Movable disc implant

• US 20040143332A1
• Filed: 10/31/2003
• Published: 07/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc. (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc. (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wagner, Erik J., Krueger, David J.
• Application Number:
  US10/699,618
• Publication Number:
  US 20040143332A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1604 Chisels; Rongeurs; Punches; Stamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/94 coded with symbols, e.g. text
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30767 Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4425 made of articulated components
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4684 Trial or dummy prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3008 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30112 Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30252 quadric-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30365 with additional means for limiting said rotation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30378 Spherically-shaped protrusion and recess
• 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 2002/30448 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30451 soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30528 : Means for limiting said movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30616 : Sets comprising a plurality of prosthetic parts of different sizes or orientations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30617 : Visible markings for adjusting, locating or measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30639 : having rolling elements between both articulating surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30649 : Ball-and-socket joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30662 : with rotation-limiting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30695 : Sound-damping or noise-reducing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3071 : Identification means; Administration of patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30823 : having the shape of a reverse dovetail
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30828 : parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 : Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30845 : with cutting edges
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30878 : with non-sharp protrusions, for instance contacting the bone for anchoring, e.g. keels, pegs, pins, posts, shanks, stems, struts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30879 : Ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30884 : Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30891 : Plurality of protrusions
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/443 : having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component
• 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 2002/4681 : by applying mechanical shocks, e.g. by hammering
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0033 : made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 : using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0058 : soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0004 : Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0073 : Quadric-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0064 : Sets comprising a plurality of prosthetic parts of different sizes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0075 : Sound-damping or noise-reducing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0087 : colour-coded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0089 : coded with symbols, e.g. dots, numbers, letters, words
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0097 : Visible markings, e.g. indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 : radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• 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 2310/00976 : 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 disc implant is provided which maintains intervertebral spacing and stability within the spine. In an embodiment, a disc implant may include three or more components. Components of the implant may imitate certain physiological movements associated with a healthy spine. In certain embodiments, the components of the implant may limit physiological movements to within certain ranges, imitating normal spinal movements.

Claims

1. An artificial disc implant for a human spine, comprising:

two engaging plates, wherein each engaging plate comprises;

a recess; and

two or more slots configured to engage an insertion instrument during insertion of the disc implant, wherein the slots are at an angle relative to an anterior-posterior axis of the engaging plates; and

one or more members positionable between the engaging plates, wherein at least one of the members comprises a portion configured to complement at least one of the recesses to allow axial rotation, lateral movement and anteroposterior movement of the engaging plates relative to each other during use.

2. The implant of claim 1, wherein one or more sides of at least one of the recesses are tapered.

3. The implant of claim 1, wherein a height of a posterior side exceeds a height of an anterior side of at least one of the recesses.

4. The implant of claim 1, wherein the portion configured to complement at least one of the recesses is a convex portion, and wherein at least one of the recesses comprises a concave portion complementary to the convex portion.

5. The implant of claim 1, wherein at least one of the engaging plates comprises a convex portion, wherein at least one of the members comprises a concave portion, and wherein the convex portion is complementary to the concave portion.

6. The implant of claim 1, wherein the two engaging plates and the one or more members are made of metal.

7. The implant of claim 1, wherein the slots are dovetailed.

8. A system for inserting an artificial disc implant between human vertebrae, comprising:

an inserter having a body, a passage through the body, and arms, wherein the arms are configured to be releasably coupled to engaging plates of the artificial disc implant; and

a distractor positionable in the passage in the body, wherein the distractor is configured to separate the arms of the inserter such that engaging plates coupled to the arms of the inserter remain substantially parallel during separation of the engaging plates to form a disc space between the human vertebrae.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the inserter is configured such that coupling the inserter to the engaging plates does not increase separation between the engaging plates.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the arms of the inserter are configured to be releasably coupled to dovetailed slots in the engaging plates.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the inserter and the distractor are configured such that the distractor does not contact the engaging plates during insertion of the engaging plates.

12. The system of claim 8, further comprising a pusher, wherein the pusher is configured to drive a member through a passage in the distractor and position the member between the engaging plates.

13. The system of claim 8, further comprising a member seater configured to seat a member in the engaging plates through the passage in the inserter.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising trial endplates and one or more additional distractors, wherein the trial endplates are configured to be used in combination with the distractors to determine height and lordotic angle of the artificial disc implant to be inserted.

15. A method for forming an artificial disc implant between human vertebrae, comprising:

positioning two engaging plates between the human vertebrae;

separating the engaging plates such that the engaging plates remain substantially parallel;

positioning one or more members between the engaging plates such that a surface of at least one of the members contacts a complementary surface of at least one of the engaging plates; and

wherein the engaging plates and at least one of the members are configured to allow relative movement of the engaging plates during use.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining a height, size and lordotic angle of the artificial disc implant to be formed between the vertebrae before positioning the engaging plates between the vertebrae.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising forming a recess in at least one of the vertebrae to engage a projection on at least one of the engaging plates.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein positioning at least one of the members comprises positioning such members in a rounded recess in at least one of the engaging plates.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the engaging plates are positioned using an angulated anterior approach to the vertebrae.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the engaging plates are positioned using an anterior approach to the vertebrae.

21. A disc implant, comprising:

a first engaging plate and a second engaging plate;

a member positionable between the engaging plates;

wherein the first engaging plate comprises a recess configured to receive a base of the member, wherein one or more sides of the recess are tapered; and

wherein a surface of the second engaging plate complements a surface of the member to allow axial rotation, lateral movement and anteroposterior movement of the engaging plates relative to each other during use.

22. The implant of claim 21, wherein a height of a posterior side of the recess is greater than a height of an anterior side of the recess.

23. The implant of claim 21, wherein at least one of the engaging plates comprises a concave portion complementary to a convex portion of the member.

24. The implant of claim 21, wherein at least one of the engaging plates comprises a convex portion complementary to a concave portion of the member.

25. The implant of claim 21, wherein at least one of the engaging plates comprises at least one coupling projection.

26. The implant of claim 21, wherein the engaging plates comprise one or more slots, wherein the slots are configured to engage an instrument for insertion of the implant.

27. The implant of claim 21, wherein the engaging plates comprise one or more slots wherein the slots are configured to engage an instrument for insertion of the implant and wherein the slots are positioned at an angle relative to anterior-posterior axes of the engaging plates.

28. A system for inserting an artificial disc implant, comprising:

an inserter having a body, a passage through the body and arms, wherein the arms are configured to be releasably coupled to engaging plates of the artificial disc implant; and

one or more distractors positionable through the passage in the body, the distractors configured to move the arms to establish a separation distance between engaging plates coupled to the arms.

29. The system of claim 28, further comprising a pusher configured to drive a member down a passage through the distractor to a position between the engaging plates.

30. The system of claim 28, further comprising a member seater configured to seat a member between the engaging plates.

31. The system of claim 28, further comprising trial endplates, wherein the trial endplates in combination with at least one distractor are configured to determine height and lordotic angle of the artificial disc implant to be inserted.

32. An instrument kit, comprising:

one or more trial endplates;

a plurality of implant components; and

an inserter configured to couple to selected implant components to allow the components to be positioned in a disc space;

one or more distractors configured to couple to the inserter to establish a separation distance between the selected implant components coupled to the inserter.

33. The instrument kit of claim 32, wherein the inserter is configured to couple to the trial endplates.

34. The instrument kit of claim 32, wherein one or more of the trial endplates are sloped.

35. The instrument kit of claim 32, further comprising a pusher configured to position an implant component between the selected implant components coupled to the inserter.

36. The instrument kit of claim 32, further comprising a member seater, wherein the member seater is configured to apply pressure to one of the implant components.

37. The instrument kit of claim 32, further comprising a pusher configured to position an implant component between the selected implant components coupled to the inserter.

38. A method for forming an implant between vertebrae of a spine, comprising:

coupling a pair of engaging plates to a portion of an inserter;

positioning the engaging plates between adjacent vertebrae;

positioning one or more members between the engaging plates; and

wherein at least a portion of the engaging plates and at least a portion of at least one member is configured to allow at least some movement of a first vertebra relative to a second vertebra.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein positioning the engaging plates comprises an anterior approach to the vertebrae.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein positioning the engaging plates comprises an angled anterior approach to the vertebrae.

41. The method of claim 38, further comprising positioning a distractor in the inserter wherein the distractor is configured to separate in a substantially parallel direction one engaging plate from a second engaging plate.

42. The method of claim 38, further comprising positioning a distractor in the inserter wherein the distractor is configured to separate one engaging plate from a second engaging plate and wherein positioning a member of the one or more members between the engaging plates comprises guiding the member through the distractor with a pusher.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein the movement comprises at least axial rotation and lateral movement of the spine.

44. The method of claim 38, further comprising inserting one or more trial implants and one or more distractors in the vertebral space before coupling the engaging plates to the inserter to determine a lordotic angle of the engaging plates and a height of the members to be inserted.

45. An instrument for insertion of a disc implant, comprising:

a body;

one or more arms configured to couple to one or more engaging plates;

a distractor positionable in an opening of the body, wherein the distractor is configured to separate in a substantially parallel direction one engaging plate from a second engaging plate.