Expandable vertebral implant and methods of use

• US 20080058931A1
• Filed: 07/21/2006
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Edie, Jason A., White, John
• Application Number:
  US11/491,466
• Publication Number:
  US 20080058931A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/484 Fluid means, i.e. hydraulic or pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2817 Bone stimulation by chemical reactions or by osteogenic or biological products for enhancing ossification, e.g. by bone morphogenetic or morphogenic proteins [BMP] or by transforming growth factors [TGF]
• 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 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30131 horseshoe- or crescent- or C-shaped or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30133 kidney-shaped or bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30187 D-shaped or half-disc-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30476 locked by an additional locking mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3052 unrestrained in only one direction, e.g. moving unidirectionally
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3055 for adjusting length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30581 having a pocket filled with fluid, e.g. liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30583 filled with hardenable fluid, e.g. curable in-situ
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30588 filled with solid particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30601 telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30772 Apertures or holes, e.g. of circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30795 Blind bores, e.g. of circular cross-section
• 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 2002/3092 having an open-celled or open-pored structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4495 : having a fabric structure, e.g. made from wires or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 : using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0085 : hardenable in situ, e.g. epoxy resins
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0013 : Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0015 : Kidney-shaped, e.g. bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0034 : D-shaped
• 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

Abstract

An implant for insertion between vertebral body endplates includes first and second end members, each with a respective endplate contact surface and an extension portion. An intermediate section may be contained between the first and second end members and includes a port into which a substance may be inserted. The intermediate section may be expandable upon the introduction of the substance between a first size to space the first and second end members a first distance apart and a second enlarged size to space the first and second end members a second greater distance apart. The intermediate section may be implemented as an expandable balloon-like member. The intermediate section may include a permeable portion to allow the substance, which may include bone growth materials, to pass from inside the implant to contact the vertebral body endplates.

Claims

1. An implant for insertion between vertebral body endplates in a patient, the implant comprising:

a first end member including a first endplate contact surface and a first extension portion;

a second end member including a second endplate contact surface and a second extension portion, the second extension portion slidingly engaged to the first extension portion;

an intermediate section contained between the first and second end members; and

a port operatively connected to the intermediate section;

the intermediate section being axially expandable upon the introduction of a substance into the port, the intermediate section being expandable between a first size to space the first and second end members a first distance apart and a second enlarged size to space the first and second end members a second greater distance apart.

2. The implant of claim 1 wherein the first and second extension portions remain slidingly engaged while the first and second end members expand between the first and second distances apart.

3. The implant of claim 1 wherein the first and second extension portions form a contiguous volume in which the intermediate section is contained.

4. The implant of claim 1 wherein the first and second endplate contact surfaces include an aperture that is open to the intermediate section.

5. The implant of claim 1 wherein the intermediate section is an inflatable balloon.

6. The implant of claim 1 wherein the intermediate member is connected to the first and second end members.

7. The implant of claim 1 wherein the first and second end members include position locks disposed at predetermined heights to prevent compression of the implant.

8. An implant for insertion between vertebral body endplates in a patient, the implant comprising:

a first end member including a first endplate contact surface a first interior volume;

a second end member including a second endplate contact surface and a second interior volume;

an inflatable intermediate member connected to the first and second end members and sized to fit within the first and second volumes, the intermediate member including a permeable portion; and

a port operatively connected to the intermediate member;

the intermediate member being axially expandable upon the introduction of a substance into the port, the intermediate section being expandable between a first size to space the first and second end members a first distance apart and a second enlarged size to space the first and second end members a second greater distance apart, the permeable portion allowing the substance to pass from inside the intermediate member to outside the intermediate member.

9. The implant of claim 8 wherein the first and second endplate contact surfaces include an aperture that is open to the first and second interior volumes.

10. The implant of claim 9 wherein the permeable portion is disposed in proximity to the apertures so the substance that passes from inside the intermediate member to outside the intermediate member passes into the apertures.

11. The implant of claim 8 wherein substantially all of the intermediate member is permeable.

12. The implant of claim 8 wherein the first and second end members form a contiguous volume in which the intermediate member is contained.

13. The implant of claim 8 wherein the first and second end members and the intermediate member are separate members.

14. The implant of claim 8 wherein the first and second end members include position locks disposed at predetermined heights to prevent compression of the implant.

15-25. -25. (canceled)

26. An implant for insertion between vertebral body endplates in a patient, the implant comprising:

an exterior section comprising first and second members in a telescoping arrangement that each include a contact surface positioned at an axial end of the exterior section;

a port extending through the exterior section;

an inflatable intermediate section positioned within an interior of the exterior section, the intermediate section including an inlet aligned with the port to receive a fill material;

the intermediate section being axially expandable from a first size prior to insertion of the fill material that spaces the contact surfaces of the exterior section a first distance apart and a second size after insertion of the fill material that spaces the contact surfaces a second, greater distance apart.

27. The implant of claim 26, wherein each of the first and second members further comprises extensions that extend outward in one direction from the contact surfaces and are positioned in an overlapping arrangement when the intermediate section is in the first size.

28. The implant of claim 26, wherein each of the contact surfaces includes apertures such that the intermediate section is exposed to the vertebral bodies.

29. The implant of claim 28, wherein the intermediate section is constructed of a permeable material.

30. An implant for insertion between vertebral body endplates in a patient, the implant comprising:

an exterior section comprising a first end member including a first endplate contact surface and a second end member including a second end plate contact surface, the first and second end members being operatively connected to form

an interior section;

a port within the exterior section;

an inflatable member positioned within the interior section and including an inlet that aligns with the port;

the inflatable member being axially expandable upon introduction of a fill substance into the port and the inlet, the inflatable member being expandable between a first size to space apart the first and second contact surfaces a first distance and a second enlarged size to space apart the first and second contact surfaces a second greater distance.

31. The implant of claim 30, wherein the exterior section includes apertures to allow the inflatable member to contact the vertebral body endplates.

32. The implant of claim 30, wherein the first and second end members each include an extension, the first and second end members being in a telescoping arrangement with the extensions overlapping a first amount when the inflatable member is the first size and overlapping a second lesser amount when the inflatable member is the second size.