Bone fusion device

• US 20060142859A1
• Filed: 02/16/2006
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neuropro Spinal Jaxx, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mcluen Design Incorporated
• Inventors: McLuen, Gary R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,727,280 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.110
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4455 for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages intervertebral discs A61F2/442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/446 having a circular or elliptical cross-section substantially parallel to the axis of the spine, e.g. cylinders or frustocones
• 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 2002/2835 Bone graft implants for filling a bony defect or an endoprosthesis cavity, e.g. by synthetic material or biological material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30411 having two threaded end parts connected by a threaded central part with opposite threads at its opposite ends, i.e. for adjusting the distance between both end parts by rotating the central part
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30492 using a locking pin
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30525 Worm gears
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30556 for adjusting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30784 Plurality of holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3085 with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3092 having an open-celled or open-pored structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0009 for adjusting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• 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

A bone fusion device provides stability to bones during a bone fusion period. The bones include, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable tabs attached to the bone fusion device by associated rotating means. The bone fusion device is preferably inserted by using an arthroscopic surgical procedure. During arthroscopic insertion of the device, the tabs are pre-configured for compactness. In this compact configuration, the tabs are preferably deposed along and/or within an exterior surface of the bone fusion device. After the bone fusion device has been positioned between the bones, one or more tab(s) are extended. In the preferred embodiment, the position of each tab is related to a positioning element and an extending block. Typically, the tabs advantageously position and brace the bone fusion device in the confined space between the bones until the bones have fused.

Claims

1. A bone fusion device for insertion between bones comprising:

a. first and second ends;

b. an interior cavity deposed between the first and second ends;

c. an exterior surface;

d. a conduit providing a pathway from the interior cavity to the exterior surface;

e. one or more tabs for bracing the bone fusion device in a space between the bones;

f. a positioning element positioned through the first end and substantially within the interior cavity; and

g. an extending block coupled to the positioning element for moving the one or more tabs.

2. The bone fusion device of claim 1, wherein the positioning element is either a screw or a bolt.

3. The bone fusion device of claim 1, wherein the extending block is a nut.

4. The bone fusion device of claim 1, wherein the one or more tabs further comprise one or more holes.

5. The bone fusion device of claim 1, wherein the extending block moves the one or more tabs when the positioning element is rotated.

6. The bone fusion device of claim 1, wherein the one or more tabs are movable to a compact position deposed within the exterior surface such that the bone fusion device has a minimized form factor.

7. The bone fusion device of claim 1, wherein the one or more tabs are configured for a plurality of positions.

8. The bone fusion device of claim 1, further comprising a bone graft material pre-deposited into the interior cavity before insertion of the bone fusion device between the bones.

9. The bone fusion device of claim 1, further comprising a bone graft material that is applied after placement of the bone fusion device between the bones.

10. The bone fusion device of claim 1, further comprising a rectangular shape.

11. The bone fusion device of claim 1, wherein a material of the bone fusion device is biocompatible.

12. The bone fusion device of claim 1, wherein the bone fusion device is configured for insertion by using an arthroscopic procedure.

13. The bone fusion device of claim 1, wherein the bone fusion device is utilized with vertebral bones.

14. The bone fusion device of claim 1, further comprising serrated edges on the one or more tabs.

15. The bone fusion device of claim 1, further comprising one or more pins and one or more slots for allowing movement of the one or more tabs.

16. A bone fusion device for insertion between adjacent bones, comprising:

a. a hollow body having one or more holes along a length of the hollow body;

b. one or more moveable tabs each attached to the hollow body by a pin and a slot, wherein the one or more moveable tabs are aligned along a surface of the hollow body in a compact position during insertion into a patient;

c. a positioning element coupled through the hollow body and substantially within the hollow body; and

d. an extending block coupled to the positioning element for moving the one or more moveable tabs when the positioning element is rotated.

17. The bone fusion device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the positioning element is either a screw or a bolt.

18. The bone fusion device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the extending block is a nut.

19. The bone fusion device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the one or more tabs further comprise one or more holes.

20. The bone fusion device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the moveable tabs are deposed to lie within the exterior surface of the bone fusion device such that the bone fusion device has a small form factor.

21. The bone fusion device as claimed in claim 16, wherein a material of the bone fusion device is biocompatible and utilized with vertebral bones.

22. The bone fusion device as claimed in claim 16, wherein bone graft material is present within the hollow body before insertion between the bones.

23. The bone fusion device as claimed in claim 16, wherein bone graft material is applied after insertion and placement between the bones.

24. The bone fusion device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the moveable tabs have a textured surface.

25. The bone fusion device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the moveable tabs are coated with a porous material.

26. The bone fusion device as claimed in claim 16, further comprising serrated edges on the one or more tabs.

27. A method of implanting a bone fusion device between bones, the method comprising:

a. inserting the bone fusion device between the bones, wherein the bone fusion device comprises an internal cavity, an exterior surface, a positioning element, an extending block and one or more moveable tabs;

b. pre-configuring the one or more moveable tabs to lie within the exterior surface by using the positioning element with the extending block such that the bone fusion device has a minimized form factor; and

c. extending the one or more tabs to a desired position by moving the extending block by rotating the positioning element.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein rotating the positioning element clockwise moves the extending block, forcing the one or more moveable tabs outward.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein rotating the positioning element counterclockwise moves the extending block, allowing the one or more moveable tabs to move inward.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising before implantation, depositing a bone graft material into the cavity.

31. The method of claim 27, further comprising applying bone growth material to the one or more tabs after extension, wherein the bone growth material stimulates regeneration of bone cells in the bones.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the bone fusion device is utilized with vertebral bones.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein inserting the bone fusion device comprises an arthroscopic procedure.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein the one or more moveable tabs further comprise serrated edges.

35. The method of claim 27, wherein extending the one or more moveable tabs utilizes one or more pins and one or more slots.