Bone Spacer

• US 20070299525A1
• Filed: 07/25/2005
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Biomedica SRL (lifebrain AG)
• Original Assignee: Biomedica SRL (lifebrain AG)
• Inventors: Binotto, Radames
• Application Number:
  US11/573,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20070299525A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2835 Bone graft implants for filling a bony defect or an endoprosthesis cavity, e.g. by synthetic material or biological material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30168 L-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30245 Partial spheres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30892 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0043 L-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0071 spherical

Abstract

This is a new bone spacer with semispherical projecting parts and/or teeth suitable for fitting and engaging in cavities specifically prepared on the surface of the vertebrae so as to prevent the displacement of said spacer, and containing at least one channel placing the side facing towards the operator during its insertion in communication with the two opposite, superior and inferior surfaces facing the vertebrae. Plates are also provided for coupling superiorly and inferiorly to the spacer, complete with ribs and/or teeth.

Claims

1. Bone spacer (T) suitable for inserting between two vertebrae (V), with two surfaces (T2) suitable for coming into contact with said two vertebrae (V), characterized in that, on at least one of said surfaces, it has one or more protuberances (S), and where said protuberances are suitable for preventing the displacement of said spacer (T) from between said vertebrae.

2. Bone spacer (T), as in claim 1, characterized in that said protuberances (S) are semispherical in shape.

3. Bone spacer (T), as in claims 1, 2, characterized in that each of said protuberances (S) is suitable for engaging inside a cavity provided for said purpose on at least one of said vertebrae and thus preventing the displacement of said spacer (T) from between said vertebrae.

6. Bone spacer (T), characterized in that it has semispherical protuberances (S), as in claims 1, 2, 3, and projections or teeth (D), as in claims 4, 5, and said semispherical protuberances (S) and said projections or teeth (D) are both or either arranged on one or both major surfaces (T2) of said spacer (T).

7. Bone spacer (T) as in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, characterized in that said protuberances (S, D) are aligned with one another.

4. Bone spacer (T) suitable for placing in between two vertebrae, consisting of two surfaces (T2) suitable for coming into contact with said two vertebrae, characterized in that, on at least one of said sides (T2), it has one or more sets of further projections, or teeth (D).

5. Bone spacer (T), as in claim 4, characterized in that said projections or teeth (D) are triangular in shape so as to prevent the displacement of said spacer (T) from said vertebrae.

8. Bone spacer (T), as in previous claims, characterized in that it has at least one channel (Tf) for placing at least the two major surfaces (T2) in communication with one another.

9. Bone spacer (T), as in previous claims, characterized in that it is composed of a spongy material suitable for placing in communication at least the two major sides (T2) of said spacer.

10. Bone spacer (T), as in previous claims, characterized in that it includes at least one channel (Tc) suitable for placing one or both the major surfaces (T2) of said new spacer (T), that face the vertebrae, in communication with the side (T1) of said new spacer (T) that remains accessible to the operator after inserting the new spacer (T) in between said vertebrae.

11. Bone spacer (T), as in claim 10, characterized in that it contains a single T-shaped channel (Tc) communicating with the two opposite surfaces (T2) facing the vertebrae.

12. Bone spacer (T), as in claim 10, characterized in that it contains two L-shaped channels (Tc), each communicating with one major surface (T2) facing the vertebrae.

13. Bone spacer (T), as in previous claims, characterized in that it has one or more grooves or cavities (Ts) on one or both the major surfaces (T2) facing the vertebrae.

14. Bone spacer (T) as in previous claims, characterized in that said grooves or cavities (Ts) are in communication with the outlet (Tc1) of said channels (Tc).

15. Bone spacer (T) as in previous claims, characterized in that it is symmetrical.

16. Bone spacer (T) suitable for inserting between two vertebrae, with two surfaces (T2) suitable for facing said two vertebrae, characterized in that it has one or more plates (P) suitable for coupling with one or both major surfaces (T2) of the spacer (T), wherein each plate (P) is suitable for inserting between the spacer (T) and the vertebrae.

17. Bone spacer (T), as in claim 16, characterized in that at least one of said plates (P) has at least one semispherical protuberance (S) on the side opposite the spacer (T), suitable for engaging in a suitably-prepared cavity on at least one of said vertebrae, and/or at least one triangular projection or tooth (D) so as to prevent the displacement of said spacer (T) from said vertebrae.

18. Bone spacer (T), as in claims 16, 17, characterized in that it has one or more ribs (Tr) on at least one major surface (T2) facing the vertebrae to enable the coupling and centering of said plates (P), and wherein said plates (P) have grooves (Pr) suitable for coupling with said spacer (T) and preventing any slipping of said plate with respect to the surface (T2) of the spacer (T).

19. Bone spacer (T), as in claims 16, 17, characterized in that it has one or more grooves suitable for coupling and centering said plates (P) on at least one major surface (T2) facing the vertebrae, and wherein said plates (P) have ribs suitable for coupling with said grooves in the spacer (T) and thus preventing the displacement of the plate with respect to the surface (T2) of the spacer (T).

20. Bone spacer (T), as in claims 16, 17, 18, 19, characterized in that it has at least one channel (Tc) suitable for placing one or both the major surfaces (T2) of said new spacer (T), that face the vertebrae, in communication with the side (T1) of said new spacer (T) that remains accessible to the operator after inserting the new spacer (T) between said vertebrae.

21. Bone spacer (T), as in claim 20, characterized in that it contains a single T-shaped channel (Tc) communicating with the two opposite surfaces (T2) that face the vertebrae.

22. Bone spacer (T), as in claim 20, characterized in that it contains two L-shaped channels (Tc), each communicating with one major surface (T2) facing the vertebrae.

23. Bone spacer (T), as in claims 16, 17, 18, 19, characterized in that it has one or more grooves or cavities (Ts) on one or both the major surfaces (T2) facing the vertebrae.

24. Bone spacer (T) as in claims 20, 21, 22, 23, characterized in that said grooves or cavities (Ts) are in communication with the outlet (Tc1) of said channels (Tc).

25. Bone spacer (T), as in claims 20, 21, 22, 23, characterized in that the grooves (Pr) in each plate (P) are shallower than the full thickness of said plate (P), and wherein said plates (P) also have through holes (Pc) aligned with the outlet (Tc1) of the channels (Tc) in the spacer (T).

26. Bone spacer (T), as in claims 20, 21, 22, 23, characterized in that the grooves (Pr) in each plate (P) are as deep as the full thickness of said plate (P).

27. Bone spacer (T) as in previous claims, characterized in that it is made of one of the following materials, or a combination thereof:

hydroxyapatite mixed with plasma, bioceramic glass suitable for bone fusion, metal products of the type used in implants, medical elastic, plastic or silicone materials, synthetic and natural polymers, resin tissue, polyethylene, suitable for injecting cells capable of colonizing and converting the support material.

28. Bone spacer (T) as in previous claims, characterized in that said plates (P) are made of one of the following materials, or a combination thereof:

titanium, steel, ceramics or other materials suitable for facilitating and favoring bone or cartilage fusion.

29. Bone spacer (T) as in claim 28, characterized in that it is coated with carbon.