Artificial disc prosthesis

• US 20060259145A1
• Filed: 02/24/2006
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Theken Disc, LLC (Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Theken Disc, LLC (Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Theken, Randall R., Navarro, Richard R., Ananthan, Bharadwaj
• Application Number:
  US11/361,895
• Publication Number:
  US 20060259145A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.140
• 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;

a first ball-and-socket joint comprising a first socket connected to said first endplate, and a first ball or portion thereof suitable to articulate with respect to said first socket;

a second ball-and-socket joint comprising a second socket connected to said second endplate, and a second ball or portion thereof suitable to articulate with respect to said second socket;

wherein, in each of said ball-and-socket joints, said ball or portion thereof is mechanically captured by other components within said prosthesis.

2. The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein said first and second balls or portions thereof are at opposite ends of an elongated member.

3. The prosthesis of claim 2, wherein said first and second balls or portions thereof each have convex surfaces which face toward each other.

4. The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein said first and second balls or portions thereof are on different elongated members.

5. 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;

a first ball-and-socket joint comprising a first socket connected to said first endplate, and a first ball or portion thereof suitable to articulate with respect to said first socket;

wherein, in said ball-and-socket joint, said ball or portion thereof is mechanically captured by other components within said prosthesis.

6. 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 first ball-and-socket joint comprising a first ball or portion thereof wherein a load-carrying member extends outwardly from a first convex curved surface of said first ball or portion thereof,

said load-carrying member being capable of transferring load between said first and second endplates under at least some conditions.

7. The prosthesis of claim 6, further comprising a second ball-and-socket joint comprising a second ball or portion thereof, wherein said load-carrying member extends outwardly from a second convex curved surface of said second ball or portion thereof.

8. The prosthesis of claim 6, wherein said load-carrying member is suitable to carry a tensile load.

9. 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 first socket connected to said first endplate, said first socket having a first hole through said first socket.

10. The prosthesis of claim 9, further comprising a load-bearing member which passes loosely through said first hole, said load-carrying member being capable of transferring load between said first and second endplates under at least some conditions

11. The prosthesis of claim 9, further comprising a first ball or portion thereof suitable to articulate with respect to said first socket, said first ball being connected to said load-carrying member.

12. The prosthesis of claim 11, wherein said first ball or portion thereof has a first ball maximum diameter that is larger than a first hole diameter of said first hole through said first socket.

13. The prosthesis of claim 9, further comprising a second socket connected to said second endplate, said second socket having a second hole through said second socket, and

wherein said load-bearing member also passes loosely through said second hole.

14. The prosthesis of claim 13, further comprising a second ball or portion thereof suitable to articulate with respect to said second socket, said second ball being connected to said load-carrying member.

15. The prosthesis of claim 14, wherein said second ball or portion thereof has a second ball maximum diameter that is larger than a second hole diameter of said second hole through said second socket.

16. A spinal disc prosthesis, comprising:

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

an elongated tension member capable of carrying tensile load between said first endplate and said second endplate, said elongated tension member comprising an elongated central member having two ends, and, on each end of said elongated central member, a ball or portion thereof having a convex surface, said convex surfaces facing toward each other.

17. The prosthesis of claim 16, further comprising a polymeric member interposed between and adhered to said first and second endplates.

18. A spinal disc prosthesis, comprising:

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

at least one ball-and-socket joint capable of transferring load between said two endplates, said ball-and-sacket joint comprising a socket which comprises at least two partial-circumference portions which together make said socket having a substantially complete circumference.