US6783546B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Implantable prosthetic or tissue expanding device
Assignee: Keraplast Technologies Ltd
•
Filing: 2001-03-22
•
Granted: 2004-08-31
•
Expires: 2021-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A keratin hydrogel-filled implantable prosthetic device. One device is a breast implant for augmenting or reconstructing a human breast including an envelope containing a keratin hydrogel. Another device is an implant for the intervertebral disc space. One keratin hydrogel is formed from a solid precursor which forms a keratin hydrogel upon addition of water. One source of keratin is human hair. In one method, an envelope suitable for implantation and a solid keratin hydrogel precursor are provided. The solid can be in fibrous or powder form. The solid precursor can be inserted into the envelope interior. A small incision near the breast can be made and the envelope inserted into the incision. After insertion, water can be injected into the envelope interior, preferably through the incision and through a self-sealing port in the envelope. In one method, the implant is provided as a kit, with the envelope and keratin hydrogel provided. The hydrogel can be injected into the envelope either before or after insertion into the breast area. One kit has a powdered, keratin hydrogel precursor disposed within the envelope interior, awaiting the addition of water, preferably after insertion of the implant into the body. In another method, the implant can include an envelope with a hydrogel or hydrogel precursor already placed in the envelope.
Inventors
- 👤 James F. Zucherman
- 👤 Ken Y. Hsu
- 👤 Scott Yerby
- 👤 Robert A. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/12; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/442; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/14; A61L27/22; A61L27/227; A61L27/28; A61L27/30; A61L27/306; A61L27/34; A61L27/50; A61L27/52; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2817; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/30004; A61F2002/30006; A61F2002/30009; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30581; A61F2002/30586; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30677; A61F2/3094; A61F2002/30971; A61F2002/4435; A61F2002/444; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0014; A61F2250/0015; A61F2250/0028; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00365; A61L2430/00; A61L2430/04; A61L2430/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
An intervertebral disc implant comprising: a layer of keratin material which is adapted to be inserted between adjacent vertebral bodies, said keratin material comprising a keratin hydrogel wherein the keratin hydrogel is formed of keratin in which the cysteine amino acids are free of extrinsic chemical groups added by reduction of cystine disulfide bonds.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
An intervertebral disc implant comprising: a layer of keratin material which is adapted to be inserted between adjacent vertebral bodies, said keratin material comprising a keratin hydrogel wherein the keratin hydrogel is formed of keratin in which the cysteine amino acids are free of extrinsic chemical groups added by reduction of cystine disulfide bonds.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The intervertebral disc implant of claim 1 including: another layer of a polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The intervertebral disc implant of claim 1 including: another layer of a synthetic polymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The intervertebral disc implant of claim 1 including: said layer be capsulated in one of the polyethylene, poly(tetrafluoro)ethylene, polystyrene, polyester, silicone, and other synthetic polymers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The intervertebral disc implant of claim 1 including: the layer including keratin material deposited on a non-woven material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The intervertebral disc implant of claim 1 including: the layer including keratin material deposited on a woven material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The intervertebral disc implant of claim 1 including: the non-woven material being a polymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The intervertebral disc, implant of claim 1 including: the woven material being a polymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The intervertebral disc implant of claim 1 including: another layer of a keratin material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The intervertebral disc implant of claim 1 including: a plurality of layers at least one of which is another layer of a keratin material and at least one is a layer of a polymer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The intervertebral disc implant of claim 1 including: said layer of a keratin material sandwiched between layers of a polymer material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The intervertebral disc implant of claim 1 including: said layer of keratin material shaped in a wedge shape in order to be adapted to fit between adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The intervertebral disc implant of claim 1 including: said layer of keratin material being irregularly shaped in order to be adapted to fit between adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The intervertebral disc implant of claim 1 including: said layer for partially replacing a nucleus of a vertebral disc.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The intervertebral disc implant of claim 1 including: said layer for replacing the entire nucleus of a vertebral disc.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The intervertebral disc implant of claim 1 including: said layer for at least partially replacing a nucleus and an annulus of a vertebral disc.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The intervertebral disc implant of claim 1 including: said layer including at least one of growth factors, and living cells.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein said layer includes at least one of chondrocytes, fibrochondrocytes, fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and/or osteocytes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein said layer includes bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs).
Claim 21
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for repairing or replacing an intervertebral disc including the steps of: assessing the disc space of a patent; as necessary removing disc material of the patient; selecting an implant comprised of a keratin material, said keratin material comprising a keratin hydrogel wherein the keratin hydrogel is formed of keratin in which the cysteine amino acids are free of extrinsic chemical groups added by reduction of cystine disulfide bonds; placing the implant in the disc space; and closing.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for repairing or replacing an intervertebral disc including the steps of: assessing the disc space of a patent; as necessary removing disc material of the patient; selecting an implant comprised of a keratin material, said keratin material comprising a keratin hydrogel wherein the keratin hydrogel is formed of keratin in which the cysteine amino acids are free of extrinsic chemical groups added by reduction of cystine disulfide bonds; placing the implant in the disc space; and closing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-08-31 | 2008-03-01 | 2008-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-08-31 | 2012-03-01 | 2012-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-08-31 | 2016-03-01 | 2016-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |