Artificial disc prosthesis

• US 20060259143A1
• Filed: 02/24/2006
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Theken Spine LLC (Orthofix Medical Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Theken Disc, LLC (Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Theken, Randall R., Navarro, Richard R., Ananthan, Bharadwaj
• Granted Patent: US 7,763,075 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.130
• 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 2002/30372 with additional means for limiting said translation
• 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 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• 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 2002/30604 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30884 Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30892 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3097 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4666 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• 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 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

Abstract

A visco-elastic motion-limiting artificial intervertebral disc prosthesis is provided that mimics the physiologic function of a normal spinal disc. The disc comprises upper and lower endplates having therewithin channels or openings for optionally receiving one or more motion-limiting members fitted on each end with an enlarged portion. One or more compression stops is provided between the upper and lower endplates. Additionally, an elastomeric cushion is disposed between the endplates and surrounds the motion-limiting members. Also, force transducers and microelectronics can be utilized to provide data to the surgeon or the patient regarding the load state of the disc.

Claims

1. A spinal disc prosthesis, comprising:

a first endplate and a second endplate each suitable to attach to respective vertebrae; and

a polymeric member interposed between and adhered to said first and second endplates;

a compression stop that is in load-transmitting contact with said first endplate and is suitable to be contacted by said second endplate or a component connected to said second endplate; and

electronics contained within said compression stop.

8. The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein said prosthesis comprises three of said sensors.

2. A spinal disc prosthesis, comprising:

a first endplate and a second endplate each suitable to attach to respective vertebrae,

at least one member suitable to transmit force between said first and second endplates under at least some conditions;

and at least one sensor suitable to measure a force associated with said member.

3. The prosthesis of claim 2, wherein said prosthesis permits relative motion between said two endplates.

4. The prosthesis of claim 2, wherein said sensor or sensors are located within said first endplate.

5. The prosthesis of claim 2, wherein said prosthesis comprises two of said sensors.

6. The prosthesis of claim 2, wherein said prosthesis comprises two of said sensors that are located one on each side of an anterior-posterior centerline of said prosthesis.

7. The prosthesis of claim 2, wherein said prosthesis comprises two of said sensors that are located at locations which are symmetric with respect to an anterior-posterior centerline of said prosthesis.

9. The prosthesis of claim 2, wherein said prosthesis comprises three of said sensors located at locations that form vertices of a triangle.

10. The prosthesis of claim 9, wherein one of said sensors is located substantially on an anterior-posterior centerline of said prosthesis and two other of said sensors are located one on each side of said anterior-posterior centerline.

11. The prosthesis of claim 9, wherein said triangle is substantially an isosceles triangle.

12. The prosthesis of claim 9, wherein one of said sensors is located substantially on an anterior-posterior centerline of said prosthesis and two other of said sensors are located one on each side of said anterior-posterior centerline at locations which are symmetric with respect to said anterior-posterior centerline.

13. The prosthesis of claim 2, wherein said prosthesis comprises a polymeric member interposed between and adhered to said first and second endplates, and wherein said sensor or sensors are located within an outline of a surface interface between said polymeric member and one of said endplates.

14. The prosthesis of claim 2, wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of a strain gauge and a piezoelectric sensor.

15. The prosthesis of claim 2, wherein said sensor measures a force exerted by a member that bears at least a portion of any load that is applied to said prosthesis.

16. The prosthesis of claim 2, wherein said sensor measures a force exerted on a member that bears load only when a first component of said prosthesis is touched by a second component of said prosthesis.

17. A spinal disc prosthesis, comprising:

a first endplate and a second endplate each suitable to attach to respective vertebrae;

a first component connected to said first endplate and a second component attached to said second endplate; and

a sensor configured to measure a force that is experienced by said first component only when said first component is contacted by a second component.

18. A spinal disc prosthesis, comprising:

a first endplate and a second endplate each suitable to attach to respective vertebrae;

a first component connected to said first endplate and a second component attached to said second endplate;

a first sensor configured to measure a force that is experienced by said first component only when said first component is contacted by a second component; and

a second sensor, wherein said second sensor is configured to measure a force exerted by a member that bears at least a portion of any load that is applied to said prosthesis.

19. A spinal disc prosthesis, comprising:

a first endplate and a second endplate each suitable to attach to respective vertebrae,

wherein said first endplate comprises a component capable of receiving force exerted by said second endplate or a member connected to said second endplate,

and further comprising at least one sensor suitable to measure said force.

20. A spinal disc prosthesis, comprising:

a first endplate and a second endplate each suitable to attach to respective vertebrae;

a polymeric member interposed between and adhered to said first and second endplates; and

a sensor, positioned suitably to measure a force exerted by said polymeric member on said endplate in a vicinity of said sensor.

21. The prosthesis of claim 20, wherein said sensor is located within an outline of a surface interface between said polymeric member and said first endplate.

22. The prosthesis of claim 20, wherein said sensor is located inside said first endplate.

23. The prosthesis of claim 20, further comprising a metal layer between said sensor and said polymeric member.

24. A spinal disc prosthesis, comprising:

a first endplate and a second endplate each suitable to attach to respective vertebrae; and

a polymeric member interposed between and adhered to said first and second endplates,

wherein said first endplate comprises a metallic layer having a first side and a second side, said first side being in contact with said polymeric member, and said second side being in contact with a force sensor.