Intervertebral disc restoration

Abstract

An intervertebral disc implant (10) includes an envelope (12) of a stretchable and elastically deformable elastomeric material. The envelope includes an attaching formation (74) for attachment of an introducer (76) to enable the envelope, in a collapsed state, to be introduced into a volume of an intervertebral disc that has undergone a nucleotomy. A filler material (14) is receivable in the envelope via the introducer to cause the envelope to expand elastically to conform substantially to the volume in which the envelope is received.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2005900952 filed 1 March 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to intervertebral disc repair. More particularly, the present invention relates to an intervertebral disc implant, to systems and methods for implanting an intervertebral disc implant, and to an introducer for such a system. Background technique

[0004] The articulation of the muscular and skeletal systems of the human or animal body depends on the presence of healthy cartilage tissue to function properly. Cartilage tissue may degenerate due to various reasons such as aging or injury. Degeneration of cartilage tissue may reach such an extent that movement causes severe discomfort and pain.

[0005] For the spine, it consists of a series of 26 movable vertebrae, or vertebrae, connected by 75 ...

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