초록 ▼

An alloplastic device and process for replacement of a damaged or diseased spinal vertebral column disk. The replacement disk is hollow room temperature vulcanizable (RTV) silicone shaped to mimic the natural disk being replaced. The shape can be derived from a mold of the natural disk or an MRI sca

An alloplastic device and process for replacement of a damaged or diseased spinal vertebral column disk. The replacement disk is hollow room temperature vulcanizable (RTV) silicone shaped to mimic the natural disk being replaced. The shape can be derived from a mold of the natural disk or an MRI scan. The replacement disk may be trabeculated (honeycombed) and may be filled with a lubricating fluid including triglyceride oil, preferably soybean oil. The replacement disk is formed by allowing RTV silicone injected into a mold to vulcanize at room temperatures until a wall of sufficient thickness is formed. The unvulcanized silicone is expressed to form the hollow interior. The replacement disk is formed with a nipple having an interior concavity. The nipple is cut from the body of the replacement disk leaving an opening into the hollow interior. The nipple is inverted and sealed into the opening so that the nipple extends from the surface of the replacement disk into the interior where it contacts the opposite wall of the disk. The inverted nipple thus provides a central support for the disk and a valve to inject the lubricating fluid into the hollow interior. The concavity of the inverted nipple is filled with RTV silicone which then vulcanizes and seals the opening. The hollow disk lubricates itself since the lubricating fluid percolates slowly through the silicone wall. Other uses include replacement for a worn out or injured miniscus, and other orthopedic applications including carpal tunnel damage or injuries.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A hollow prosthesis, comprising:at least one wall enclosing an interior space, said at least one wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface;a filing material comprising a triglyceride oil;an infusion port for injecting said filling material into said interi

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A hollow prosthesis, comprising:at least one wall enclosing an interior space, said at least one wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface;a filing material comprising a triglyceride oil;an infusion port for injecting said filling material into said interior of said hollow prosthesis;said infusion port comprising a concavity on said exterior surface of said at least one wall of said hollow prosthesis, said concavity being defined by an infusion wall extending from said exterior surface of said at least one wall of said hollow prosthesis into said interior of said hollow prosthesis whereby said filling material may be injected through said infusion wall into said interior;wherein said at least one wall of said hollow prosthesis comprises room temperature vulcanizable silicone; andwherein said at least one wall of said hollow prosthesis comprises inferior and superior walls shaped to conform to vertebral endplates and a lateral wall shaped to conform to an intervertebral disk space; andwherein said infusion port is affixed to said inferior wall and to said superior wall.