Inflatable Intervertebral Disc Replacement Prosthesis

Abstract

An intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis which can be implanted in a collapsed state, then expanded within the disc space such that minimally invasive surgical techniques may be employed for its insertion, and, by virtue of its expandable nature, ligaments can be restored to proper tension, facet joints can be unloaded posteriorly to inhibit degenerative changes, and functional mobility of the intervertebral segment can be restored.

1 . An intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis comprising at least one chamber, made of a flexible material, which can be inflated to conform to various intervertebral spaces and a pair of end plates on opposite sides of said chamber, each end plate having a generally convex surface adapted to engage a respective cranial or caudal surface of neighboring vertebrae. 
     
     
         2 . The prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein each of said end plates has plural projections or corrugations for engaging said surfaces, to prevent movement of the end plates relative to said surfaces. 
     
     
         3 . The prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein each of said end plates is rigid. 
     
     
         4 . The prosthesis of  claim 3 , wherein each of said end plates is formed of at least two parts having at least one hinge therebetween so that the prosthesis can be folded prior to insertion through minimally invasive techniques. 
     
     
         5 . The prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein said chamber is made of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         6 . The prosthesis of  claim 5 , wherein said chamber is made of a fabric. 
     
     
         7 . The prosthesis of  claim 6 , wherein said fabric is Kevlar. 
     
     
         8 . The prosthesis of  claim 7 , wherein the chamber is made is a shape conforming to the intervertebral space to be filled. 
     
     
         9 . The prosthesis of  claim 1 , comprising at least two of said chambers, each being connected to a respective one of said end plates.