Structure for joining and retaining multi-part orthopedic implants

• US 20070233117A1
• Filed: 02/21/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Life Spine, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Life Spine, LLC
• Inventors: Butler, Michael S., Milella, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,951,151 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/273
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4465 having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30331 made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/305 Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30604 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30772 Apertures or holes, e.g. of circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• 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

Abstract

An orthopedic implant structure is provided for joining and retaining components of a multi-part orthopedic device. The orthopedic implant joining and retaining structure may be embodied in two or more components of the multi-part orthopedic device. In one form, the multi-part orthopedic implant structure is a resilient snap structure such as a resilient flange in one part and a channel structure formed in another part of an orthopedic implant. A channel of the channel structure may have a cavity formed at a rear of the channel that accepts a configured lip formed on an end of the resilient flange. According to another embodiment, the retaining structure includes resilient snap flanges formed on an interconnection component of the multi-part orthopedic implant. A corresponding bore in another part of the multi-part orthopedic implant receives the interconnection component.

Claims

1. An orthopedic implant comprising:

a first component; and

a second component for assembly with the first component;

the first component having a first snap structure integrally formed therewith; and

the second component having a second snap structure integrally formed therewith and configured for engagement with the first snap structure whereby the first and second components are joined and retained together.

2. The orthopedic implant of claim 1, wherein the first snap structure comprises a resilient flange.

3. The orthopedic implant of claim 2, wherein the second snap structure comprises a channel configured to receive the resilient flange, and a cavity formed at a rear of the channel.

4. The orthopedic implant of claim 3, wherein the channel comprises a partially open channel.

5. The orthopedic implant of claim 3, further comprising a configured lip formed on an end of the resilient flange and wherein the resilient flange is compressed during insertion into the channel due to the configured lip and dimensions of the partially open channel and then decompresses once the lip of the flange reaches the cavity of the channel and the resiliency of the flange causes the flange to snap into the cavity.

6. The orthopedic implant of claim 5, wherein the cavity includes a ridge and front edge that inhibits reverse motion of the first and second components.

7. The orthopedic implant of claim 1, wherein the first component comprises one portion of a spine plate and the second component comprises another portion of the spine plate.

8. The orthopedic implant of claim 1, wherein the first component comprises one portion of an interbody device and the second component comprises another portion of the interbody device.

9. The orthopedic implant of claim 1, wherein the first component comprises a bone screw structure of a spine fixation component and the second component comprises a spine plate of the spine fixation component.

10. A joining and retaining structure for a multi-part orthopedic implant comprising:

a resilient snap structure integrally formed in a first part of the multi-part orthopedic implant; and

a recess integrally formed in a second part of the multi-part orthopedic implant that is adapted to be assembled with the first part of the multi-part orthopedic implant, the recess adapted to receive the resilient snap structure upon assembly of the first and second parts.

11. The joining and retaining structure of claim 10, wherein the recess comprises a channel configured to receive the resilient snap structure, and a cavity formed at a rear of the channel.

12. The joining and retaining structure of claim 11, wherein the channel comprises a partially open channel.

13. The joining and retaining structure of claim 12, further comprising a configured lip formed on an end of the resilient snap structure and wherein the resilient snap structure is compressed during insertion into the channel due to the configured lip and dimensions of the partially open channel and then decompresses once the lip of the resilient snap structure reaches the cavity of the channel and the resiliency of the resilient snap structure causes the resilient snap structure to spring the cavity.

14. The joining and retaining structure of claim 13, wherein the cavity includes a ridge and front edge that inhibits reverse motion of the first and second parts.

15. An orthopedic implant comprising:

a first component having a resilient flange structure integrally formed therewith; and

a second component for assembly with the first component, the second component having an edge structure integrally formed therewith and configured to receive and retain the resilient flange structure during assembly of the first and second components whereby the first and second components are joined and retained together.

16. The orthopedic implant of claim 15, wherein the edge structure is formed by a cavity.

17. The orthopedic implant of claim 15, wherein the edge structure is formed by a bore.

18. The orthopedic implant of claim 15, wherein the edge structure is formed by a channel.