Hydrogel intervertebral disc nucleus
US5047055A · kind A · utility
921Cited by
9References
10Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 1990 |
| Grant date | Sep 10, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S623/901
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A prosthetic nucleus for a vertebral disc is made of a hydrogel material. The hydrogel prosthetic nucleus has a shape generally conforming to the natural nucleus pulposus. The hydrogel has a water content of at least 30% and has a compressive strength of 4MNm.sup.-2 or greater. When the hydrogel material is dehydrated, it has a dimension of less than half of that of the hydrated hydrogel nucleus. The prosthetic nucleus may be formed of two or more pieces of hydrogel material which pieces, when combined, have a shape generally conforming to the natural nucleus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.