Articulating spinal implant

• US 20050070908A1
• Filed: 11/17/2004
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mis Ip Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Andrew H. Cragg
• Inventors: Cragg, Andrew H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,329,259 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/86.R
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320725 with radially expandable cutting or abrading elements A61B17/32075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/66 Alignment, compression or distraction mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/70 Spinal positioners or stabilisers ; Bone stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7055 connected to sacrum, pelvis or skull
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7061 for stabilising vertebrae or discs by improving the condition of their tissues, e.g. using implanted medication or fluid exchange intraosseous injection devices A61B17/3472
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7098 wherein the implant is permeable or has openings, e.g. fenestrated screw hollow surgical screws A61B17/864
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8811 characterised by the introducer tip, i.e. the part inserted into or onto the bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8816 characterised by the conduit, e.g. tube, along which fluid flows into the body or by conduit connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8819 characterised by the introducer proximal part, e.g. cannula handle, or by parts which are inserted inside each other, e.g. stylet and cannula A61B17/8825 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320012 Brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320733 with a flexible cutting or scraping element, e.g. with a whip-like distal filament member
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/564 : Methods for bone or joint treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30723 : Plugs or restrictors for sealing a cement-receiving space tools for inserting plugs A61F2/4614; sealing collars for use during cementing A61B17/8808
• 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 2/4455 : 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 2/4465 : having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4601 : for introducing bone substitute, for implanting bone graft implants or for compacting them in the bone cavity
• 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 2002/30092 : using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30233 : Stepped cylinders, i.e. having discrete diameter changes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30235 : tubular, e.g. sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3055 : for adjusting length
• 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 2002/30593 : hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 : Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30774 : internally-threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30784 : Plurality of holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3085 : with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30859 : having threaded portions of different pitches
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30879 : Ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/448 : comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants
• 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 2210/0014 : using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/907 : Composed of particular material or coated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/908 : Bioabsorbable material

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and devices for accessing and treating the spine, while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissue. A device is introduced through tissue, to an access point on the spine. The device is thereafter advanced axially within the spine, from the access point across a treatment zone. In one embodiment, the device comprises an articulating spinal implant comprising a first elongate segment, a second elongate segment, and an articulating joint between the first and second segments.

Claims

1. An articulating spinal implant, comprising:

a first elongate segment extending between a first proximal end and a first distal end, the first segment comprising a first anchoring surface structure that facilitates anchoring of the first segment within a first vertebral body;

a second elongate segment extending between a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second segment being located proximal relative to the first segment, the second segment comprising a second anchoring surface structure that facilitates anchoring of the second segment within a second vertebral body, the second vertebral body being located proximal relative to the first vertebral body; and

a first articulating joint located between the first proximal end and the second distal end, the first joint having a first axial length that approximates the column height of a first intervertebral disc located between the first and second vertebral bodies.

2. The articulating spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the first joint comprises a plurality of alternating annular recesses and ridges.

3. The articulating spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the first joint comprises a ball joint.

4. The articulating spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the first joint comprises a mechanical pivot.

5. The articulating spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the first joint comprises a metal coil spring.

6. The articulating spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the first joint comprises a biocompatible compressible elastomeric material.

7. The articulating spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the first anchoring surface structure comprises pitted surfaces.

8. The articulating spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the first anchoring surface structure comprises textured surfaces.

9. The articulating spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the first anchoring surface structure comprises radially outwardly extending anchors.

10. The articulating spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the first anchoring surface structure comprises recesses.

11. The articulating spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the first anchoring surface structure comprises projections.

12. The articulating spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the second anchoring surface structure comprises pitted surfaces.

13. The articulating spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the second anchoring surface structure comprises textured surfaces.

14. The articulating spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the second anchoring surface structure comprises radially outwardly extending anchors.

15. The articulating spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the second anchoring surface structure comprises recesses.

16. The articulating spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the second anchoring surface structure comprises projections.

17. The articulating spinal implant of claim 1, further comprising:

a third elongate segment extending between a third proximal end and a third distal end, the third segment being located proximal relative to the second segment, the third segment comprising a third anchoring surface structure that facilitates anchoring of the third segment within a third vertebral body, the third vertebral body being located proximal relative to the second vertebral body; and

a second articulating joint located between the second proximal end and the third distal end, the second joint having a second axial length that approximates the column height of a second intervertebral disc located between the second and third vertebral bodies.

18. The articulating spinal implant of claim 17, wherein the second joint comprises a plurality of alternating annular recesses and ridges.

19. The articulating spinal implant of claim 17, wherein the second joint comprises a ball joint.

20. The articulating spinal implant of claim 17, wherein the second joint comprises a mechanical pivot.

21. The articulating spinal implant of claim 17, wherein the second joint comprises a metal coil spring.

22. The articulating spinal implant of claim 17, wherein the second joint comprises a biocompatible compressible elastomeric material.

23. The articulating spinal implant of claim 17, wherein the third anchoring surface structure comprises pitted surfaces.

24. The articulating spinal implant of claim 17, wherein the third anchoring surface structure comprises textured surfaces.

25. The articulating spinal implant of claim 17, wherein the third anchoring surface structure comprises radially outwardly extending anchors.

26. The articulating spinal implant of claim 17, wherein the third anchoring surface structure comprises recesses.

27. The articulating spinal implant of claim 17, wherein the third anchoring surface structure comprises projections.