Vertebral prosthesis

• US 20050085910A1
• Filed: 10/16/2003
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spinal Generations LLC (Life Spine, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Spinal Generations LLC (Life Spine, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sweeney, Patrick J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,819,922 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.110
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• 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 2/4425 made of articulated components
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30331 made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30469 using band clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• 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 2002/30601 telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30649 Ball-and-socket joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30774 internally-threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• 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 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

Abstract

A vertebral prosthesis is adapted to be implanted adjacent a spinal disc prosthesis. According to one embodiment, the vertebral prosthesis includes a shaft and an endplate coupled to one end of the shaft. The endplate is adapted to be implanted adjacent a disc prosthesis, thereby obviating the need to fuse the endplate to an adjacent vertebral body.

Claims

1. A spinal implant system, comprising:

a vertebral prosthesis having a support and an endplate, and

an artificial spinal disc coupled to the endplate.

2. The spinal implant system of claim 1, wherein the endplate has a structure adapted to interlock with the artificial spinal disc.

3. The spinal implant system of claim 2, wherein the structure prevents rotation of the artificial spinal disc relative to the endplate.

4. The spinal implant system of claim 2, wherein the artificial spinal disc comprises a core disposed between two plates and wherein one of the two plates is removed prior to being coupled with the structure.

5. The spinal implant system of claim 2, wherein the structure is at least one of a flange and a recess.

6. The spinal implant system of claim 1, wherein the endplate and the support are adapted to be threaded, snapped, or twist-locked onto one another.

7. The spinal implant system of claim 1, further comprising a pedicle screw retainer coupled to at least one of the endplate and the support.

8. The spinal implant system of claim 1, wherein the support is adjustable to change the height of the support.

9. The spinal implant system of claim 8, further comprising a second endplate coupled to the support, the second endplate adapted to be coupled to a second artificial spinal disc.

10. The spinal implant system of claim 8, further comprising a second endplate coupled to the support, the second endplate having teeth adapted to be coupled to a bone.

11. A vertebral prosthesis adapted to be implanted adjacent a spinal disc prosthesis, comprising:

a shaft;

an endplate coupled to one end of the shaft, the endplate adapted to be implanted adjacent a disc prosthesis, thereby obviating the need to fuse the endplate to an adjacent vertebra.

12. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 11, further comprising a second endplate coupled to an other end of the shaft, wherein the second endplate comprises one or more teeth configured to directly interface with an other adjacent vertebra, thereby allowing fusion of the vertebral prosthesis with the other adjacent vertebra while preserving motion between the vertebral prosthesis and the adjacent vertebra.

13. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 11, further comprising a second endplate, wherein the second endplate is adapted to be implanted adjacent a second disc prosthesis.

14. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 11, wherein the disc prosthesis comprises a core held between two plates and wherein one of the two plates is removed prior to being implanted adjacent the endplate.

15. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 11, wherein the endplate and the shaft are adapted to be screwed, threaded, snapped, or twist-locked onto one another.

16. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 11, further comprising a pedicle screw retainer coupled to at least one of the shaft and the endplate.

17. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 11, wherein the height of the shaft is adjustable.

18. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 11, wherein the shaft is at least partially constructed of a mesh.

19. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 18, wherein the disc prosthesis comprises a core situated between two plates and wherein one of the two plates is removed prior to being inserted into the recess.

20. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 19, further comprising a pedicle screw retainer coupled to at least one of the shaft and the endplate.

21. A vertebral prosthesis, comprising:

a shaft;

a first endplate coupled to a first end of the shaft, the first endplate having a recess adapted to receive an artificial spinal disc; and

a second endplate coupled to a second end of the shaft.

22. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 21, wherein the second endplate comprises one or more teeth configured to interface with an adjacent vertebra.

23. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 21, wherein the second endplate has a second recess adapted to receive a second artificial spinal disc.

24. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 21, wherein the artificial spinal disc comprises a core situated between two plates and wherein one of the two plates is removed prior to the disc being inserted into the recess.

25. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 21, wherein the first endplate and the shaft are adapted to be screwed, threaded, snapped, or twist-locked onto one another.

26. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 21, further comprising a pedicle screw retainer coupled to at least one of the shaft, the first endplate, and the second endplate.

27. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 21, wherein the shaft is adjustable to change the height of the shaft.

28. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 21, wherein the shaft is at least partially constructed of a mesh.

29. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 21, wherein the recess prevents rotation of the artificial spinal disc relative to the first endplate.

30. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 29, wherein the second endplate has a second recess adapted to receive a second artificial spinal disc.

31. The vertebral prosthesis of claim 30, further comprising a pedicle screw retainer coupled to at least one of the shaft and the endplate.

32. A vertebral prosthesis compatible with multiple disc prostheses, comprising:

a shaft;

an endplate tray coupled to the shaft, the endplate tray configured to be implanted adjacent a first artificial disc having a first shape and a second artificial disc having a second shape, wherein the first shape is different from the second shape.

33. The vertebral prosthesis compatible with multiple disc prostheses of claim 32, wherein the first artificial spinal disc comprises a core between two plates and wherein one of the two plates is removed prior to being implanted adjacent the endplate tray.

34. The vertebral prosthesis compatible with multiple disc prostheses of claim 32, wherein the endplate tray and the shaft are adapted to be screwed, threaded, snapped, or twist-locked onto one another.

35. The vertebral prosthesis compatible with multiple disc prostheses of claim 32, further comprising a pedicle screw retainer coupled to at least one of the shaft and the endplate tray.

36. The vertebral prosthesis compatible with multiple disc prostheses of claim 32, wherein the shaft is adjustable to change the height of the shaft.

37. The vertebral prosthesis compatible with multiple disc prostheses of claim 32, wherein the shaft is at least partially constructed of a mesh.

38. The vertebral prosthesis compatible with multiple disc prostheses of claim 32, wherein the first artificial disc is manufactured by a first manufacturer and the second artificial disc is manufactured by a second manufacturer, wherein the first manufacturer is different from the second manufacturer.

39. A vertebral prosthesis system having interchangeable endplates, comprising:

a shaft;

a first endplate having a first side adapted to be coupled to a first end of the shaft and a second side dimensioned to be coupled to a first artificial disc; and

a second endplate having a first side adapted to be coupled to the first end of the shaft in place of the first endplate and a second side dimensioned to be coupled to a second artificial disc, the second artificial disc having a different configuration from the first artificial disc.

40. The vertebral prosthesis system having interchangeable endplates of claim 39, wherein the first artificial disc comprises a core between two plates and wherein one of the two plates is removed prior to being implanted adjacent the first endplate.

41. The vertebral prosthesis system having interchangeable endplates of claim 39, wherein the first endplate and the shaft are adapted to be screwed onto one another.

42. The vertebral prosthesis system having interchangeable endplates of claim 39, further comprising a pedicle screw retainer coupled at least one of the shaft, the first endplate, and the second endplate.

43. The vertebral prosthesis system having interchangeable endplates of claim 39, wherein the shaft is at least partially constructed of a mesh.

44. A method of replacing a vertebral body and at least one adjacent spinal disc, comprising:

opening an aperture in a patient to permit access to a vertebral body to be replaced;

removing at least a portion of the vertebral body;

removing a spinal disc located adjacent the vertebral body;

selecting a vertebral prosthesis to be implanted into the space created by the removal of the vertebral body and the spinal disc;

selecting an artificial disc to be implanted between the vertebral prosthesis and an adjacent vertebra;

coupling the vertebral prosthesis to the artificial disc;

coupling the artificial disc to the adjacent vertebra; and

closing the aperture.

45. The method of replacing a vertebral body and at least one adjacent spinal disc of claim 44, further comprising coupling a pedicle screw support to the vertebral prosthesis and attaching at least one pedicle screw between the pedicle screw support and a pedicle.

46. The method of replacing a vertebral body and at least one adjacent spinal disc of claim 44, further comprising adjusting the height of the vertebral prosthesis.

47. The method of replacing a vertebral body and at least one adjacent spinal disc of claim 44, further comprising removing an endplate from the artificial disc before coupling the artificial disc to the vertebral prosthesis.

48. The method of replacing a vertebral body and at least one adjacent spinal disc of claim 44, further comprising packing bone graft or other bone growth promoting materials around the vertebral body.

49. The method of replacing a vertebral body and at least one adjacent spinal disc of claim 44, further comprising selecting an appropriate vertebral prosthesis endplate and attaching the endplate to the vertebral prosthesis.

50. A method of replacing a vertebral body in a patient'"'"'s spine, comprising:

creating an incision in the patient to permit access to the vertebral body;

removing at least a portion of the vertebral body to create an implant space;

placing a vertebral prosthesis into the implant space;

providing at least one pedicle screw;

coupling the vertebral prosthesis to the spine with the at least one pedicle screw; and

closing the incision.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the incision is one of a lateral or an anterior incision.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

creating a second incision in the patient;

using the second incision to provide access to the spine to couple the vertebral prosthesis to the spine with the at least one pedicle screw; and

closing the second incision.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the second incision is a posterior incision.

54. The method of claim 50, wherein the coupling step comprises inserting the at least one pedicle screw through at least one pedicle and into the vertebral prosthesis.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising:

coupling a pedicle screw support to the vertebral prosthesis and wherein the at least one pedicle screw is coupled to the pedicle screw support.

56. The method of claim 50, further comprising adjusting the height of the vertebral prosthesis.

57. The method of claim 50, further comprising removing at least a portion of a spinal disc located adjacent the vertebral body.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising:

selecting an artificial disc to be implanted between the vertebral prosthesis and an adjacent vertebra;

coupling the vertebral prosthesis to the artificial disc; and

coupling the artificial disc to the adjacent vertebra.

59. The method claim 58, further comprising removing an endplate from the artificial disc before coupling the artificial disc to the vertebral prosthesis.

60. The method of claim 50, wherein the vertebral prosthesis is coupled to the spine with two pedicle screws.

61. A spinal implant system, comprising:

a vertebral prosthesis having a support and an endplate, wherein the support is adjustable to change the height of the vertebral prosthesis; and

a pedicle screw adapted to secure the vertebral prosthesis to a pedicle.

62. The spinal implant system of claim 61, further comprising a pedicle screw retainer coupled to at least one of the endplate and the support, wherein the pedicle screw retainer comprises an aperture adapted to receive the pedicle screw to secure the pedicle screw to the vertebral prosthesis.

63. The spinal implant system of claim 61, wherein the support comprises a first portion slidably received in a second portion and wherein the height of the vertebral prosthesis is adjusted by sliding the first portion relative to the second portion.

64. The spinal implant system of claim 63, further comprising a locking ring adapted to secure the first portion relative to the second portion.

65. The spinal implant system of claim 64, further comprising a set of interlocking teeth on the first portion and the second portion, the interlocking teeth adapted to engage one another to secure the first portion relative to the second portion.

66. The spinal implant system of claim 61, wherein the support is at least partially constructed of a mesh.

67. The spinal implant system of claim 61, further comprising an artificial spinal disc coupled to the endplate.

68. The spinal implant system of claim 67, wherein the endplate has a structure adapted to interlock with the artificial spinal disc.

69. The spinal implant system of claim 67, further comprising a second endplate coupled to the support, the second endplate adapted to be coupled to a second artificial spinal disc.

70. The spinal implant system of claim 67, further comprising a second endplate coupled to the support, the second endplate having teeth adapted to be coupled to a bone.