Orthopaedic Implants and Prostheses

• US 20080281424A1
• Filed: 11/29/2007
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David Marks, John Parry
• Original Assignee: David Marks, John Parry
• Inventors: Parry, John, Marks, David
• Application Number:
  US11/946,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20080281424A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7002 Longitudinal elements, e.g. rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8085 with pliable or malleable elements or having a mesh-like structure, e.g. small strips A61B17/8071, A61B17/8076 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• 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 2002/2835 Bone graft implants for filling a bony defect or an endoprosthesis cavity, e.g. by synthetic material or biological material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• 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 2002/30433 using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30459 stapled
• 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 2002/30492 using a locking pin
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/305 Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3055 for adjusting length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30578 having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30601 : telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30604 : modular
• 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 2002/30919 : Sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/448 : comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/449 : comprising multiple spinal implants located in different intervertebral spaces or in different vertebrae
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4622 : having the shape of a forceps or a clamp
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4628 : with linear motion along or rotating motion about an axis transverse to the instrument axis or to the implantation direction, e.g. clamping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 : using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0041 : using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0066 : stapled
• 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 2230/0013 : Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 : for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00329 : Glasses, e.g. bioglass

Abstract

The invention relates to an implant for repairing a damaged body structure that comprises or is associated with bone parts. In one aspect a spinal implant includes an inferior member having an inferior end surface for engaging a superior face of an inferior vertebral body and a longitudinal portion; a superior member having a superior end surface for engaging an opposing inferior surface of a second vertebral body, and a portion adapted to cooperate with the longitudinal portion of the inferior member such that the superior member is moveable relative to the inferior member by sliding in the longitudinal direction; and fixating means for securing the superior member to the inferior member. Also described are instruments and methods used in the repair of such damaged body structures.

Claims

1. An implant comprising:

an inferior member having an inferior end surface for engaging a superior face of an inferior vertebral body and a longitudinal portion;

a superior member having a superior end surface for engaging an opposing inferior surface of a second vertebral body, and a portion adapted to cooperate with the longitudinal portion of the inferior member such that the superior member is moveable relative to the inferior member by sliding in the longitudinal direction; and

fixating means for securing the superior member to the inferior member.

2. The implant of claim 1 wherein either the longitudinal portion of the inferior member or the cooperating portion of the superior member is an open-ended portion having a bore that receives the cooperating portion of the other member, so as to provide a close sliding fit.

3. The implant of claim 1 wherein the fixating means between the inferior and superior members is configured to allow adjustment of the height of the implant by securing the superior member to the inferior member at positions between a maximum and a minimum height.

4. The implant of claim 1 wherein each member of the implant is fixable directly to the adjacent superior and inferior vertebral bodies.

5. The implant of any of claims 1, wherein the implant is reversible so as to be capable of placement in either an anterior orientation or a posterior orientation

8. The implant of claim 1, wherein the superior and inferior members have a symmetry of shape and angle of their respective end surfaces such that the implant provides a blend of kyphotic and lordotic angles.

9. The implant of claim 8 configured to provide a lordotic angle on the superior end surface and a kyphotic angle on the inferior end surface.

10. The implant of any of claim 1, wherein the superior and inferior members provide a normal or neutral angle.

11. The implant of claim 1, wherein the first and second members are formed of a radio-translucent material, such as polyether-etherketone (PEEK).

12. The implant of claim 1, wherein the first and second members are formed of a polymer, polymer composite, bio-resorbable or other biomaterials.

13. The implant of claim 12, wherein the material exhibits the characteristics of Young'"'"'s Modulus close to that of bone.

14. The implant of claim 13, wherein the material is a synthetic bone substitute, bioglass or ceramic material that is resorbable and/or osteoinductive and/or osteostimulative and/or osteoconductive.

15. The implant of claim 1, wherein the cross-sections of the inferior and superior members are shaped to resist rotation relative to each other and relative to the adjacent bone structures.

16. The implant of claim 1, wherein the fixating means comprises a clip or spring or bolt, threaded or unthreaded, or pin(s) or staple(s) or other fasteners of similar shape and function.

17. The implant of claim 16 configured for insertion of the fixating means into a hole or holes in the wall of the longitudinal portion of the inferior member so as to engage into a hole or holes formed in the longitudinal portion of the superior member.

18. The implant of claim 16 comprising partial holes, grooves or channels formed in the cooperating surfaces of the longitudinal portions of the inferior and superior members for receiving the fixating means.

19. The implant of claim 18 wherein the cross-section of the longitudinal portion of the superior member has a pair of substantially parallel flat faces, each face including a plurality of preformed grooves extending laterally across the face, the preformed grooves being sized to receive an arm of the bolt or pin or staple.

20. The implant of claim 19 wherein the holes or grooves or channel are reinforced with a composite material or sleeve or similar.

21. The implant of claim 18 wherein the superior and/or inferior members are provided with an array of holes or grooves or channels to provide a range of insertion locations defined by alignment of one or more holes/grooves in the superior member with one or more holes/grooves in the inferior member.

22. The implant of claim 21 wherein the holes or grooves or channels and pin or staple may be of any suitable cross section.

23. The implant of claim 22, wherein the pin comprises a flanged head that mates with a small groove defined in the inferior member, wherein mating of flanged head with the small groove facilitates retention of the pin.

24. The implant of claim 21, wherein the holes or grooves or channels are spaced at intervals of up to approximately 3.5 mm, allowing adjustment of the height in increments of up to approximately 3.5 mm.

25. The implant of claim 21, wherein the holes or grooves or channels are spaced at intervals of between about 2.25 to about 2.75 mm.

27. The implant of claim 1, wherein anchoring means are provided for anchoring the implant to an anterior or lateral plate or rod system, and wherein the anchoring means comprises an opening in the first and/or the second member for receiving a coupling assembly.

28. The implant of claim 27, wherein the coupling assembly is a poly-axial coupling assembly.

29. The implant of claim 27 wherein the poly-axial coupling assembly includes a clamping arrangement for securing the coupling to a longitudinal rod or bar forming part of the anterior plate or rod system and/or wherein the anchoring means comprises a hinged joint between the members and plate.

30. The implant of claim 27, wherein the coupling assembly is a fixed head coupling assembly.

31. The implant of claim 1, further comprising openings provided in the respective member for an expansion tool to engage the first and second members so as to move the members to increase or decrease the height of the implant prior to fixation.

32. A method of repairing a damaged body structure between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body, the method comprising:

preparing an insertion site adjacent the superior and inferior vertebral bodies;

inserting the implant of claim 1 adjacent the superior and inferior vertebral bodies; and

securing the inferior member to the inferior vertebral body and the superior member to the superior vertebral body.

6. The implant of claim 6 wherein, in the anterior orientation the implant provides a lordotic angle between the superior and inferior vertebral bodies, and, when reversed into the posterior orientation, provides a kyphotic angle and upon implantation via an anterior midline approach the implant is geometrically configured to promote angulation corresponding to the natural curvature of the spine.

7. The implant of claim 6, wherein the inferior member surface and/or the superior member surface is angled relative to an axial plane of the spine.

26. The implant of 1, wherein the fixating means is lockable in position with a primary or secondary locking device.

33-53. -53. (canceled)