Posterior elements motion restoring device

• US 20050033434A1
• Filed: 08/06/2003
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: SDGI Holdings Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Berry, Bret M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,377,942 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.140
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7067 Devices bearing against one or more spinous processes and also attached to another part of the spine; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4405 for apophyseal or facet joints, i.e. between adjacent spinous or transverse processes devices implanted between spinous or transverse processes A61B17/7062
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30405 made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30474 using an intermediate sleeve interposed between both prosthetic parts to be coupled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30517 using a locking plate
• 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 2002/30565 having spring elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30649 Ball-and-socket joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30662 with rotation-limiting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30683 Means for collecting wear particles in a hollow cavity inside the prosthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30685 Means for reducing or preventing the generation of wear particulates
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30774 internally-threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3085 with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/449 comprising multiple spinal implants located in different intervertebral spaces or in different vertebrae
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4635 using minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 : sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• 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 2310/00179 : Ceramics or ceramic-like structures

Abstract

A prosthetic device for interposition in a space left by one or more excised vertebral posterior structures. The prosthetic device comprises a lamina bridge having an inferior portion for replacing an excised lamina; at least one inferior facet replacement device, connected to the inferior portion of the lamina bridge, to replace an excised inferior articular process; and at least one superior facet replacement device to replace an excised superior articular process. The at least one superior facet replacement device articulates with the at least one inferior facet replacement device.

Claims

1. A prosthetic device for interposition in a space left by one or more excised vertebral posterior structures, the prosthetic device comprising:

a lamina bridge for replacing an excised lamina wherein the lamina bridge has an inferior portion;

at least one inferior facet replacement device, connected to the inferior portion of the lamina bridge; and

at least one superior facet replacement device,

wherein the at least one superior facet replacement device articulates with the at least one inferior facet replacement device.

2. The prosthetic device of claim 1 wherein the at least one inferior facet replacement device is integrally connected with the lamina bridge.

3. The prosthetic device of claim 1 wherein the at least one inferior facet replacement device is threadedly connected with the lamina bridge.

4. The prosthetic device of claim 1 wherein the at least one inferior facet replacement device comprises a spherical portion in contact with the at least one superior facet replacement device.

5. The prosthetic device of claim 1 further comprising a motion constraint mechanism to control a range of articulation between the at least one inferior facet replacement device and the at least one superior facet replacement device.

6. The prosthetic device of claim 5 wherein the motion constraint mechanism comprises a tether extending between the at least one inferior facet replacement device and the at least one superior facet replacement device.

7. The prosthetic device of claim 5 wherein the motion constraint mechanism comprises a sheath at least partially extended over the at least one inferior facet replacement device and the at least one superior facet replacement device.

8. The prosthetic device of claim 5 wherein the motion constraint mechanism comprises a hydrogel.

9. The prosthetic device of claim 1 further comprising a flexible bumper fixedly connected to the lamina bridge and movably connected to at least one adjacent vertebra.

10. The prosthetic device of claim 9 wherein the flexible bumper comprises at least one notch for movably connecting to the at least one adjacent vertebra.

11. The prosthetic device of claim 9 wherein the flexible bumper is formed from a hydrogel.

12. The prosthetic device of claim 9 further comprising a bumper attachment device extending through the flexible bumper to constrain the movement between the bumper and the at least one adjacent vertebra.

13. The prosthetic device of claim 1 further comprising at least one pedicle screw for securing the lamina bridge to a vertebra.

14. A multiple level prosthetic device for interposition in a space left by the excision of one or more vertebral posterior structures from at least two adjacent vertebrae, the prosthetic device comprising:

a first lamina bridge connected to at least one first inferior facet replacement device; and

a second lamina bridge connected to at least one superior facet extension,

wherein the at least one inferior facet replacement device articulates with the at least one superior facet extension.

15. The multiple level prosthetic device of claim 14 further comprising at least one superior facet replacement device, and wherein the second lamina bridge is connected to at least one second inferior facet replacement device and wherein the at least one second inferior facet replacement device articulates with the at least one superior facet replacement device.

16. The multiple level prosthetic device of claim 14 further comprising:

a first flexible bumper fixedly connected to the first lamina bridge; and

a second flexible bumper fixedly connected to the second lamina bridge,

wherein the first flexible bumper is movably connected to the second flexible bumper.

17. A prosthetic device for interposition in a space left by one or more excised articular facets, the prosthetic device comprising:

at least one translaminar fastener extendable through and connected to a lamina of a first vertebra; and

at least one inferior facet replacement device connected to the translaminar fastener.

18. The prosthetic device of claim 17 further comprising at least one superior facet replacement device connected to a second vertebra, wherein the at least one superior facet replacement device articulates with the at least one inferior facet replacement device.

19. The prosthetic device of claim 17 wherein the at least one translaminar fastener is provided with first external threads, wherein the at least one inferior facet replacement device is provided with internal threads, and wherein the translaminar fastener is threadedly connected to the at least one inferior facet replacement device.

20. The prosthetic device of claim 19 wherein the at least one translaminar fastener is provided with second external threads for threadedly connecting to the lamina of the first vertebra.

21. An apparatus for installing, with minimum invasion into a vertebral column, an articular facet prosthetic device having at least one translaminar fastener and at least one inferior facet replacement device, the apparatus comprising:

a first tubular member for advancing the at least one translaminar fastener into the proximity of a lamina of one vertebra of the vertebral column and extending the at least one translaminar fastener into the lamina, wherein a connective portion of the at least one translaminar fastener extends through the lamina;

a second tubular member for connecting the at least one inferior facet replacement to the connective portion of the at least one translaminar fastener.