral disc by absorbing fluid in an amount that is at least ten times the weight of the superabsorbent polymer in its dry form to rehydrate the nucleus pulposus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.