Adjustable posterior spinal column positioner

• US 20060004447A1
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Depuy Spine Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Spine Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Gibson, Shinikequa, Mastrorio, Brooke
• Granted Patent: US 7,776,091 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.110
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7065 Devices with changeable shape, e.g. collapsible or having retractable arms to aid implantation; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014

Abstract

Height-adjustable devices suitable for insertion between posterior spinal processes that allow the surgeon to post-operatively adjust the height of the implant.

Claims

1. A spinal implant for insertion into a space between adjacent posterior processes, comprising:

a) a central longitudinal body,

b) a first hook having a bore adapted for slidable connection to the central longitudinal body and a first concave bearing portion adapted for bearing against a first posterior process.

2. The implant of claim 1 further comprising:

c) a second hook having a bore adapted for slidable connection to the central longitudinal body and a second concave bearing portion adapted for bearing against a second posterior process.

3. The implant of claim 1 further comprising:

c) a second hook fixed to the central longitudinal body and a second concave bearing portion adapted for bearing against a second posterior process.

4. The implant of claim 3 wherein the central longitudinal body defines a longitudinal axis and wherein each of the first and second concave bearing portions are in-line with the longitudinal axis.

5. The implant of claim 3 wherein the central longitudinal body defines a longitudinal axis and wherein each of the first and second concave bearing portions are offset from the longitudinal axis.

6. The implant of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism positioned to contact the central longitudinal body.

7. The implant of claim 3 wherein the first and second concave bearing portions open in opposite directions.

8. The implant of claim 3 wherein the first and second concave bearing portions open in the same direction.

9. The implant of claim 3 wherein the central longitudinal body is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic body and a gear.

10. A spinal implant for insertion into a space between a first and second posterior process, the implant comprising:

a) a first body having;

i. an upper bearing surface for bearing against a first process,

ii. an outer side surface having upper and lower extensions extending therefrom in the axial direction,

iii. an inner surface

iv. a gear attached to the inner surface having a first set of teeth,

b) a second body having;

i. a lower bearing surface for bearing against a second process,

ii. an outer side surface having upper and lower extensions extending therefrom in the axial direction,

iii. an inner surface having a second set of teeth,

wherein the sets of teeth cooperate such that, upon rotation of the gear, the upper bearing surface moves relative to the second bearing surface, thereby changing the height of the implant.

11. The implant of claim 10 further comprising a locking mechanism positioned to fix the gear.

12. The implant of claim 10 further comprising an actuation rod attached to the center of the gear.

13. The implant of claim 10 wherein the gear is magnetic.

14. The impant of claim 10 wherein at least one bearing surface extends substantially to an inner side of an extension.

15. A spinal implant for insertion into a space between an upper and lower process, the implant comprising:

a) a lower base having a lower bearing surface adapted for fixation to an upper side of the lower spinous process,

b) an upper base having an upper bearing surface adapted for fixation to a lower side of the upper spinous process, and

c) a height-adjustable container having a lower portion attached to the lower base and an upper portion attached to the upper base.

16. The implant of claim 15 wherein the height-adjustable container comprises:

i) an inner projection having a surface attached to a surface of one of the the upper and lower bases, the projection having an outer surface, and

ii) an outer annulus having a surface attached to a surface of the other of the upper and lower bases, the annulus having an inner surface,

wherein the outer surface of the projection and inner surface of the annulus are adapted to provide a telescoping action in the height adjustable container.

17. The implant of claim 15 further comprising a locking mechanism adapted to contact each of the inner projection and outer annulus.

18. The implant of claim 15 wherein the height-adjustable container defines a cavity, and wherein the cavity contains a fluid.

19. The implant of claim 15 wherein the height-adjustable container comprises a bellows, wherein the bellows has a port adapted for the introduction of a fluid.

20. The implant of claim 15 having an external housing.

21. A spinal implant for insertion into a space between adjacent posterior processes , the implant comprising:

a) a first base having an outer bearing surface adapted for fixation to an end of the first posterior process, an inner surface and a first extension extending from the inner surface,

b) a second base having an outer bearing surface adapted for fixation to an end of the second posterior process, an inner surface, and a recess in the inner surface,

wherein the extension is adapted for slidable reception within the recess.

22. The implant of claim 21 further comprising:

c) a plurality of holes in each of the upper and lower bases,

wherein the holes are adapted for attachment to a distraction or compression instrument.

23. The implant of claim 21 wherein the extension has an outer surface that is smooth.

24. The implant of claim 21 wherein the extension has an outer surface that is threaded.

25. The implant of claim 21 further comprising:

c) a locking mechanism received within the second base and positioned to contact the extension.

26. A spinal implant for insertion into a space between adjacent posterior processes, the implant comprising:

a) a first base having an outer bearing surface adapted for fixation to an end of the first posterior process, an inner surface having a recess,

b) an second base having an outer bearing surface adapted for fixation to an end of the second posterior process, an inner surface having a recess,

c) a rod having a first end and a second end,

wherein the rod is adapted for slidable reception within the recess.

27. The implant of claim 26 further comprising:

d) a plurality of holes in each of the upper and lower bases,

wherein the holes are adapted for attachment to a distraction or compression instrument.

28. The implant of claim 26 wherein the extension has an outer surface that is smooth.

29. The implant of claim 26 wherein the extension has an outer surface that is threaded.

30. The implant of claim 26 further comprising:

d) a first locking mechanism received within the first base and positioned to contact the rod.

31. The implant of claim 30 further comprising:

e) a second locking mechanism received within the second base and positioned to contact the rod.

32. A spinal implant for insertion into a space between adjacent posterior processes, the implant comprising:

a) an upper body having;

i. an upper bearing surface for bearing against a first posterior process, and

b) a lower body having;

ii. an lower bearing surface for bearing against a second posterior process, the upper and lower bearing surfaces defining a height of the implant, and

c) means for adjusting the height of the implant.

33. The implant of claim 32 wherein the means is selected from the group consisting of translating hooks, a telescoping component, a gear mechanism, upper and lower distraction holes, upper and lower threaded components, and a bellows.

34. A posterior spinal implant comprising:

a) a first body having;

i. an upper bearing surface,

ii. outer side surfaces,

iii. upper extensions extending from the outer side surfaces in the axial direction,

iv. a longitudinal recess extending into each outer side surface and upper extension in the transverse direction, and

iv. a first plurality of holes adapted for attachment to an insertion instrument,

b) a second body having;

i. a lower bearing surface,

ii. a recess defining inner side surfaces,

iii. lower extensions extending from each inner side surface in the axial direction,

iv. longitudinal projections extending from each inner side surface and lower extension in the transverse direction,

v. a second plurality of holes adapted for attachment to an insertion instrument,

wherein the upper surface and the lower bearing surfaces define a height of the implant, and

wherein the longitudinal projection is adapted for slidable reception within the longitudinal recess, so that the upper bearing surface may move relative to the second bearing surface, thereby changing the height of the implant.

35. A posterior spinal implant, comprising:

a) an upper body having an upper bearing surface adapted for bearing and a longitudinal shank having a first plurality of teeth and a locking hole, and

b) a lower body having an upper bearing surface adapted for bearing and a longitudinal shank having a first plurality of teeth and a locking hole, and

c) a set screw disposed within both of the locking holes, wherein the plurality of teeth engage the second plurality of teeth.