US6187048B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intervertebral disc implant
Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp
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Filing: 1995-05-23
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Granted: 2001-02-13
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Expires: 2015-05-23
Abstract
Abstract An implant for forming an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus prosthesis includes a conformable material adapted to fill cavities within the disc and to at least partially polymerize in-situ to form a shaped, resiliently deformable prosthesis.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Milner
- 👤 Paul Arrowsmith
- 👤 Edith Jane Millan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/14; A61L27/16; A61F2/442; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30563; A61F2002/30581; A61F2002/30583; A61F2002/30589; A61F2002/444; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0085; A61L2430/00; A61L2430/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
An implant for forming an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus prosthesis comprising a conformable material adapted to fill cavities within the disc and to at least partially polymerize in-situ to form a shaped, resiliently deformable prosthesis, said conformable material including at least approximately 85% by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxyalkylmeth acrylates, polyalkylmethacrylates, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
60 words
An implant for forming an intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus prosthesis comprising a conformable material adapted to fill cavities within the disc and to at least partially polymerize in-situ to form a shaped, resiliently deformable prosthesis, said conformable material including at least approximately 85% by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxyalkylmeth acrylates, polyalkylmethacrylates, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An implant according to claim 1 wherein the conformable material is in the form of a fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An implant according to claim 1 wherein at least part of the material is a functionalised prepolymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An implant according to claim 1 wherein at least part of the material is adapted to cured upon contact with water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An implant according to claim 1 wherein at least part of the material is adapted to be cured by radiated energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An implant according to claim 5 wherein said radiated energy is thermal radiation or UV light radiation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
An implant according to claim 5 wherein said material further comprises an initiator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An implant according to claim 3 wherein said material comprises a monomer oligomer or polymer comprising ethylenic unsaturation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
An implant according to claim 8 wherein said ethylenic unsaturation is acrylic or methacrylic unsaturation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An implant according to claim 2 wherein the material is contained in a flexible envelope.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
An implant according to claim 10 wherein the envelope is impervious to the material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
An implant according to claim 10 wherein the envelope contains means to allow ingress of a second material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
An implant according to claim 12 wherein the ingress means is sealable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
An implant according to claim 10 wherein the envelope is formed from water permeable polyurethane.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for implanting an intervertebral disc prosthesis into an intervertebral disc area defined between adjacent vertebrae comprising the steps of: introducing a conformable material into the intervertebral disc area, the conformable material including at least approximately 85% by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxyalkylmeth acrylates, polyalkylmethacrylates, and mixtures thereof, and being adapted to at least partially polymerize in situ; and curing the conformable material to at least cause partial polymerization thereof to thereby form a resiliently deformable intervertebral prosthesis.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for implanting an intervertebral disc prosthesis into an intervertebral disc area defined between adjacent vertebrae comprising the steps of: introducing a conformable material into the intervertebral disc area, the conformable material including at least approximately 85% by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxyalkylmeth acrylates, polyalkylmethacrylates, and mixtures thereof, and being adapted to at least partially polymerize in situ; and curing the conformable material to at least cause partial polymerization thereof to thereby form a resiliently deformable intervertebral prosthesis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the step of curing includes subjecting the conformable material to an aqueous solution.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the step of subjecting including introducing the aqueous solution into the intervertebral disc area to mix with the conformable material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of introducing includes permitting body fluids containing aqueous solution to enter the intervertebral disc area to mix with the conformable material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of subjecting includes mixing the aqueous solution with the conformable material, the step of mixing being performed prior to the step of introducing the conformable material into the intervertebral disc area.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 16 further including the step of positioning a flexible container in the disc area and wherein the step of introducing includes directing the conformable material into the flexible container.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the conformable material is an isocyanate or a siloxane.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the step of curing includes subjecting the conformable material to radiated energy.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
31 words
The method of claims 20 wherein the flexible container is permeable to the aqueous solution and wherein the step of subjecting includes permitting the aqueous solution to permeate the flexible container.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for implanting an intervertebral disc prosthesis into an intervertebral disc area defined between adjacent vertebrae, comprising the steps of: introducing a conformable material into the intervertebral disc area, the conformable material adapted to at least partially polymerize in situ; curing the conformable material to at least cause partial polymerization thereof to thereby form a resiliently deformable intervertebral prosthesis; and securing the prosthesis within the intervertebral disc area.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for implanting an intervertebral disc prosthesis into an intervertebral disc area defined between adjacent vertebrae, comprising the steps of: introducing a conformable material into the intervertebral disc area, the conformable material adapted to at least partially polymerize in situ; curing the conformable material to at least cause partial polymerization thereof to thereby form a resiliently deformable intervertebral prosthesis; and securing the prosthesis within the intervertebral disc area.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the step of securing includes using mechanical securing means selected from the group consisting of screws, nails, sutures, and adhesives.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for implanting an intervertebral disc prosthesis into an intervertebral disc area defined between adjacent vertebrae, comprising the steps of: positioning an impermeable container in the intervertebral disc area; introducing a conformable material into the container, the conformable material adapted to at least partially polymerize in situ; and directing an aqueous solution into the container to at least cause partial polymerization of the conformable material to thereby form a resiliently deformable intervertebral prosthesis.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for implanting an intervertebral disc prosthesis into an intervertebral disc area defined between adjacent vertebrae, comprising the steps of: positioning an impermeable container in the intervertebral disc area; introducing a conformable material into the container, the conformable material adapted to at least partially polymerize in situ; and directing an aqueous solution into the container to at least cause partial polymerization of the conformable material to thereby form a resiliently deformable intervertebral prosthesis.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-02-13 | 2004-08-14 | 2005-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-13 | 2008-08-14 | 2009-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-13 | 2012-08-14 | 2013-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |