Patent ID: 6533817
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: A61F,A61L

Abstract:
A packaged prosthetic disc nucleus apparatus comprising:a prosthetic disc nucleus for implantation within a nucleus cavity defined by an anulus and opposing end plates, the prosthetic disc nucleus including: a hydrogel core configured to hydrate from a dehydrated state, wherein the prosthetic disc nucleus is configured such that following implantation, the hydrogel core hydrates to a final hydrated state; and a retainer selectively containing the prosthetic disc nucleus, the retainer configured to allow the hydrogel core, upon contact with a hydration liquid, to hydrate from the dehydrated state and prevent the hydrogel core from hydrating to the final hydrated state, such that the prosthetic disc nucleus is constrained by the retainer in a partially-hydrated state, and wherein the retainer is configured to release the prosthetic disc nucleus for subsequent implantation of the prosthetic disc nucleus into the nuceus cavity.