Centrally articulating spinal device and method
First Claim
1. An artificial spinal joint for creating at least a portion of a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra comprising:
- an articulating joint replacement assembly comprising an anterior joint replacement component for placement into an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a first posterior joint replacement component, and a first bridge component coupled between the anterior joint replacement component and the first posterior joint replacement component; and
a support joint replacement assembly comprising an anterior support component for placement into an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a second posterior joint replacement component, and a second bridge component coupled between the anterior support component and the second posterior joint replacement component, wherein the anterior support component is adapted for engagement with the anterior joint replacement component.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An artificial spinal joint for creating at least a portion of a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra comprises an articulating joint replacement assembly. The articulating joint replacement assembly comprises an anterior joint replacement component extending into an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a first posterior joint replacement component, and a first bridge component coupled between the anterior joint replacement component and the first posterior joint replacement component. The artificial spinal joint further comprises a support joint replacement assembly. The support joint replacement assembly comprises an anterior support component extending into an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a second posterior joint replacement component, and a second bridge component coupled between the anterior support component and the second posterior joint replacement component. The anterior support component is engaged with the articulating joint replacement component.
328 Citations
52 Claims
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1. An artificial spinal joint for creating at least a portion of a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra comprising:
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an articulating joint replacement assembly comprising an anterior joint replacement component for placement into an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a first posterior joint replacement component, and a first bridge component coupled between the anterior joint replacement component and the first posterior joint replacement component; and
a support joint replacement assembly comprising an anterior support component for placement into an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a second posterior joint replacement component, and a second bridge component coupled between the anterior support component and the second posterior joint replacement component, wherein the anterior support component is adapted for engagement with the anterior joint replacement component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of implanting an artificial spinal joint, the method comprising:
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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 an articulating assembly portion of the artificial spinal joint to the intervertebral space along a first path through the first exposure;
delivering a support assembly portion of the artificial spinal joint to the intervertebral space along a second path through the second exposure; and
engaging the articulating assembly portion with the support assembly portion, wherein the first exposure provides a first minimum clearance for the articulating assembly portion and the second exposure provides a second minimum clearance for the support assembly portion and wherein the first exposure is larger than the second exposure. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A system for creating a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra, the system comprising:
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an anterior articulating assembly for implantation through a first approach into an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae and a first posterior articulating assembly connected to the anterior articulating assembly and extending posteriorly of the intervertebral disc space, wherein the anterior articulating assembly comprises a caudal articulating surface engaged with a rostral articulating surface wherein the engagement of the caudal and rostral articulating surfaces defines a center of rotation, further wherein the center of rotation lies generally along a central anterior-posterior axis through the intervertebral disc space. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method of implanting an artificial spinal joint, the method comprising:
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creating a first exposure through a patient'"'"'s back to access an intervertebral space;
positioning a first portion of the artificial spinal joint in the intervertebral space wherein the first portion comprises a rostral articulating component and a caudal articulating component;
centering a center of rotation between the rostral articulating component and the caudal articulating component along an anterior-posterior axis defined through the intervertebral space; and
positioning a second portion of the artificial spinal joint posteriorly of the intervertebral space, wherein the first and second portions are rigidly connected. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. An artificial spinal joint for creating at least a portion of a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra comprising:
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an anterior joint replacement component extending into an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae;
a bridge component coupled to the anterior joint replacement and extending posteriorly from the anterior joint replacement beyond the intervertebral disc space; and
a posterior joint replacement component coupled to the bridge, wherein the posterior joint replacement component includes a posterior protrusion engaged with a posterior socket, wherein the bridge and the posterior joint replacement component are adapted to be positioned on a single lateral side of a laterally centralized, anterior-posterior axis defined between the superior and inferior vertebrae. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51)
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52. A system for creating at least a portion of a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra comprising:
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a first means adapted for articulation in an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae;
a second means adapted for articulation posteriorly of the intervertebral disc space;
a third means for coupling between the first means and the second means; and
a fourth means for supporting the first means in the intervertebral disc space.
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Specification