Patent ID: 8636803

Claim:
A nuclear prosthesis for percutaneous implantation into a de-nucleated inter-vertebral disc space of a human, said nuclear prosthesis comprising: an annular enclosing layer substantially discoid in shape and defining an annular enclosure; an annular reinforcement band adjacent an outer margin of said annular enclosing layer and defining an outer layer of said nuclear prosthesis; said annular reinforcement band comprises a plurality of at least partially interwoven layers of biocompatible fibers, thereby comprising a three dimensional structure of said annular reinforcement band, the three dimensional structure comprising; a warp knitted outer layer for enhancing in-growth of soft tissue to said nuclear prosthesis; at least one intermediate layer formed of a plurality of substantially helical loops of said biocompatible fibers; an inner layer formed of thin biocompatible fibers; and wherein said outer layer and said at least one intermediate layer are adjacent and partially interwoven, and said at least one intermediate layer and said inner layer are adjacent and partially interwoven; a nuclear enclosing layer adjacent an inner margin of said annular enclosing layer, said nuclear enclosing layer enclosing and defining a nuclear enclosure; a sealing valve assembly comprising a sealing valve core disposed within said annular enclosure and bonded to said annular enclosing layer, an indwelling catheter partially enclosed within said nuclear enclosure and extending outward through said nuclear enclosing layer, said inner margin of said annular enclosing layer and into said sealing valve core such that the remaining portion of said indwelling catheter is enclosed within said sealing valve core, and a sealing plug insertable within said indwelling catheter; and wherein said sealing valve assembly conducts compressible fluid into said nuclear enclosure and deformable fluid into said annular enclosure and said sealing valve assembly further comprises: an inlet port disposed within said sealing valve core and lateral to said indwelling catheter, said inlet port opening into said annular enclosure for said conduction of said fluid into said annular enclosure; and wherein said indwelling catheter has a pore for conduction of said fluid into said nuclear enclosure; and wherein said sealing valve core further comprises an outlet port substantially opposite said inlet port and lateral to said indwelling catheter, said outlet port having an opening into said annular enclosure for receiving a return of said fluid that is conducted into said annular enclosure.