Prosthetic spinal disc nucleus having a shape change characteristic
US6602291B1 · kind B1 · utility
192Cited by
37References
20Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 5, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 5, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 20, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2250/0098
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A prosthetic spinal disc nucleus comprising a hydrogel core surrounded by a constraining jacket. The hydrogel core is configured to expand from a dehydrated state to a hydrated state. In the dehydrated state, the hydrogel core has a shape selected to facilitate implantation through an anulus opening. Further, in the hydrated state, the hydrogel core has a shape corresponding generally to a portion of a nucleus cavity, the hydrated shape being different from the dehydrated shape. Upon hydration, the hydrogel core transitions from the dehydrated shape to the hydrated shape.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.