Minimally Invasive Intervertebral Staple Distraction Devices

• US 20110066244A1
• Filed: 09/11/2009
• Published: 03/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Hawkins, John Riley, Fisher, Michael A., Frasier, William
• Granted Patent: US 8,403,988 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0642 for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12013 for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3782 transmitter or receiver in catheter or minimal invasive instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4405 for apophyseal or facet joints, i.e. between adjacent spinous or transverse processes devices implanted between spinous or transverse processes A61B17/7062
• 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 2/4455 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 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4603 for insertion or extraction of endoprosthetic joints or of accessories thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30176 V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30301 saddle-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3082 Grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• 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 2002/4635 : using minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 : V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0095 : Saddle-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 : for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 : Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00029 : Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 : Ceramics or ceramic-like structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00203 : containing alumina or aluminium oxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00239 : containing zirconia or zirconium oxide ZrO2
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00365 : Proteins; Polypeptides; Degradation products thereof

Abstract

Multiple, small, staple-like supports are inserted through a small tube into the disc space then rotated into position on the edge of the vertebral bodies. The tooth-like geometry of the proximal and distal faces of these staples mates with the outer edge of the vertebral body, extending past the front of the endplate anteriorly. The staples have teeth that dig into the endplate on the inside of the rim as well.

Claims

1. An intervertebral fusion cage, comprising:

a) an anterior wall having a width and a height,

b) first and second side walls extending posteriorly from the anterior wall, each side wall having a length,

wherein an upper end portion of the anterior wall and each side wall form an upper bearing surface adapted for gripping an upper vertebral endplate, the upper bearing surface defining at least one upper opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion,

wherein a lower end portion of the anterior wall and each side wall form a lower bearing surface adapted for gripping a lower vertebral endplate, the lower bearing surfaces defining at least one lower opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion,

wherein the height of the anterior wall is greater than the width of the anterior wall, and wherein the height of the anterior wall is greater than the length of each side wall.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the anterior wall has a central hole therethrough.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the upper bearing surface comprises at least one tooth.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the upper bearing surface comprises at least two teeth.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein each side wall has a pocket therein for pivotally receiving a boss.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the pocket is a blind recess.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the pocket is a throughhole.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the height of the anterior wall is at least two times greater than the width of the anterior wall.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the height of the anterior wall is at least three times greater than the width of the anterior wall.

10. An assembly comprising;

a) an intervertebral fusion device comprising;

i) a anterior wall having a width and a height,

iii) first and second side walls extending posteriorly from the anterior wall, each side wall having a length,

wherein an upper end portion of the anterior wall and each side wall form an upper bearing surface adapted for gripping an upper vertebral endplate, the upper bearing surface defining at least one upper opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion,

wherein a lower end portion of the anterior wall and each side wall form a lower bearing surface adapted for gripping a lower vertebral endplate, the lower bearing surfaces defining at least one lower opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion,

b) a fork comprising a pair of tynes, each tyne having an inner surface and a boss extending from its inner surface,

wherein each boss is pivotally received in its respective pocket.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the anterior wall has a central hole therethrough.

12. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the central hole therethrough has a wire extending therethrough.

13. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the upper bearing surface comprises at least one tooth.

14. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the upper bearing surface comprises at least two teeth.

15. The assembly of claim 10 wherein each side wall has a pocket therein for pivotally receiving a boss.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the pocket is a blind recess.

17. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the pocket is a throughhole.

18. A method of inserting a fusion cage comprising

i) an anterior wall having a width and a height,

iii) first and second side walls extending posteriorly from the anterior wall, each side wall having a length,

wherein an upper end portion of the anterior wall and each side wall form an upper bearing surface adapted for gripping an upper vertebral endplate, the upper bearing surface defining at least one upper opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion,

wherein a lower end portion of the anterior wall and each side wall form a lower bearing surface adapted for gripping a lower vertebral endplate, the lower bearing surfaces defining at least one lower opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion,

the method comprising the steps of:

c) inserting the fusion cage into the disc space in an orientation whereby the anterior wall faces a vertebral endplate, and a first bearing surface precedes a second bearing surface,

d) pivoting the fusion cage so that the upper bearing surfaces bear upon the upper vertebral endplate and the lower bearing surfaces bear upon the lower vertebral endplate.

19. A method comprising the steps of:

I) assembling an assembly comprising;

a) an intervertebral fusion device comprising;

i) a first anterior wall having a width and a height,

ii) first and second side walls extending posteriorly from the anterior wall, each side wall having a length,

wherein an upper end portion of the anterior wall and each side wall form an upper bearing surface adapted for gripping an upper vertebral endplate, the upper bearing surface defining at least one upper opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion,

wherein a lower end portion of the anterior wall and each side wall form a lower bearing surface adapted for gripping a lower vertebral endplate, the lower bearing surfaces defining at least one lower opening therethrough adapted to promote bony fusion, and

b) a fork comprising a pair of tynes, each tyne having an inner surface and a boss extending from its inner surface,

wherein each boss is pivotally received in its respective pocket, and

II) pivoting the device so that the upper bearing surfaces bear upon the upper vertebral endplate and the lower bearing surfaces bear upon the lower vertebral endplate.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the pivoting is accomplished by manipulating a wire attached to the device.