Artificial Disc Replacement Using Posterior Approach
First Claim
1. An artificial disc replacement implant for insertion within a disc space formed between adjacent vertebral bodies, the implant comprising:
- a central component including superior and inferior members movable relative to one another, the central component having a superior surface adapted to be positioned adjacent to a superior endplate of a superior vertebra, and an inferior surface adapted to be positioned adjacent to an inferior endplate of an inferior vertebra, opposed leading and trailing ends and opposed lateral sides extending between the leading and trailing ends, a maximum width extending between the opposed lateral sides that is equal to or less than a width of a posterolateral surgical access window extending into a disc space into which said central component is adapted to be inserted, a length extending between the leading and trailing ends that is sufficient to allow the leading and trailing ends to contact peripheral bone on the superior and inferior endplates which the central component is adapted to be positioned between, and a surface area on each of the superior and inferior surfaces that is smaller than a surface area of the superior and inferior endplates which the central component is adapted to be positioned between.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for replacing a spinal disc. In an exemplary embodiment, artificial disc replacements and methods are provided wherein at least a portion of a disc replacement can be implanted using a posterolateral approach. With a posterolateral approach, the spine is accessed more from the side of the spinal canal through an incision formed in the patient'"'"'s back. A pathway is created from the incision to the disc space between adjacent vertebrae. Portions of the posterolateral annulus, and posterior lip of the vertebral body may be removed to access the disc space, leaving the remaining annulus and the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments in tact. The disc implant can be at least partially introduced using a posterolateral approach, yet it has a size that is sufficient to restore height to the adjacent vertebrae, and that is sufficient to maximize contact with the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.
308 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An artificial disc replacement implant for insertion within a disc space formed between adjacent vertebral bodies, the implant comprising:
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a central component including superior and inferior members movable relative to one another, the central component having a superior surface adapted to be positioned adjacent to a superior endplate of a superior vertebra, and an inferior surface adapted to be positioned adjacent to an inferior endplate of an inferior vertebra, opposed leading and trailing ends and opposed lateral sides extending between the leading and trailing ends, a maximum width extending between the opposed lateral sides that is equal to or less than a width of a posterolateral surgical access window extending into a disc space into which said central component is adapted to be inserted, a length extending between the leading and trailing ends that is sufficient to allow the leading and trailing ends to contact peripheral bone on the superior and inferior endplates which the central component is adapted to be positioned between, and a surface area on each of the superior and inferior surfaces that is smaller than a surface area of the superior and inferior endplates which the central component is adapted to be positioned between. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for implanting an artificial disc replacement, comprising:
inserting a central component along a posterolateral axis of a surgical access window extending posterolaterally into a disc space between adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae, the central component having a width that is equal to or less than a width of the surgical access window, and having a superior member that is positioned adjacent to a superior endplate of the superior vertebra and an inferior member that is positioned adjacent to an inferior endplate of the inferior vertebra, the superior and inferior members maintaining the adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae at a distance apart from one another, and the superior and inferior members being movable relative to one another to allow movement between the adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for implanting an artificial disc replacement, comprising:
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inserting a superior member along a first posterolateral axis of a first surgical access window extending posterolaterally into a disc space between adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae, the superior member having a width that is equal to or less than a width of the first surgical access window; and
inserting an inferior member along a second posterolateral axis of a second surgical access window extending posterolaterally into a disc space between adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae, the second posterolateral axis being on the contralateral side of the vertebra from the first posterolateral axis, and the inferior member having a width that is equal to or less than a width of the second surgical access window; and
positioning the superior member adjacent an endplate of the superior vertebrae, and positioning the inferior member adjacent an endplate of the inferior vertebra such that the superior and inferior members maintain the adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae at a distance apart from one another.
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Specification