Methods for forming and retaining intervertebral disc implants
First Claim
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1. A method of preventing excessive movement or migration of an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, said method comprising:
- (a) implanting a load bearing elastic body in an intervertebral disc space; and
(b) providing an outer shell around said load bearing elastic body;
wherein said “
providing an outer shell”
step comprises providing around said elastic body an amount of biocompatible material sufficient to substantially or completely cover the load bearing elastic body.
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Abstract
Nucleus pulposus implants that are resistant to migration in and/or expulsion from an intervertebral disc space are provided. In one form of the invention, an implant includes a load bearing elastic body surrounded in the disc space by an anchoring, preferably resorbable, outer shell. In certain forms of the invention, the elastic body is surrounded by a supporting member, such as a band or jacket, and the supporting member is surrounded by the outer shell. Kits for forming such implants are also provided.
199 Citations
80 Claims
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1. A method of preventing excessive movement or migration of an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, said method comprising:
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(a) implanting a load bearing elastic body in an intervertebral disc space; and
(b) providing an outer shell around said load bearing elastic body;
wherein said “
providing an outer shell”
step comprises providing around said elastic body an amount of biocompatible material sufficient to substantially or completely cover the load bearing elastic body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. An intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, comprising:
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(a) a load bearing elastic body surgically implanted in an intervertebral disc space; and
(b) an outer shell around said load bearing elastic body;
wherein said outer shell comprises an amount of biocompatible material sufficient to substantially or completely cover the load bearing elastic body. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74)
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- 75. A kit for forming an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, comprising a load bearing elastic body sized for introduction into an intervertebral disc space, and a container of biocompatible material sufficient to form an outer shell that substantially or completely covers the load bearing elastic body.
Specification