Implant system and method for intervertebral disc augmentation

• US 20040210310A1
• Filed: 04/21/2003
• Published: 10/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Trieu, Hai H.
• Application Number:
  US10/419,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20040210310A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.11
• 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 2002/4435 Support means or repair of the natural disc wall, i.e. annulus, e.g. using plates, membranes or meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/444 for replacing the nucleus pulposus

Abstract

Devices and methods for blocking and/or retaining a prosthetic spinal implant member in an intervertebral disc space are provided. In a first aspect of the invention the device comprises a first blocking member having an anchoring end and a blocking end. The anchoring end is anchored to a vertebra, and the blocking end is connected to a prosthetic spinal implant to keep the implant from being expelled from an intervertebral disc space. In a second embodiment the device further includes a second blocking member having an anchoring end and a blocking end. The anchoring end of the second blocking member is anchored to a vertebra, and the blocking end of the second blocking member is positioned to keep the prosthetic spinal implant from being expelled from an intervertebral disc space. Methods for anchoring a spinal implant are also provided.

Claims

1. A method for retaining a prosthetic spinal implant in an intervertebral disc space, said method comprising:

(a) implanting a prosthetic spinal implant member in an intervertebral disc space;

(b) providing a first blocking member having an anchoring end and a blocking end, wherein said blocking end is connected to said prosthetic spinal implant member; and

(c) securing the anchoring end of said first blocking member to a vertebra to keep said prosthetic spinal implant from being expelled from the intervertebral disc space.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a prosthetic nucleus.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises an annular plug.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises consists essentially of a prosthetic nucleus.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises consists essentially of an annular plug.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, natural collagen-source materials, and synthetic collagen-type materials, and combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a flexible elastic body.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a polymeric material.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said polymeric material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, silicones, polyaryletherketones, polyarylacrylates, polyacrylamideacrylates, polyolefins, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylonitriles, polyesters.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a natural, collagen-source material.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said natural, collagen-source material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of:

disc annulus material, fascia lata material, planar fascia material, anterior or posterior cruciate ligament material, patella tendons, hamstring tendons, quadriceps tendons, Achilles tendons, skins, and connective tissues.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a synthetic, collagen-type material.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises an inelastic, semi-rigid material.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a rigid articulating body.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said rigid articulating body comprises a polymeric material.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said polymeric material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, silicones, polyolefins, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylonitriles, polyesters.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said rigid articulating body comprises a metal.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said metal comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steels, cobalt chrome alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, tantalum, and shape memory metals.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein said rigid articulating body comprises a ceramic.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said ceramic comprises a material selected from the group consisting of alumina, zirconia, alumina-zirconia composites, pyrolytic carbon, and polycrystalline diamond compact materials.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein said anchoring end of said first blocking member is secured to a vertebra with a bone screw or a soft tissue anchor.

22. The method of claim 1, and further including the steps of:

(d) providing a second blocking member having an anchoring end and a blocking end; and

(e) securing the anchoring end of said second blocking member to a vertebra in a manner in which the blocking end of said second blocking member is maintained in a position effective to keep said prosthetic spinal implant from being expelled from the intervertebral disc space.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a prosthetic nucleus.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises an annular plug.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises consists essentially of a prosthetic nucleus.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises consists essentially of an annular plug.

27. The method of claim 22 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metals, polymers, composites, natural collagen-source materials, and synthetic collagen-type materials, and combinations thereof.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a flexible elastic body.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a polymeric material.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said polymeric material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, silicones, polyaryletherketones, polyarylacrylates, polyacrylamideacrylates, polyolefins, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylonitriles, polyesters.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a natural, collagen-source material.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said natural, collagen-source material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of:

disc annulus material, fascia lata material, planar fascia material, anterior or posterior cruciate ligament material, patella tendons, hamstring tendons, quadriceps tendons, Achilles tendons, skins, and connective tissues.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a synthetic, collagen-type material.

34. The method of claim 22, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises an inelastic, semi-rigid material.

35. The method of claim 22, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a rigid articulating body.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said rigid articulating body comprises a polymeric material.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said polymeric material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, silicones, polyaryletherketones, polyarylacrylates, polyacrylamideacrylates, polyolefins, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylonitriles, polyesters.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein said rigid articulating body comprises a metal.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said metal comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steels, cobalt chrome alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, tantalum, and shape memory metals.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein said rigid articulating body comprises a ceramic.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein said ceramic comprises a material selected from the group consisting of alumina, zirconia, alumina-zirconia composites, pyrolytic carbon, and polycrystalline diamond compact materials.

42. The method of claim 22, wherein said anchoring end of said first blocking member is secured to a vertebra with a bone screw or a soft tissue anchor.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein said bone screw is an interference screw and said soft tissue anchor is a suture anchor.

44. The method of claim 22 wherein said bone screw is an interference screw and said soft tissue anchor is a suture anchor.

45. A device for blocking and retaining a spinal implant in an intervertebral disc space, said device comprising a first blocking member having an anchoring end and a blocking end;

wherein said anchoring end is anchored to a vertebra; and

wherein said blocking end is connected to a prosthetic spinal implant to keep said prosthetic spinal implant from being expelled from an intervertebral disc space.

46. The device of claim 45, and further including a second blocking member having an anchoring end and a blocking end;

wherein said anchoring end of said second blocking member is anchored to a vertebra; and

wherein said blocking end of said second blocking member is positioned to keep said prosthetic spinal implant from being expelled from an intervertebral disc space.