DEPLOYABLE SEGMENTED TLIF DEVICE

• US 20080221687A1
• Filed: 03/08/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc. (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc. (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Viker, Thomas O.
• Granted Patent: US 8,021,429 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4455 for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages intervertebral discs A61F2/442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30112 Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30153 rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30266 wedge-shaped parallelepipeds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30471 connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/305 Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30561 breakable or frangible
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4415 elements of the prosthesis being arranged in a chain like manner
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0091 connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0004 Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0019 rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0082 parallelepipedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0071 breakable or frangible

Abstract

A segmented intervertebral body fusion support includes a plurality of segments, the segments including an initial segment, a final segment and at least one intermediate segment. The intermediate segment has a generally trapezoidal configuration and the initial and final segments include tapered side walls providing triangular gaps between adjacent segments. A draw wire is fixed to the first segment and passes through the remaining segments. By pulling the draw wire relative to the segments, the segments are drawn together in a generally arcuate configuration. The draw wire includes an enlargement that passes through the final segment and engages a plurality of fingers on the final segment, which prevents the draw wire from retracting, maintaining the arcuate configuration. The segmented device can be inserted through a laparoscopic device into the intervertebral space and can be subsequently drawn into the arcuate configuration to establish the desired intervertebral spacing.

Claims

1. A deployable segmented interbody fusion support comprising a plurality of segments said segments including a first leading segment, a final trailing segment, and at least one intermediate segment;

said support having a gap between said first segment and said intermediate segment and between said final segment and said intermediate segment, the support including a connection portion coupling the segments together;

a draw member coupled to said first segment and extending through said intermediate segment and said final segment and effective to pull said segments together into a generally arcuate configuration; and

a locking mechanism comprising an enlargement on said draw member and an aperture on said final segment for receiving the enlargement, the enlargement and the aperture configured to maintain said segments in said generally arcuate position.

2. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein the connection portion comprises a plurality of hinges.

3. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein the gap between said first segment and said intermediate segment and between said final segment and said intermediate segment has a generally triangular shape.

4. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism comprises a plurality of flexible fingers on said final segment and a bead on said draw member.

5. The device claimed in claim 4 wherein said draw member comprises a wire.

6. The device claimed in claim 5 wherein said segments each include upper and lower surfaces said surfaces having a groove.

7. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said segments have sides adapted to engage adjacent sides of adjacent segments wherein a first side has a key portion and a second adjacent side has a notch portion.

8. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said segments are connected by hinges.

9. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said first segment has a leading first side and a second side, said second side facing a first side of said intermediate segment wherein said second side is angled relative to said first side.

10. The device claimed in claim 9 wherein said final segment has a first back side and a second lateral side facing a side of said intermediate segment wherein said second side is tapered.

11. The device claimed in claim 1 having a plurality of intermediate segments.

12. A deployable segmented intervertebral fusion support comprising a plurality of segments wherein said segments include a first segment, at least one intermediate segment and a final segment wherein said segments are hinged together along a back wall with a gap between the segments;

a draw wire fixed to said first segment and extended through said at least one intermediate segment and said final segment;

said final segment including a plurality of inwardly biased fingers; and

said draw wire including an enlargement wherein when said draw wire is pulled in a first direction relative to said segments said draw wire draws said segments together to form a generally curved shape and wherein said enlargement extends through said fingers and said fingers prevent said wire from moving in an opposite second direction.

13. The device claimed in claim 12 wherein the gap between said first segment and said intermediate segment and between said final segment and said intermediate segment has a generally triangular shape.

14. A method of applying an arcuate support having a plurality of segments into an intervertebral space, the method comprising

moving said support through a surgical opening into said space while applying a constant curling force on said insert forcing said insert to curl into a general arcuate position as said insert enters said intervertebral space.

15. The method claimed in claim 14 wherein said insert is linear prior to passing through said surgical opening.

16. The method claimed in claim 14 further comprising the step of maintaining a planar connection between the segments when applying the constant curling force the support.

17. The method claimed in claim 16 further comprising the step of providing a key and notch relationship between segments to maintain the planar connection between segments.

18. The method claimed in claim 16 further comprising the step of providing a connection portion on the support to maintain the planar connection between segments.

19. Apparatus for inserting a support having a draw wire through a foramen into a intervertebral space comprising

a generally linear barrel adapted to receive said insert;

a plunger effective to force said insert in a first direction;

a tensioner acting in a second direction on said draw wire as said wire moves in said first direction.