| abstract |
This invention is an elongated capsule shaped prosthetic spinal disc nucleus body (100a, 100b) for implantation into a human intervertebral spinal disc made of a hydrogel core, and a constraining jacket surrounding the hydrogel core that permits the hydrogel core to deform and reform. The constraining jacket is configured to allow the hydrogel core to hydrate to a predetermined volume, and will deform and reform in a desired fashion in response to various loads placed upon the spinal tract. The prosthetic spinal disc nucleus assists in restoring the natural physiology of the human intervertebral disc. By implanting two prosthetic spinal disc nuclei side by side into a damaged disc of a human spine, both height and motion can be maintained. |