Interconnected spinal device and method

• US 20050154467A1
• Filed: 01/07/2005
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: SDGI Holdings Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Humphreys, Steven C., Peterman, Marc M., Hodges, Scott D.
• Application Number:
  US11/031,904
• Publication Number:
  US 20050154467A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.160
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/08 Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments sutures A61B17/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• 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 2/4425 made of articulated components
• 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 2002/30331 made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30383 made by laterally inserting a protrusion, e.g. a rib into a complementarily-shaped groove
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30397 Limited lateral translation of the rib within a larger groove
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30578 having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30604 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30624 Hinged joint, e.g. with transverse axle restricting the movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30632 with rotation-limiting stops, e.g. projections or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30649 Ball-and-socket joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30665 Dual arrangement of two adjacent ball-and-socket joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30685 Means for reducing or preventing the generation of wear particulates
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30769 madreporic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30884 Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30909 Nets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30929 : having at least two superposed coatings
• 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 2002/4631 : the prosthesis being specially adapted for being cemented
• 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 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 2310/00161 : Carbon; Graphite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00167 : Diamond or diamond-like carbon
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00203 : containing alumina or aluminium oxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00239 : containing zirconia or zirconium oxide ZrO2
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00407 : Coating made of titanium or of Ti-based 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

Abstract

An artificial spinal joint for creating at least a portion of a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra comprises an inferior arthroplasty half. The inferior arthroplasty half comprises an inferior articulating component for placement in an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a first posterior arm, and a first bridge component coupled between the inferior articulating component and the first posterior arm. The artificial spinal joint further includes a superior arthroplasty half. The superior arthroplasty half comprises a superior articulating component for placement in an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a second posterior am, and a second bridge component coupled between the superior articulating component and the second posterior arm. The first posterior arm and the second posterior arm cross an anterior-posterior axis defined centrally through and extending from the intervertebral disc space.

Claims

1. An artificial spinal joint for creating at least a portion of a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra comprising:

an inferior arthroplasty half comprising an inferior articulating component for placement in an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a first posterior arm, and a first bridge component coupled between the inferior articulating component and the first posterior arm; and

a superior arthroplasty half comprising a superior articulating component for placement in an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a second posterior arm, and a second bridge component coupled between the superior articulating component and the second posterior arm,

wherein the first posterior arm and the second posterior arm cross an anterior-posterior axis defined centrally through and extending from the intervertebral disc space.

2. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 wherein inferior and superior arthroplasty halves surround a cross section of a vertebral canal defined between the superior and inferior vertebrae.

3. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 wherein the second posterior arm is configured to engage the first posterior arm.

4. The artificial spinal joint of claim 3 wherein the second posterior arm is configured to engage the first posterior arm in at least a first joint and a second joint.

5. The artificial spinal joint of claim 4 wherein the first and second joints are on opposite sides of the anterior-posterior axis.

6. The artificial spinal joint of claim 4 wherein the first joint comprises a first slot in the first posterior arm adapted to engage a first tab of the second posterior arm.

7. The artificial spinal joint of claim 6 wherein the second joint comprises a second slot in the first posterior arm adapted to engage a second tab of the second posterior arm.

8. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 wherein the inferior articulating component comprises a curved protrusion and the superior articulating component comprises a socket adapted to receive the curved protrusion.

9. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 wherein the inferior articulating component is pivotally engaged with the superior articulating component.

10. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 wherein the first bridge component extends posteriorly from the inferior articulating component and outwardly of the intervertebral disc space.

11. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 wherein the second bridge component extends posteriorly from the superior articulating component and outwardly of the intervertebral disc space.

12. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 wherein the second bridge component comprises a jog adapted to permit passage of a neural element.

13. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 further comprising a bone fastener for attaching the artificial spinal joint to either the superior vertebra or the inferior vertebra.

14. The artificial spinal joint of claim 13 wherein the superior arthroplasty half further comprises a connection component adapted to receive the bone fastener.

15. The artificial spinal joint of claim 14 wherein the bone fastener is a bone screw and the connection component is further adapted to direct the received bone screw into a generally cylindrical body portion of the superior vertebra.

16. The artificial spinal joint of claim 13 wherein the inferior arthroplasty half further comprises a connection component adapted to receive the bone fastener.

17. The artificial spinal joint of claim 14 wherein the bone fastener is a bone screw and the connection component is further adapted to direct the received bone screw for extrapedicular connection to the inferior vertebra.

18. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 wherein the inferior articulating component is sized for insertion through Kambin'"'"'s triangle.

19. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 wherein the inferior arthroplasty half further comprises an extension surface extending anteriorly of the inferior articulating component.

20. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 wherein the first posterior arm comprises a notch adapted to receive at least a portion of a spinous process.

21. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 wherein the first bridge component is at least a portion of an artificial pedicle.

27. The method of claim 21 wherein the first posterior arm is integrally formed with the first articulating assembly portion and the second posterior arm is integrally formed with the second articulating assembly portion.

22. A method of implanting an artificial spinal joint between superior and inferior vertebrae, the method comprising:

creating a first exposure through a patient'"'"'s back to access an intervertebral space;

creating a second exposure through the patient'"'"'s back to access the intervertebral space;

delivering a first articulating portion of the artificial spinal joint to the intervertebral space along a first path through the first exposure;

delivering a second articulating portion of the artificial spinal joint to the intervertebral space along a second path through the second exposure;

engaging the first and second articulating assembly portions to form an intervertebral joint centered about an anterior-posterior axis defined through and extending from the center of the intervertebral disc space; and

positioning first and second posterior arms of the artificial spinal joint outside of the intervertebral space and across the anterior-posterior axis.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of positioning the first and second posterior arms comprises positioning the first and second posterior arms in movable engagement.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of positioning the first and second posterior arms further includes restricting displacement of the first posterior arm with respect to the second posterior arm to restrict rotational movement in the intervertebral joint.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of positioning the first and second posterior arms further includes restricting displacement of the first posterior arm with respect to the second posterior arm to restrict generally anterior-posterior shear motion in the intervertebral joint.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein the intervertebral joint is a ball and socket type joint.

28. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

removing at least a portion of a spinous process of either the superior or inferior vertebra.

29. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

engaging at least a portion of a spinous process with a recessed portion of the first posterior arm.

30. The method of claim 22 wherein the first path is curved.

31. The method of claim 22 wherein the second path is contralateral to the first path.

32. A system for creating a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra, the system comprising:

rostral and caudal anterior articulating components pivotally engaged about a center of rotation, wherein the rostral and caudal anterior articulating components and the center of rotation are adapted for location within an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae; and

rostral and caudal posterior arms adapted for positioning outside of the intervertebral disc space and slidably engaged to move about the center of rotation,

wherein the rostral anterior articulating component is adapted for implantation through a first approach into the intervertebral disc space and the caudal articulating component is adapted for implantation through a contralateral approach into the intervertebral disc space.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein the rostral posterior arm comprises at least one curved tab having a center of curvature located at the center of rotation.

34. The system of claim 32 wherein the caudal posterior arm comprises at least one curved slot adapted to receive the at least one curved tab.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein the at least one curved slot includes a first curved slot and a second curved slot and the at least one curved tab includes a first curved tab adapted to slide within the first curved slot and a second curved tab adapted to slide within the second curved slot.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein the first and second curved tabs are adapted to move about the center of rotation while sliding in the first and second curved slots, respectively.

37. The system of claim 32 wherein the rostral posterior arm is rigidly connected to the rostral anterior articulating component and the caudal posterior arm is rigidly connected to the caudal anterior articulating component.

38. The system of claim 37 further comprising:

a rostral bridge component rigidly connecting the rostral anterior articulating component and the rostral posterior arm and

a caudal bridge component rigidly connecting the caudal anterior articulating component and the caudal posterior arm.

39. A system for creating at least a portion of a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra comprising:

a first means adapted for articulation in an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae;

a second means coupled to the first means and adapted for articulation posteriorly of the intervertebral disc space; and

a third means coupled to the first means and adapted for articulation posteriorly of the intervertebral disc space,

wherein the second and third means are interconnected for articulation posteriorly of the intervertebral disc space and wherein the second and third means both cross an anterior-posterior axis defined centrally through and extending from the intervertebral disc space.