ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED ARTIFICIAL INTERVERTEBRAL DISC WITH MOTOR ASSISTED ACTUATION SYSTEMS AND AN ACTIVE CLOSED-LOOP MICROCHIP RESPONDING BY SENSORS TO VARIABLE HUMAN LOCOMOTOR ACTIVITY AND SPINAL MOTION

• US 20070250172A1
• Filed: 04/20/2007
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Moskowitz Family LLC
• Original Assignee: Mosheh T. Moskowitz, Nathan C. Moskowitz
• Inventors: MOSKOWITZ, Mosheh T., Moskowitz, Nathan C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,854,765 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.150
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/60 for external osteosynthesis, e.g. distractors, contractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/66 Alignment, compression or distraction mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/68 Internal fixation devices , including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin bone staples A61B17/0642
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/70 Spinal positioners or stabilisers ; Bone stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/88 Osteosynthesis instruments; Methods or means for implanting or extracting internal or external fixation devices A61B17/7074 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/885 Tools for expanding or compacting bones or discs or cavities therein A61B17/8805, A61B17/7097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/681 Alignment, compression, or distraction mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• 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 2/4425 made of articulated components
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/48 Operating or control means, e.g. from outside the body, control of sphincters
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30079 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30242 spherical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30523 by means of meshing gear teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/443 having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4632 using computer-controlled surgery, e.g. robotic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4667 : for measuring torque
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/009 : magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0071 : spherical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 : for adjusting angular orientation

Abstract

An electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc having an upper disc plate and a lower disc plate is disclosed. An actuator imparts movement to at least one of the upper and lower disc plates. A control device controls the actuator and the amount of movement between the disc plates. The actuator includes a plurality of either linear actuators or rotary actuators that are driven by electric motors in response to the control device. The control device includes at least a first sensor for detecting the position of the actuator and at least a second sensor for detecting the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower disc plates. The control device also preferably includes a microprocessor that calculates the desired positions of the upper and lower disc plates and provides a control signal to the actuator to drive the upper and lower disc plates to their desired positions.

Claims

1. An electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc, comprising:

an upper disc plate;

a lower disc plate disposed beneath the upper disc plate;

an actuator for imparting movement to at least one of the upper and lower disc plates; and

a control device for controlling the actuator and the amount of movement between the disc plates.

2. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 1 wherein the actuator includes a linear actuator that is driven by an electric motor which is responsive to the control device.

3. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 2, wherein the linear actuator further includes;

universal joints that connect to the lower and upper disc plates;

at least one strut connected to the universal joints;

a lead screw disposed within the at least one strut,

an electric motor for rotating the lead screw and causing relative movement between the upper and lower disc plates.

4. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 3, which further includes a mechanism for allowing relative motion between the upper disc plate and the lower disc plate.

5. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 4, wherein the mechanism for allowing relative movement includes a ball and trough.

6. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 2, which include a plurality of linear actuators which form a Stewart-type platform.

7. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 5, wherein the upper and lower disc plates including anchoring spikes.

8. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 6, wherein the upper and lower disc plates including anchoring spikes.

9. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 2, wherein the control device includes,

at least a first sensor for detecting the position of the actuator;

at least a second sensor for detecting the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower disc plates; and

a microprocessor that calculates the desired positions of the upper and lower disc plates and provides a control signal to the actuator to drive the upper and lower disc plates to their desired positions.

10. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 6, wherein the control device includes,

at least a first sensor for detecting the position of the actuator;

at least a second sensor for detecting the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower disc plates; and

a microprocessor that calculates the desired positions of the upper and lower disc plates and provides a control signal to the actuator to drive the upper and lower disc plates to their desired positions.

11. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 1 which further includes a bearing support surface disposed on one of the disc plates and a roller and shaft disposed on the other disc plate and rotatably cooperating with the support surface.

12. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 11 wherein the actuator includes a first motor disposed on the disc plate supporting the bearing surface and operatively associated with the shaft for causing rotation of the shaft.

13. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 12 wherein the actuator includes a second motor disposed on the disc plate supporting the roller and for causing rotation of the roller relative to its supporting disc plate.

14. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 13 wherein the roller is operatively coupled to a guidance ring which is fixed to the disc plate supporting the roller, said guidance ring guiding at least two gears, one of the gears being coupled to the second motor and the other gear being responsive to the rotation of the roller relative to its support disc plate.

15. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 14, wherein the control device includes,

at least a first sensor for detecting the rotation of the shaft with respect to the bearing surface;

at least a second sensor for detecting the torque exerted on the roller;

at least a third sensor for detecting the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower disc plates; and

a microprocessor that calculates the desired positions of the upper and lower disc plates and provides control signals to the first and second motors to drive the upper and lower disc plates to their desired positions.

16. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 15, wherein the third sensor includes a gyroscopic sensor.

17. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 9, wherein the second sensor includes a gyroscopic sensor.

18. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 10, wherein the second sensor includes a gyroscopic sensor.

19. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 14, wherein the control device includes,

at least a first sensor for detecting the position of the shaft with respect to the bearing surface and the force experienced by the upper and lower disc plates;

at least a second sensor for detecting the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower disc plates; and

a microprocessor that calculates the desired positions of the upper and lower disc plates and provides control signals to the first and second motors to drive the upper and lower disc plates to their desired positions.

20. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 19, wherein the first sensor includes a protruding curved element and a slot element that permits the translation and rotation of the curved element.

21. The electronically assisted artificial vertebral disc according to claim 20, wherein the second sensor includes a gyroscopic sensor.