Methods for adjustable bone fusion implants

• US 20040054412A1
• Filed: 08/28/2003
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IMDS LLC
• Original Assignee: Movdice Holding Inc., Medicinelodge, Inc (Nelso Antolotti)
• Inventors: Fallin, T. Wade, Gerbec, Daniel E., Faciszewski, Tom
• Granted Patent: US 6,863,673 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4455 for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages intervertebral discs A61F2/442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• 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 2/4603 for insertion or extraction of endoprosthetic joints or of accessories thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4637 for connecting or disconnecting two parts of a prosthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2835 Bone graft implants for filling a bony defect or an endoprosthesis cavity, e.g. by synthetic material or biological material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30266 wedge-shaped parallelepipeds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30487 Circumferential cooperating grooves and beads on cooperating lateral surfaces of a mainly longitudinal connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3052 unrestrained in only one direction, e.g. moving unidirectionally
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30522 releasable, e.g. using a releasable ratchet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3055 for adjusting length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30556 for adjusting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30774 internally-threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30784 Plurality of holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30789 perpendicular with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 : Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30892 : parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30975 : made of two halves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4622 : having the shape of a forceps or a clamp
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4627 : with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4628 : with linear motion along or rotating motion about an axis transverse to the instrument axis or to the implantation direction, e.g. clamping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4629 : connected to the endoprosthesis or implant via a threaded connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4635 : using minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0082 : parallelepipedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0009 : for adjusting thickness

Abstract

A method for fusing two adjacent bones or pieces of bone includes positioning an adjustable fusion implant between two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the fusion implant having a first plate and an opposing second plate. A portion of a tool inserted between the first plate and the second plate of the fusion implant is expanded so as to expand the fusion implant between the bones or pieces of bone. The tool is then removed from the expanded fusion implant.

Claims

1. A method for fusing two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the method comprising:

positioning an adjustable fusion implant between two adjacent bones or pieces of bone;

expanding a portion of a tool inserted within the fusion implant so as to expand the fusion implant between the bones or pieces of bone; and

removing the tool from within the expanded fusion implant.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the act of positioning comprises placing the adjustable fusion implant between two adjacent vertebrae.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising removably securing a distal end of an inserter to the fusion implant prior to the act of positioning.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

sliding a reinforcing member along the inserter so that the reinforcing member couples with the expanded fusion implant; and

disconnecting the inserter from the fusion implant.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the fusion implant has a first plate and an opposing second plate with a compartment formed therebetween, the method further comprising inserting a reinforcing member between the first plate and the second plate after the tool has been removed from the fusion implant.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising inserting the portion of the tool within the fusion implant prior to the act of positioning the adjustable fusion implant.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least partially packing the fusion implant with an osteogenic substance after the fusion implant is expanded.

8. A method for fusing two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the method comprising:

positioning an adjustable fusion implant between two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the fusion implant comprising a first plate and an opposing second plate;

expanding a portion of a tool inserted between the first plate and the second plate of the fusion implant so as to expand the fusion implant between the bones or pieces of bone; and

removing the tool from the expanded fusion implant.

9. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the act of positioning comprises placing the adjustable fusion implant between two adjacent vertebrae.

10. A method as recited in claim 8, further comprising removably securing a distal end of an inserter to the fusion implant prior to the act of positioning.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

sliding a reinforcing member along the inserter so that the reinforcing member couples with the expanded fusion implant; and

disconnecting the inserter from the fusion implant.

12. A method as recited in claim 8, further comprising inserting a reinforcing member between the first plate and the second plate after the tool has been removed from the fusion implant.

13. A method as recited in claim 8, further comprising inserting the portion of the tool within the fusion implant prior to the act of positioning the adjustable fusion implant.

14. A method as recited in claim 8, further comprising at least partially packing the fusion implant with an osteogenic substance after the fusion implant is expanded.

15. A method for fusing two vertebrae, the method comprising:

forming a posterior opening through a back of a person so as to expose two vertebrae, the two vertebrae having a wedged shape gap formed therebetween that enlarges anteriorly toward a front of the person;

inserting an adjustable fusion implant through the posterior opening and into the gap formed between the vertebrae, the fusion implant having a wedge shaped configuration that enlarges from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end of the fusion implant being inserted first into the gap formed between the vertebrae; and

expanding the fusion implant disposed between vertebrae such that the fusion implant maintains a wedge shaped configuration.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the act of expanding comprises:

expanding at least a portion of a tool within the fusion implant so as to selectively expand the fusion implant; and

removing the tool from within the fusion implant.

17. A method as recited in claim 16, further comprising inserting the portion of the tool within the fusion implant prior to the act of inserting the adjustable fusion implant.

18. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the fusion implant has a first plate and an opposing second plate with a compartment formed therebetween, the method further comprising inserting a reinforcing member between the first plate and the second plate after the fusion implant has been expanded.

19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the reinforcing member is inserted within the compartment of the fusion implant.

20. A method for fusing two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the method comprising:

inserting an adjustable housing between two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the housing at least partially bounding a compartment;

expanding the housing between the bones or pieces of bone; and

sliding a reinforcing member of a predetermined shape into at least a portion of the compartment of the housing after expansion of the housing.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein the act of expanding comprises:

expanding at least a portion of a tool within the housing so as to selectively expand the housing; and

removing the tool from within the housing.

22. A method as recited in claim 20, further comprising removably securing a distal end of an inserter to the housing such that at least a portion of the inserter is disposed within the compartment of the housing, the inserter being secured prior to the act of inserting.

23. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein the act of sliding the reinforcing member comprises:

advancing a tubular push rod over a proximal end of the inserter; and

moving the push rod along the inserter so that the push rod advances the reinforcing member into at least a portion of the compartment.

24. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein the act of sliding the reinforcing member comprises:

removably connecting a distal end of a tubular push rod to the reinforcing member;

advancing the reinforcing member and tubular push rod over a proximal end of the inserter; and

moving the push rod along the inserter so that the push rod advances the reinforcing member into at least a portion of the compartment.

25. A method as recited in claim 24, further comprising:

removing the inserter from within the push rod; and

delivering bone graft through the tubular push rod and into the compartment.