Posterior joint replacement device

• US 20070179616A1
• Filed: 01/30/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3spine Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SDGI Holdings Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Yu, Kidong, Peterman, Marc, Braddock, Danny, Hodges, Scott, Humphreys, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 7,811,326 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.130
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4405 for apophyseal or facet joints, i.e. between adjacent spinous or transverse processes devices implanted between spinous or transverse processes A61B17/7062
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4425 made of articulated components
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2817 Bone stimulation by chemical reactions or by osteogenic or biological products for enhancing ossification, e.g. by bone morphogenetic or morphogenic proteins [BMP] or by transforming growth factors [TGF]
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30369 Limited lateral translation of the protrusion within a larger recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3037 Translation along the common longitudinal axis, e.g. piston
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30405 made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves
• 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 2002/30578 having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30662 with rotation-limiting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30884 Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30922 Hardened surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30925 etched
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/443 having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component
• 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 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 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00161 : Carbon; Graphite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00167 : Diamond or diamond-like carbon
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00203 : containing alumina or aluminium oxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00239 : containing zirconia or zirconium oxide ZrO2
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00796 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00976 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of proteins or of polypeptides, e.g. of bone morphogenic proteins BMP or of transforming growth factors TGF

Abstract

A prosthetic device for posterior placement in an intervertebral space defined between an upper vertebrae and a lower vertebrae may include an upper articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space and a lower articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space below the upper articular portion, the upper and lower articular portions being configured to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae. The upper and lower articular portions each may include a posterior section configured to be disposed in a location posterior of the intervertebral space. The posterior section of one of the upper and lower articular portions may include a post, and the posterior section of the other of the upper and lower articular portions may include a receiving portion configured to interact with the post during articulation.

Claims

1. A prosthetic device for placement in an intervertebral space defined between an upper vertebrae and a lower vertebrae to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae, comprising:

an upper articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space; and

a lower articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space below the upper articular portion, the upper and lower articular portions being configured to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae,

the upper and lower articular portions each including a posterior section configured to be disposed in a location posterior of the intervertebral space,

wherein the posterior section of one of the upper and lower articular portions includes a post, and wherein the posterior section of the other of the upper and lower articular portions includes a receiving portion configured to interact with the post during articulation.

2. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the post is configured to extend in a direction along the spinal column.

3. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the post includes a motion stop that limits an articulation range of the upper and lower articular portions.

4. The prosthetic device of claim 3, wherein the motion stop is at one end of the post.

5. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower articular portions each include:

an interdiscal section configured to be disposed within the intervertebral space; and

a bridge section connecting the interdiscal section to the posterior section, wherein the post is an integral extension from the bridge section of said one of the upper and lower articular portions.

6. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the post includes a first end and a second end, the first end being bent to angle away from a centerline of the prosthetic device.

7. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is an aperture, the post extending through the aperture.

8. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is configured to extend about at least two sides of the post to limit motion of one of the upper and lower articular portions relative to the other of the upper and lower articular portions.

9. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower articular portions each include:

an interdiscal section configured to be disposed within the intervertebral space; and

a bridge section connecting the interdiscal section to the posterior section, wherein the bridge sections are configured to limit a range of articulating motion of the device.

10. The prosthetic device of claim 1, further comprising a biasing member associated with at least one of the upper and lower articular portions to dampen articulation of the upper articular portion relative to the lower articular portion.

11. The prosthetic device of claim 10, wherein the biasing member is disposed at the posterior end of at least one of the upper and lower articular portions.

12. The prosthetic device of claim 10, wherein the biasing member is configured to resist motion of the post relative to the receiving member.

13. The prosthetic device of claim 10, wherein the biasing member is configured to dampen motion in both flexion and extension.

14. The prosthetic device of claim 10, wherein the biasing member is at least one of a spring, an elastomeric ring, a high-friction element, and a band.

15. The prosthetic device of claim 10, wherein the resistance member is disposed about the post.

16. The prosthetic device of claim 1, further comprising at least one fastener configured to attach at least one of the upper and lower articular portions to at least one of the upper and lower vertebrae.

17. The prosthetic device of claim 16, wherein the fasteners are screws substantially aligned along a centerline.

18. The prosthetic device of claim 1, further comprising a connecting hole formed in at least one of the upper and lower articular portions.

19. The prosthetic device of claim 18, wherein the connecting hole is aligned with a centerline of the at least one of the upper and lower articular portions.

20. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the post includes an aperture formed therein for passage of a fastener.

21. A prosthetic device for implantation into an intervertebral space defined between an upper vertebrae and a lower vertebrae to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae, comprising:

an upper articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space;

a lower articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space below the upper articular portion, the upper and lower articular portions being configured to provide articulated motion to the upper and lower vertebrae; and

at least one connecting hole associated with at least one of the upper and lower articular portions, said at least one of the upper and lower articular portions defining a longitudinal centerline and the at least one connecting hole being aligned along the centerline.

22. The prosthetic device of claim 21, comprising at least one connecting hole associated with each of the upper and lower articular portions, the upper and lower articular portions defining a longitudinal centerline and the at least one connecting hole being aligned along the centerline.

23. The prosthetic device of claim 22, wherein the at least one connecting hole associated with the upper articular portion is horizontally offset from the at least one connecting hole associated with the lower articular portion.

24. The prosthetic device of claim 21, wherein the upper and lower articular portions each include:

an interdiscal section configured to be disposed in the intervertebral space; and

a posterior section configured to be disposed in a location posterior of the respective upper or lower vertebrae.

25. The prosthetic device of claim 24, wherein the posterior section of one of the upper and lower articular portions includes a post, and wherein the posterior section of the other of the upper and lower articular portions includes a receiving section configured to interact with the post during articulation.

26. The prosthetic device of claim 25, wherein the post is aligned along the longitudinal centerline.

27. The prosthetic device of claim 26, wherein the post includes an aperture formed therein, the aperture being configured to provide access to the at least one connecting hole.

28. The prosthetic device of claim 26, wherein the receiving section includes a gap formed therein, the gap being configured to provide access to the at least one connecting hole.

29. The prosthetic device of claim 26, wherein the receiving section is formed of at least one arm extending partially around the post.

30. The prosthetic device of claim 26, wherein the receiving section is formed by an aperture.

31. The prosthetic device of claim 26, wherein the at least one connecting hole is disposed at one end of the post.

32. The prosthetic device of claim 25, wherein the post is configured to extend in a direction along the spinal column.

33. The prosthetic device of claim 25, wherein the post includes a motion stop that limits an articulation range of the upper and lower articular portions.

34. The prosthetic device of claim 33, wherein the motion stop is at one end of the post.

35. The prosthetic device of claim 25, wherein the upper and lower articular portions each include a bridge section connecting the interdiscal section to the posterior section, wherein the post is an integral extension from the bridge section of said one of the upper and lower articular portions.

36. The prosthetic device of claim 25, wherein the receiving portion is configured to extend about at least two sides of the post to limit motion of one of the upper and lower articular portions relative to the other of the upper and lower articular portions.

37. The prosthetic device of claim 25, wherein the upper and lower articular portions each include a bridge section connecting the interdiscal section to the posterior section, wherein the bridge sections are configured to limit a range of articulating motion of the device.

38. The prosthetic device of claim 21, further comprising a biasing member associated with at least one of the upper and lower articular portions to dampen articulation of the upper articular portion relative to the lower articular portion.

39. The prosthetic device of claim 21, further comprising at least one fastener configured to cooperate with the connecting hole to attach at least one of the upper and lower articular portions to at least one of the upper and lower vertebrae.

40. A joint replacement device for placement in an intervertebral space defined between an upper vertebrae and a lower vertebrae to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae, comprising:

a first joint replacement device;

a second joint replacement device, wherein the first and the second joint replacement devices each include

an upper articular device configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space;

a lower articular device configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space below the upper articular portion, the upper and lower articular portions being configured to provide articulated motion to the upper and lower vertebrae, the upper and lower articular devices each having a centerline and a screw port aligned along the centerline.

42. The joint replacement device of claim 41, wherein the upper and lower articular portions each include:

an interdiscal section configured to be disposed in the intervertebral space; and

a posterior section configured to be disposed in a location posterior of the respective upper or lower vertebrae.

43. The joint replacement device of claim 42, wherein the posterior section of one of the upper and lower articular portions includes a post, and wherein the posterior section of the other of the upper and lower articular portions includes a receiving section configured to interact with the post during articulation.

44. The joint replacement device of claim 43, wherein the post is aligned along the longitudinal centerline.

45. A joint replacement device for placement in an intervertebral space defined between an upper vertebrae and a lower vertebrae to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae, comprising:

a first joint replacement device configured to be implanted at least partially within the intervertebral disc space;

a second joint replacement device configured to be implanted at least partially within the intervertebral disc space adjacent the first joint replacement device, wherein the first and the second joint replacement devices are substantially identical so that each can be implanted on either of a right side or a left side of the intervertebral disc space.

46. The joint replacement device of claim 45, wherein the first and the second joint replacement devices each include:

an upper articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space; and

a lower articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space below the upper articular portion, the upper and lower articular portions being configured to provide articulated motion to the upper and lower vertebrae.

47. The joint replacement device of claim 46, wherein the upper and lower articular devices each have a centerline and a screw port aligned along the centerline.

48. The joint replacement device of claim 46, wherein the upper and lower articular portions each include:

an interdiscal section configured to be disposed in the intervertebral space; and

a posterior section configured to be disposed in a location posterior of the respective upper or lower vertebrae.

49. The joint replacement device of claim 46, wherein the posterior section of one of the upper and lower articular portions includes a post, and wherein the posterior section of the other of the upper and lower articular portions includes a receiving section configured to interact with the post during articulation.

50. A method for implanting a prosthetic device in an intervertebral space defined between an upper vertebrae and a lower vertebrae to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae, the method comprising:

connecting an upper articular portion and a lower articular portion by inserting a post disposed on one of the upper and lower articular portions through a receiving portion in the other of the upper and lower articular portions, the post and receiving portion being configured to interact with each other during articulation;

implanting the upper articular portion at least partially within the intervertebral space; and

implanting the lower articular portion at least partially within in the intervertebral space such that the upper and lower articular portions provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the upper and lower articular portions each include a posterior section configured to extend rearwardly of the intervertebral space, and wherein the post and receiving portion are disposed in the posterior sections.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the post is configured to extend in a direction along the spinal column after implantation.

53. The method of claim 50, including articulating the upper articular portion relative to the lower articular portion across a limited articulation range, the range limit being determined by a motion stop.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the motion stop is at one end of the post.

55. The method of claim 50, wherein the post includes a first end and a second end, the first end being bent to angle away from a centerline of the prosthetic device.

56. The method of claim 50, wherein the receiving portion is an aperture, the post extending through the aperture.

57. The method of claim 50, wherein the receiving portion is configured to extend about at least two sides of the post to limit motion of one of the upper and lower articular portions relative to the other of the upper and lower articular portions.

58. The method of claim 50, wherein the upper and lower articular portions each include:

an interdiscal section configured to be disposed within the intervertebral space; and

a bridge section connecting the interdiscal section to the posterior section, wherein the bridge sections limit a range of articulating motion of the device.

59. The method of claim 50, including biasing articulation of the prosthetic device with a biasing member.

60. The method of claim 59, including biasing the articulation in both flexion and extension.

61. The method of claim 50, further comprising attaching at least one of the upper and lower articular portions to at least one of the upper and lower vertebrae with a fastener.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein attaching with the fastener includes implanting the fastener substantially along a centerline of the prosthetic device.