Patent ID: 7959683
Filing Date: 2011-06-14
Classification: A61F,A61L

Abstract:
1. An implant for treating a degenerative intervertebral disc which includes an annulus fibrosus and a nuclear cavity whose boundary is bordered by surrounding walls of the annulus fibrosus and by superior and inferior vertebrae, said implant comprising: an expandable porous pouch having an exterior surface and a size and shape, when in a collapsed state, to facilitate its insertion through an opening in the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc and its introduction into the nuclear cavity of the intervertebral disc; and a plurality of substantially demineralized bone units that are sized and shaped for insertion into said porous pouch, said porous pouch being expandable from said collapsed state to an expanded state, in which said exterior surface of said porous pouch engages a substantial portion of the boundary of the nuclear cavity of the intervertebral disc responsive to the insertion of said bone units into said porous pouch, and said bone units being non-osteoinductive as a result of having been soaked in hydrogen peroxide, whereby said bone units do not promote fusion of the superior and inferior vertebrae and do not promote bony ingrowth.