Intervertebral prosthetic device for spinal stabilization and method of manufacturing same

• US 20070167945A1
• Filed: 01/18/2006
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Companion Spine LLC
• Original Assignee: SDGI Holdings Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Bruneau, Aurelien, Dewey, Jonathan, Carls, Thomas, Anderson, Kent, Morrison, Matthew, Molz, Fred, Lange, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 8,083,795 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/86.A
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7062 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral processes, vertebral facets or ribs rib fixation devices A61B17/8076; Tools for such devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive

Abstract

A prosthetic device and method of inserting same between adjacent vertebrae, according to which a first member of a relatively flexible material is adapted to extend between the vertebrae; and at least one second member of a relatively stiff material is supported by the first member.

Claims

1. An prosthetic device for insertion between adjacent vertebrae, the device comprising:

a first member of a relatively flexible material adapted to extend between the vertebrae; and

at least one second member of a relatively stiff material supported by the first member.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first member has at least one notch therein for receiving a portion of one of the vertebrae.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the vertebrae portion is a spinous process.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the first member has two notches at its respective ends for receiving the spinous processes of the adjacent vertebrae.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein, the second member is replaceable by a member with a stiffness that differs from the stiffness of the first member.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the first member is a body member having a channel formed therein and wherein the second member is an insert that extends in the channel.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the first member is a body member having a channel formed therein and wherein there are two second members each of which is an insert that extends in the channel.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein the body member has two additional notches at its respective ends for receiving a portion of the two vertebrae, respectively.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the first member is a body member having two grooves formed in opposite faces thereof and wherein there are two second members each of which is an insert having a substantially U-shaped cross section that is insertable in the grooves.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the grooves extend across the width of the first body member and wherein the inserts are respectively insertable into the grooves from their two ends.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the body member has two additional notches at its respective ends for receiving a portion of the two vertebrae, respectively.

12. An implantation method between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising:

providing a first member of a relatively flexible material;

selecting a second member of a relatively stiff material from a plurality of second members having different relative stiffnesses;

supporting the second member by the first member to form a prosthesis; and

implanting the prosthesis between the vertebrae.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising forming at least one notch in the first member for receiving a portion of one of the vertebrae.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the vertebrae portion is a spinous process.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising forming two notches at the respective ends of the first member for receiving the spinous processes of the adjacent vertebrae.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprises replacing the second member by a member with a stiffness that differs from the stiffness of the second member.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising forming a channel in the first member and wherein the second member is an insert that extends in the channel.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprises forming notches at the respective ends of the first member for receiving a portion of the two vertebrae, respectively.

19. The method of claim 12 further comprising forming a channel in the first member and wherein there are two second members each of which is an insert that extends in the channel.

20. The method of claim 12 further comprising forming two grooves formed in opposite faces of the first member and wherein there are two second members each of which is an insert having a substantially U-shaped cross section that is insertable in the grooves.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the grooves extend across the width of the first body member and wherein the inserts are respectively insertable into the grooves from their two ends.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising forming two notches at the respective ends of the first member for receiving a portion of the two vertebrae, respectively.

23. An implantation method between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising:

providing a first member of a relatively flexible material;

selecting a second member of a relatively stiff material from a plurality of second members having different relative stiffnesses;

supporting the second member by the first member to form a prosthesis;

implanting the prosthesis between the vertebrae; and

replacing the second member with a member of a material having a different stiffness than the material of the second member.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising forming two notches at the respective ends of the first member for receiving the spinous processes of the adjacent vertebrae.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of supporting comprises inserting the second member into a channel in the first member.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of supporting comprises forming two grooves formed in opposite faces of the first member and wherein the second member is at least one insert having a substantially U-shaped cross section that is insertable in the grooves.