Implant for vertebrae
First Claim
1. An implant for selectively promoting either arthrodesis or arthroplasty between adjacent spinal vertebrae, comprising;
- a hollow sphere having an outer wall surrounding an interior cavity, the sphere being adapted to be located between bony recesses formed in opposed facing surfaces a pair of adjacent spinal vertebrae following removal of a ruptured, flattened or degenerated disc;
a plurality of open fenestrations formed through the outer wall of the sphere in communication with the cavity to provide openings through which bone can grow into and through the sphere to promote arthrodesis, separated by outer spherical surface areas between the fenestrations about which fibrous union or healing can take place to promote arthroplasty.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical vertebral implant comprises a hollow rigid sphere having multiple fenestrations or openings leading to an interior cavity within which bone fragments can be positioned during surgery. It is useful in promoting arthrodesis (fusion) or arthroplasty (joint formation) between adjacent spinal vertebrae. The procedures for implantation require formation of complementary spherical bony recesses between adjacent vertebrate, placement of the spherical implant, positioning of bone fragments within the implant, and post-operative treatment of the patient consistent with the intended surgical result (fusion of joint formation).
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An implant for selectively promoting either arthrodesis or arthroplasty between adjacent spinal vertebrae, comprising;
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a hollow sphere having an outer wall surrounding an interior cavity, the sphere being adapted to be located between bony recesses formed in opposed facing surfaces a pair of adjacent spinal vertebrae following removal of a ruptured, flattened or degenerated disc; a plurality of open fenestrations formed through the outer wall of the sphere in communication with the cavity to provide openings through which bone can grow into and through the sphere to promote arthrodesis, separated by outer spherical surface areas between the fenestrations about which fibrous union or healing can take place to promote arthroplasty. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for selectively promoting arthrodesis or arthroplasty between adjacent spinal vertebrae, comprising the following steps:
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partially or completely removing a ruptured, flattened or degenerated disc located between a pair of adjacent vertebrae having opposed facing surfaces; separating the pair of vertebrae by use of a lamina spreader; selecting a desired center of motion between the opposed facing surfaces on the pair or vertebrae; drilling and/or reaming the facing surfaces of the pair of vertebrae to form opposed bony recesses centered about the selected center of motion; and placing the center of a fenestrated hollow sphere in a position coincident with the selected center of motion by locating it between the bony recesses so that either (a) bone can subsequently grow into and through the sphere to promote arthrodesis or (b) fibrous union and/or healing can subsequently take place about the smooth spherical surface areas of the sphere to promote arthroplasty. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification