APPARATUS FOR RESTORATION OF THE SPINE AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

• US 20090281628A1
• Filed: 04/02/2009
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker European Operations Limited (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Vexim SAS
• Inventors: Vienney, Cecile, Oglaza, Jean-Francois
• Granted Patent: US 9,579,130 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.150
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7065 Devices with changeable shape, e.g. collapsible or having retractable arms to aid implantation; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/446 having a circular or elliptical cross-section substantially parallel to the axis of the spine, e.g. cylinders or frustocones
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30411 having two threaded end parts connected by a threaded central part with opposite threads at its opposite ends, i.e. for adjusting the distance between both end parts by rotating the central part
• 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 2002/3055 for adjusting length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30583 filled with hardenable fluid, e.g. curable in-situ
• 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 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 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 2310/00023 Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys

Abstract

The subject disclosure are directed to systems, apparatuses, devices and methods for vertebral and spinal correction. In some embodiments, an expansible implant is provided which may be inserted between two vertebrae, for instance, for maintenance and/or restoration of the distance/space between vertebrae. The implant may include first and second opposed plates that are intended to move away from one another, and which engage portions of vertebrae via a recess provided for on a bearing surface of the plates. The implant may additionally include at least first and second opposed end members, where at least one of the end members includes an aperture configured for receiving at least a portion of a retaining element adapted for retaining the implant in an expanded configuration once the implant is expanded. Methods of treatment and methods of use of such implants for the alleviation of back pain (for example) are also provided herein.

Claims

1. An intervertebral expansible implant, comprising:

a plane of expansion intrinsic to the implant;

a first and second opposed plates each plate including a recess configured for engaging a portion of a respective vertebrae of two vertebrae adjacent each respective plate, wherein the first and second plates are intended to move away from one another according to the plane of expansion as the implant is expanded;

at least first and second opposed end members associated with each of said opposed plates, wherein at least one of said end members includes an aperture configured for receiving one end of a retaining element adapted to maintain the implant in an expanded configuration after expansion; and

a retaining element.

2. The expansible implant according to claim 1, further comprising at least a first and second support associated with at least one of said first and second plates.

3. The expansible implant according to claim 2, wherein each of said first and second supports is further associated with at least one end member.

4. The expansible implant according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said end members includes a proximal surface and a distal surface and a first aperture of the at least one aperture provided in said respective end member extends from said proximal surface to said distal surface.

5. The expansible implant according to claim 4, wherein the first aperture of the at least one aperture further includes a mating area for mating with a respective portion of the retaining element.

6. The expansible implant according to claim 5, wherein

said first aperture is provided in said end member positioned distally on said implant;

a second aperture, provided in said end member positioned proximally on said implant;

said retaining element including at least an abutment provided on a proximal end of the retaining element;

said first aperture is configured for receiving a distal portion of said retaining element, at least said distal end of said retaining element includes a corresponding mating area to the mating area of the first aperture;

said second aperture is configured for receiving a proximal portion of said retaining element such that when said mating area of said distal end of said retaining element mates with said mating area of said first aperture, the abutment is positioned proximate an exterior side of the proximal end member of said implant, thereby enabling said retaining element to retain the implant in an expanded configuration.

7. The expansible implant according to claim 6, wherein said mating areas comprise corresponding screw threads.

8. The expansible implant according to claim 7, wherein the second aperture comprises screw threads and in place of or in addition to the abutment, the proximal end of the retaining element includes screw threads corresponding to the screw threads of the second aperture, and upon the corresponding screw threads of the second aperture and proximal end of said retaining element being engaged with one another, the retaining element retains the implant in an expanded configuration.

9. The expansible implant according to claim 7, wherein said mating areas comprise corresponding screw threads, and wherein upon said abutment abutting with the exterior side of said proximal end member, further threading of the screw threads corresponds to expansion of said implant.

10. The expansible implant according to claim 9, wherein the degree of expansion of the implant is controlled by the amount of threaded engagement of said corresponding screw threads.

11. The expansible implant according to claim 1, wherein said retaining element is selected from the group consisting of:

a screw, a rivet, a wire and combinations thereof.

12. The expansible implant according to claim 11, wherein a distal end of said wire includes a hook adapted for engaging at least a portion of said first aperture such that upon said implant being in a desired expanded state, said abutment is formed on a proximal end of said wire.

13. The expansible implant of claim 1, further comprising an expandable envelope member.

14. The expansible implant of claim 13, wherein the expandable envelope member at least partially covers said implant.

15. The expansible implant of claim 13, wherein said envelope is capable of being expanded by the expansion of the implant from a collapsed to an expanded configuration.

16. The expansible implant of claim 13, wherein after expansion of the implant, the expandable envelope is provided with a material for aiding in retaining the expanded configuration of the implant.

17. The expansible implant of claim 16, wherein said material comprises a bone cement.

18. A method for restoring an intervertebral space between two vertebral bones, comprising the steps of:

percutaneously inserting into a body an expansible implant, wherein the expansible implant includes a contracted and an expanded configuration, and said implant comprises;

first and second opposed plates each plate including a recess configured for engaging a respective portion of said two vertebral bones, wherein the first and second plates are intended to move away from one another toward said respective vertebral bones as the implant is expanded;

a first and second opposed end members associated with each of said opposed plates, wherein at least one of said end members includes an aperture configured for receiving one end of a retaining element adapted to maintain the implant in an expanded configuration after expansion; and

a retaining element;

positioning said implant between said vertebral bones; and

expanding the implant from said contracted configuration to said expanded configuration and thereby restoring said intervertebral space.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said implant is expanded to an expanded configuration by engagement of said retaining element.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein once said implant is expanded, said retaining element retains the implant in the expanded configuration.

21. The method according to claim 18, wherein said positioning comprises aligning said recesses with respective vertebral bones such that when the implant is expanded the recesses engage a portion of the vertebral bones.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said positioning further includes rotating said implant so as to align the recesses with the vertebral bones.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein said expansion or rotation of the said implant causes said recesses to contact and engage a portion of said vertebral bones.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein said portion of the vertebral bones fit within the recess of the implant.

25. The method according to claim 18, wherein the implant is inserted in a collapsed configuration.

26. The method according to claim 18, wherein said implant further comprises an envelope member.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein said envelope member is expanded prior to or after expansion of the implant.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein said envelope member is expanded via the expansion of the implant.

29. The method according to claim 26, wherein said envelope member is expanded by the addition of a fill material therein.

30. An intervertebral spinous process expansible implant, comprising:

a plane of expansion intrinsic to the implant;

a first and second opposed plates each plate including a recess configured for engaging a portion of a respective vertebrae of two vertebrae adjacent each respective plate, wherein the first and second plates are intended to move away from one another according to the plane of expansion as the implant is expanded;

at least first and second opposed end members associated with each of said opposed plates, wherein at least one of said end members includes an aperture configured for receiving one end of a retaining element adapted to maintain the implant in an expanded configuration after expansion; and

a retaining element.