ALIF Spinal Cage

• US 20120158143A1
• Filed: 12/20/2011
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gary S. Shapiro
• Original Assignee: Gary S. Shapiro
• Inventors: Shapiro, Gary S.
• Application Number:
  US13/330,898
• Publication Number:
  US 20120158143A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• 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 2/4465 having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine
• 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 2002/30476 locked by an additional locking mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30482 using a locking cam
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30787 inclined obliquely with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30836 knurled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30843 Pyramidally-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4629 connected to the endoprosthesis or implant via a threaded connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00161 Carbon; Graphite

Abstract

A fusion cage having a substantially continuous sidewall made from any of various materials including titanium, PEEK, a carbon graphite fiber, or even a combination of these materials. A hollow core defined by the sidewall is typically filled with bone graft in order to form a solid fusion with vertebrae. The sidewall of the cage has upper and lower surfaces, an anterior section, at least two lateral sections each connected to the anterior section, and a posterior section connected to the lateral sections. The sidewall is preferably tapered at one of either a four or eight degree incline from the posterior to the anterior section so as to maintain backbone curvature. A plurality of distinct tool ports provide for anterior, lateral and/or anterolateral insertion of the device. Each tool port is provided with screw insertion orifices.

Claims

1. A vertebral body fusion cage comprising:

a sidewall having upper and lower surfaces, an anterior section, at least two lateral sections each adjacent the anterior section, and a posterior section adjacent each of the at least two lateral sections; and

a plurality of distinct insertion tool ports.

2. The vertebral body fusion cage of claim 1, wherein the sidewall tapers at an angle from the anterior section to the posterior section.

3. The vertebral body fusion cage of claim 1, wherein the sidewall is comprised of titanium metal.

4. The vertebral body fusion cage of claim 3, further comprising a porous coating applied to each of the upper and lower surfaces of the sidewall.

5. The vertebral body fusion cage of claim 1, wherein the number of distinct insertion tool ports is either two or three.

6. The vertebral body fusion cage of claim 5, wherein the number of distinct insertion tool ports is three and the tool ports comprise:

a first insertion tool port positioned on the anterior section of the sidewall;

a second insertion tool port positioned on one of either lateral sections of the sidewall; and

a third insertion tool port positioned on the sidewall between the first insertion tool port and a lateral section of the sidewall.

7. The vertebral body fusion cage of claim 5, wherein the number of distinct insertion tool ports is two and the tool ports comprise:

a first insertion tool port positioned on the anterior section of the sidewall; and

an additional tool port positioned at one of either a lateral sections of the sidewall or between the first insertion tool port and a lateral section of the sidewall.

8. The vertebral body fusion cage of claim 1, wherein the sidewall is comprised of a material selected from one of either polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), titanium, a composite, and any combination of the same.

9. The vertebral body fusion cage of claim 1, further comprising orifices in the sidewall for the insertion of screws.

10. The vertebral body fusion cage of claim 1, wherein the cage is non-threaded.

11. A vertebral body fusion cage comprising:

a continuous sidewall having upper and lower surfaces, an anterior section, at least two lateral sections each connected to the anterior section, and a posterior section connected to each of the at least two lateral sections;

a first insertion tool port positioned within the anterior section of the sidewall;

at least one additional insertion tool port positioned within one of either a lateral section of the sidewall or between the first insertion tool port and either lateral section of the sidewall; and

a porous coating applied to each of the upper and lower surfaces of the continuous sidewall to promote adhesion;

wherein the sidewall tapers at an angle from the anterior section to the posterior section.

12. The vertebral body fusion cage of claim 11, wherein the sidewall is comprised of a material selected from one of either polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), titanium, a composite, and any combination of the same.

13. The vertebral body fusion cage of claim 11, wherein the sidewall is comprised of titanium.

14. The vertebral body fusion cage of claim 11, further comprising orifices in the sidewall for the insertion of screws.

15. The vertebral body fusion cage of claim 11, further comprising a third lateral section connected to each of the anterior section and the posterior section of the sidewall proximate a midline.

16. The vertebral body fusion cage of claim 11, wherein the cage is non-threaded.

17. The vertebral body fusion cage of claim 11, wherein the number of insertion tool ports is three.

18. An Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) surgical assembly comprising:

an insertable cage comprising a continuous sidewall having upper and lower surfaces, an anterior section, at least two lateral sections each connected to the anterior section, and a posterior section connected to each of the at least two lateral sections, wherein the sidewall tapers at an angle from the anterior section to the posterior section;

a first insertion tool port positioned within the anterior section of the sidewall;

at least one additional insertion tool port positioned within one of either a lateral section of the sidewall or between the first insertion tool port and either of the lateral sections of the sidewall;

a porous coating applied to each of the upper and lower surfaces of the continuous sidewall to promote adhesion; and

an inserter/distractor which detachably couples to the insertable cage.

19. The Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion assembly of claim 18, further comprising screws for attaching the cage to a vertebral body.

20. The Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion assembly of claim 18, further comprising at least one instrument selected from osteotomers, curettes, Rongeurs, trials, and paddle distractors.