Novel banana cage

• US 20040127990A1
• Filed: 12/31/2002
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Spine Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Bartish,, Charles M. Jr., Moore, Bradley Thomas, Bireley, Douglas Scott
• Granted Patent: US 7,500,991 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4465 having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4684 Trial or dummy prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2817 Bone stimulation by chemical reactions or by osteogenic or biological products for enhancing ossification, e.g. by bone morphogenetic or morphogenic proteins [BMP] or by transforming growth factors [TGF]
• 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 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30133 kidney-shaped or bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30151 rhomboidal or parallelogram-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30308 banana-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30576 with extending fixation tabs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30594 slotted, e.g. radial or meridian slot ending in a polar aperture, non-polar slots, horizontal or arcuate slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30617 Visible markings for adjusting, locating or measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30774 internally-threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30787 inclined obliquely with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30884 Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity
• 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 2002/4629 : connected to the endoprosthesis or implant via a threaded connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0015 : Kidney-shaped, e.g. bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0017 : Angular shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0063 : Three-dimensional shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 : for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0097 : Visible markings, e.g. indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00293 : containing a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. apatite

Abstract

This invention relates to an improved a banana shaped intevertebral fusion cage adapted to be located in the anterior one-half of the disc space.

Claims

1. An intervertebral fusion device comprising:

a) an anterior wall having a convex horizontal cross section,

b) a posterior wall,

c) first and second end walls between the anterior and posterior walls

d) an upper bearing surface between the anterior and posterior walls having a posterior portion having at least one upper opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion, and

e) a lower bearing surface between the anterior and posterior walls having a posterior portion having and at least one lower opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion,

wherein the upper and lower openings are in communication to promote bony fusion through the device,

wherein the anterior wall has a middle portion, lateral end portions, each having a maximum height, and the maximum height of the middle portion is greater than the maximum height of the lateral end portions, and

wherein the posterior portion of each bearing surface is adapted to bear against the anterior half of the disc space.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the posterior portion of each bearing surface is adapted to bear against the anterior one-third of the disc space.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the posterior portion of each bearing surface is adapted to bear against the anterior one-fifth of the disc space.

4. The device of claim 1 being an integral unit.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the posterior wall has a concave horizontal cross section.

6. The device of claim 1 adapted for non-linear insertion from the posterior side of the spine.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is greater than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

8. The device of claim 1 the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is less than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the first end wall is a leading end wall adapted for insertion into the disc space, and the leading end wall is tapered.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one upper opening comprises between 30 areal % and 60 areal % of the upper surface.

11. An intervertebral fusion device comprising:

a) an anterior wall and a posterior wall defining a width therebetween,

b) first and second end walls between the anterior and posterior walls and defining a length therebetween,

wherein the anterior wall has a middle portion, lateral end portions, each having a maximum height, and the maximum height of the middle portion is greater than the maximum height of the lateral end portions,

wherein the width of the device is less than the length of the device, and

wherein the length is less than ½

the width of the disc space.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the length is less than one-third of the width of the disc space.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein the anterior wall has a convex shape, the posterior wall has a concave shape, and further comprising:

c) an upper bearing surface having an anterior portion above the anterior wall, a posterior portion above the posterior wall, and at least one upper opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion, and

d) a lower bearing surface having an anterior portion below the anterior wall, a posterior portion below the posterior wall, and at least one lower opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion, and

wherein the upper and lower openings are in communication to promote bony fusion through the device.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein the posterior portion of each bearing surface is adapted to bear against the anterior one-third of the disc space.

15. The device of claim 11 being an integral unit.

16. The device of claim 11 wherein the posterior wall has a concave horizontal cross section.

17. The device of claim 11 adapted for non-linear insertion from the posterior side of the spine.

18. The device of claim 11 wherein the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is greater than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

19. The device of claim 11 wherein the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is less than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

20. The device of claim 11 wherein the first end wall is a leading end wall adapted for insertion into the disc space, and the leading end wall is tapered.

21. An intervertebral fusion device adapted for non-linear insertion comprising:

a) an anterior wall having a convex shape,

b) a posterior wall,

c) first and second end walls between the anterior and posterior walls

d) an upper bearing surface between the anterior and posterior walls, and having an anterior portion and a posterior portion, and

e) a lower bearing surface between the anterior and posterior walls,

f) first and second transverse struts extending from the anterior portion of the upper bearing surface to the posterior portion of the upper bearing surface.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein the posterior portion of each bearing surface is adapted to bear against the anterior one-third of the disc space.

23. The device of claim 21 being an integral unit.

24. The device of claim 21 wherein the posterior wall has a concave horizontal cross section.

25. The device of claim 21 adapted for non-linear insertion from the posterior side of the spine.

26. The device of claim 21 wherein the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is greater than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

27. The device of claim 21 wherein the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is less than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

28. The device of claim 21 wherein the first end wall is a leading end wall adapted for insertion into the disc space, and the leading end wall is tapered.

29. The device of claim 21 wherein the at least one upper opening comprises between 30 areal % and 60 areal % of the upper surface.

30. The device of claim 21 wherein the anterior wall has a middle portion, lateral end portions, each having a maximum height, and the maximum height of the middle portion is greater than the maximum height of the lateral end portions.

31. An intervertebral fusion device comprising:

a) an anterior wall having a leading end and a trailing end

b) a posterior wall having a leading end and a trailing end,

c) a leading end wall connecting the leading ends of the anterior and posterior walls and having a leading insertion hole,

d) a trailing end wall connecting the anterior and posterior walls and having a trailing insertion hole,

wherein the anterior and posterior walls define a centerline therebetween, and

wherein the leading and trailing insertion holes are disposed asymmetrically about the centerline.

32. The device of claim 31 wherein the posterior portion of each bearing surface is adapted to bear against the anterior one-third of the disc space.

33. The device of claim 31 being an integral unit.

34. The device of claim 31 wherein the posterior wall has a concave horizontal cross section.

35. The device of claim 31 adapted for non-linear insertion from the posterior side of the spine.

36. The device of claim 31 wherein the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is greater than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

37. The device of claim 31 wherein the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is less than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

38. The device of claim 31 wherein the first end wall is a leading end wall adapted for insertion into the disc space, and the leading end wall is tapered.

39. The device of claim 31 wherein the at least one upper opening comprises between 30 areal % and 60 areal % of the upper surface.

40. The device of claim 31 wherein the anterior wall has a middle portion, lateral end portions, each having a maximum height, and the maximum height of the middle portion is greater than the maximum height of the lateral end portions.

41. An intervertebral fusion device comprising:

a) an anterior wall having a convex shape and a maximum height,

b) a posterior wall having a concave shape and a maximum height,

c) first and second end walls between the anterior and posterior walls,

wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is less than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

42. The device of claim 41 wherein the posterior portion of each bearing surface is adapted to bear against the anterior one-third of the disc space.

43. The device of claim 41 being an integral unit.

44. The device of claim 41 wherein the posterior wall has a concave horizontal cross section.

45. The device of claim 41 adapted for non-linear insertion from the posterior side of the spine.

46. The device of claim 41 wherein the posterior portion of each bearing surface is adapted to bear against the anterior one-fifth of the disc space.

47. The device of claim 41 wherein the posterior portion of each bearing surface is adapted to bear against the anterior one-eighth of the disc space.

48. The device of claim 41 wherein the first end wall is a leading end wall adapted for insertion into the disc space, and the leading end wall is tapered.

49. The device of claim 41 wherein the at least one upper opening comprises between 30 areal % and 60 areal % of the upper surface.

50. The device of claim 41 wherein the anterior wall has a middle portion, lateral end portions, each having a maximum height, and the maximum height of the middle portion is greater than the maximum height of the lateral end portions.

51. An intervertebral fusion device comprising:

a) an anterior wall having a convex horizontal cross section,

b) a posterior wall,

c) first and second end walls between the anterior and posterior walls

d) an upper bearing surface between the anterior and posterior walls having an anterior portion and a posterior portion, and

e) a lower bearing surface between the anterior and posterior walls, and

f) first and second transverse struts extending from the anterior portion of the upper bearing surface to the posterior portion of the upper bearing surface,

wherein the upper and lower bearing surfaces form teeth extending from each of the transverse struts and are adapted to grip the vertebral endplates.

52. The device of claim 51 wherein the posterior portion of each bearing surface is adapted to bear against the anterior one-third of the disc space.

53. The device of claim 51 being an integral unit.

54. The device of claim 51 wherein the posterior wall has a concave horizontal cross section.

55. The device of claim 51 adapted for non-linear insertion from the posterior side of the spine.

56. The device of claim 51 wherein the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is greater than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

57. The device of claim 51 wherein the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is less than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

58. The device of claim 51 wherein the first end wall is a leading end wall adapted for insertion into the disc space, and the leading end wall is tapered.

59. The device of claim 51 wherein the at least one upper opening comprises between 30 areal % and 60 areal % of the upper surface.

60. The device of claim 51 wherein the anterior wall has a middle portion, lateral end portions, each having a maximum height, and the maximum height of the middle portion is greater than the maximum height of the lateral end portions.

61. An intervertebral fusion device comprising:

a) an anterior wall having a horizontal cross section having a convex shape and a recessed portion,

b) a posterior wall,

c) first and second end walls between the anterior and posterior walls,

d) an upper bearing surface between the anterior and posterior walls having at least one upper opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion, and

e) a lower bearing surface between the anterior and posterior walls having at least one lower opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion.

62. The device of claim 61 wherein the posterior portion of each bearing surface is adapted to bear against the anterior one-third of the disc space.

63. The device of claim 61 being an integral unit.

64. The device of claim 61 wherein the posterior wall has a concave horizontal cross section.

65. The device of claim 61 adapted for non-linear insertion from the posterior side of the spine.

66. The device of claim 61 wherein the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is greater than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

67. The device of claim 61 wherein the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is less than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

68. The device of claim 61 wherein the first end wall is a leading end wall adapted for insertion into the disc space, and the leading end wall is tapered.

69. The device of claim 61 wherein the recess portion extends at least half way towards the posterior wall.

70. The device of claim 61 wherein the anterior wall has a middle portion, lateral end portions, each having a maximum height, and the maximum height of the middle portion is greater than the maximum height of the lateral end portions.

71. An intervertebral fusion device comprising:

a) an anterior wall having a convex shape,

b) a posterior wall,

c) first and second end walls connecting the anterior and posterior walls

d) an upper bearing surface between the anterior and posterior walls and having at least one upper opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion, and

e) a lower bearing surface between the anterior and posterior walls and having at least one lower opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion,

wherein the end walls form wings extending tangentially from the normal curve of the anterior wall.

72. The device of claim 71 wherein the posterior portion of each bearing surface is adapted to bear against the anterior one-third of the disc space.

73. The device of claim 71 being an integral unit.

74. The device of claim 71 wherein the posterior wall has a concave horizontal cross section.

75. The device of claim 71 adapted for non-linear insertion from the posterior side of the spine.

76. The device of claim 71 wherein the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is greater than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

77. The device of claim 71 wherein the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is less than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

78. The device of claim 71 wherein the first end wall is a leading end wall adapted for insertion into the disc space, and the leading end wall is tapered.

79. The device of claim 71 wherein the at least one upper opening comprises between 30 areal % and 60 areal % of the upper surface.

80. The device of claim 71 wherein the anterior wall has a middle portion, lateral end portions, each having a maximum height, and the maximum height of the middle portion is greater than the maximum height of the lateral end portions.

81. An intervertebral fusion device comprising:

a) an anterior wall having a convex shape, and a maximum height,

b) a posterior wall having a concave shape,

c) first and second end walls connecting the anterior and posterior walls

d) an upper bearing surface between the anterior and posterior walls and having a middle portion having a recess, lateral end portions, and at least one upper opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion, and

e) a lower bearing surface having an anterior portion below the anterior wall, a posterior portion below the posterior wall, and at least one lower opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion.

82. The device of claim 81 wherein the posterior portion of each bearing surface is adapted to bear against the anterior one-third of the disc space.

83. The device of claim 81 being an integral unit.

84. The device of claim 81 wherein the posterior wall has a concave horizontal cross section.

85. The device of claim 81 adapted for non-linear insertion from the posterior side of the spine.

86. The device of claim 81 wherein the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is greater than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

87. The device of claim 81 wherein the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is less than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

88. The device of claim 81 wherein the first end wall is a leading end wall adapted for insertion into the disc space, and the leading end wall is tapered.

89. The device of claim 81 wherein the at least one upper opening comprises between 30 areal % and 60 areal % of the upper surface.

90. The device of claim 81 wherein the anterior wall has a middle portion, lateral end portions, each having a maximum height, and the maximum height of the middle portion is greater than the maximum height of the lateral end portions.

92. The device of claim 81 wherein the posterior portion of each bearing surface is adapted to bear against the anterior one-third of the disc space.

98. The device of claim 89 wherein the first end wall is a leading end wall adapted for insertion into the disc space, and the leading end wall is tapered.

91. An intervertebral fusion device comprising:

a) an anterior wall having a convex shape,

b) a posterior wall,

c) first and second end walls between the anterior and posterior walls

d) an upper bearing surface between the anterior and posterior walls having at least one upper opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion, and

e) a lower bearing surface between the anterior and posterior walls having at least one lower opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion, and

f) a horizontally disposed ridge extending anteriorly from anterior wall.

93. The device of claim 91 being an integral unit.

94. The device of claim 91 wherein the posterior wall has a concave horizontal cross section.

95. The device of claim 91 adapted for non-linear insertion from the posterior side of the spine.

96. The device of claim 91 wherein the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is greater than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

97. The device of claim 91 wherein the anterior wall has a maximum height, the posterior wall has a maximum height, and wherein the maximum height of the anterior wall is less than the maximum height of the posterior wall.

99. The device of claim 91 wherein the at least one upper opening comprises between 30 areal % and 60 areal % of the upper surface.

100. The device of claim 91 wherein the anterior wall has a middle portion, lateral end portions, each having a maximum height, and the maximum height of the middle portion is greater than the maximum height of the lateral end portions.