Abstract: A nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc is supplemented or replaced by a physiologically fully hydrated solid hydrogel intervertebral body comprising a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, wherein the solid hydrogel intervertebral body exhibits an osmotic pressure of from 0.1 to 0.3 megapascals prior to insertion into a patient, the solid hydrogel intervertebral body having a ratio of length to principal transverse dimension not less than about 5:1.

Abstract: A degenerated nucleus pulposus located in a central core region of an intervertebral disc within the annulus fibrosus is supplemented or replaced by a method wherein an amount of a biocompatible material is introduced into the central core region by a process including the steps of 1) forming a channel through a vertebral body adjacent to said intervertebral disc, extending from an exterior surface of the vertebral body to the central core region of the annulus fibrosus; 2) introducing an amount of a biocompatible material through the channel into the central core region of the annulus fibrosus; 3) pressurizing the biocompatible material through the channel to a postsurgical pressure sufficient to alleviate symptoms caused by the degenerated nucleus pulposus; and 4) sealing the channel while maintaining the sufficient postsurgical pressure. After sealing the channel, a vertebroplasty may optionally be performed in the vertebra.

Abstract: A nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc is supplemented or replaced by an elongated, physiologically fully hydrated hydrogel prosthesis inserted into the central region of an intervertebral disc, where it can fold upon itself to form a prosthesis body within the central region of the annulus fibrosus. The hydrogel prosthesis may have expanded portions that assist in preventing expulsion of the prosthesis through the insertion aperture. An instrument for inserting the prosthesis has a cutter for severing the elongated prosthesis within the central region of the intervertebral disc after a sufficient amount has been implanted.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inflatable annulus repair device (10) for sealing an annulus defect located in an annulus fibrosis of an intervertebral disc space. In use, the inflatable device is introduced, in a first non-expanded state, preferably via a cannula (100) into the annulus defect. After the inflatable device has been properly positioned, a filler material (11) is injected into the inflatable device to expand the device to a second expanded state. In the second expanded state, the inflatable annulus repair device seals the annulus defect, secures its position within the annulus defect to thereby limit or prevent migration, and applies a compression force to a captured portion of the annulus adjacent to the defect. The inflatable device is preferably filled with a liquid that solidifies into an elastic material within the device.

Abstract: The present invention preferably provides for a method of forming and the resulting solid polymer gel composition comprising polyethylene imine and at least one hydrogen bonding polymer. The composition has a greater viscosity than either of the polyethylene imine or the hydrogen bonding polymer alone and is injectable immediately after mixing of the polyethylene imine and the at least one hydrogen bonding polymer. A method of tissue repair may include mixing about 9.25% (w/w) to about 13.65% (w/w) polyethylene imine and about 18.02% (w/w) to about 26.62% (w/w) polyvinyl alcohol to form an injectable composition; injecting the injectable composition into a cavity within a human body; and allowing the composition to solidify in situ. A kit may include a multi-barrel syringe at least one barrel is loaded with polyethylene imine and at least another barrel is loaded with at least one hydrogen bonding polymer.

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacing or supplementing a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disk is an expandable container having flexible walls, the container being adapted to be inserted into a central cavity of an intervertebral disk through a narrow cannula, and the flexible walls are made from a biocompatible hydrogel. A preferred hydrogel is a cryogel formed from an aqueous solution of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). The prosthesis may be prepared by dip-coating a mandrel with an aqueous solution of a hydrogel-forming polymer or mixture of such polymers, gelling the coated solution by chilling, and subjecting the gelled coating to a series of repeated freeze-thaw treatments. In use, the prosthesis is inserted into a central cavity of an intervertebral disk and filled with biocompatible material, e.g., a biocompatible liquid, a biocompatible polymer, and a biocompatible hydrogel, particularly a thermogelling hydrogel.

Abstract: A nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc is supplemented or replaced by an elongated, physiologically fully hydrated hydrogel prosthesis inserted into the central region of an intervertebral disc, where it can fold upon itself to form a prosthesis body within the central region of the annulus fibrosus. The hydrogel prosthesis may have expanded portions that assist in preventing expulsion of the prosthesis through the insertion aperture. An instrument for inserting the prosthesis has a cutter for severing the elongated prosthesis within the central region of the intervertebral disc after a sufficient amount has been implanted.

Abstract: A degenerated nucleus pulposus located in a central core region of an intervertebral disc within the annulus fibrosus is supplemented or replaced by a method wherein an amount of a biocompatible material is introduced into the central core region by a process including the steps of 1) forming a channel through a vertebral body adjacent to said intervertebral disc, extending from an exterior surface of the vertebral body to the central core region of the annulus fibrosus; 2) introducing an amount of a biocompatible material through the channel into the central core region of the annulus fibrosus; 3) pressurizing the biocompatible material through the channel to a postsurgical pressure sufficient to alleviate symptoms caused by the degenerated nucleus pulposus; and 4) sealing the channel while maintaining the sufficient postsurgical pressure. After sealing the channel, a vertebroplasty may optionally be performed in the vertebra.