Lordotic Implant for Posterior Approach

• US 20090299478A1
• Filed: 06/03/2008
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Lange, Eric, Braddock, Danny, Carls, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US12/131,995
• Publication Number:
  US 20090299478A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/441 made of inflatable pockets or chambers filled with fluid, e.g. with hydrogel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4425 made of articulated components
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30014 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30405 made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves
• 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 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30518 with possibility of relative movement between the prosthetic parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30563 having elastic means or damping means, different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric core or shock absorbers
• 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 2002/30588 filled with solid particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30652 Special cut-outs, e.g. flat or grooved cut-outs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30662 with rotation-limiting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30665 Dual arrangement of two adjacent ball-and-socket joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30884 Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity
• 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 2002/4631 the prosthesis being specially adapted for being cemented
• 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 2220/0091 : connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 : for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0018 : differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00293 : containing a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00329 : Glasses, e.g. bioglass

Abstract

An intervertebral implant for positioning in a lordotic disc space that avoids any unnecessary cutting of bone and therefore, any unwanted subsidence, is provided. Specifically, the implant can work particularly well between the L5-S1 juncture. The implant comprises an inferior component, and a superior component, wherein the superior component has an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein an expandable component is situated between the upper portion and the lower portion, and the implant has a profile that changes from a relatively flat profile to a relatively angled profile. A method for inserting an intervertebral implant into a lordotic intervertebral disc space from a posterior approach without unnecessary bone removal, and without resulting subsidence also is provided.

Claims

1. An intervertebral implant for positioning between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra, the implant comprising:

an inferior component;

a superior component having an upper portion and a lower portion; and

an expandable component situated between the upper portion and the lower portion, wherein the implant has a profile that changes from a relatively flat profile to a relatively angled profile.

2. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein the upper portion and/or the lower portion rotate about a common point.

3. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein expandable component comprises a balloon material.

4. The intervertebral implant of claim 3, wherein the expandable component further comprises a cement material.

5. The intervertebral implant of claim 3, wherein the expandable component further comprises a polymer.

6. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein the implant is a bilateral implant in the same intervertebral disc space.

7. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein the implant is motion preserving.

8. The intervertebral implant of claim 7, wherein motion is preserved between the inferior and superior components.

9. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein the implant is a fusion device.

10. An intervertebral implant for positioning between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra, the implant comprising:

an inferior component;

a superior component having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion and/or the lower portion rotate about a common point; and

an expandable component situated between the upper portion and the lower portion, wherein the implant has a profile that changes from a relatively flat profile to a relatively angled profile.

11. The intervertebral implant of claim 10, wherein expandable component comprises a balloon material.

12. The intervertebral implant of claim 11, wherein the expandable component further comprises a cement material.

13. The intervertebral implant of claim 11, wherein the expandable component further comprises a polymer.

14. The intervertebral implant of claim 10, wherein the implant is a bilateral implant in the same intervertebral disc space.

15. The intervertebral implant of claim 10, wherein the implant is motion preserving.

16. The intervertebral implant of claim 15, wherein motion is preserved between the inferior and superior components.

17. The intervertebral implant of claim 10, wherein the implant is a fusion device.

18. A method for inserting an intervertebral implant into a lordotic intervertebral disc space from a posterior approach without unnecessary bone removal, and resulting subsidence, the method comprising the following steps:

inserting a low profile intervertebral implant from the posterior approach, the implant comprising an expandable component; and

expanding the expandable component until the implant fits properly within the lordotic disc space.

19. The method of inserting an intervertebral implant into a lordotic intervertebral disc space of claim 18, wherein the step of expanding further comprises using an injection tube to insert a material into the expandable component, and thereafter, removing the injection tube.

20. The method of inserting an intervertebral implant into a lordotic intervertebral disc space of claim 18, wherein the step of expanding further comprises using a balloon as the expandable component and a cement as the material to expand the balloon.