REPLACEMENT OF NUCLEUS PULPOSUS USING A HYDROGEL

摘要

A nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc is supplemented or replaced by anelongated, physiologically fully hydrated hydrogel prosthesis inserted intothe central region of an intervertebral disc, where it can fold upon itself toform a prosthesis body within the central region of the annulus fibrosus. Thehydrogel prosthesis may have expanded portions that assist in preventingexpulsion of the prosthesis through the insertion aperture. An instrument forinserting the prosthesis has a cutter for severing the elongated prosthesiswithin the central region of the intervertebral disc after a sufficient amounthas been implanted.