Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A prosthesis for the nucleus pulposis of an intervertebral disc comprising a bladder-like member having a stem for insertion of liquid or plastic into said member, said member shaped to simulate said nucleus pulposis of a human disc and to fit within the annulus fibrosis of said disc and at least one stud on an exterior face of said member shaped to engage a socket forming member on one end of said disc formed for installation in the vertebrae along or below said disc.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A prosthesis for the nucleus pulposis of an intervertebral disc comprising a bladder-like member having a stem for insertion of liquid or plastic into said member, said member shaped to simulate said nucleus pulposis of a human disc and to fit within the annulus fibrosis of said disc and at least one stud on an exterior face of said member shaped to engage a socket forming member on one end of said disc formed for installation in the vertebrae along or below said disc.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A prosthesis according to claim 1 in which said bladder-like member is a thin-walled plastic member capable of being rolled up preliminary to installation formed of a material having approximately the electrical conductivity of a natural disc, and capable of holding fluid or water under pressure substantially duplicating the corresponding characteristics of a natural disc nucleus pulposis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A prosthesis according to claim 2 in which said stud is radio opaque.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A prosthesis according to claim 1 which further comprises a valve in said stem.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A prosthesis according to claim 1 which further comprises material inserted through said stem substantially filling said bladder-like member, said material being radio opaque, said material being fluid or plastic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A prosthesis according to claim 5 in which said material is radio opaque.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A prosthesis according to claim 1 which further comprises at least one socket forming member having a flange and shaped with a point to imbed said socket-forming member into a vertebrae above or below said flange, said socket-forming member formed with a socket complementary to said stud.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A prosthesis according to claim 7 in which said socket-forming member is radio opaque.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
In combinaton with a prosthesis of claim 1, a tube for surgically locating said prosthesis, said tube being transparent in at least a portion of its distal end for checking location of said tube with a cystoscope inserted into said tube, said tube having locating means operable from its proximal end to drive at least one pin at its distal end into a vertebrae to locate said tube fixed relative to a disc in which said prosthesis is to be installed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination of claim 9 which further comprises a socket-forming member having a flange, a point and a socket complementary to said stud, and a forceps dimensioned to fit inside said tube and having one end formed to hold said flange for insertion of said point into an adjacent vertebrae by operation of said forceps.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination of claim 9 in which the wall of said tube is formed with a longitudinal hole and said locating means comprises a pin reciprocable in said hole and having a point in its distal end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The combination of claim 11 in which the wall of said tube is formed with a second longitudinal hole diametrically opposite said first-mentioned hole and which further comprises a second pin in said second hole to locate said tube fixed relative to said first-mentioned vertebrae and a second vertebrae on the side of said disc opposite said first-mentioned vertebrae.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 9 which further comprises a stop and means adjustably securing said stop on said pin outside said tube to limit inward projection of said pin into said tube.