Articulating Expandable Intervertebral Implant

• US 20140249631A1
• Filed: 08/09/2013
• Published: 09/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Weiman, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 9,770,343 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• 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 2/4465 having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30387 Dovetail connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30556 for adjusting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30772 Apertures or holes, e.g. of circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/443 having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4629 connected to the endoprosthesis or implant via a threaded connection

Abstract

A spacer for separating bones of a joint, the spacer includes a frame having a longitudinal axis, and ramped surfaces. An endplate configured to engage a bone of the joint has ramped surfaces mateable with the ramped surfaces of the frame. When the endplate is moved relative to the frame in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the frame, the endplate is moved in a direction away from the frame to increase the height of the spacer. A second endplate configured to engage a second bone of the joint can be similarly configured.

Claims

1. A method for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae comprising:

accessing an area between adjacent vertebrae;

providing an intervertebral implant, the intervertebral implant comprising;

a first endplate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface configured to engage a first vertebral body, and at least one ramped surface extending from the lower surface;

a second endplate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface configured to engage a second vertebral body, and at least one ramped surface extending from the upper surface;

a body portion extending from a first end to a second end and positioned between the first and second endplates, the body portion coupled to the first and second endplates;

an articulating element coupled to the body portion; and

a translation member positioned within the body portion, wherein when the translation member is moved from a first position to a second position, the first and second endplate move apart from one another

positioning the interverterbral implant in the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one ramped surface of the first endplate contacts a first ramped surface of the body portion.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one ramped surface of the second endplate contacts a second ramped surface of the body portion.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a projection of the translation member engages the first and second endplates.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the articulating element is configured to articulate the body portion non-linearly.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the articulating element is configured to couple to an insertion instrument.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first endplate, the body portion and the second endplate are each configured with through holes, the through holes being aligned from the upper surface of the first endplate to the lower surface of the second endplate.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second endplates are slidingly engaged with the body portion.

16. The implant of claim 1, wherein the first and second endplates are slidingly engaged with the body portion.

9. A method for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae comprising:

providing an intervertebral implant, the intervertebral implant comprising;

an intervertebral implant for positioning between vertebrae comprising;

a first endplate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface configured to engage a first vertebral body, and at least one ramped surface extending from the lower surface;

a second endplate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface configured to engage a second vertebral body, and at least one ramped surface extending from the upper surface;

a body portion extending from a first end to a second end and positioned between the first and second endplates, the body portion coupled to the first and second endplates;

a connection element coupled to the body portion, the connection element configured to articulate with respect to the body portion; and

a translation member positioned between the first endplate and the second endplate, wherein when the translation member is moved from a first position to a second position, the first and second endplate move apart from one another.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one ramped surface of the first endplate contacts a first ramped surface of the body portion and the at least one ramped surface of the second endplate contacts a ramped surface of the body portion.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the intervertebral implant is curved.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein a projection of the translation member engages the first and second endplates.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the connection element is configured to articulate the body portion non-linearly.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the articulating element is configured to engage to an insertion instrument.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the first endplate, the body portion and the second endplate are each configured with through holes, the through holes being aligned from the upper surface of the first endplate to the lower surface of the second endplate.

17. An intervertebral implant for positioning between vertebrae comprising:

a first endplate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface configured to engage a first vertebral body, and at least one ramped surface extending from the lower surface;

a second endplate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface configured to engage a second vertebral body, and at least one ramped surface extending from the upper surface;

a body portion extending from a first end to a second end and positioned between the first and second endplates, the body portion coupled to the first and second endplates;

a connection element coupled to the body portion, the connection element configured to articulate with respect to the body portion;

a translation member positioned between the first endplate and the second endplate, wherein when the translation member is moved from a first position to a second position, the first and second endplate move apart from one another; and

an actuating element moveable with respect to the body portion and pivotally connected to the translation member to cause movement of the translation member when the actuating element is moved with respect to the body portion.

18. The intervertebral implant of claim 17, wherein the first endplate comprises at least two ramped surfaces, the at least two ramped surfaces having different angled surfaces.

19. The intervertebral implant of claim 18, wherein the body portion comprises a first ramped surface and a second ramped surface, the first ramped surface engages with the at least one ramped surface of the first endplate and the second ramped surface engages with the at least one ramped surface of the second endplate.

20. The intervertebral implant of claim 17, wherein the connection element is slidingly engaged to the body portion.