LINKED SLIDEABLE AND INTERLOCKABLE ROTATABLE COMPONENTS

• US 20060189999A1
• Filed: 02/24/2006
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Morphogeny LLC
• Original Assignee: Morphogeny LLC
• Inventors: Zwirkoski, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,034,109 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• 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 2/4455 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 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• 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 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3008 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/302 toroidal, e.g. rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30331 made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30471 connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30594 slotted, e.g. radial or meridian slot ending in a polar aperture, non-polar slots, horizontal or arcuate slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30599 stackable
• 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 2002/30904 serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4415 elements of the prosthesis being arranged in a chain like manner
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/448 comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4627 : with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0033 : made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 : sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0091 : connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0065 : toroidal, e.g. ring-shaped, doughnut-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0063 : Nested prosthetic parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 : radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• 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 2310/00113 : Silver or Ag-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00131 : Tantalum or Ta-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00149 : Platinum or Pt-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00155 : Gold or Au-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00161 : Carbon; Graphite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00203 : containing alumina or aluminium oxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00263 : based on metal borides
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00269 : based on metal carbides
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00281 : containing silicon carbide
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00293 : containing a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00359 : Bone or bony tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00365 : Proteins; Polypeptides; Degradation products thereof

Abstract

Medical devices having one or more rotatable linkable components or segments, delivered in a first orientation relative to a component guide into a tissue cavity, such as the interbody vertebral space. After delivery, each segment may be rotated to a second, different orientation relative to the component guide, such as into a permanent vertical standing position. The segments achieve maximum distraction of the cavity space such as adjacent vertebra end plates, while using a minimal invasive surgical (MIS) approach. When the segments are tightened in place, the device provides long-term stability. The device can be used as a distraction instrument and/or permanent implant that can be used for interbody fusion, nuclear replacement, or anywhere in the body where a stable distraction of tissue and/or the implantation of material such as a device with an MIS approach is desired.

Claims

1. A medical device comprising:

a component guide;

at least one linkable segment engaged with the component guide, the linkable segment having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one aperture therethrough to receive the component guide, said at least one linkable segment adapted to rotate from a first orientation relative to the component guide to a second orientation relative to the component guide different than the first orientation.

2. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one additional linkable segment engaged with the component guide, the additional linkable segment having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one aperture therethrough to receive the component guide, said at least one additional linkable segment adapted to rotate from a first orientation relative to the component guide to a second orientation relative to the component guide different from the first orientation.

3. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising:

a stop member provided at a distal end of the component guide, the at least one linkable segment adapted to rotate from the first orientation to the second orientation subsequent to contact of the distal end of the at least one linkable segment and the stop member.

4. The medical device of claim 1, in combination with a probe for urging each of the at least one linkable segments toward a desired location along the component guide.

5. The combination of the medical device and probe of claim 4, wherein the probe includes a retractable protrusion for selectively engaging a relief provided in the at least one linkable segment, said retractable protrusion preventing rotation of the linkable segment away from the first orientation when engaged with the relief.

6. The medical device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the distal end and the proximal end of each of the at least one linkable segment is curved to facilitate rotation of the respective linkable segment upon one of contact with one of another linkable segment or a stop member provided at a distal end of the component guide, or tightening of a tensioning member passing through each of the plurality of linkable segments, said tensioning member being separate from the component guide.

7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one apertures includes a first elongate slot extending between a distal end of the at least one linkable segment and a location approximately mid-way between the distal end and the proximal end of the at least one linkable segment, and a second elongate slot extending between a proximal end of the at least one linkable segment and the location approximately mid-way between the distal end and the proximal end of the at least one linkable segment.

8. The medical device of claim 7, wherein the first elongate slot and the second elongate slot are disposed in a mirrored arrangement to one another with respect to a diagonal plane bisecting the at least one linkable segment.

9. The medical device of claim 7, wherein the first elongate slot is open above an axis extending from the distal end of the at least one linkable segment to the proximal end of the at least one linkable segment, and the second elongate slot is open below the axis extending from the distal end of the at least one linkable segment to the proximal end of the at least one linkable segment.

10. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the component guide is disposed in a substantially straight orientation.

11. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the component guide is disposed in a curved orientation.

12. The medical device of claim 11, wherein the component guide is disposed in one of a substantially circular orientation, a D-shaped orientation, or a C-shaped orientation.

13. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the second orientation is substantially perpendicular to the first orientation.

14. The medical device of claim 2, wherein each of the linkable segments, in its first orientation, is tapered from a relatively wider thickness on a first side of the component guide to a relatively narrower thickness on a second side of the component guide, to facilitate rotation of the linkable segment from the first orientation to the second orientation.

15. The medical device of claim 2, wherein at least one of the linkable segments includes a first set of ratcheting teeth arranged in a complementary fashion to a second set of ratcheting teeth provided on another of the linkable segments, said first and second sets of ratcheting teeth facilitating rotation of at least one of the linkable segments to the second orientation.

16. The medical device of claim 2, wherein one of the linkable segments includes a female locking groove and one of the at least one additional linkable segments includes a male locking projection complementary to the female locking groove, and wherein upon rotation of the at least one additional linkable segment from its first orientation to its second orientation, the male locking projection is securely received within the female locking groove.

17. The medical device of claim 2, and wherein a plurality of spacers are provided between adjacent of the linkable segments.

18. A medical device comprising:

a component guide;

at least one linkable segment engaged with the component guide, each of the at least one linkable segments including a first region and a second region hingedly secured to the first region, and each of the at least one linkable segment being introduced to a proximity of tissue to be distracted such that the first and second regions are in a first orientation, and at least the first region rotating to a second orientation different from the first orientation upon an occurrence of a condition.

19. The medical device of claim 18, wherein the condition includes at least one of a tightening of a plurality of the linkable segments engaged with the component guide;

urging of a tightening member provided on the component guide in a direction toward a plurality of the linked segments engaged with the component guide;

application of a force to a proximal end of at least one of the plurality of linkable segments;

tightening of a tensioning member passing through each of the plurality of linkable segments, said tensioning member being separate from the component guide;

or contact between one of a plurality of the linkable segments and a proximal end of an adjacent one of the plurality of linkable segments.

20. The medical device of claim 18, and wherein the second region of the linkable segment is rotatable to an orientation different from the first orientation upon the occurrence of the condition.

21. The medical device of claim 18, wherein a top face of the first region and a bottom face of the second region include arced surfaces which are eccentric relative to a hinged axis along which the first and second regions are hingedly secured.

22. A method for manipulation of tissue, comprising:

introducing a linkable segment through a cannula in a first orientation relative to a component guide, said linkable segment having at least one aperture therethrough to receive the component guide; and

rotating the linkable segment from the first orientation to a second orientation relative to the component guide.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising introducing at least one additional linkable segment through the cannula in a first orientation relative to the component guide, said at least one additional linkable segment having at least one aperture therethrough to receive the component guide.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising rotating the at least one additional linkable segment from the first orientation to a different orientation relative to the component guide.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising urging the linkable segment toward a distal end of the component guide with a probe.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein in urging the linkable segment toward a desired location along the component guide, selectively engaging a retractable protrusion of the probe with an aperture within the linkable segment to prevent rotation of the linkable segment.