Removable, bone-securing cover plate for intervertebral fusion cage

• US 10,159,582 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2015
• Issued: 12/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Gamache, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Ku, Si Ming
• Application Number:
  US14/980,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20160113777A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• Field of Search: 623 1711, 623 1716, 606289
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8042 the additional component being a cover over the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30433 using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30471 connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30482 using a locking cam
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/305 Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30774 internally-threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30779 arcuate
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30787 inclined obliquely with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3082 Grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00029 Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00407 : Coating made of titanium or of Ti-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00796 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/0097 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00976 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of proteins or of polypeptides, e.g. of bone morphogenic proteins BMP or of transforming growth factors TGF

Abstract

A secondary cover plate that contacts a stand-alone fusion cage without rigidly connecting to the cage, and instead only docks against the cage (or passes through a fixation cage) and is secured into the adjacent bone. The secondary cover plate is the last item that would be added to the fixation cage construct and would at least partially cover the head of one or more angled screws. The secondary cover plate could slidably engage the fixation cage without permanently snapping into any features of the cage itself. The secondary cover plate would then be final positioned by advancing into one or more adjacent vertebral bodies. The secondary cover plate advancing step could be achieved by tapping it into place (into bone) or rotating it into place (into bone) so that it is finally secured into the bone.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising:

a) an intervertebral fusion cage positionable between adjacent vertebral bodies, the cage having an anterior face having a receptacle and a pair of anchor holes,

b) bone anchors received in the anchor holes, each anchor having a proximal head, and

c) a single-component cover plate having;

i) a base portion having an anterior face and a posterior face,

ii) a post integrally extending from the posterior face of the base portion and removably engaged in the receptacle of the cage, and

iii) opposed flanges extending laterally from the base portion, each flange located substantially anterior to a respective anchor head to prevent backout of the associated anchor, and

iv) opposed bone-securing features rotatably connected to the base portion, wherein the opposed bone-securing features are adapted to directly secure the adjacent vertebral bodies.