Intervertebral disc nucleus implants and methods
First Claim
1. An intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, comprising:
- a load bearing elastic body having shape memory and sized for placement into an intervertebral disc space, said body having a first end, a second end, and a central portion located between the first and second ends;
wherein said shape memory biases said body to a first configuration in which said first end and said second end are folded into contact with the central portion, wherein the first end in contact with the central portion forms a first aperture and the second end in contact with the central portion forms a second aperture;
said elastic body configurable into a second, straightened configuration for insertion through an opening in an intervertebral disc annulus fibrosis;
wherein said shape memory is effective for returning said body to said first configuration after said insertion.
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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. In another form of the invention, an implant is provided that has locking features and optional shape memory characteristics. In yet another aspect of the invention, nucleus pulposus implants are provided that have shape memory characteristics and are configured to allow short-term manual, or other deformation without permanent deformation, cracks, tears, breakage or other damage. Methods of forming and implanting the implants are also described, as are delivery devices and components thereof for delivering the implants.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. An intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant, comprising:
a load bearing elastic body having shape memory and sized for placement into an intervertebral disc space, said body having a first end, a second end, and a central portion located between the first and second ends;
wherein said shape memory biases said body to a first configuration in which said first end and said second end are folded into contact with the central portion, wherein the first end in contact with the central portion forms a first aperture and the second end in contact with the central portion forms a second aperture;
said elastic body configurable into a second, straightened configuration for insertion through an opening in an intervertebral disc annulus fibrosis;
wherein said shape memory is effective for returning said body to said first configuration after said insertion.- 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)
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34. An intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus implant comprising a load bearing body sized for placement into an intervertebral disc space, said body having a first end, a second end, and a central portion;
- wherein said body assumes a first, folded configuration in which said first end and said second end are positioned adjacent to said central portion to provide an implant having a substantially solid center when the implant is not subjected to straightening forces, and wherein said body assumes a second, straightened configuration in which said central portion is between said first end and said second end to provide an implant having a substantially linear shape when said body is subjected to straightening forces;
wherein said first end and said second end are each approximately one half the length of said central portion so that the first end and the second end abut near the middle of said central portion when the body assumes its first, folded configuration; and
wherein said body includes a plurality of grooves to prevent cracking or tearing of the implant when the implant is manipulated to its straightened configuration.
- wherein said body assumes a first, folded configuration in which said first end and said second end are positioned adjacent to said central portion to provide an implant having a substantially solid center when the implant is not subjected to straightening forces, and wherein said body assumes a second, straightened configuration in which said central portion is between said first end and said second end to provide an implant having a substantially linear shape when said body is subjected to straightening forces;
Specification