Howmedica Corp.

Allergan, Inc.

Pfizer Hospital Products Group, Inc.

Ceskoslovenska Akademie Ved

Stryker Technologies Corporation

Hydron Limited

Qi-Bin Bao

Paul A Higham

Patrick K Chen

David L Rawlings

Jiri S Sulc

Zuzana Krcova

John H Dumbleton

Hansen A Yuan

Charanpreet S Bagga

An article for use in the preparation of a hydrogel prosthetic nucleus, for an intervertebral disc, having equilibrium water contents (EWCs) of from about 30 to about 90% and compressive strengths of at least 4 meganewtons per square meter (MNm,), at their EWCs, when subjected to the same constraints as the normal nucleus, comprising one or more xerogel rods containing from zero to less than the EWC. A method for preparing a hydrogel prosthetic nucleus, for a vertebral disc, comprising one or more hydrogel rods containing from about 30 to about 90% water, and having compressive strengths of at least 1 MNmn,, at their EWCs, which comprises inserting one or more hydrophilic xerogel rods, which at their EWC will contain from about 30 to about 90% water and have compressive strengths of at least 1 MNm,, containing water in an amount from about zero to less than their EWC, into the cavity of the disc through an opening in its annulus and allowing the rod, or rods, to absorb sufficient water from the body fluids to attain their EWCs and essentially fill the intervertebral nuclear disc cavity.

Hydrogel intervertebral disc nucleus implantation method

An article for use in the preparation of a hydrogel prosthetic nucleus, for an intervertebral disc, having equilibrium water contents (EWCs) of from about 30 to about 90% and compressive strengths of at least 4 meganewtons per square meter (MNm.sup.-2), at their EWCs, when subjected to the same constraints as the normal nucleus, comprising one or more xerogel rods containing from zero to less than the EWC. A method for preparing a hydrogel prosthetic nucleus, for a vertebral disc, comprising one or more hydrogel rods containing from about 30 to about 90% water, and having compressive strengths of at least 1 MNm.sup.-2, at their EWCs, which comprises inserting one or more hydrophilic xerogel rods, which at their EWC will contain from about 30 to about 90% water and have compressive strengths of at least 1 MNm.sup.-2, containing water in an amount from about zero to less than their EWC, into the cavity of the disc through an opening in its annulus and allowing the rod, or rods, to absorb sufficient water from the body fluids to attain their EWCs and essentially fill the intervertebral nuclear disc cavity.

Hydrogel intervertebral disc nucleus

A method and apparatus for injecting an elastic spinal implant into a cavity in a spinal disc so as to treat disc degeneration are given. The method and apparatus can be used in a variety of surgical approaches with respect to the patient. An elastic spinal nucleus prosthesis is very quickly inserted into the cavity through a small opening in the disc so that permanent deformation of the prosthesis is avoided.

Method and apparatus for injecting an elastic spinal implant

A method of dehydration of bulky hydrogel samples of polyvinyl alcohol (i.e., PVA) and a method of preparation of prosthetic nuclei for vertebral discs are given. A method of gamma irradiation sterilization of PVA gel samples which does not incur the side effects of discoloration and of increased crystallinity (i.e., further reduction of water content) is also given. A method of dehydrating bulky hydrogel samples of polyvinyl alcohol (i.e., PVA) so that no significant distortion in the samples results, comprises:

Dehydration of hydrogels

A prosthetic nucleus for a vertebral disc is made of a hydrogel material. The hydrogel prosthetic nucleus has a shape generally conforming to the natural nucleus pulposus, and it exhibits diminished lateral bulging under high compressive loads. The hydrogel has a water content of from 30% to 90% and has a compressive strength of 4 MNm.sup.-2 or greater. When the hydrogel material is dehydrated, it has a dimension of less than half of that of the hydrated hydrogel nucleus. The prosthetic nucleus may be formed of two or more pieces of hydrogel material which pieces, when combined, have a shape generally conforming to the natural nucleus. The prosthetic nucleus may have a stiff posterior periphery and/or a thickened anterior wall.

Hydrogel intervertebral disc nucleus with diminished lateral bulging

Novel prosthetic nuclear implants for insertion into vertebral discs are prepared by dehydrating hydrated bulky hydrogel discs under specific conditions so as to reduce the water content as low as possible (down to about 10% by weight) but without distortion of the implants, without the formation of concavities and sharp edges, and without changing the shape of the hydrated implant.

A water swellable crosslinked polymer of essentially balanced charge is obtained by polymerizing a polymer-forming composition comprising a cationic-anionic pair of ethylenically unsaturated monomers and a non-ionic ethylenically unsaturated hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic monomer. Contact lenses formed from the polymer exhibit little if any tendency to attract soils, e.g., proteinaceous debris, to their surfaces.

Balanced charge polymer and hydrophilic contact lens manufactured

A water swellable crosslinked polymer of essentially balanced charge is obtained by polymerizing a polymer-forming composition comprising a cationic-anionic pair of ethylenically unsaturated monomers and a nonionic ethylenically unsaturated hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic monomer. Contact lenses formed from the polymer exhibit little if any tendency to attract soils, e.g., proteinaceous debris, to their surfaces.

An implantable material for promoting bone growth has a microporous structure exhibiting an average pore size of at least 30 .ANG.. The porous biomaterial is capable of retaining macromolecules having a molecular weight of at least 15,000 and up to 500,000.

Bone growth stimulator

A prosthetic nucleus for implantation in the disc space after removal of a damaged or degenerated nucleus is formed from a multiplicity of hydrogel beads having a water content of at least 30%. The beads are covered by a semi-permeable membrane. The membrane has porosity less than the size of the beads to thereby retain the beads therein but permit fluids to flow in and out of the prosthetic nucleus.

Hydrogel bead intervertebral disc nucleus

A molded plastic cosmetic contact lens made in a repetitive manner comprising a cosmetic pattern of clustered networks of interconnected thin colored lines radiating from and about the periphery of the pupil portion in a direction inclined towards and in contact with the periphery of the iris portion and residing within the iris portion. The lens can be made by molding in a manner that the cosmetic pattern becomes part of the body of the lens.

Colored lens

A prosthetic nucleus for a vertebral disc is made of a hydrogel material. The hydrogel prosthetic nucleus has a shape generally conforming to the natural nucleus pulposus. The hydrogel has a water content of at least 30% and has a compressive strength of 4MNm.sup.-2 or greater. When the hydrogel material is dehydrated, it has a dimension of less than half of that of the hydrated hydrogel nucleus. The prosthetic nucleus may be formed of two or more pieces of hydrogel material which pieces, when combined, have a shape generally conforming to the natural nucleus.

A process for the manufacture of a molded contact lens containing a transparent central visual region circumscribed by a colored iris portion which comprises a. coating a colored liquid which is either curable or thermoplastic in a mold for making a contact lens onto a surface thereof where the iris portion of the lens is formed to produce a colored film thereon which film contains a surface exposed to the interior of the mold and a surface in contact with the mold, b. charging the mold with the resin used to form the body of the lens while maintaining the colored film in the iris portion and configuring the resin about the colored film whereby the surface of the film becomes integral with the body of the lens and the surface of the film becomes part of the outer surface of the lens when the molded lens is removed from the mold.

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Qi-Bin Bao