Artificial expansile total lumbar and thoracic discs for posterior placement without supplemental instrumentation and its adaptation for anterior placement of artificial cervical, thoracic and lumbar discs

• US 20050261769A1
• Filed: 12/23/2004
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nathan C. Moskowitz
• Original Assignee: Mosheh Moskowitz, Nathan C. Moskowitz
• Inventors: Moskowitz, Nathan C., Moskowitz, Mosheh
• Granted Patent: US 7,083,650 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.110
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• 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 2/4465 having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• 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 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30133 kidney-shaped or bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30518 with possibility of relative movement between the prosthetic parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30522 releasable, e.g. using a releasable ratchet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30523 by means of meshing gear teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3055 for adjusting length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30556 for adjusting thickness
• 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 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30583 filled with hardenable fluid, e.g. curable in-situ
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30601 telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30604 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30616 : Sets comprising a plurality of prosthetic parts of different sizes or orientations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30649 : Ball-and-socket joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 : Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30919 : Sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0085 : hardenable in situ, e.g. epoxy resins
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0015 : Kidney-shaped, e.g. bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0007 : for adjusting length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0009 : for adjusting thickness
• 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 2310/00796 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/907 : Composed of particular material or coated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/91 : Polymer

Abstract

A total artificial expansible disc having at least two pairs of substantially parallel shells, which move in multiple directions defined by at least two axes, is disclosed. Several methods for implanting the total artificial expansile disc are also disclosed. The total artificial expansile disc occupies a space defined by a pair of vertebral endplates. An expansion device, which preferably includes a jackscrew mechanism, moves the pairs of shells in multiple directions. A core is disposed between the pairs of shells, and the core permits the vertebral endplates to move relative to one another.

Claims

1. A total artificial expansible disc, comprising:

at least two pairs of substantially parallel shells, that move in multiple directions defined by at least two axes, in order to occupy a space defined by vertebral endplates;

an expansion device, that moves the pairs of shells in multiple directions, having at least one jackscrew mechanism; and

a core, disposed between the pairs of shells, that permits the vertebral endplates to move relative to one another.

2. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 1 wherein the shells include a plurality of spikes that are embedded in the vertebral endplates.

3. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 1 wherein the core is fabricated from an elastic material.

4. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 1 wherein the core is fabricated from a material selected from a group of materials comprising rubber, silicone, or polyurethane.

5. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 1 wherein the core includes an expandable elastomeric sheath that is molded to the inner surfaces of the shells and that can expand to substantially fill the space between the shells.

6. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 5 wherein a curable liquefied material is injected into the sheath causing it to expand.

7. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 6 wherein the liquefied material is selected from a group of materials comprising

polycarbonateurethane, polyurethane, polyvinyl alcohol, or protein hydrogel.

8. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 6 wherein the sheath includes a coil and a port.

9. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 1 that further includes at least two inner shells disposed near the moveable shells, the first inner shell disposed near the outer moveable shells which form a rostral leaflet, and the second inner shell disposed near the outer moveable shells which form a caudal leaflet;

the first inner shell having a trough and the second inner shell having a protruding ball that cooperates with the trough.

10. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 9 that further includes intermediate plates disposed between the outer and inner shells.

11. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 10 wherein the outer shells and the inner plates are made from titanium and the inner shells are made from stainless steel.

12. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 1 that further includes at least two inner shells disposed near the moveable shells, the first inner shell disposed near the outer moveable shells which form a rostral leaflet, and the second inner shell disposed near the outer moveable shells which form a caudal leaflet;

the first inner shell having a convex shape and the second inner shell having a convex shape.

13. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 12 that further includes intermediate plates disposed between the outer and inner shells.

14. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 10 wherein the outer shells and the inner plates are made from titanium and the inner shells are made from UHMWPE.

15. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 1 that further includes at least two inner shells disposed near the moveable shells, the first inner shell disposed near the outer moveable shells which form a rostral leaflet, and the second inner shell disposed near the outer moveable shells which form a caudal leaflet;

the first inner shell having a substantially planar shape and the second inner shell having a convex shape.

16. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 15 that further includes an intermediate plate disposed between the outer and inner shells of the caudal leaflet.

17. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 10 wherein the outer shells, the first inner shell and the intermediate plate are made from titanium, and the second inner convex shell is made from UHMWPE.

18. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 1 wherein the moveable shells form a dorsal pair having rostral and caudal shells, and the moveable shells form a ventral pair having rostral and caudal shells;

and wherein the dorsal pair and ventral pair move apart.

19. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 18 wherein the moveable shells form a rostral pair having dorsal and ventral shells, and the moveable shells form a caudal pair having dorsal and ventral shells;

and wherein the rostral pair and caudal pair move apart.

20. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 1 wherein the jackscrew mechanism includes a plurality of arms, and the jackscrew mechanism is activated by a screw disposed at apices of the of the jackscrew arms.

21. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 20 wherein the jackscrew mechanism includes a plurality of arms, and the jackscrew mechanism is activated by either at least one contraction wire disposed at apices of the jackscrew arms or a screw disposed at apices of the of the jackscrew arms.

22. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 1 wherein the jackscrew mechanism includes a plurality of arms, and the jackscrew mechanism is activated by at least one contraction wire disposed at apices of the jackscrew arms.

23. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 22 wherein the contraction wire is responsive to a power supply disposed externally of the jackscrew mechanism.

24. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 22 wherein the contraction wire is responsive to a power supply disposed internally of the jackscrew mechanism.

25. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 22 wherein jackscrew included two contraction wires one being disposed in a substantially vertical direction and the other being disposed in substantially a horizontal direction.

26. A total artificial expansible disc according to claim 1 wherein the moveable shells form a boomerang shape.