SPINAL IMPLANT SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20150100129A1
• Filed: 09/23/2014
• Published: 04/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Waugh, Lindsey G., Melkent, Anthony J., Blackwell, Jonathan E., Drochner, Thomas E., Wilfong, Bret Matthew, Carls, Thomas A., Hynes, Richard A., Silcox, D. Hal III, Cowan, John A. Jr., Mobasser, Jean-Pierre, Gowan, Carrie L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,918,848 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0206 with antagonistic arms as supports for retractor elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8042 the additional component being a cover over the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2055 Optical tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3966 Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image
• 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 2/4465 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 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4684 Trial or dummy prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3008 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30578 having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30787 inclined obliquely with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4658 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4668 for measuring angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 : with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• 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 2310/00293 : containing a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00359 : Bone or bony tissue

Abstract

A spinal implant comprises an implant body extending between an anterior surface and a posterior surface and includes a first vertebral engaging surface and a second vertebral engaging surface. The implant body includes an inner surface that defines at least one cavity that is oriented to implant a fastener oblique relative to a lateral axis of a subject body and adjacent an intervertebral space of the subject body. The implant body includes an oblique surface that defines at least one opening disposed in substantial alignment with the at least one cavity. Systems and methods are disclosed.

Claims

1. A spinal implant comprising:

an implant body extending between an anterior surface and a posterior surface, and including a first vertebral engaging surface and a second vertebral engaging surface,

the implant body further including an inner surface that defines at least one cavity oriented to implant a fastener oblique relative to a lateral axis of a subject body and adjacent an intervertebral space of the subject body, and

the implant body further including an oblique surface that defines at least one opening disposed in substantial alignment with the at least one cavity.

2. A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the oblique surface includes at least one flange.

3. A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the oblique surface includes at least one flange monolithically formed with the implant body.

4. A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the oblique surface includes a first flange that engages a first vertebra and a second flange that engages a second vertebra.

5. A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the oblique surface comprises a plate having a plurality of cavities that guide fasteners at selected angles relative to the lateral axis.

6. A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one cavity includes a plurality of cavities disposed in parallel alignment.

7. A spinal implant as recited in claim 6, wherein the oblique surface defines a first cavity oriented to implant a fastener with a first vertebra and a second cavity oriented to implant a fastener with a second vertebra.

8. A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the oblique surface defines a first cavity oriented to implant a fastener with a first vertebra and a second cavity oriented to implant a fastener with a second vertebra.

9. A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one opening comprises a guide that orients the fastener with the at least one cavity.

10. A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one opening includes a first opening aligned with a first cavity and a second opening aligned with a second cavity.

11. A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the implant body includes an interbody cage having a plurality of cavities that guide fasteners at selected angles relative to the lateral axis.

12. A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one cavity defines a longitudinal axis disposed at an oblique angle relative to the lateral axis in a range of approximately 0-45 degrees.

13. A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one cavity is configured for alignment with an oblique surgical pathway.

14. A spinal implant as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one cavity defines a longitudinal axis disposed at an angle of approximately 15-30 degrees relative to the lateral axis and substantially aligned with an oblique surgical pathway such that the at least one cavity is configured to receive the fastener via the pathway.

15. A spinal implant comprising:

an implant body extending between an anterior surface and a posterior surface, and including a first vertebral engaging surface and a second vertebral engaging surface,

the implant body further including an inner surface that defines at least one cavity that defines a longitudinal axis disposed at an oblique angle relative to a direct lateral axis of a subject body, the longitudinal axis being substantially aligned with an oblique surgical pathway such that the at least one cavity is configured to receive a fastener via the pathway and implant the fastener adjacent an intervertebral space of the subject body, and

the implant body further including an oblique flange the defines at least one opening disposed in substantial alignment with the at least one cavity.

16. A spinal implant as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one opening comprises a guide that orients the fastener with the at least one cavity.

17. A spinal implant as recited in claim 15, wherein the oblique flange comprises a plurality of cavities that guide fasteners at selected angles relative to the lateral axis.

18. A spinal implant as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one cavity includes a plurality of cavities disposed in parallel alignment.

19. A spinal implant as recited in claim 18, wherein the oblique flange defines a first cavity oriented to implant a fastener with a first vertebra and a second cavity oriented to implant a fastener with a second vertebra.

20. A spinal implant comprising:

an implant body extending between an anterior surface and a posterior surface, and including a first vertebral engaging surface and a second vertebral engaging surface,

the implant body further including an inner surface that defines a first screw hole and a second screw hole disposed in substantially parallel alignment, the screw holes being oriented to implant fasteners oblique relative to a lateral axis of a subject body and adjacent an intervertebral space of the subject body, and

the implant body further including an oblique surface having a first flange that defines a third screw hole oriented to implant a fastener with a first vertebra and a second flange oriented to implant a fastener with a second vertebra.