Patent · US Expired

Inflatable nuclear prosthesis

US6958077B2 · kind B2 · utility

219Cited by
8References
5Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 29, 2003
Grant dateOct 25, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 19, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61F2250/0019
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The nucleus of an intervertebral disc is replaced with a construct including a distendable sack or balloon which is inflated with a hardenable material and is detached in situ when the injected material has hardened. Alternatively, two nested balloons may be inserted, and then filled with materials which have different hardnesses when cured, to simulate a natural disc.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.