CORRECTIVE ARTIFICIAL DISC

• US 20060293753A1
• Filed: 06/01/2006
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LANX Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lanx, LLC
• Inventors: Thramann, Jeffery
• Application Number:
  US11/421,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20060293753A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.13
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0077 Special surfaces of prostheses, e.g. for improving ingrowth A61F2/30767 takes precedence
• 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 2/30767 Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth
• 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 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30329 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30556 for adjusting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30565 having spring elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30566 Helical springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30578 having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• 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 2002/444 for replacing the nucleus pulposus
• 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 2210/0019 operated at only one temperature whilst inside or touching the human body, e.g. constrained in a non-operative shape during surgery, another temperature only occurring before the operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0009 for adjusting thickness

Abstract

An artificial disc is provided having a rigid pre-formed phase. The disc is implanted in an elastic phase and activated to the pre-formed phase. The pre-formed shape provides corrective forces to stabilize or correct spinal abnormalities.

Claims

1. A method to correct spinal deformities, comprising the steps of:

pre-forming an artificial disc with a corrective shape;

moving the artificial disc from the corrective shape to a non-corrective shape;

implanting the artificial disc in the non-corrective shape into an intervertebral disc space;

moving the artificial disc from the non-corrective shape to the corrective shape, wherein

the artificial disc provides corrective force between a superior and 10 inferior vertebral body.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the corrective shape is a rigid austenite phase and the non-corrective shape is an elastic, martensite phase.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of moving the artificial disc comprises applying thermal activation.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the pre-formed rigid shape is an austenite shape and the elastic shape is a martensite shape.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of moving the artificial disc from the elastic shape to the rigid shape occurs after implantation.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of fusing the artificial disc to at least one of a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of moving the artificial disc from the elastic shape to the rigid shape causes the application of force.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the application of force apply force in at least one of the medial, lateral, and torsional direction.

9. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of subsequently moving the artificial disc from the pre-formed rigid, austenite phase to the elastic, martensite phase.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the spinal abnormality treated is scoliosis.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein steps of pre-forming an artificial disc with a corrective shape, moving the artificial disc from the corrective shape to a non-corrective shape, implanting the artificial disc in the non-corrective shape into an intervertebral disc space, moving the artificial disc from the non-corrective shape to the corrective shape comprises performing the steps on a plurality of artificial discs.

12. An artificial disc comprising:

at least one superior endplate;

at least one inferior endplate;

at least one core extending between the at least one superior endplate and the at least one inferior endplate;

the at least one core comprising a material movable from an elastic phase to an inelastic phase, the material having a pre-defined shape in at least the inelastic phase, such that transitioning the at least one core from the elastic phase to the inelastic phase applies corrective force to a spine.

13. The artificial disc according to claim 12, wherein the pre-defined shape is designed to apply corrective force between an superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body.

14. The artificial disc according to claim 12, wherein the material comprises at least one shaped memory alloy.

15. The artificial disc according to claim 14, wherein the artificial disc is unbalanced and application of corrective force moves the artificial disc to a balanced configuration.

16. The artificial disc according to claim 12, further comprising at least one fusion cage on an endplate selected from the group of endplates consisting of:

superior endplate and inferior endplate.

17. The artificial disc according to claim 12, wherein the material comprises a plurality of element.

18. The artificial disc according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the plurality of elements is different from the others.

19. The artificial disc according to claim 12, further comprising a support wall to repair a disc annulus.

20. The artificial disc according to claim 19, further comprising pharmaceuticals contained in the support wall.