The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 25, 2009
Filed:
Feb. 26, 2007
Applicant:
Hai H. Trieu, Cordova, TN (US);
Inventor:
Hai H. Trieu, Cordova, TN (US);
Assignee:
SGI Holdings, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A61F 2/44 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
Embodiments include selectively expandable composite structures useful as spinal arthroplasty devices such as intervertebral disc prostheses. The structures may comprise an outer shell comprised of a non-hydrogel polymer material. The structures also may comprise at least one core positioned within the outer shell. The core may be comprised of a hydrophilic polymer. The core may expand upon hydration, thereby deforming the outer shell. The selectively expandable composite structures may be implanted in a dehydrated form and then expand during re-hydration following implantation.