Stackable interlocking intervertebral support system

• US 20050149194A1
• Filed: 02/08/2005
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nuvasive Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nuvasive Incorporated
• Inventors: Ahlgren, Dan K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,887,568 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.110
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• 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 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30176 V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30179 X-shaped
• 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 2002/305 Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30594 slotted, e.g. radial or meridian slot ending in a polar aperture, non-polar slots, horizontal or arcuate slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30599 stackable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30604 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30828 parallel
• 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 2002/4635 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 2220/0033 made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0058 X-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0063 Nested prosthetic parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00011 : Metals or alloys

Abstract

An intervertebral support system, comprising: a center portion having top and bottom recesses; a top portion having a bottom recess, the bottom recess in the top portion interlocking with the top recess in the center portion when the top position is positioned on top of the center portion; and a bottom portion having a top recess, the top recess in the bottom position interlocking with the bottom recess in the center portion when the bottom portion is positioned under the center portion.

Claims

1. A spinal support system, comprising:

a plurality of elongated inserts having ramped distal portions for successively increasing the height of a space within a spine.

2. The spinal support system of claim 1, wherein said ramped distal portions are dimensioned to assist in advancing at least a first of said plurality of elongated inserts into position adjacent to at least a second of said plurality of elongated inserts.

3. The spinal support system of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of elongated inserts is dimensioned to be received through a surgical cannula.

4. The spinal support system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of elongated inserts are composed of bone allograft.

5. The spinal support system of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of elongated inserts include a plurality of grooves for engagement with an insertion tool.

6. A method for increasing the height of a space within a spine, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of elongated inserts, each elongated insert having a ramped distal portion; and

(b) successively advancing said plurality of elongated inserts into said space within a spine such that said elongated inserts are positioned vertically adjacent one another.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said plurality of elongated inserts are advanced into a space within a spine through a surgical cannula.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said plurality of elongated inserts are composed of bone allograft.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein each of said plurality of elongated inserts include a plurality of grooves for engagement with an insertion tool.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein step (b) comprises:

advancing a first elongated insert into a space in a spine; and

advancing second elongated insert into said space such that said ramped distal portion of said second elongated insert interacts with said first elongated insert to assist in positioning said second elongated insert vertically adjacent to said first elongated insert.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein step (b) further comprises:

advancing at least a third elongated insert into said space such that said ramped distal portion of said third elongated insert interacts with said second elongated insert to assist in positioning said third elongated insert vertically adjacent to said second elongated insert.