Implantable prosthetic or tissue expanding device

摘要

An intervertebral disc implant comprises a layer of keratin material which is adapted to be inserted between adjacent vertebral bodies and comprises a keratin hydrogel. The keratin hydrogel is preferably formed of keratin in which the cysteine amino acids are free of extrinsic chemical groups added by reduction of cysteine disulfide bonds. Also described is the use of sheets of keratin based material for making an annular repair device for repairing a spinal disc annulus.