Surgical implants for use as spinal spacers

• US 20040133279A1
• Filed: 01/06/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Spinal Concepts Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Spinal Concepts Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Krueger, David J., Mitchell, Margaret E., Freid, James M.
• Application Number:
  US10/337,219
• Publication Number:
  US 20040133279A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7062 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral processes, vertebral facets or ribs rib fixation devices A61B17/8076; Tools for such devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• 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 2/4455 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 2/4611 of spinal 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 2002/3008 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30383 made by laterally inserting a protrusion, e.g. a rib into a complementarily-shaped groove
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30433 using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30448 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30492 using a locking pin
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30604 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3071 Identification means; Administration of patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30733 Inserts placed into an endoprosthetic cavity, e.g. for modifying a material property
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/308 oblong
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3082 Grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30843 : Pyramidally-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30879 : Ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 : serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30922 : Hardened surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3097 : using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30971 : Laminates, i.e. layered products
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0041 : using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 : using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0085 : Identification means; Administration of patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 : radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00173 : Graphite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00293 : containing a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00329 : Glasses, e.g. bioglass
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00359 : Bone or bony tissue

Abstract

A spinal implant is provided which maintains intervertebral spacing and stability within the spine. In some embodiments, two or more spinal implants may interlock to form a spinal stabilization system. Spinal implants may interlock using protrusions, indentations, teeth, and/or grooves. In an embodiment, an opening may be positioned in the spinal implant to fuse the spinal implant to surrounding bone tissue. Bone growth through the opening may be increased by using a removable bone growth stimulating insert in the opening. A spinal implant may be constructed of biocompatible material, for example, bone, metal, and/or polymers.

Claims

1. A spinal implant, comprising:

a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are configured to engage vertebrae; and

a protrusion on the first surface of the spinal implant, wherein the protrusion is configured to engage another spinal implant.

2. The spinal implant of claim 1, further comprising an opening extending through the spinal implant.

3. The spinal implant of claim 1, further comprising an indentation on the second surface of the spinal implant.

4. The spinal implant of claim 3, wherein the indentation is configured to engage a portion of another spinal implant.

5. The spinal implant of claim 1, further comprising:

teeth on a surface of the spinal implant; and

grooves on a surface of the spinal implant.

6. The spinal implant of claim 1, further comprising teeth on a surface of the spinal implant wherein at least some of the teeth are configured to engage a portion of another spinal implant.

7. The spinal implant of claim 1, further comprising grooves on a surface of the spinal implant wherein at least some of the grooves are configured to engage a portion of another spinal implant.

8. The spinal implant of claim 1, further comprising an osteogenic insert, wherein the insert is removably occupying the opening.

9. The implant of claim 1, further comprising an X-ray sensitive material in the spinal implant.

10. A spinal implant system, comprising:

a first spinal implant;

a second spinal implant; and

wherein a surface of the first implant is configured interlock with a surface of the second implant to inhibit movement of the second implant relative to the first implant during use.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

an indentation on the first spinal implant;

a protrusion on the surface of the second spinal implant; and

wherein the indentation is configured to engage the protrusion.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

teeth on the first spinal implant;

grooves on the second spinal implant; and

wherein at least some of the teeth inhibit movement of the first spinal implant relative to the second spinal implant.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a first opening extending through the first implant;

a second opening extending through the second implant; and

wherein the first opening communicates with the second opening.

14. The system of claim 10, further comprising a lordotic angle less than about 12°

and a lordotic angle greater than about 2°

.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the system is configured to fit between vertebrae.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one spinal implant comprises a metal.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one spinal implant comprises a ceramic.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one spinal implant comprises a polymer.

19. A method of stabilizing a human spine, comprising:

interlocking a first implant to a second implant without the use of a fastener to couple the first implant to the second implant; and

inserting the interlocked first implant and second implant between vertebrae.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein interlocking the first implant to the second implant comprises placing a protrusion on the first implant in a indentation on the second implant.