Spinal implants, including devices that reduce pressure on the annulus fibrosis

• US 20050256582A1
• Filed: 07/22/2005
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Anova Corp.
• Original Assignee: Anova Corp.
• Inventors: Ferree, Bret A.
• Application Number:
  US11/187,250
• Publication Number:
  US 20050256582A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.160
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8085 with pliable or malleable elements or having a mesh-like structure, e.g. small strips A61B17/8071, A61B17/8076 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/08 Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments sutures A61B17/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30907 Nets or sleeves applied to surface of prostheses or in cement
• 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 2/4425 made of articulated components
• 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 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3085 with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30884 Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4435 Support means or repair of the natural disc wall, i.e. annulus, e.g. using plates, membranes or meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/444 for replacing the nucleus pulposus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00359 Bone or bony tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00796 Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite

Abstract

The invention broadly facilitates reconstruction of the Annulus Fibrosus (AF) or the AF and the Nucleus Pulposus (NP). Such Reconstruction prevents recurrent herniation following Microlumbar Discectomy (MLD) other procedures. The invention may also be used in the treatment of herniated discs, annular tears of the disc, or disc degeneration, while enabling surgeons to preserve the contained NP. The methods and apparatus may be used to treat discs throughout the spine including the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines of humans and animals. In the preferred embodiment, a spinal repair system according to the invention comprises a first end portion adapted for placement within an intervertebral body, a second end portion adapted for placement within an adjacent intervertebral body, and a bridge portion connecting the first and second end portions, the bridge portion being adapted to span a portion of an intervertebral disc space and prevent excessive outward bulging.

Claims

1. A spinal repair system that alleviates pressure on the annulus fibrosis, nerves, or other delicate body structures, comprising:

a first end portion adapted for placement within an intervertebral body;

a second end portion adapted for placement within an adjacent intervertebral body; and

a bridge portion connecting the first and second end portions, the bridge portion being adapted to span a portion of an intervertebral disc space and prevent excessive outward bulging.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second end portions are composed of a rigid biocompatible material.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second end portions are composed of allograft bone.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the bridge portion is composed of a flexible, braided or mesh material.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the bridge portion is composed of allograft annulus fibrosis.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the first and second end portions are composed of allograft bone; and

the bridge portion is composed of allograft annulus fibrosis.

7. The system of claim 1, further including screws to hold the first and second end portions into respective vertebral bodies.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the first and second end portions are elongate; and

the bridge portion spans the end portions in a plane parallel to the end portions.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the first and second end portions are elongate cylinders;

the system further comprising slotted bone dowels into which the end portions are received; and

the bridge portion extends through one slot and into the other when implanted.

10. The system of claim 1, further including:

an artificial disc replacement (ADR) defining a volume; and

wherein the bridge portion extends through at least a portion of the volume of the ADR.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the end and bridge portions together form a cylindrical shape.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the end portions is threaded.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the end portions are configured for bony ingrowth.

14. A spinal repair method, comprising the steps of:

providing the system of claim 1;

forming a first hole or channel in a first intervertebral body;

placing the first end portion into the first hole or channel;

forming a second hole or channel in an adjacent intervertebral body;

placing the second end portion into the second hole or channel such that the bridge portion spans a hole or defect in an annulus fibrosis.

15. The method of claim 14, including the step of securing the end portions with screws.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of providing the system of claim 1 includes harvesting the portions from a human or animal donor, with the end portions comprising intervertebral bone and the bridge portion comprises annulus fibrosis still attached to the end portions.