Patent ID: 7618457
Filing Date: 2009-11-17
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An intervertebral prosthetic structure for replacement of at least a portion of an intervertebral disc nucleus, comprising: a bag structure made from a flexible material having a cavity therein, the bag structure comprising an opening in communication with the cavity, wherein the opening is adapted to allow an interior implant structure to be placed into the cavity, wherein the bag is pre-formed prior to being inserted into an intervertebral space, the bag structured to be compressed for insertion into the intervertebral space, wherein the bag structure in combination with the interior implant structure is adapted to remain within an intervertebral disc space without extrusion from the space; and an interior implant structure including two or more interwoven sinusoidal-shaped structures, each sinusoidal-shaped structure including a length of flexible material defining a plurality of periodic portions, each periodic portion intersecting a longitudinal axis at two points, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the length of flexible material is substantially constant along the periodic portions.