Spinal nucleus implant
US6264695A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L2430/38
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention is a spinal nucleus implant for replacement of at least a portion of nucleus pulposus tissue removed from a spinal disc of a living vertebrate to restore function of the spinal disc and related vertebral joint. The implant is an anisotropically swellable, biomimetic xerogel plastic, having a two phase structure with a hydrophobic phase having high crystallinity and low water content and with hydrophilic phase having low crystallinity and high water content and having a negatively charged lubricious surface. The xerogel plastic is capable of rehydration and of osmotic movement of liquid therethrough in response to osmotic pressure change to thereby increase and decrease liquid content in its hydrated state. The present invention also relates to surgical implant procedures utilizing this spinal nucleus implant.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.