Artificial intervertebral disk and method for implanting the same
First Claim
1. An artificial intervertebral disk for surgical implantation in a defective natural intervertebral disk, the artificial intervertebral disk comprising an elastic material having an annular configuration at least substantially enclosing a central opening wherein the artificial intervertebral disk is deformed by an external force applied during implantation into a substantially straight configuration and wherein the artificial intervertebral disk returns to its annular configuration upon removal of the external force after implantation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A ring-shaped artificial intervertebral disk is made of an elastic material implantable into the human body. The artificial intervertebral can be transformed mechanically to have a straight rod shape before being implanted. Upon being implanted into the vertebrae, the artificial intervertebral disk regains its original ring shape.
853 Citations
15 Claims
- 1. An artificial intervertebral disk for surgical implantation in a defective natural intervertebral disk, the artificial intervertebral disk comprising an elastic material having an annular configuration at least substantially enclosing a central opening wherein the artificial intervertebral disk is deformed by an external force applied during implantation into a substantially straight configuration and wherein the artificial intervertebral disk returns to its annular configuration upon removal of the external force after implantation.
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15. A method for implanting an artificial intervertebral disk comprising the following steps:
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making an incision in a body of a patient receiving treatment; removing an injured or deformed intervertebral disk creating a space; inserting a hollow tube into the body through the incision therein so that a first opening end of said hollow tube reaches the space created by removal of the injured or deformed intervertebral disk of said patient and a second opening end of said hollow tube is protruding outwardly from said body; applying an external force to an artificial intervertebral disk normally having an annular configuration at least substantially enclosing a central opening such that the artificial intervertebral disk has a straight configuration; inserting said straightened artificial intervertebral disk into said hollow tube from said second opening end and pushing said straightened artificial intervertebral disk so that said straigtened artificial intervertebral disk exists from said first opening end of said hollow tube into said space; and withdrawing said hollow tube from said body thereby removing the external force from the artificial intervertebral disk and returning the artificial intervertebral disk to the annular configuration in said space.
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Specification