INTERVERTEBRAL DISC IMPLANT

Abstract

Intervertebral disc implant comprising a prosthetic nucleus of a hydrogel. The prosthetic nucleus comprises a porous inner core embedded in the hydrogel, e.g., with sections with open cells and sections with closed cells. The porous inner core can for example be made of a 3D printable hydrogel or bio-ink. The prosthetic nucleus further comprises a jacket enclosing the porous inner core and the embedding hydrogel.

Description

Claims

1. An intervertebral disc implant comprising a prosthetic nucleus of a hydrogel, wherein the prosthetic nucleus comprises a porous inner core embedded in the hydrogel.

2. The intervertebral disc implant according to claim 1, wherein the porous inner core has a structure with open cells.

3. The intervertebral disc implant according to claim 2, the structure of the porous inner core further comprising closed cells.

4. The intervertebral disc implant according to claim 3, wherein the closed cells form a posterior wall.

5. The intervertebral disc implant according to claim 1, wherein the porous inner core is made of a hydrogel or bio-ink.

6. The intervertebral disc implant according to claim 5, wherein the porous inner core is made by a rapid prototyping process.

7. The intervertebral disc implant according to claim 6 wherein the rapid prototyping process comprises stereolithography, fused deposition modelling, laminated object modelling, selective laser sintering, and/or 3D printing.

8. The intervertebral disc implant according to claim 1, wherein the prosthetic nucleus further comprises a jacket enclosing the hydrogel and the porous inner core.

9. The intervertebral disc implant according to claim 7, wherein the jacket is made of a fibrous material.

10. The intervertebral disc implant according to claim 8, wherein the jacket is at least partly coated with a bio-coating.

11. The intervertebral disc implant according to claim 10 wherein the bio-coating comprises mesenchymal stem cells.

12. The intervertebral disc implant according to claim 1 further comprising and a fusion cage comprising a porous body of a non-compressible bio-compatible material.

13. The intervertebral disc implant according to claim 12 wherein the non-compressible bio-compatible material comprises PEEK, titanium, and/or carbon materials.

14. An intervertebral disc implant connectable to two adjacent vertebrae defining an intervertebral disc space, the implant comprising a prosthetic nucleus of a hydrogel, wherein the prosthetic nucleus comprises a porous inner core embedded in the hydrogel and a fibrous scaffold plate connected or connectable to two vertebrae defining an intervertebral disc space, the fibrous scaffold plate extending along at least a part of a contour of the intervertebral disc space.

15. The intervertebral disc implant according to claim 14, wherein the fibrous scaffold plate is configured to connect to the two adjacent vertebrae.

16. The intervertebral disc implant according to claim 15 wherein the fibrous scaffold plate is configured to connect to the two adjacent vertebrae by a mechanical connection.

17. The intervertebral disc implant according to claim 14, wherein the fibrous scaffold plate comprises a bio-coating.

18. The intervertebral disc implant according to claim 17 wherein the bio-coating comprises a platelet rich plasma.

19. A fusion cage for spinal fusion, comprising a porous body of a non-compressible bio-compatible material.

20. The fusion cage according to claim 19 wherein the non-compressible bio-compatible material comprises EEK, titanium, and/or carbon materials.