Inter-Body Implantation System and Method

• US 20090030423A1
• Filed: 07/25/2008
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: R Tree Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: Rolando Puno
• Inventors: Puno, Rolando
• Granted Patent: US 9,044,333 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/99
• 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 2/4455 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 2/4684 Trial or dummy prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30121 with lobes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30594 slotted, e.g. radial or meridian slot ending in a polar aperture, non-polar slots, horizontal or arcuate slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4415 elements of the prosthesis being arranged in a chain like manner
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/444 for replacing the nucleus pulposus
• 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 2002/4627 with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument
• 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 2002/4629 connected to the endoprosthesis or implant via a threaded connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4635 using minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4687 : Mechanical guides for implantation instruments
• 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 2220/0075 : sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable

Abstract

A system for implanting an interbody device between adjacent vertebrae comprises an interbody device having a plurality of lobes extending outwardly from a longitudinal rib, and having a relaxed shape approximating the shape of the disc being replaced. An insertion guide is provided having a bore therein from a proximal end to a distal end thereof to accept said interbody device in an unrelaxed shape, wherein said distal end is shaped for insertion into an intervertebral space. The insertion rod may be positioned within said bore of said insertion guide whereby said interbody device is positioned within said intervertebral space by advancing said insertion rod into said insertion guide.

Claims

1. An interbody device for replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae comprising:

an interbody device having a plurality of lobes extending therefrom, said interbody device having a relaxed shape approximating the shape of the disc being replaced and capable of being placed in an unrelaxed shape for placement between said adjacent vertebrae.

2. An interbody device as claimed in claim 1 comprising:

a flexible longitudinal rib from which said lobes extend.

3. An interbody device as claimed in claim 2 comprising:

a length of memory metal disposed within said longitudinal rib, said memory metal having a relaxed shape approximating the shape of the disc being replaced.

4. An interbody device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said memory metal comprises a titanium alloy.

5. An interbody device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said memory metal comprises nitinol.

6. An interbody device as claimed in claim 1 comprising:

a rib comprised of a memory metal connecting said plurality of lobes one to another.

7. An interbody device as claimed in claim 1 comprising:

an aperture in each of said lobes for engaging said vertebrae.

8. An interbody device as claimed in claim 1 comprising:

a depression in each of said lobes for engaging said vertebrae.

9. An interbody device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said interbody device comprises a polyetheretherketone material.

10. An interbody device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said interbody device comprises a carbon fiber material.

11. An interbody device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said interbody device comprises a memory metal material.

12. An interbody device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible interbody device may be straightened into an unrelaxed position for insertion into a disc space, and wherein said interbody device assumes its relaxed position once inserted.

13. An interbody device as claimed in claim 1 comprising:

a tab extending from an end of said interbody device for engagement by an insertion tool.

14. An interbody device as claimed in claim 3 comprising:

a tab extending from an end of said interbody device for engagement by an insertion tool.

15. An interbody device as claimed in claim 1 comprising:

a pair of tabs extending from an end of said interbody device, and a latch disposed between said tabs for engagement by an insertion tool.

16. An interbody device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said latch is spaced from said interbody device by said tabs to facilitate rotation of said insertion tool around said latch.

17. An interbody device as claimed in claim 1 comprising:

a tab extending from an end of said interbody device having an engagement surface thereon for engaging a complementary surface of an insertion tool.

18. An interbody device as claimed in claim 1 comprising:

a stress riser extending from an end of said interbody device and an insertion rod integral thereto, whereby said stress riser may be severed from said insertion rod.

19. An interbody device as claimed in claim 1 comprising:

a bore disposed in an end lobe of said interbody device for releasably engaging an insertion tool.

20. A system for implanting an inter-body device between adjacent vertebrae comprising:

an interbody device having a plurality of lobes extending therefrom, said interbody device having a relaxed shape approximating the shape of the disc being replaced;

an insertion guide having a bore therein from a proximal end to a distal end thereof to accept said interbody device in an unrelaxed shape, wherein said distal end is shaped for insertion into an intervertebral space; and

an insertion rod positioned within said bore of said insertion guide whereby said interbody device is positioned within said intervertebral space by advancing said insertion rod into said insertion guide.

21. A system for implanting an interbody device between adjacent vertebrae as claimed in claim 20 wherein said interbody device comprises a flexible longitudinal rib from which said lobes extend.

22. A system as claimed in claim 21 comprising:

a length of memory metal disposed within said longitudinal rib, said memory metal having a relaxed shape approximating the shape of the disc being replaced.

23. A system as claimed in claim 22 wherein said memory metal comprises a nitinol material.

24. A system as claimed in claim 20 comprising:

an insertion guide having a curvature along a portion thereof to aid in interbody device insertion.

25. A system as claimed in claim 21 comprising:

a flexible insertion rod for advancing through said curved portion of said insertion guide.

26. A system as claimed in claim 20 wherein said interbody device is comprised of a carbon fiber material.

27. A system as claimed in claim 20 wherein said interbody device is comprised of a polyetheretherketone material.

28. A system as claimed in claim 20 comprising:

an insertion guide having a longitudinal compression slot extending along a portion of a distal end thereof.

29. A system as claimed in claim 28 wherein said interbody device is sized such that it distracts the distal end of said insertion guide as it is advanced through said distal end.

30. A system as claimed in claim 20 comprising:

an insertion rod positioned within said bore of said insertion guide having a central bore therethrough and an interior rod threadably engaged therein.

31. A system as claimed in claim 30 comprising:

an interior rod having a distal clamp end comprising a plurality of fingers capable of radially outward expansion, wherein a distal end of said insertion rod maintains said fingers in a compressed position.

32. A system as claimed in claim 30 comprising:

an interior rod having a plurality of fingers proximate a distal end, said fingers having a shaped engagement surface for engaging a complementary surface of said interbody device.

33. A system as claimed in claim 31 comprising:

an interbody device having a tab extending from an end thereof for engaging said plurality of fingers.

34. A system as claimed in claim 32 comprising:

an interbody device having a tab extending from an end thereof, said tab having a shaped engagement surface for engaging said complementary surface of said plurality of fingers.

35. A system as claimed in claim 32 comprising:

an interbody device having a pair of tabs extending from an end thereof, said tabs each connected to a latch spaced from said interbody device, said latch engaging said shaped engagement surface of said fingers.

36. A system as claimed in claim 31 wherein said interior rod is rotated to advance said distal clamp end out of the distal end of said insertion rod bore, thereby releasing said fingers from their compressed position.

37. A system as claimed in claim 20 comprising:

a flexible insertion rod having a flexible distal end for engaging said interbody device.

38. A system as claimed in claim 37 comprising:

an insertion rod having a flexible distal end comprising a plurality of spaced annular portions, said distal end having a threaded bore therein for engaging a male threaded portion of an interbody device.

39. A system as claimed in claim 38 comprising:

an insertion rod having a flexible distal end comprising a plurality of spaced annular portions, said distal end having a threaded male end thereon for engaging a female threaded portion of an interbody device.