Posterior joint replacement device

• US 20070191945A1
• Filed: 01/30/2006
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3spine Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SDGI Holdings Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Yu, Kidong, Fessler, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,635,389 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7001 Screws or hooks combined with longitudinal elements which do not contact vertebrae A61B17/7058 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• 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 2002/30069 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30365 with additional means for limiting said rotation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30428 made by inserting a protrusion into a slot
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30471 connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30553 for adjusting a position by translation along an axis
• 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 2002/30578 having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30649 Ball-and-socket joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30878 with non-sharp protrusions, for instance contacting the bone for anchoring, e.g. keels, pegs, pins, posts, shanks, stems, struts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30925 etched
• 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 2220/0075 : sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0091 : connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0008 : for adjusting a position by translation along an axis or two perpendicular axes
• 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 placement in an intervertebral space defined between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae may includes 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. The lower articular portion may be configured to cooperate with the upper articular portion to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae. An attachment element may extend in the general direction of the spinal column. The attachment element may be configured to be fastened to at least one of the upper and the lower vertebrae to at least partially secure in place said one of the upper and lower articular portions. A method of implanting also is disclosed.

Claims

1. A prosthetic device for placement in an intervertebral space defined between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra 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 and configured to cooperate with the upper articular portion to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae; and

an attachment element extending from one of the upper and lower articular portions in the general direction of the spinal column, the attachment element being configured to be fastened to at least one of the upper and the lower vertebrae to at least partially secure in place said one of the upper and lower articular portions.

2. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower articular portions each have a posterior section configured to be disposed at a location posterior of the intervertebral space, the attachment element extending from posterior section.

3. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the attachment element includes a flexible portion.

4. The prosthetic device of claim 3, wherein the flexible portion is configured to provide dampening to the articulation.

5. The prosthetic device of claim 4, wherein the dampening is in both flexion and extension.

6. The prosthetic device of claim 3, wherein the attachment element includes a rigid upper portion.

7. The prosthetic device of claim 6, wherein the attachment element includes a rigid lower portion.

8. The prosthetic device of claim 7, wherein the flexible portion is disposed between the rigid upper and lower portions.

9. The prosthetic device of claim 3, wherein the flexible portion is formed of an elastomeric material.

10. The prosthetic device of claim 3, wherein the flexible portion includes a cable extending there through.

11. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the other of said one of upper and lower articular portions includes an aperture at least partially extending about the attachment element.

12. The prosthetic device of claim 1, including a fastener configured to fasten the attachment element to at least one of the upper and lower vertebrae.

13. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the fastener adjustably connects to the attachment element.

14. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the fastener adjustably connects to a rigid portion of the attachment element.

15. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the attachment element is configured to extend from one of:

the upper articular portion to the lower vertebra; and

the lower articular portion to the upper vertebra.

16. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the attachment element is configured to receive a fastener at a plurality of selectable locations.

17. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the attachment element is a rigid plate

18. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein said one of the upper and lower articular portions includes a posterior section and a bridge section, the attachment element extending from the bridge section.

19. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the attachment element is connected to said one of the upper and lower articular portions by a joint.

20. The prosthetic device of claim 19, wherein the joint provides a degree of freedom to the attachment element.

21. The prosthetic device of claim 19, wherein the joint is a hinge.

22. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the attachment element includes at least one aperture configured to receive a fastener.

23. The prosthetic device of claim 22, wherein the at least one aperture is a scalloped aperture, and further comprising a fastener configured to be driven through the scalloped aperture.

24. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the attachment element extends at least to pedicle of the upper or lower vertebrae.

25. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the fastener is configured to align substantially along the centerline of said one of the upper and lower articular portions.

26. A motion-preserving prosthetic device component for placement in an intervertebral space defined between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra, comprising an articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space, the articular portion being configured to cooperate with a mating articular portion to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae, the articular portion including a body and an attachment element,

wherein the body is configured to be fixed relative to one of the upper and lower vertebrae, and the attachment element is configured to be fastened to said one of the upper and lower vertebrae at a location outside of and spaced from the intervertebral space.

27. The prosthetic device of claim 26, wherein the attachment element includes an aperture.

28. The prosthetic device of claim 27, wherein the aperture is a scalloped aperture, the device further comprising a fastener configured to be driven through the scalloped aperture.

29. The prosthetic device of claim 26, wherein the attachment element is configured to receive a fastener at a plurality of selectable locations.

30. The prosthetic device of claim 26, wherein the attachment element is a rigid plate.

31. The prosthetic device of claim 26, wherein said one of the upper and lower articular portions includes a posterior section and a bridge section, the attachment element extending from the bridge section.

32. The prosthetic device of claim 26, wherein the attachment element includes a joint.

33. The prosthetic device of claim 32, wherein the joint connects the attachment element and the body.

34. The prosthetic device of claim 32, wherein the joint provides a degree of freedom to the attachment element.

35. The prosthetic device of claim 32, wherein the joint is a hinge.

36. The prosthetic device of claim 26, wherein the attachment element extends at least to a pedicle of the upper or lower vertebrae.

37. The prosthetic device of claim 26, including a fastener configured to attach the attachment element and align substantially along the centerline of said one of the upper and lower articular portions.

38. A motion-preserving prosthetic device component for placement in an intervertebral space defined between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra, comprising an articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space, the articular portion being configured to cooperate with a mating articular portion to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae, the articular portion including a body and a flexible attachment element, wherein the body is configured to be fixed relative to one of the upper and lower vertebrae, and the flexible attachment element is configured to attach to the other of the upper and lower vertebrae.

39. The prosthetic device of claim 38, wherein the flexible attachment element is configured to extend in the general direction of the spinal column

40. The prosthetic device of claim 38, wherein the flexible attachment element is configured to extend along an exterior of the other of the upper and lower vertebrae.

41. The prosthetic device of claim 38, wherein the flexible attachment element is configured to be disposed at a location posterior of the intervertebral space.

42. The prosthetic device of claim 38, wherein the flexible portion is configured to provide dampening to articulating motion.

43. The prosthetic device of claim 42, wherein the flexible portion is configured to provide dampening in both flexion and extension.

44. The prosthetic device of claim 38, wherein the flexible attachment element includes a rigid upper portion.

45. The prosthetic device of claim 44, wherein the flexible attachment element includes a rigid lower portion.

46. The prosthetic device of claim 45, wherein the flexible attachment element includes a flexible portion disposed between the upper and lower rigid portions.

47. The prosthetic device of claim 38, wherein the flexible attachment element is at least partially formed of an elastomeric material.

48. The prosthetic device of claim 38, wherein the flexible attachment element includes a cable extending therethrough.

49. A prosthetic device for placement in an intervertebral space defined between an upper vertebrae and a lower vertebrae, comprising:

the motion-preserving prosthetic device component of claim 40 as a first articular portion; and

a second articular portion configured to cooperate with the first articular portion to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae, wherein the second articular portion is configured to be fixed relative to the other of the upper and lower vertebrae.

50. The prosthetic device of claim 49, further comprising a fastener configured to attach the flexible attachment element to the other of the upper and lower vertebrae.

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

placing an upper articular portion at least partially in the intervertebral space;

placing a lower articular portion at least partially in the intervertebral space, wherein the lower articular portion cooperates with the upper articular portion to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae; and

fastening an attachment element extending from one of the upper and lower articular portions in the general direction of the spinal column to at least one of the upper and the lower vertebrae outside the intervertebral space to at least partially secure in place said one of the upper and lower articular portions.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein fastening the attachment element includes introducing a fastener through an aperture in the attachment element.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein fastening the attachment element includes introducing a fastener through a scalloped aperture in the attachment element.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein fastening the attachment element includes manipulating the attachment element about a disposed outside the intervertebral space.

55. The method of claim 51, wherein fastening the attachment element includes connecting the attachment element to said at least one of the upper and lower vertebrae to provide flexible dampening to the articulating motion.

56. The method of claim 51, wherein the attachment element extends from the lower articular portion and fastening the attachment element includes attaching the attachment element to the upper vertebra.

57. The method of claim 51, wherein the attachment element extends from the upper articular portion and fastening the attachment element includes attaching the attachment element to the lower vertebra.

58. The method of claim 51, wherein fastening an attachment element includes attaching the attachment element to a pedicle of said at least one of the upper and the lower vertebrae.

59. The method of claim 51, wherein placing the upper articular portion and placing the lower articular portion are performed simultaneously.