Conformable endplates for artificial disc replacement (ADR) devices and other applications

• US 20040010318A1
• Filed: 05/15/2003
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bret A. Ferree
• Original Assignee: Bret A. Ferree
• Inventors: Ferree, Bret A.
• Application Number:
  US10/438,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20040010318A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30942 for designing or making customized prostheses, e.g. using templates, CT or NMR scans, finite-element analysis or CAD-CAM techniques
• 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 2/4601 for introducing bone substitute, for implanting bone graft implants or for compacting them in the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30387 Dovetail connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30563 having elastic means or damping means, different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric core or shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30604 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4631 the prosthesis being specially adapted for being cemented
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements

Abstract

An anatomical artificial disc replacement (ADR) device includes a tray having a surface which is convex to better conform to a concavity in a vertebral endplate. In different preferred embodiments, the tray may be constructed of multiple pieces adapted to conform to the vertebral endplate; a flexible material such as a malleable metal to fit the vertebral endplate; or a substrate and an attachable convex piece configured to conform to the concavity. Alternatively, the tray includes a substrate and an injectable material that hardens in situ to fill the concavity. The injectable material may be a liquid metal or a polymer, and may be injected along diverging or converging paths to minimize pull-out.

Claims

1. An anatomical artificial disc replacement (ADR) device, comprising:

a tray having a surface which is convex to better conform to a concavity in a vertebral endplate.

2. The ADR device of claim 1, wherein the tray is constructed of multiple pieces adapted to conform to the vertebral endplate.

3. The ADR device of claim 1, wherein the tray is constructed of a flexible material to fit the vertebral endplate.

4. The ADR device of claim 3, wherein the flexible material is a malleable metal.

5. The ADR device of claim 1, wherein the tray includes a substrate and an attachable convex piece configured to conform to the concavity.

6. The ADR device of claim 1, wherein the tray includes a substrate and an injectable material that hardens in situ to fill the concavity.

7. The ADR device of claim 6, wherein the injectable material is a liquid metal.

8. The ADR device of claim 6, wherein the injectable material is a polymer.

9. The ADR device of claim 6, wherein the material is injected along diverging or converging paths to minimize pull-out.