Vertebra stabilizing assembly

• US 20040243239A1
• Filed: 07/02/2004
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Companion Spine LLC
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Taylor, Jean
• Granted Patent: US 7,445,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.13
• 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 2/441 made of inflatable pockets or chambers filled with fluid, e.g. with hydrogel
• 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 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30131 horseshoe- or crescent- or C-shaped or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30133 kidney-shaped or bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30166 H-shaped or I-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30197 Omega-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30563 having elastic means or damping means, different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric core or shock absorbers
• 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 2002/4635 using minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0013 Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0015 Kidney-shaped, e.g. bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0028 Shapes in the form of latin or greek characters
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0045 Omega-shaped

Abstract

The invention concerns an assembly comprising: a rear damping implant (10), configured to be laterally placed at the blade-spinal junction of two vertebrae (2, 3) treated without resection of the supra-spinal rear ligament (5), said implant (10) having a height such that, when set in place, it enables, to reset the supra-spinal rear ligament in anatomical tension; and at least a damping interbody implant (11), configured to be inserted between the vertebral end-plates of the two treated vertebrae (2, 3), by the same path used during dissectomy, said implant (11) having a height such that, when set in place, it enables to restore the anatomical height of the intervertebral disc (4) and to reset the front common ligament in anatomical tension.

Claims

1. Assembly for stabilising vertebrae (2, 3), in particular lumbar vertebrae, characterised in that it comprises:

a shock-absorbent posterior implant (10) which is formed to be positioned, via the lateral route, at the lamina/spinous process junction of the two adjacent vertebrae (2, 3) being treated, without resection of the supra-spinous posterior ligament (5), this implant (10) having a height such that, when it is positioned, it allows the supra-spinous posterior ligament (5) to be reset at anatomical tension; and

at least one shock-absorbent inter-corporeal implant (11) which is formed to be inserted between the vertebral plates of the two vertebrae (2, 3) being treated via the same posterior/lateral route as that used during a dissectomy, this implant (11) having a height such that, when it is positioned, it allows the anatomical height of the intervertebral disc (4) to be restored and the anterior common ligament (6) to be reset at anatomical tension.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises securing means (16, 21) in order to ensure the continuity of the posterior implant (10) in position, relative to the spinous processes (17).

3. Assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that the securing means comprise a suitable form of the posterior implant (10), defining opposed recesses for receiving the spinous processes (17).

4. Assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that the securing means comprise means for fixing the posterior implant (10) to the spinous processes (17), such as two independent cords (21) or rigid anchoring pieces, which do not limit the deformability of the implant (10).

5. Assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) is constituted as a single piece and is inserted between the spinous processes (17) of the vertebrae (2, 3).

6. Assembly according to claim 3, characterised in that the posterior implant is of a “

diabolo”

or “

H”

-like shape and is in a single piece, and in that the assembly comprises a piece which keeps this posterior implant in a deformed state, in which two lateral lugs, which the implant comprises, are brought closer towards each other, in order to allow lateral insertion of the implant between the spinous processes of the vertebrae being treated.

7. Assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the posterior implant is in the form of two parts which can be assembled together and which are each brought at one side of the inter-spinous space and are assembled together in this space.

8. Assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises an inter-corporeal implant (11) which is formed so as to extend in the anterior lateral zones of the vertebral plates in order to reinforce the lateral stability of the vertebrae (2, 3) and to allow relief of the peripheral annulus fibrosus.

9. Assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the inter-corporeal implant (11) has a curved shape, in the form of a portion of a ring.

10. Assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises an inter-corporeal implant which is provided to replace and/or assist the nucleus.

11. Assembly according to claim 10, characterised in that it is of a general “

bean”

or “

omega”

-like shape, with a central portion which is extended by two lateral lobes protruding at the posterior side, or in the form of a sphere.

12. Assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant has a triangular or trapezoidal cross-section and is intended to be implanted with the largest lateral side thereof directed towards the anterior side.

13. Assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant (11) comprises means for ensuring the securing thereof between the vertebral plates.

14. Assembly according to claim 13, characterised in that the means for securing the inter-corporeal implant (11) between the vertebral plates comprise a form of the inter-corporeal implant (11), which form is adapted to the shape of the vertebral plates in order to secure this inter-corporeal implant (11) between the vertebrae (2, 3).

15. Assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) and/or the inter-corporeal implant (11) comprise(s) a core of shock-absorbent material, such as a silicone, a polyurethane, a hydrophilic polymer, a polycarbonate, or a piece of shape-memory metal, and a casing which surrounds the core.

16. Instrument for positioning the inter-corporeal implant (11) according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises an introduction guide tube (26) which is provided with a piston (27), the implant (11) being engaged, with compression, in the introduction tube (26) and being able to be expelled therefrom by means of the piston (27).

17. Assembly according to claim 3, characterised in that the securing means comprise means for fixing the posterior implant (10) to the spinous processes (17), such as two independent cords (21) or rigid anchoring pieces, which do not limit the deformability of the implant (10).

18. Assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) is constituted as a single piece and is inserted between the spinous processes (17) of the vertebrae (2, 3).

19. Assembly according to claim 3, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) is constituted as a single piece and is inserted between the spinous processes (17) of the vertebrae (2, 3).

20. Assembly according to claim 4, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) is constituted as a single piece and is inserted between the spinous processes (17) of the vertebrae (2, 3).

21. Assembly according to claim 4, characterised in that the posterior implant is of a “

diabolo”

or “

H”

-like shape and is in a single piece, and in that the assembly comprises a piece which keeps this posterior implant in a deformed state, in which two lateral lugs, which the implant comprises, are brought closer towards each other, in order to allow lateral insertion of the implant between the spinous processes of the vertebrae being treated.

22. Assembly according to claim 5, characterised in that the posterior implant is of a “

diabolo”

or “

H”

-like shape and is in a single piece, and in that the assembly comprises a piece which keeps this posterior implant in a deformed state, in which two lateral lugs, which the implant comprises, are brought closer towards each other, in order to allow lateral insertion of the implant between the spinous processes of the vertebrae being treated.

23. Assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that the posterior implant is in the form of two parts which can be assembled together and which are each brought at one side of the inter-spinous space and are assembled together in this space.

24. Assembly according to claim 3, characterised in that the posterior implant is in the form of two parts which can be assembled together and which are each brought at one side of the inter-spinous space and are assembled together in this space.

25. Assembly according to claim 4, characterised in that the posterior implant is in the form of two parts which can be assembled together and which are each brought at one side of the inter-spinous space and are assembled together in this space.

26. Assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that it comprises an inter-corporeal implant (11) which is formed so as to extend in the anterior lateral zones of the vertebral plates in order to reinforce the lateral stability of the vertebrae (2, 3) and to allow relief of the peripheral annulus fibrosus.

27. Assembly according to claim 3, characterised in that it comprises an inter-corporeal implant (11) which is formed so as to extend in the anterior lateral zones of the vertebral plates in order to reinforce the lateral stability of the vertebrae (2, 3) and to allow relief of the peripheral annulus fibrosus.

28. Assembly according to claim 4, characterised in that it comprises an inter-corporeal implant (11) which is formed so as to extend in the anterior lateral zones of the vertebral plates in order to reinforce the lateral stability of the vertebrae (2, 3) and to allow relief of the peripheral annulus fibrosus.

29. Assembly according to claim 5, characterised in that it comprises an inter-corporeal implant (11) which is formed so as to extend in the anterior lateral zones of the vertebral plates in order to reinforce the lateral stability of the vertebrae (2, 3) and to allow relief of the peripheral annulus fibrosus.

30. Assembly according to claim 6, characterised in that it comprises an inter-corporeal implant (11) which is formed so as to extend in the anterior lateral zones of the vertebral plates in order to reinforce the lateral stability of the vertebrae (2, 3) and to allow relief of the peripheral annulus fibrosus.

31. Assembly according to claim 7, characterised in that it comprises an inter-corporeal implant (11) which is formed so as to extend in the anterior lateral zones of the vertebral plates in order to reinforce the lateral stability of the vertebrae (2, 3) and to allow relief of the peripheral annulus fibrosus.

32. Assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that it comprises an inter-corporeal implant which is provided to replace and/or assist the nucleus.

33. Assembly according to claim 3, characterised in that it comprises an inter-corporeal implant which is provided to replace and/or assist the nucleus.

34. Assembly according to claim 4, characterised in that it comprises an inter-corporeal implant which is provided to replace and/or assist the nucleus.

35. Assembly according to claim 5, characterised in that it comprises an inter-corporeal implant which is provided to replace and/or assist the nucleus.

36. Assembly according to claim 6, characterised in that it comprises an inter-corporeal implant which is provided to replace and/or assist the nucleus.

37. Assembly according to claim 7, characterised in that it comprises an inter-corporeal implant which is provided to replace and/or assist the nucleus.

38. Assembly according to claim 8, characterised in that it comprises an inter-corporeal implant which is provided to replace and/or assist the nucleus.

39. Assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant has a triangular or trapezoidal cross-section and is intended to be implanted with the largest lateral side thereof directed towards the anterior side.

40. Assembly according to claim 3, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant has a triangular or trapezoidal cross-section and is intended to be implanted with the largest lateral side thereof directed towards the anterior side.

41. Assembly according to claim 4, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant has a triangular or trapezoidal cross-section and is intended to be implanted with the largest lateral side thereof directed towards the anterior side.

42. Assembly according to claim 5, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant has a triangular or trapezoidal cross-section and is intended to be implanted with the largest lateral side thereof directed towards the anterior side.

43. Assembly according to claim 6, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant has a triangular or trapezoidal cross-section and is intended to be implanted with the largest lateral side thereof directed towards the anterior side.

44. Assembly according to claim 7, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant has a triangular or trapezoidal cross-section and is intended to be implanted with the largest lateral side thereof directed towards the anterior side.

45. Assembly according to claim 8, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant has a triangular or trapezoidal cross-section and is intended to be implanted with the largest lateral side thereof directed towards the anterior side.

46. Assembly according to claim 9, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant has a triangular or trapezoidal cross-section and is intended to be implanted with the largest lateral side thereof directed towards the anterior side.

47. Assembly according to claim 10, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant has a triangular or trapezoidal cross-section and is intended to be implanted with the largest lateral side thereof directed towards the anterior side.

48. Assembly according to claim 11, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant has a triangular or trapezoidal cross-section and is intended to be implanted with the largest lateral side thereof directed towards the anterior side.

49. Assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant (11) comprises means for ensuring the securing thereof between the vertebral plates.

50. Assembly according to claim 3, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant (11) comprises means for ensuring the securing thereof between the vertebral plates.

51. Assembly according to claim 4, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant (11) comprises means for ensuring the securing thereof between the vertebral plates.

52. Assembly according to claim 5, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant (11) comprises means for ensuring the securing thereof between the vertebral plates.

53. Assembly according to claim 6, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant (11) comprises means for ensuring the securing thereof between the vertebral plates.

54. Assembly according to claim 7, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant (11) comprises means for ensuring the securing thereof between the vertebral plates.

55. Assembly according to claim 8, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant (11) comprises means for ensuring the securing thereof between the vertebral plates.

56. Assembly according to claim 9, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant (11) comprises means for ensuring the securing thereof between the vertebral plates.

57. Assembly according to claim 10, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant (11) comprises means for ensuring the securing thereof between the vertebral plates.

58. Assembly according to claim 11, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant (11) comprises means for ensuring the securing thereof between the vertebral plates.

59. Assembly according to claim 12, characterised in that at least one inter-corporeal implant (11) comprises means for ensuring the securing thereof between the vertebral plates.

60. Assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) and/or the inter-corporeal implant (11) comprise(s) a core of shock-absorbent material, such as a silicone, a polyurethane, a hydrophilic polymer, a polycarbonate, or a piece of shape-memory metal, and a casing which surrounds the core.

61. Assembly according to claim 3, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) and/or the inter-corporeal implant (11) comprise(s) a core of shock-absorbent material, such as a silicone, a polyurethane, a hydrophilic polymer, a polycarbonate, or a piece of shape-memory metal, and a casing which surrounds the core.

62. Assembly according to claim 4, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) and/or the inter-corporeal implant (11) comprise(s) a core of shock-absorbent material, such as a silicone, a polyurethane, a hydrophilic polymer, a polycarbonate, or a piece of shape-memory metal, and a casing which surrounds the core.

63. Assembly according to claim 5, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) and/or the inter-corporeal implant (11) comprise(s) a core of shock-absorbent material, such as a silicone, a polyurethane, a hydrophilic polymer, a polycarbonate, or a piece of shape-memory metal, and a casing which surrounds the core.

64. Assembly according to claim 6, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) and/or the inter-corporeal implant (11) comprise(s) a core of shock-absorbent material, such as a silicone, a polyurethane, a hydrophilic polymer, a polycarbonate, or a piece of shape-memory metal, and a casing which surrounds the core.

65. Assembly according to claim 7, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) and/or the inter-corporeal implant (11) comprise(s) a core of shock-absorbent material, such as a silicone, a polyurethane, a hydrophilic polymer, a polycarbonate, or a piece of shape-memory metal, and a casing which surrounds the core.

66. Assembly according to claim 8, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) and/or the inter-corporeal implant (11) comprise(s) a core of shock-absorbent material, such as a silicone, a polyurethane, a hydrophilic polymer, a polycarbonate, or a piece of shape-memory metal, and a casing which surrounds the core.

67. Assembly according to claim 9, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) and/or the inter-corporeal implant (11) comprise(s) a core of shock-absorbent material, such as a silicone, a polyurethane, a hydrophilic polymer, a polycarbonate, or a piece of shape-memory metal, and a casing which surrounds the core.

68. Assembly according to claim 10, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) and/or the inter-corporeal implant (11) comprise(s) a core of shock-absorbent material, such as a silicone, a polyurethane, a hydrophilic polymer, a polycarbonate, or a piece of shape-memory metal, and a casing which surrounds the core.

69. Assembly according to claim 11, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) and/or the inter-corporeal implant (11) comprise(s) a core of shock-absorbent material, such as a silicone, a polyurethane, a hydrophilic polymer, a polycarbonate, or a piece of shape-memory metal, and a casing which surrounds the core.

70. Assembly according to claim 12, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) and/or the inter-corporeal implant (11) comprise(s) a core of shock-absorbent material, such as a silicone, a polyurethane, a hydrophilic polymer, a polycarbonate, or a piece of shape-memory metal, and a casing which surrounds the core.

71. Assembly according to claim 13, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) and/or the inter-corporeal implant (11) comprise(s) a core of shock-absorbent material, such as a silicone, a polyurethane, a hydrophilic polymer, a polycarbonate, or a piece of shape-memory metal, and a casing which surrounds the core.

72. Assembly according to claim 14, characterised in that the posterior implant (10) and/or the inter-corporeal implant (11) comprise(s) a core of shock-absorbent material, such as a silicone, a polyurethane, a hydrophilic polymer, a polycarbonate, or a piece of shape-memory metal, and a casing which surrounds the core.

73. Instrument for positioning the inter-corporeal implant (11) according to claim 2, characterised in that it comprises an introduction guide tube (26) which is provided with a piston (27), the implant (11) being engaged, with compression, in the introduction tube (26) and being able to be expelled therefrom by means of the piston (27).

74. Instrument for positioning the inter-corporeal implant (11) according to claim 3, characterised in that it comprises an introduction guide tube (26) which is provided with a piston (27), the implant (11) being engaged, with compression, in the introduction tube (26) and being able to be expelled therefrom by means of the piston (27).

75. Instrument for positioning the inter-corporeal implant (11) according to claim 4, characterised in that it comprises an introduction guide tube (26) which is provided with a piston (27), the implant (11) being engaged, with compression, in the introduction tube (26) and being able to be expelled therefrom by means of the piston (27).

76. Instrument for positioning the inter-corporeal implant (11) according to claim 5, characterised in that it comprises an introduction guide tube (26) which is provided with a piston (27), the implant (11) being engaged, with compression, in the introduction tube (26) and being able to be expelled therefrom by means of the piston (27).

77. Instrument for positioning the inter-corporeal implant (11) according to claim 6, characterised in that it comprises an introduction guide tube (26) which is provided with a piston (27), the implant (11) being engaged, with compression, in the introduction tube (26) and being able to be expelled therefrom by means of the piston (27).

78. Instrument for positioning the inter-corporeal implant (11) according to claim 7, characterised in that it comprises an introduction guide tube (26) which is provided with a piston (27), the implant (11) being engaged, with compression, in the introduction tube (26) and being able to be expelled therefrom by means of the piston (27).

79. Instrument for positioning the inter-corporeal implant (11) according to claim 8, characterised in that it comprises an introduction guide tube (26) which is provided with a piston (27), the implant (11) being engaged, with compression, in the introduction tube (26) and being able to be expelled therefrom by means of the piston (27).

80. Instrument for positioning the inter-corporeal implant (11) according to claim 9, characterised in that it comprises an introduction guide tube (26) which is provided with a piston (27), the implant (11) being engaged, with compression, in the introduction tube (26) and being able to be expelled therefrom by means of the piston (27).

81. Instrument for positioning the inter-corporeal implant (11) according to claim 10, characterised in that it comprises an introduction guide tube (26) which is provided with a piston (27), the implant (11) being engaged, with compression, in the introduction tube (26) and being able to be expelled therefrom by means of the piston (27).

82. Instrument for positioning the inter-corporeal implant (11) according to claim 11, characterised in that it comprises an introduction guide tube (26) which is provided with a piston (27), the implant (11) being engaged, with compression, in the introduction tube (26) and being able to be expelled therefrom by means of the piston (27).

83. Instrument for positioning the inter-corporeal implant (11) according to claim 12, characterised in that it comprises an introduction guide tube (26) which is provided with a piston (27), the implant (11) being engaged, with compression, in the introduction tube (26) and being able to be expelled therefrom by means of the piston (27).

84. Instrument for positioning the inter-corporeal implant (11) according to claim 13, characterised in that it comprises an introduction guide tube (26) which is provided with a piston (27), the implant (11) being engaged, with compression, in the introduction tube (26) and being able to be expelled therefrom by means of the piston (27).

85. Instrument for positioning the inter-corporeal implant (11) according to claim 14, characterised in that it comprises an introduction guide tube (26) which is provided with a piston (27), the implant (11) being engaged, with compression, in the introduction tube (26) and being able to be expelled therefrom by means of the piston (27).

86. Instrument for positioning the inter-corporeal implant (11) according to claim 15, characterised in that it comprises an introduction guide tube (26) which is provided with a piston (27), the implant (11) being engaged, with compression, in the introduction tube (26) and being able to be expelled therefrom by means of the piston (27).