Intervertebral fusion device and method

• US 20060229723A1
• Filed: 04/08/2005
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: SDGI Holdings Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Van Hoeck, James E.
• Application Number:
  US11/101,685
• Publication Number:
  US 20060229723A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.110
• 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 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30578 having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30614 Sets comprising both primary and revision endoprostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30884 Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4631 the prosthesis being specially adapted for being cemented
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00359 Bone or bony tissue

Abstract

A intervertebral fusion device and method according to which an artificial disc is removed from an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae and an intervertebral fusion device is inserted in the intervertebral space to fuse the adjacent vertebrae.

Claims

1. An intervertebral fusion device adapted to be inserted in an intervertebral space between adjacent first and second vertebrae for fusing the first and second vertebrae, the device comprising a first portion adapted to engage the first vertebra, the first portion defining a first geometry wherein at least a portion of the first geometry generally corresponds to at least one portion of a geometry defined by an artificial disc.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a second portion adapted to engage the second vertebra, the second portion defining a second geometry wherein at least a portion of the second geometry generally corresponds to at least one other portion of the geometry defined by the artificial disc.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the general correspondence between the at least a portion of the first geometry and the at least one portion of the geometry defined by the artificial disc facilitates the engagement of the first portion of the device with the first vertebra, and wherein the general correspondence between the at least a portion of the second geometry and the at least one other portion of the geometry defined by the artificial disc facilitates the engagement of the second portion of the device with the second vertebra.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the artificial disc is adapted to be inserted in the intervertebral space, and wherein the device is adapted to be inserted in the intervertebral space after the artificial disc is inserted and removed from the intervertebral space.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the device is at least partially composed of an osteogenic material to promote the fusion of the first and second vertebrae.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the device is monolithic.

7. The device of claim 4 wherein the device further comprises a cage portion extending between the first and second portions of the device.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the cage portion defines a chamber for receiving a material that is at least partially osteogenic.

9. The device of claim 4 wherein the first and second portions of the device define a dimension generally corresponding to an effective height of the artificial disc.

10. The device of claim 4 wherein the first portion comprises a plate-shaped portion and at least one protrusion portion extending therefrom and adapted to extend in a first channel formed in the first vertebra to further facilitate the engagement between the device and the first vertebra.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the second portion comprises a plate-shaped portion and at least one protrusion extending therefrom and adapted to extend in a second channel formed in the second vertebra to further facilitate the engagement between the device and the second vertebra.

12. A method for fusing adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising inserting an intervertebral fusion device in an intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae and engaging a first portion of the intervertebral fusion device with one of the adjacent vertebrae wherein the first portion defines a first geometry that generally corresponds to at least one portion of a geometry defined by an artificial disc.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising engaging a second portion of the intervertebral fusion device with the other of the adjacent vertebrae wherein the second portion defines a second geometry that generally corresponds to at least one other portion of the geometry defined by the artificial disc.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising removing the artificial disc from the intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae before the step of inserting.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising disposing a filler material in the vicinity of the adjacent vertebrae.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the intervertebral fusion device is at least partially composed of an osteogenic material.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising disposing an osteogenic material in a chamber formed in the intervertebral fusion device.

18. An intervertebral fusion device adapted to be inserted in an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae to fuse the adjacent vertebrae and defining a geometry generally corresponding to the geometry of an artificial disc adapted to be inserted in the intervertebral space, wherein the device is adapted to be inserted in the intervertebral space and engaged with the adjacent vertebrae after the artificial disc is inserted and removed from the intervertebral space, and wherein the general correspondence between the geometry of the device and the geometry of the artificial disc facilitates the engagements between the device and each of the adjacent vertebrae.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the device is at least partially composed of an osteogenic material to promote the fusion of the adjacent vertebrae.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein the device is monolithic.