Implants for treatment of symptomatic or degenerated intervertebral discs
First Claim
1. An intervertebral disc implant comprising a first layer including a first active agent and a second layer including a second active agent therapeutically different than the first active agent, wherein the first and second active agents are in solid form and wherein the second layer is configured to delay exposure to the first layer from an in vivo environment of the soft tissue of the nucleus pulposus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices for the treatment of intervertebral discs are described. The devices, when implanted into the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc, provide for the controlled release of one or more active agents into the disc. The active agent can be a chemonucleolytic agent such as chymopapain. The device can also comprise one or more binders. The device can be an elongate solid body having a tapered or rounded insertion end. Alternatively, the device can include a plurality of particles. For devices containing multiple active agents, the configuration of the device be chosen to provide for the sequential or simultaneous release of each of the active agents. The elongate solid body can include a sheath comprising a first active agent and a core comprising a second active agent.
62 Citations
28 Claims
- 1. An intervertebral disc implant comprising a first layer including a first active agent and a second layer including a second active agent therapeutically different than the first active agent, wherein the first and second active agents are in solid form and wherein the second layer is configured to delay exposure to the first layer from an in vivo environment of the soft tissue of the nucleus pulposus.
Specification