Side-biased orthopedic fastener retention

• US 20060235412A1
• Filed: 03/13/2006
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Spinal Elements, Inc.
• Inventors: Blain, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 8,496,691 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/249
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8042 the additional component being a cover over the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8047 wherein the additional element surrounds the screw head in the plate hole A61B17/8052 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/88 Osteosynthesis instruments; Methods or means for implanting or extracting internal or external fixation devices A61B17/7074 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/8655 with special features for locking in the bone
• 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 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/46 Special tools or methods for implanting or extracting artificial joints, accessories, bone grafts or substitutes, or particular adaptations therefor
• 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 2002/30131 horseshoe- or crescent- or C-shaped or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30166 H-shaped or I-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30378 Spherically-shaped protrusion and recess
• 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 2002/30484 Mechanically expandable devices located on the first prosthetic part for locking into or onto the second prosthetic part
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30495 using a locking ring
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30505 spring biased
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30514 : using a locking washer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30517 : using a locking plate
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30578 : having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 : Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30772 : Apertures or holes, e.g. of circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3079 : Stepped or enlarged apertures, e.g. having discrete diameter changes
• 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 2002/4415 : elements of the prosthesis being arranged in a chain like manner
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/449 : comprising multiple spinal implants located in different intervertebral spaces or in different vertebrae
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• 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 2230/0013 : Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0028 : Shapes in the form of latin or greek characters
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00011 : Metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 : Ceramics or ceramic-like structures

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the vertebral column. An integrated fixation plate and spacer having a retaining structure within the screw holes of the fixation plate to resist backout of screws attaching the fixation plate to the bone is provided. A movable joint may be provided between the fixation plate and spacer. In some embodiments, a screw hole insert is also provided to resist shear forces acting between the screw and fixation plate. In some embodiments, an integrated fixation plate and spacer system is provided, comprising two or more integrated fixation plate and spacer implants, wherein the fixation plates of each implant has a complementary configuration to allow attachment of the implants at adjacent intervertebral spaces. Alternative fixation systems are also contemplated.

Claims

1. A system for attaching to a structure, comprising:

an attachment device having an access surface, a facing surface, a first attachment lumen between the access surface and the facing surface of the attachment device, the first attachment lumen having a first attachment diameter adjacent to the access surface of the attachment device, a first lumen surface and a second attachment diameter adjacent to the facing surface of the attachment device, a first retaining channel along the first lumen surface, and a third attachment diameter about the first retaining channel, wherein the first attachment diameter is greater than the second attachment diameter; and

a side-biased blocking structure at least partially within the retaining channel having an uncompressed configuration that protrudes into the first attachment lumen and a compressed configuration that does not protrude into the first attachment lumen.

2. The implant for treating the spine as in claim 1, wherein the blocking structure comprises a slope surface.

3. The implant for treating the spine as in claim 1, wherein the blocking structure is an arcuate structure.

4. The implant for treating the spine as in claim 3, wherein the arcuate structure is a ring structure.

5. The implant for treating the spine as in claim 1, wherein the blocking structure is a rectangular plate with a through lumen.

6. The implant for treating the spine as in claim 5, wherein the through lumen is a circular through lumen.

7. The implant for treating the spine as in claim 1, wherein the attachment structure is an interbody spacer.

8. The implant for treating the spine as in claim 7, wherein the interbody spacer is a flanged interbody spacer.

9. The implant for treating the spine as in claim 1, wherein the attachment structure is a fixation plate.

10. The implant for treating the spine as in claim 9, wherein the attachment structure is a vertebral fixation plate.

11. The implant for treating the spine as in claim 10, wherein the vertebral fixation plate is an anterior cervical fixation plate.

12. The implant for treating the spine as in claim 1, wherein the blocking structure comprises a helical spring member.

13. The implant for treating the spine as in claim 1, wherein the blocking structure comprises a leaf spring member.

14. The implant for treating the spine as in claim 1, wherein the blocking structure comprises an elongate bias member.

15. The implant for treating the spine as in claim 14, wherein the blocking structure comprises a second elongate bias member.

16. The implant for treating the spine as in claim 14, wherein the elongate bias member has an arcuate shape.

17. A method for treating the spine, comprising:

providing an orthopedic device comprising a fastener lumen, a securing structure space about the fastener lumen, a securing structure in the fastener lumen and the securing structure space, wherein the securing structure comprises a bias element and a non-deformable blocking element;

inserting a fastener into the fastener lumen;

displacing at least a portion of the non-deformable blocking element from the fastener lumen into the securing structure space by compressing the bias element; and

passing the head of the fastener past the non-deformable blocking element to allow re-expansion of the bias element.

18. A method for treating the spine, comprising:

providing an orthopedic device comprising a fastener lumen with a longitudinal lumen axis, a securing structure space about the fastener lumen, a securing structure in the fastener lumen and the securing structure space, wherein the securing structure comprises a biased lumen blocker;

inserting a fastener into the fastener lumen;

eccentrically displacing the biased lumen blocker with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fastener lumen; and

passing the fastener past biased lumen blocker to allow reversion of the biased lumen blocker toward a prior position.

19. The method for treating the spine as in claim 18, further comprising reverting the biased lumen blocker toward a prior position.

20. The method for treating the spine as in claim 19, further comprising reverting the biased lumen blocker to a prior position.