Artificial disc and joint replacements with modular cushioning components

• US 20060235535A1
• Filed: 06/12/2006
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bret A. Ferree, David Tompkins
• Original Assignee: Bret A. Ferree, David Tompkins
• Inventors: Ferree, Bret A., Tompkins, David
• Application Number:
  US11/451,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20060235535A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.160
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30742 Bellows or hose-like seals; Sealing membranes A61B17/8808 takes precedence; sealing membranes for retaining bone substitute A61F2/2846
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30771 applied in original prostheses, e.g. holes or grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/441 made of inflatable pockets or chambers filled with fluid, e.g. with hydrogel
• 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 2/446 having a circular or elliptical cross-section substantially parallel to the axis of the spine, e.g. cylinders or frustocones
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4465 having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• 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 2002/2839 Bone plugs or bone graft dowels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30014 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30075 swellable, e.g. when wetted
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30113 circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30125 elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30133 kidney-shaped or bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30179 X-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/302 : toroidal, e.g. rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30224 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30329 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• 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 2002/30357 : Stepped cylinders, i.e. having discrete diameter changes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30383 : made by laterally inserting a protrusion, e.g. a rib into a complementarily-shaped groove
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30387 : Dovetail connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30405 : made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30428 : made by inserting a protrusion into a slot
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 : retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30495 : using a locking ring
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/305 : Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 : using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30546 : for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30563 : having elastic means or damping means, different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric core or shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30578 : having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30581 : having a pocket filled with fluid, e.g. liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30584 : filled with gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 : hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30604 : modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30622 : Implant for fusing a joint or bone material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30774 : internally-threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 : Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 : parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30828 : parallel
• 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 2002/30879 : Ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 : serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4435 : Support means or repair of the natural disc wall, i.e. annulus, e.g. using plates, membranes or meshes
• 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 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 : using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0061 : swellable
• 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 2230/0006 : circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0008 : elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0015 : Kidney-shaped, e.g. bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0028 : Shapes in the form of latin or greek characters
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0065 : toroidal, e.g. ring-shaped, doughnut-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0012 : for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0018 : differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00011 : Metals or alloys
• 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: A61L 2430/38 : for reconstruction of the spine, vertebrae or intervertebral discs

Abstract

An artificial joint or disc replacement (ADR) broadly includes a pair of opposing endplate components, each attached to one of the upper and lower vertebrae, a cushioning component disposed between the endplate components, and a mechanism for coupling the cushioning component to one or both of the endplates. In the preferred embodiment, the cushioning component takes the form of a tire-like outer structure attached to an inner hub. A filler material is also preferably contained within the cushioning component. The filler material may be a gas, liquid, foam, or gel, including a hydrogel. One or both of the endplate components may include a modified surface to increase adherence to respective opposing bone surfaces.

Claims

1. A modular implant configured for placement between opposing bone surfaces, comprising:

at least one endplate component attached to one of the opposing bone surfaces;

a modular cushioning component removably attached to the endplate component; and

a mechanism allowing the cushioning component to be installed, removed or replaced with the endplate component attached.

2. The implant of claim 1, wherein the cushioning component includes a filler material.

3. The implant of claim 2, wherein the filler material is a gas, liquid, foam, gel or hydrogel.

4. The implant of claim 1, wherein the endplate component includes a modified surface to increase adherence to the respective bone surface.

5. The implant of claim 4, wherein the modified surface includes spikes or other projections.

6. The implant of claim 4, wherein the modified surface is conducive to bony ingrowth.

7. The implant of claim 1, wherein:

the cushioning component includes an outer, compressible tire-like structure attached to a central hub; and

the central hub includes the mechanism for interlocking the cushioning component to the endplates.

8. The implant of claim 7, wherein the mechanism for interlocking the cushioning component to the endplates includes a projection on the central hub and a corresponding groove on the endplate allowing the implant to be pushed into position.

9. The implant of claim 8, further including a screw or other fastener for maintaining the projection in the groove.

10. The implant of claim 8, wherein the compressible tire-like structure component includes a filler material.

11. The implant of claim 10, wherein the filler material is a gas, liquid, foam, gel or hydrogel.

12. The implant of claim 1, further including a clip or other device for compressing the implant until insertion between the opposing bone surfaces.

13. The implant of claim 1, wherein the component is configured for adherence to a vertebral endplate.

14. The implant of claim 1, wherein:

the endplate is configured for adherence to the articular portion of a prosthetic tibia component.

15-25. -25. (canceled)

26. A method of inserting an artificial disc replacement (ADR) into an intervertebral disc space, comprising the steps of:

inserting a vertebral endplate into a disc space;

affixing the endplate component to a vertebral body; and

inserting a cushioning component into the disc space after the endplate has been affixed.