IMPLANTABLE NUCLEAR PROSTHESIS

Abstract

A nuclear disc implant includes an inner fillable enclosure and an outer fillable enclosure. After insertion into a enucleated disc cavity, the inner enclosure is filled with a fluid and the outer fillable enclosure is filled with a curable material. The curable material is allowed to cure and the fluid is removed from the inner enclosure to leave an inner enclosure surrounded by an cured outer enclosure. A reinforcing band may be provided around the nuclear disc implant. An inflation tool to fill the nuclear disc implant is provided.

Claims

1. A kit for implanting a nucleus replacement device, comprising: a spinal implant device comprising: an inner fillable enclosure having a proximal end with a proximal opening and a distal end with a distal opening; an outer fillable enclosure having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal ends of the inner and outer fillable enclosures are coupled together and the distal ends of the inner and outer fillable are coupled together so that the outer fillable enclosure encapsulates the inner fillable enclosure; a distal plug for sealing the distal opening in the distal end of the inner fillable enclosure; and a proximal plug for sealing the proximal opening in the proximal end of the inner fillable enclosure, the proximal plug having an access lumen for providing access to the inner fillable enclosure and a receptacle with an aperture for providing access to the outer fillable enclosure, wherein the access lumen for providing access to the inner fillable enclosure is configured to remain open after implantation; and an inflation stylus adapted to mate with the proximal plug, wherein the inflation stylus comprises: an adjustable first lumen for movably extending through the access lumen to deliver and remove fluid from the inner enclosure; and a second lumen for delivering fluid to the outer enclosure.

2. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcing band surrounding a perimeter of the outer fillable enclosure.

3. The kit of claim 2, wherein the reinforcing band comprises a textile.

4. The kit of claim 2, further comprising a control element coupled to the annular reinforcement band.

5. The kit of claim 4, further comprising at least one pull string coupled to an edge of the annular reinforcing band.

6. The kit of claim 5, wherein the at least one pull string is sewn into a channel in the reinforcing band.

7. The kit of claim 5, further comprising a delivery sheath surrounding the inflation stylus, wherein the delivery sheath is movable from a delivery position to a deployed position.

8. The kit of claim 7, wherein the control element and at least one pull string are positioned between the delivery sheath and the inflation stylus.

9. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a curable silicone material for injection into the outer fillable enclosure.

10. The kit of claim 9, wherein the curable silicone material substantially cures within five minutes.

11. A spinal implant device comprising: an inner fillable enclosure having a proximal end with a proximal opening and a distal end with a distal opening; an outer fillable enclosure having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal ends of the inner and outer fillable enclosures are coupled together and the distal ends of the inner and outer fillable are coupled together so that the outer fillable enclosure substantially encapsulates the inner fillable enclosure; a distal plug for sealing the distal opening in the distal end of the inner fillable enclosure; and a proximal plug for sealing the proximal opening in the proximal end of the inner fillable enclosure, the proximal plug having an access lumen for providing access to the inner fillable enclosure and a receptacle with an aperture for providing access to the outer fillable enclosure, wherein the access lumen for providing access to the inner fillable enclosure is configured to remain open after implantation.

12. The spinal implant device of claim 11, wherein the inner and outer fillable enclosures comprise a unitary piece of material.

13. The spinal implant device of claim 11, wherein the proximal plug is adapted to receive an inflation stylus comprising first and second lumens for delivering fluid to the inner and outer enclosures, respectively.

14. The spinal implant device of claim 11, further comprising a reinforcing band surrounding a perimeter of the outer fillable enclosure.

15. The spinal implant device of claim 14, wherein the reinforcing band comprises a textile.

16. The spinal implant device of claim 14, further comprising a removable control element coupled to the reinforcement band in a central zone of the reinforcing band.

17. The spinal implant device of claim 14, further comprising at least one removable pull string coupled to an edge of the annular reinforcing band.

18. The spinal implant device of claim 11, wherein the outer enclosure is filled with a curable silicone material.

19. The spinal implant device of claim 11, further comprising a retaining element for retaining the device on an inflation stylus.

20. A method of implanting a prosthetic device into an intervertebral space having a nucleus pulposus surrounded by an annulus fibrosus comprising: penetrating the annulus fibrosus to create an annulotomy; removing the nucleus pulposus to create a enucleated disc cavity through the annulotomy; inserting an fillable disc implant device into the enucleated disc cavity, the fillable disc implant device having an inner fillable enclosure and an outer fillable enclosure coupled to the inner fillable enclosure so that the outer fillable enclosure substantially completely encapsulates the inner fillable enclosure; inflating the inner fillable enclosure with a fluidic medium; inflating the outer fillable enclosure with a curable medium; allowing the curable medium to cure; removing the fluidic medium from the inner fillable enclosure; and leaving the inner fillable enclosure vented so that fluids may enter and exit the inner fillable enclosure.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the fluidic medium comprises a substantially incompressible fluid.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the substantially incompressible fluid comprises a contrast medium.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising: providing a reinforcing band for reinforcing the perimeter of the fillable disc implant; inserting the reinforcing band into the enucleated disc cavity; and manipulating the reinforcing band to create a pocket for receiving the fillable disc implant;

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of manipulating the reinforcing band comprises: pulling an inferior edge of the reinforcing band and a superior edge of the reinforcing band to pull the edges toward the interior of the enucleated disc cavity; and activating a control element in a central portion of the reinforcing band to press the annular reinforcing band outward in the central portion toward the annulus fibrosus of the enucleated disc cavity.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of pulling the inferior and superior edges of the reinforcing band comprises pulling inferior and superior pull strings disposed at the inferior and superior edges, respectively, of the reinforcing band; and

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of activating a control element comprises using a flexible ribbon to press the annular reinforcing band outward towards the annulus fibrosus.

27. The method of claim 20, further comprising: removing the pull strings and flexible ribbons after the outer fillable enclosure is filled.

28. A reinforcing band for a spinal disc implant, comprising: a textile band having a superior edge, an inferior edge, and a central zone between the superior and inferior edges; a superior drawstring disposed at the superior edge of the textile band for tightening the superior edge of the textile band when pulled; an inferior drawstring disposed at the inferior edge of the textile band for tightening the superior edge of the textile band when pulled; and a control element disposed in the central zone for expanding the central zone.

29. The band of claim 28, wherein the control element comprises a metal ribbon.

30. The band of claim 29, wherein the metal ribbon comprises nitinol.

31. The band of claim 30, further comprising radiopaque features on the control element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an implant in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a left plan view of the implant of FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a right plan view of the implant of FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the implant of FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

[0029] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a distal plug of the implant of FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a proximal plug of the implant of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an implant blank for forming the implant of FIG. 1;

[0032] FIG. 9 is a cut-away perspective view of the implant blank of FIG. 8 after the implant blank has been partially inverted;

[0033] FIG. 10 is an inflation stylus inserted into the distal plug of the implant of FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the distal end of the inflation stylus of FIG. 10;

[0035] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the proximal end of the inflation stylus of FIG. 10;

[0036] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the distal end of another inflation stylus;

[0037] FIG. 14 illustrates an annular reinforcing band for use with the implant of FIG. 1, with a deflated implant located in the interior of the band;

[0038] FIG. 15 illustrates the annular reinforcing band of FIG. 14, with a filled implant;

[0039] FIG. 16 illustrates the annular reinforcing band of FIG. 14 during deployment;

[0040] FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the textile band of FIG. 13;

[0041] FIG. 18 illustrates a first step in implanting the implant assembly of FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 19 illustrates a second step in implanting the implant assembly of FIG. 1;

[0043] FIG. 20 illustrates a third step in implanting the implant assembly of FIG. 1;

[0044] FIG. 21 illustrates a fourth step in implanting the implant assembly of FIG. 1;

[0045] FIG. 22 illustrates a fifth step in implanting the implant assembly of FIG. 1; and

[0046] FIG. 23 illustrates a sixth step in implanting the implant assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which are shown exemplary but non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those having skill in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified.

Nuclear Implant

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 1-8, an embodiment of a minimally invasive or percutaneously deliverable spinal implant 100 includes an outer fillable enclosure 102 and an inner fillable enclosure 104. Outer fillable enclosure 102 forms an outer enclosure 106, and inner fillable enclosure 104 forms a inner chamber 108. Inner chamber 108 is encapsulated within outer chamber 102. As used herein, encapsulated means that inner chamber 108 is substantially contained within outer chamber 106 such that inner chamber 108 is substantially surrounded on all sides by outer chamber 106. Outer and inner fillable enclosures 102, 104 may be formed as a seamless, unitary piece of an elastomeric material, such as silicone rubber. The use of an elastomeric material produces compliant outer and inner enclosures 102, 104. That is, the outer and inner enclosures 102, 104 expand as the internal pressure increases when filled with a curable material. The use of compliant enclosures provides certain advantages. Compliant enclosures accommodate the irregular, flat or discoid configuration of the nuclear space. Furthermore, compliant enclosures can help maintain an appropriate modulus of elasticity of the nuclear implant following elastomeric curing, and help preserve bio-mechanical mobility of the vertebral segment, and help allow unhindered deformation of the cured silicone component into the central void. The physical characteristics of inner and outer fillable enclosures 102, 104 may be tailored to provide desired physical outcomes. For example, in some embodiments, enclosures 102, 104 preferentially expand in a transverse plane. In some embodiments, inner and outer fillable enclosures 102, 104 may be completely or partially semi-compliant or non-compliant (i.e., the do not expand or minimally expand as the internal pressure is increased). In some embodiments, different parts of inner and outer fillable enclosures 102, 104 may be formed of different materials to provide different characteristics to enclosures 102, 104.

[0049] Implant 100 is preferably sized so that it can be inserted percutaneously or using minimally invasive surgery into a enucleated intervertebral disc cavity while deflated and then filled to fill the enucleated cavity. In one embodiment, the exterior of filled implant 100 is approximately 30 mm in length, 20 mm in width, and 10 mm in height, and the exterior of inner fillable enclosure 104 is approximately 9 mm long, 6 mm wide, and 6 mm thick. In some embodiments, the enclosure does not expand significantly when it is filled (i.e., it is non-compliant or semi-compliant). In other embodiments, the implant is filled so that the implant expands by approximately 100% (i.e., doubles in size) when implanted. In other embodiments, the implant is filled so that the implant expands by more than 100% when implanted.

[0050] Outer fillable enclosure 102 has a first (or proximal) end 110 and a second (or distal) end 112. Inner fillable enclosure 104 has a first (or proximal) end 114 coupled to a proximal neck 116. A second (or distal) end 118 of inner fillable enclosure 104 is coupled to a distal neck 120. An end portion 122 of distal neck portion 120 is coupled to distal end 112 of outer fillable enclosure 102, and an end portion 124 of proximal neck 116 is coupled to proximal end 110 of outer fillable enclosure 102. In the illustrated embodiment, end portion 124 of proximal neck 124 is coupled to proximal end 110 of outer fillable enclosure 102 by forming them together as a unitary piece, as will be described in more detail below. Distal end 112 of outer fillable enclosure 102 is inverted and bonded to end portion 122 of distal neck portion to form a substantially fluid tight seal. Coupling the enclosures together in this manner forms a substantially fluid tight outer chamber 106.

[0051] A proximal plug 126 is located in the opening formed by proximal neck 116. Proximal neck 116 may have features, such as grooves 148, for mating with matching features on proximal plug 126 to assist in locating proximal plug 126. Proximal plug 126 may be inserted into and bonded with proximal neck 116. Proximal plug 126 is adapted to mate with an inflation tip 192 of an inflation stylus 130. A receptacle 132 receives a first lumen 186 of inflation tip 192 to deliver material through aperture 134 into outer chamber 106. Aperture 134 may be a bottleneck in delivering material to outer chamber 106, and may be formed as a skived hole to maximum the size of aperture 134. Proximal plug 126 may be made of silicone or another material which is compatible with enclosures 102, 104, and may be manufactured using conventional manufacturing techniques, such as injection molding.

[0052] In some embodiments, a locking feature to help prevent inadvertent dislodgment of inflation stylus 130 from proximal plug 126 is provided. For example, a recess 136 may be provided in proximal plug 126 and a mating feature (e.g., bead 152, FIG. 13) may be provided on inflation tip 192.

[0053] An access lumen 138 extends through proximal plug 126 to provide access to interior chamber 108. As can be seen in FIG. 3, receptacle 132 and access lumen 138 can be arranged to prevent improper installation of inflation stylus 130. In some embodiments (such as shown in FIG. 10), a key 214 is provided to physically prevent improper installation of inflation stylus 130. Key 214 may be used to control the depth of insertion of inflation tip 130. Alternatively, in other embodiments, positioning collar 190 may be used to control the depth of insertion of inflation tip 130. Access lumen 138 is configured to remain open after implantation to serve as a vent for internal chamber 108.

[0054] A distal plug 140 is disposed in distal neck 120 to seal the distal neck. Distal plug 140 may have a cylindrical recess 142 on the interior side for receiving a distal end 200 of a contrast lumen 188 of inflation stylus 130. Another cylindrical recess 146 may be provided on distal plug 140. Distal plug 140 may be made of silicone or another material which is compatible with enclosures 102, 104, and may be manufactured using conventional manufacturing techniques, such as injection molding.

Textile Band

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 14-17, an optional annular reinforcing band 160 may be provided to reinforce implant 100. Annular reinforcing band 160 is useful when a patient's annulus fibrosus is damaged. In one embodiment, annular reinforcing band 160 comprises a tubular, woven textile material. Annular reinforcing band 160 is disposed around the perimeter of the lateral edges of implant 100 to minimize or prevent over inflation of the outer and inner balloons 102, 104 circumferentially. Controlling circumferential expansion also encourages vertical expansion of balloons 102, 104 to distract the adjacent vertebra and widen the disc space. The vertebral superior and inferior end plates constrain the vertical expansion of the implant 100. In some embodiments, annular reinforcing band 160 is formed of a woven material. In one embodiment, annular reinforcing band 160 uses an axial weave which minimizes or substantially prevents shortening of the band when it is expanded. U.S. Pat. No. 8,636,803, entitled Percutaneous Implantable Nuclear Implant, discloses other suitable constructions of annular reinforcing band 160, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. One suitable material for annular reinforcing brand 160 is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, such as DYNEEMA® fiber available from Koninklijke DSM N.V., Heerleen, the Netherlands.

[0056] Annular reinforcement band 160 has a superior edge 162, an inferior edge 164, and a central zone 166 between superior and inferior edges 162, 164. One or more pull strings and control elements are provided to help place annular reinforcement band during deployment of implant 100. In one embodiment, an inferior pull string 168, a superior pull string 170, and a control element 172 are provided. Superior pull string is placed in a pocket 176 or otherwise coupled to superior edge 162 of annular reinforcement band 160. Similarly, inferior pull string 168 is placed in a pocket 176 or otherwise coupled to inferior edge 164 of annular reinforcement band 160. Inferior and superior pull strings can be used as a drawstring (i.e., pulled) during deployment to pull the edges of annular reinforcement band 160 inward, thereby helping to constrain and position implant 100. Control element 172 is disposed in central zone 166 of annular band 160. If annular band 160 comprises a tubular material, then control element 172 is placed inside the tubular material. In other embodiments, control element 172 is placed in a pocket formed on annular reinforcing band 160. Control element 172 may be a wire, such as a flat ribbon of nitinol, which runs around the perimeter of annular reinforcement band 160. Control element 172 may be used to press annular reinforcement band 160 outward to an annulus fibrosus. Further details of the operation of control element 172 and pull strings 168, 170 will be discussed below.

Inflation Stylus and Delivery Sheath

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 10-13, inflation stylus 130 may be used in conjunction with a delivery sheath to deliver implant 100 and annular reinforcement band 160. Inflation stylus 130 comprises a shaft 180 with a proximal end 182 and a distal end 184. A first lumen 186 and a second lumen 188 extend through shaft 180. A positioning collar 190 is provided to maintain first and second lumen 186, 188 in a desired portion. The distal ends of first and second lumens 186, 188 form an inflation tip 192 which is configured to mate with proximal plug 126.

[0058] First (or silicone) lumen 186 extends from proximal end 182 of inflation stylus 130 to distal end 184 of inflation stylus 130. When inflation stylus 130 is mated with proximal plug 126, an aperture 194 at the distal end of first lumen 186 is coincident with aperture 134 of proximal plug 126 to allow fluid communication between outer chamber 106 and first lumen 186. Proximal end of lumen 186 is provided with a connector 196 for connection to common inflation tools (such as syringes) known to those of skill in the art.

[0059] In certain embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIG. 13, a vent 198 may be provided to allow air to exit silicone lumen 186 when silicone or another suitable material is delivered to outer chamber 106. Vent 198 may be large enough to allow air to freely move through it, while resisting more viscous fluids such as curable silicone. It should be understood that as used herein, “silicone lumen” means a lumen for delivery of any desired fluid to outer chamber 106, and can encompass materials other than silicone. Vent 198 preferably extends through shaft 180 to vent to atmosphere at the proximal end of inflation stylus 130.

[0060] Second (or contrast) lumen 188 extends from proximal end 182 of inflation stylus 130 to distal end 184 of inflation stylus 130. Contrast lumen 188 extends out the proximal end of inflation stylus 130. Preferably, contrast lumen 188 is independently movable with respect to inflation stylus 130 so that the position of the distal end 200 of contrast lumen 188 may be extended and withdrawn with respect to the distal end 184 of inflation stylus 130. For delivery prior to implantation, contrast lumen 188 can extend through access lumen 138 and the distal tip of contrast lumen 188 can be positioned within recess 142 of distal plug 140 to hold it into place. Contrast lumen 188 can be used to both deliver and remove fluids from inner chamber 108. In some embodiments, distal end 200 of contrast lumen 188 is preformed into a shape which allows easier removal of fluid from inner chamber 108. In one specific embodiment, contrast lumen 188 is preformed into a curved shape which allows easier access to the bottom of inner chamber 108. The curved shape combined with the ability to extend and withdraw contrast lumen 188 allows it to be adjusted when used to withdraw fluid from inner chamber 108. It should be understood that as used herein, “contrast lumen” should be understood to mean a lumen for delivery of any desired fluid to inner chamber 108, and can encompass materials other than contrast medium. Contrast medium may be used to ensure visibility under imaging, such as fluoroscopy.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 16, a delivery sheath 174 comprises a lumen sized to fit over shaft 180 of inflation stylus 130. To deliver implant 100, implant 100 is placed onto inflation tip 192, and the assembled bodies are withdrawn into the distal end of delivery sheath 174. If pull wires 168, 170 and control element 172 are used, they may be placed through the lumen of the delivery sheath.

Method of Manufacturing an Implant

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 8-9, implant 100 may be formed by forming an implant blank 150, which comprises outer fillable enclosure 102 coupled to inner fillable enclosure 104. Implant blank 150 may be manufactured using conventional manufacturing techniques, such as injection molding or dip molding. After implant blank 150 is formed, implant blank 150 is partially inverted to place inner fillable enclosure 104 into the interior of outer fillable enclosure 102. Distal plug 140 is inserted into distal neck 120, and proximal plug 126 is inserted into proximal neck 116. Additional details regarding one suitable manufacturing technique are disclosed in co-pending application 62/074,295, entitled “Percutaneous Implantable Nuclear Prosthesis,” which was filed on Nov. 4, 2014 and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Method of Deploying an Implant

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 18-23, fillable implant 100 is particularly well suited for deployment using minimally invasive or percutaneous surgical techniques.

[0064] To implant fillable implant 100, the existing nucleus pulposus is removed by performing a discectomy while leaving annulus fibrosus 202 substantially intact. Preferably, the discectomy is performed using minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as percutaneous techniques, which uses a cannula 208 to access the disc cavity 206 through a small opening in annulus fibrosus 202. In one embodiment, the disc cavity is accessed using a posterolateral approach through Kambin's triangle. An anterior approach may also be used. To preserve the integrity of the annulus fibrosus as much as possible, the annulotomy in the annulus fibrosus may be created by penetrating the fibrosus annulus with a guide pin (e.g., a K-wire) and a series of increasing diameter dilators placed over the guide pin. Once the desired diameter is obtained, the access cannula 208 is placed over the largest diameter, and the dilator set is removed. This procedure spreads the fibrous bands of the annulus fibrosus to create an annulotomy without excising (i.e., removing) any tissue, which aids in the healing process. Alternatively, the fibrosus may be stabbed with a scalpel to create vertical slit to gain access to the nucleus space.

[0065] Once cannula 208 is in place, the physician may remove the existing disc using any suitable instruments (such as rongeurs). The physician should avoid violating the circumferential annulus or penetrating the superior and inferior vertebral end plates. The physician may monitor the progress of the discectomy by inserting a compliant imaging balloon into the disc space and inflating the imaging balloon with a contrast agent. In some embodiments the imaging balloon comprises a modified implant comprising outer inflatable enclosure 102 without an inner inflatable enclosure. The imaging balloon also serves as a trial implant to predict the volume, shape and placement of the final implant.

[0066] Once the existing nucleus pulposus has been removed to the satisfaction of the physician, annulus fibrosus 202 and vertebral end plates 204 form a substantially empty enucleated disc cavity 206 (FIG. 18).

[0067] The implant 100, which is loaded into a delivery sheath 174, is placed into enucleated disc cavity 206 through cannula 208. Typically, the implant will be delivered to the far end of the disc cavity. The delivery sheath 174 is then withdrawn to expose the implant 100 inside the enucleated disc cavity.

[0068] If the optional annular reinforcing band is provided, control member 172 is manipulated to press central zone 166 of annular reinforcing band 160 substantially flush against the inner surface of annulus fibrosus 202. Pull strings 168, 170 may be pulled to tighten edges 162, 164 of annular reinforcing band 160 and form a pocket for receiving implant 100. Control member 172 and pull strings 168, 170 may include radiopaque features (such as platinum or nitinol coating) to aid in visualization under fluoroscopy.

[0069] In some embodiments, inner chamber 108 is first filled with a fluid to a desired size. In one specific embodiment, a substantially incompressible fluid 210 is used, such as a contrast medium. Prior to inflating the inner chamber, air should be purged from the system using, for example, a vacuum locking syringe. Fluid 210 is delivered using contrast lumen 188 of inflation stylus 130. The inflation pressure of the inner chamber 108 is selected to fill inner fillable enclosure 104 to a desired size.

[0070] Inflation stylus 130 is used to deliver a curable material 212 to outer chamber 106. Curable material 212 is preferably an elastomeric material, such as silicone rubber containing a radiopaque material (such as barium sulfate). It is not necessary to evacuate air from the outer chamber prior to inflation because of the included vent. Curable material 212 may be chosen so that it polymerizes with the material of inner and outer fillable enclosures 102, 104 to form a unitary member. The modulus of elasticity and other characteristics of curable material 212 can be selected based upon patient specific parameters. For instance, younger, more active patients may require a firmer material than less mobile geriatric patients. Once outer chamber 106 is filled to a desired pressure, curable material 212 is allowed to cure. In some embodiments, the curable material comprises curable silicone which cures in a short period of time, for example, less than 10 minutes, or less than 5 minutes. The use of shorter curing periods may help prevent the dissolution of solvent from the curable medium to the fillable enclosures which may occur with longer curing mediums. Such leaching of solvents may adversely affect the structural integrity of the fillable enclosures.

[0071] After curable material 212 is allowed to cure, substantially incompressible fluid 210 is removed using contrast lumen 188. As discussed earlier, contrast lumen 188 may be moved and manipulated to remove as much incompressible fluid 210 as is desired. Preferably, substantially all of fluid 210 is removed; however, some fluid is likely to remain and it is not necessary to remove all fluid.

[0072] Once fluid 210 has been removed and curable material 212 is sufficiently cured, inflation stylus 130 can all be withdrawn through cannula 208, and cannula 208 can be removed. If the optional annular reinforcing band is used, pull strings 168, 170, control member 172 are also withdrawn through cannula 208.

[0073] Thus, the implant 100 comprises an annular ring of cured material 212 surrounding hollow interior chamber 108. Interior chamber 108 remains open to allow fluids to enter and exit, thereby functioning as a shock absorber. This structure allows for vertical and horizontal load stresses placed on the intervertebral disc space to be redirected inward, centrally toward interior chamber 108 (see direction arrows of FIG. 23) instead of outward. Moreover, annular reinforcing band 160 encourages tissue in-growth of native annulus fibrosus 202, thereby providing reinforcement to native annulus fibrosus 202.

[0074] The above specification and examples provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although certain embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of this invention. As such, the various illustrative embodiments of the present devices are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, they include all modifications and alternatives falling within the scope of the claims, and embodiments other than the one shown may include some or all of the features of the depicted embodiment. For example, components may be combined as a unitary structure, and/or connections may be substituted (e.g., threads may be substituted with press-fittings or welds). Further, where appropriate, aspects of any of the examples described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other examples described to form further examples having comparable or different properties and addressing the same or different problems. Similarly, it will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments.

[0075] The claims are not intended to include, and should not be interpreted to include, means-plus- or step-plus-function limitations, unless such a limitation is explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase(s) “means for” or “step for,” respectively.