Intervertebral prosthesis or nucleus replacement prosthesis
An intervertebral disk prosthesis or nuclear prosthesis ( 1 ) includes a longitudinal, flexibility-yielding object ( 2 ) that can be spiral-wound ( 2 ), with a first exterior end ( 3 ), a second interior end ( 4 ) and a longitudinal central axis ( 5 ). The cross-section ( 10 ) of the object ( 2 ), which is orthogonal towards the central axis ( 5 ), is reduced in size towards the second interior end ( 4 ).
1 . An intervertebral disk prosthesis or nuclear prosthesis ( 1 ) consisting of a longitudinal, flexibility-yielding object that is adapted to be wound in a spiral shape ( 2 ), with a first exterior end ( 3 ), a second interior end ( 4 ) and a longitudinal central axis ( 5 ), wherein
a cross-section ( 10 ) of the object ( 2 ) which is orthogonal towards the central axis ( 5 ) is reduced in size towards the second interior end ( 4 ).
2 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the orthogonal cross-section ( 10 ) is continuously reduced in size.
3 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the cross-section ( 10 ) of the object ( 2 ), which is orthogonal towards the central axis ( 5 ), is continuously reduced in size towards the first exterior end ( 3 ), preferably with the reduction occurring continuously.
4 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein a measured width of the object ( 2 ), running vertically towards the central axis ( 5 ), is reduced in size, when viewed from its center toward the exterior end ( 3 ), and wherein the measured width reduction occurs continuously.
5 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein a measured width of the object ( 2 ), running vertically towards the central axis ( 5 ), is reduced in size when viewed from its center toward the inner end ( 4 ), and wherein the measured width reduction occurs continuously.
6 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein a width of the object ( 2 ) in its center is wider by 50% to 500%, preferably wider by 100% to 300%, than at its interior and exterior ends ( 4 , 3 ).
7 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the object ( 2 ) in its spiral-wound state towards the central axis ( 5 ) features an upper spiral level ( 6 ) and a lower spiral level ( 7 ), which are both curved in convex shapes and are suitable for application to cover plates of two adjacent intervertebral disk spaces.
8 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the object ( 2 ) in a spiral-wound unloaded state features a gap between the spirals.
9 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 8 , wherein the gap has a minimum width of 0.4 mm.
10 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 8 , wherien the gap has a maximum width of 1 mm.
11 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the object ( 2 ) in a spiral-wound state, when viewed at the spiral level, features an oval or kidney-shaped shape, and having a surface between 250 to 750 mm 2 measured at the spiral level.
12 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the object ( 2 ) contains a hydrogel.
13 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the object ( 2 ) is manufactured using an injection-molding process and its injection point ( 9 ) is positioned in an area of the second end ( 4 ).
14 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 13 , wherein the injection point ( 9 ) is located in a recess vis-à-vis the upper spiral level ( 6 ).
15 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the first end ( 3 ) is designed asymmetrically towards an interior of the spiral.
16 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the object ( 2 ) is X-ray-opaque.
17 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the object ( 2 ) contains X-ray-opaque components.
18 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein a last exterior spiral turn with a circumference of at least 3600 of the spiral-wound object ( 2 ) has a thinner cross-section than remaining spiral turns.
19 . The intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) according to claim 1 wherein the exterior end ( 3 ) of the object ( 2 ) is fitted with aids ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ), which are suited for gripping the intervertebral disk prosthesis ( 1 ) using an insertion instrument.