METHODS AND DEVICES FOR REPLACEMENT OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS

• US 20070179611A1
• Filed: 12/22/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc. (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc. (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Shluzas, Alan, DiPoto, Gene
• Application Number:
  US11/615,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20070179611A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.110
• 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 2/441 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 2/4455 for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages intervertebral discs A61F2/442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30476 locked by an additional locking mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30528 Means for limiting said movement
• 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 2002/30565 having spring elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30581 having a pocket filled with fluid, e.g. liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30607 Kits of prosthetic parts to be assembled in various combinations for forming different prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0062 Kits of prosthetic parts to be assembled in various combinations for forming different prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys

Abstract

An artificial vertebral disc for replacing an intervertebral disc of a patient is provided. The artificial disc can comprise a first plate, a second plate, and an elongate member extending between the first plate and the second plate. The elongate member is preferably flexible to allow angulation between the plates. In one embodiment, a side support extends along the exterior of the disc to substantially enclose the disc. In another embodiment, the disc has an open configuration and a stopping member to limit the angulation of one plate relative to another plate. The disc can include an insert configured to be inserted in a space defined by the stopping member and one of the plates to prevent movement of the plates. Methods for replacing an intervertebral disc in an interbody space of a spine using the disclosed artificial discs are also provided.

Claims

1. An artificial vertebral disc for replacing an intervertebral disc of a patient, comprising:

a first plate configured to contact a first vertebra of the spinal column and a second plate configured to contact a second vertebra; and

an elongate member comprising a center post extending between the first plate and the second plate, wherein the elongate member is flexible to allow angulation between the plates.

2. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 1, wherein the first plate comprises a lower plate that contacts a lower vertebra and the second plate comprises an upper plate that contacts an upper vertebra.

3. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 1, wherein the elongate member is compressible.

4. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 1, wherein the elongate member flexes to accommodate a lordotic curvature of the spine.

5. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 1, wherein the elongate member flexes to accommodate a kyphotic curvature of the spine.

6. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 1, further comprising a side support extending along substantially the entire exterior of the artificial disc, wherein the side support, first plate and second plate define a substantially enclosed space, wherein at least a portion of the side support is compressible.

7. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 1, further comprising a stopping member attached to one of the first plate and the second plate and spaced apart from the other of the first plate and second plate, wherein the stopping member limits the angulation between the plates.

8. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 7, wherein the stopping member comprises a first stopping member disposed on a first side of the disc and a second stopping member disposed on a second side of the disc opposite the first side of the disc.

9. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 7, further comprising an insert configured to be inserted in a space defined by a distal surface of the stopping member and the other of the first and second plates.

10. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 9, wherein the insert when inserted in the space defined by the distal surface of the stopping member and the other of the first and second plates prevents one plate from moving relative to the other plate.

11. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 9, wherein the insert comprises a U-shaped member.

12. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 1, further comprising means for securing the first and second plates to the first and second vertebra.

13. An artificial vertebral disc for replacing an intervertebral disc of a patient, comprising:

a first plate configured to contact a first vertebra of the spinal column and a second plate configured to contact a second vertebra;

an elongate member connecting the first plate and the second plate, wherein the elongate member allows the second plate to move relative to the first plate; and

a side support extending along substantially the entire exterior of the artificial disc, wherein the side support, first plate and second plate define a substantially enclosed space, wherein at least a portion of the side support is compressible.

14. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 13, wherein the first plate comprises a lower plate that contacts a lower vertebra and the second plate comprises an upper plate that contacts an upper vertebra.

15. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 13, wherein the elongate member comprises a center post.

16. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 13, wherein the elongate member is flexible.

17. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 13, wherein the elongate member is compressible.

18. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 13, wherein the elongate member comprises a nickel-titanium alloy.

19. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 13, wherein the first plate, second plate, elongate member, and side support define a cavity.

20. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 19, wherein rubberized material substantially fills the cavity of the artificial disc to replicate the natural characteristics of an intervertebral disc.

21. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 13, further comprising a sheath covering an exterior surface of the side support and extending around the exterior of the disc.

22. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 13, wherein the elongate member flexes to accommodate a lordotic curvature of the spine.

23. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 13, wherein the elongate member flexes to accommodate a kyphotic curvature of the spine.

24. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 13, further comprising means for securing the first and second plates to the first and second vertebra.

25. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 24, wherein the means for securing the first and second plates to the first and second vertebra comprises rough surfaces adapted to engage vertebrae.

26. The artificial vertebral disc of claim 24, wherein the means for securing the first and second plates to the first and second vertebra comprises spikes.

27. An artificial vertebral disc for replacing an intervertebral disc of a patient, comprising:

a first plate configured to contact a first vertebra of the spinal column and a second plate configured to contact a second vertebra;

an elongate member connecting the first plate and the second plate, wherein the elongate member allows one plate to move relative to the other plate; and

a stopping member attached to one of the first plate and the second plate and spaced apart from the other of the first plate and second plate, wherein the stopping member limits the angulation of the other of the first plate and the second plate.

28-50. -50. (canceled)

51. A method of replacing an intervertebral disc in an interbody space of a spine of a patient, comprising:

inserting an artificial vertebral disc in the interbody space between a first vertebra and a second vertebra, wherein the artificial disc comprises a first plate that contacts the first vertebra and a second plate that contacts the second vertebra and an elongate member comprising a center post extending between the first plate and the second plate, wherein the elongate member is flexible to allow angulation between the plates.