Artificial spinal prosthesis
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An artificial intervertebral disk implant for disposition in the space between two vertebrae after removal of a disk therefrom comprising:
- (a) a sheath forming a fluid tight bag having a tapered and substantially oval shape, the tapered surfaces of the oval defining superior and inferior surfaces of the bag, said bag being comprised of a soft, pliable biologically compatible material having a plurality of spiked means formed in the superior and inferior surfaces for stably engaging said implant to the surfaces of the adjacent vertebrae for compressing into a tight bundle for insertion of the implant into the space between two vertebrae,(b) said sheath containing a plurality of multisized spring means positioned between the superior and inferior portions of said sheath and adapted to yieldably urge said surfaces away from each other whereby the shape of the implant after insertion into the space between two vertebrae and expansion conforms to the shape of the space between two vertebrae, and(c) said sheath having a port for receiving injection of fluid therethrough for expanding said bag to form said implant.
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Abstract
An artificial disk prosthesis and methods for implanting it, the prosthesis. In one embodiment having a member for adapting in size and shape to an anatomical space between vertebrae and apparatus for expanding the member to conform to the space.
1352 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An artificial intervertebral disk implant for disposition in the space between two vertebrae after removal of a disk therefrom comprising:
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(a) a sheath forming a fluid tight bag having a tapered and substantially oval shape, the tapered surfaces of the oval defining superior and inferior surfaces of the bag, said bag being comprised of a soft, pliable biologically compatible material having a plurality of spiked means formed in the superior and inferior surfaces for stably engaging said implant to the surfaces of the adjacent vertebrae for compressing into a tight bundle for insertion of the implant into the space between two vertebrae, (b) said sheath containing a plurality of multisized spring means positioned between the superior and inferior portions of said sheath and adapted to yieldably urge said surfaces away from each other whereby the shape of the implant after insertion into the space between two vertebrae and expansion conforms to the shape of the space between two vertebrae, and (c) said sheath having a port for receiving injection of fluid therethrough for expanding said bag to form said implant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of implanting an artificial intervertebral disk prosthesis into the space between two vertebrae after removal of a diseased or damaged intervertebral disk, comprising the steps of:
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(a) removing air from within a fluid-tight cavity of a disk prosthesis, said disk prosthesis comprising a substantially oval sheath having a fluid-tight interior comprised of a soft, pliable biologically compatible material, said sheath containing a plurality of multisized spring means positioned between a superior and an inferior surface of said sheath and adapted to yieldably urge said surfaces away from each other toward the two vertebrae, said sheath having a port for receiving injection of fluid, (b) compressing said disk prosthesis into a tight bundle; (c) placing bands around said disk prosthesis so as to maintain said tight bundle, said bands covering pullable strings on each end of said prosthesis; (d) positioning said prosthesis into the space between the surfaces of the two adjacent vertebrae; (e) pulling said strings thereby breaking said bands allowing said prosthesis to expand; and (f) injecting a fluid into said cavity to inflate the prosthesis. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification