Osseous surgical implant particularly for an intervertebral stabilizer

• US 5,387,213 A
• Filed: 08/20/1993
• Issued: 02/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Science ET Medecine (Sem)
• Original Assignee: Safir S.A.R.L.
• Inventors: Breard, Francis H., Graf, Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US08/109,701
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 606/61, 606/69, 606/70, 606/71, 606/72, 606/73, 606/74, 606/75, 606/76, 606/77, 623/13, 623/17
• US Class Current: 606/254
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7022 Tethers, i.e. longitudinal elements capable of transmitting tension only, e.g. straps, sutures or cables A61B17/702 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7035 Screws or hooks, wherein a rod-clamping part and a bone-anchoring part can pivot relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/842 Flexible wires, bands or straps A61B17/72, A61B17/82, A61B17/86 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0811 Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0829 without deformation of anchor parts, e.g. fixation screws on bone surface, extending barbs, cams, butterflies, spring-loaded pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0864 Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor elements, e.g. by additional screws in the anchor, anchor crimped around tendon
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/087 Anchor integrated into tendons, e.g. bone blocks, integrated rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0888 Anchor in or on a blind hole or on the bone surface without formation of a tunnel

Abstract

A surgical implant for connecting two flexible ligaments to vertebrae having an intervertebral stabilizer including an intra-osseous rod having a first end for implanting into a vertebrae. The intervertebral stabilizer also includes an extra-osseous head extending outwardly of the vertebrae. The extra-osseous head has two stepped portions, each with a peripheral surface, defining two ligament retaining zones. Each of the two ligament retaining zones has a shoulder, forming an axial ligament abutment on the sides of the ligament retaining zones closest to the first end. The extra-osseous head retains two flexible ligaments spaced from the vertebrae and each other by the shoulders.

Claims

1. A surgical implant for connecting two supple ligaments to a vertebra, comprising:

an intra-osseous rod having a first end for implanting into a vertebra and an extra-osseous head extending outwardly of the vertebra,

said extra-osseous head having two stepped portions with peripheral surfaces defining two ligament retaining zones with sides,

each of said two ligament retaining zones having a shoulder forming an axial ligament abutment on the sides of said two ligament retaining zones closest to said first end,

two supple ligaments, each supple ligament having an initial tension and being retained between two different consecutive vertebrae,

one of said ligament retaining zones retains one of said supple ligaments axially spaced from the vertebra by the corresponding shoulder,

the other of said ligament retaining zones retains the other of said supple ligaments axially spaced from the one supple ligament by the corresponding shoulder, and

wherein said shoulders prevent progressive wear of said supple ligaments due to friction with the vertebrae and each other, so that the initial tension of the ligaments on the extra-osseous head is maintained and anatomical defects are corrected without impeding natural movement of the vertebrae.

2. The surgical implant according to claim 1, additionally including a junction in the region where said intra-osseous rod and said extra-osseous head meet, and wherein one of said shoulders is formed as a first radial collar located at the junction and extending a predetermined distance along said intra-osseous rod in the direction of the first end.

3. The surgical implant according to claim 2, wherein each of said two ligament retaining zones has a shoulder on the sides of said two ligament retaining zones facing the other of said ligament retaining zones.

4. The surgical implant according to claim 3, wherein said extra-osseous head is formed as one piece and includes a second radial collar located between said two ligament retaining zones, said collar having two faces opposite each other, wherein said two faces form the two shoulders located on the sides of each ligament retaining zones facing the other ligament retaining zone.

5. The surgical implant according to claim 1, wherein each of said two ligament retaining zones has a shoulder on the sides of each ligament retaining zones facing the other of said ligament retaining zones.

6. The surgical implant according to claim 5, wherein said extra-osseous head is formed as one piece and includes a radial collar located between said two ligament retaining zones, said collar having two faces opposite each other, wherein said two faces form the two shoulders located on the sides of each ligament retaining zones facing the other ligament retaining zone.

7. The surgical implant according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said two ligament retaining zones is shaped as a truncated cone.

8. A surgical implant for connecting two supple ligaments to a vertebra, comprising:

an intra-osseous rod having a first end for implanting into a vertebra and an extra-osseous head extending outwardly of the vertebra, said extra-osseous head having two stepped portions with peripheral surfaces defining two ligament retaining zones with sides, each of said two ligament retaining zones having a shoulder forming an axial ligament abutment on the sides of said two ligament retaining zones closest to said first end, so that said extra-osseous head retains two supple ligaments spaced from the vertebrae and each other by said shoulders,

wherein said extra-osseous head includes a spindle integrally formed with said intra-osseous rod, and wherein at least one of said two ligament retaining zones is formed by a threaded insert securable to said spindle.

9. A surgical implant for connecting two supple ligaments to a vertebra, comprising:

an intra-osseous rod having a first end for implanting into a vertebra and an extra-osseous head extending outwardly of the vertebra, said extra-osseous head having two stepped portions with peripheral surfaces defining two ligament retaining zones with sides, each of said two ligament retaining zones having a shoulder forming an axial ligament abutment on the sides of said two ligament retaining zones closest to said first end, so that said extra-osseous head retains two supple ligaments spaced from the vertebra and each other by said shoulders,

wherein said extra-osseous head includes a spindle integrally formed with said intra-osseous rod and having a step, one of said ligament retaining zones being formed as an insert having two sides and a central opening for receiving said spindle, said insert having a curved base formed on one of the sides of said shoulder opposite said ligament retaining zone, said curved base resting on said step, the central opening extending from one side of said insert to the other and being formed from two portions, said insert having an orifice located within the central opening having a diameter slightly larger than said spindle, said two portions communicating with the orifice and said two sides, and having widths that increase from the width of the orifice to larger widths at said two sides.

10. A surgical implant for connecting two supple ligaments to a vertebra, comprising:

an intra-osseous rod having a first end for implanting into a vertebra and an extra-osseous head extending outwardly of the vertebra, said extra-osseous head having two stepped portions with peripheral surfaces defining two ligament retaining zones with sides, each of said two ligament retaining zones having a shoulder forming an axial ligament abutment on the sides of said two ligament retaining zones closest to said first end, so that said extra-osseous head retains two supple ligaments spaced from the vertebra and each other by said shoulders,

a junction in the region where said intra-osseous rod and said extra-osseous head meet, and wherein one of said shoulders is formed as a first radial collar located at the junction and extending a predetermined distance along said intra-osseous rod in the direction of the first end,

wherein said extra-osseous head includes a spindle integrally formed with said intra-osseous rod and having a step, one of said ligament retaining zones being formed as an insert having two sides and a central opening for receiving said spindle, said insert having a curved base formed on one of the sides of said shoulder opposite said ligament retaining zone, said curved base resting on said step, the central opening extending from one side of said insert to the other and being formed from two portions, said insert having an orifice located within the central opening having a diameter slightly larger than said spindle, said two portions communicating with the orifice and said two sides, and having widths that increase from the width of the orifice to larger widths at said two sides.

11. A surgical implant for connecting two supple ligaments to a vertebra, comprising:

an intra-osseous rod having a first end for implanting into a vertebra and an extra-osseous head extending outwardly of the vertebra, said extra-osseous head having two stepped portions with peripheral surfaces defining two ligament retaining zones with sides, each of said two ligament retaining zones having a shoulder forming an axial ligament abutment on the sides of said two ligament retaining zones closest to said first end, so that said extra-osseous head retains two supple ligaments spaced from the vertebra and each other by said shoulders,

a junction in the region where said intra-osseous rod and said extra-osseous head meet, and wherein one of said shoulders is formed as a first radial collar located at the junction and extending a predetermined distance along said intra-osseous rod in the direction of the first end,

wherein each of said two ligament retaining zones has a shoulder on the sides of said two ligament retaining zones facing the other of said ligament retaining zones,

wherein said extra-osseous head includes a spindle integrally formed with said intra-osseous rod and having a step, one of said ligament retaining zones being formed as an insert having two sides and a central opening for receiving said spindle, said insert having a curved base formed on one of the sides of said shoulder opposite said ligament retaining zone, said curved base resting on said step, the central opening extending from one side of said insert to the other and being formed from two portions, said insert having an orifice located within the central opening having a diameter slightly larger than said spindle, said two portions communicating with the orifice and said two sides, and having widths that increase from the width of the orifice to larger widths at said two sides.

12. A surgical implant for connecting two supple ligaments to a vertebra, comprising:

an intra-osseous rod having a first end for implanting into a vertebra and an extra-osseous head extending outwardly of the vertebra, said extra-osseous head having two stepped portions with peripheral surfaces defining two ligament retaining zones with sides, each of said two ligament retaining zones having a shoulder forming an axial ligament abutment on the sides of said two ligament retaining zones closest to said first end, so that said extra-osseous head retains two supple ligaments spaced from the vertebra and each other by said shoulders,

wherein each of said two ligament retaining zones has a shoulder on the sides of each ligament retaining zones facing the other of said ligament retaining zones,

wherein said extra-osseous head includes a spindle integrally formed with said intra-osseous rod and having a step, one of said ligament retaining zones being formed as an insert having two sides and a central opening for receiving said spindle, said insert having a curved base formed on one of the sides of said shoulder opposite said ligament retaining zone, said curved base resting on said step, the central opening extending from one side of said insert to the other and being formed from two portions, said insert having an orifice located within the central opening having a diameter slightly larger than said spindle, said two portions communicating with the orifice and said two sides, and having widths that increase from the width of the orifice to larger widths at said two sides.

13. A surgical implant for connecting two supple ligaments to a vertebra, comprising:

an intra-osseous rod having a first end for implanting into a vertebra and an extra-osseous head extending outwardly of the vertebra, said extra-osseous head having two stepped portions with peripheral surfaces defining two ligament retaining zones with sides, each of said two ligament retaining zones having a shoulder forming an axial ligament abutment on the sides of said two ligament retaining zones closest to said first end, so that said extra-osseous head retains two supple ligaments spaced from the vertebra and each other by said shoulders,

wherein said extra-osseous head includes a neck integrally formed with said intra-osseous rod and a knee joint,

an insert with projecting flanges and end faces pivotally coupled to said knee joint and having a peripheral surface including two shoulders formed by said projecting flanges of the end faces, said peripheral surface defining a ligament retaining zone, and

a U-shaped insert pivotally connected to said neck and having an outer peripheral surface and two peripheral flanges, forming a second ligament retaining zone.

14. A surgical implant for connecting two supple ligaments to a vertebra, comprising:

an intra-osseous rod having a first end for implanting into a vertebra and an extra-osseous head extending outwardly of the vertebra, said extra-osseous head having two stepped portions with peripheral surfaces defining two ligament retaining zones with sides, each of said two ligament retaining zones having a shoulder forming an axial ligament abutment on the sides of said two ligament retaining zones closest to said first end, so that said extra-osseous head retains two supple ligaments spaced from the vertebra and each other by said shoulders,

a junction in the region where said intra-osseous rod and said extra-osseous head meet, and wherein one of said shoulders is formed as a first radial collar located at the junction and extending a predetermined distance along said intra-osseous rod in the direction of the first end,

wherein said extra-osseous head includes a neck integrally formed with said intra-osseous rod and a knee joint,

an insert with projecting flanges and end faces pivotally coupled to said knee joint and having a peripheral surface including two shoulders formed by said projecting flanges of the end faces, said peripheral surface defining a ligament retaining zone, and

a U-shaped insert pivotally connected to said neck and having an outer peripheral surface and two peripheral flanges, forming a second ligament retaining zone.

15. A surgical implant for connecting two supple ligaments to a vertebra, comprising:

an intra-osseous rod having a first end for implanting into a vertebra and an extra-osseous head extending outwardly of the vertebra, said extra-osseous head having two stepped portions with peripheral surfaces defining two ligament retaining zones with sides, each of said two ligament retaining zones having a shoulder forming an axial ligament abutment on the sides of said two ligament retaining zones closest to said first end, so that said extra-osseous head retains two supple ligaments spaced from the vertebra and each other by said shoulders,

a junction in the region where said intra-osseous rod and said extra-osseous head meet, and wherein one of said shoulders is formed as a first radial collar located at the junction and extending a predetermined distance along said intra-osseous rod in the direction of the first end,

wherein each of said two ligament retaining zones has a shoulder on the sides of said two ligament retaining zones facing the other of said ligament retaining zones,

wherein said extra-osseous head includes a neck integrally formed with said intra-osseous rod and a knee joint,

an insert with projecting flanges and end faces pivotally coupled to said knee joint and having a peripheral surface including two shoulders formed by said projecting flanges of the end faces, said peripheral surface defining a ligament retaining zone, and

a U-shaped insert pivotally connected to said neck and having an outer peripheral surface and two peripheral flanges, forming a second ligament retaining zone.

16. A surgical implant for connecting two supple ligaments to a vertebra, comprising:

an intra-osseous rod having a first end for implanting into a vertebra and an extra-osseous head extending outwardly of the vertebra, said extra-osseous head having two stepped portions with peripheral surfaces defining two ligament retaining zones with sides, each of said two ligament retaining zones having a shoulder forming an axial ligament abutment on the sides of said two ligament retaining zones closest to said first end, so that said extra-osseous head retains two supple ligaments spaced from the vertebra and each other by said shoulders,

wherein each of said two ligament retaining zones has a shoulder on the sides of each ligament retaining zones facing the other of said ligament retaining zones,

wherein said extra-osseous head includes a neck integrally formed with said intra-osseous rod and a knee joint,

an insert with projecting flanges and end faces pivotally coupled to said knee joint and having a peripheral surface including two shoulders formed by said projecting flanges of the end faces, said peripheral surface defining a ligament retaining zone, and

a U-shaped insert pivotally connected to said neck and having an outer peripheral surface and two peripheral flanges, forming a second ligament retaining zone.

17. A surgical implant for connecting two supple ligaments to a vertebra comprising:

an intra-osseous rod having a first end for implanting into a vertebra and an extra-osseous head extending outwardly of the vertebra, said extra-osseous head having two stepped portions with peripheral surfaces defining two ligament retaining zones with sides, each of said two ligament retaining zones having a shoulder forming an axial ligament abutment on the sides of said two ligament retaining zones closest to said first end, so that one of said ligament retaining zones retains one supple ligament axially spaced from the vertebra by one of said shoulders, and the other of said ligament retaining zones retains the other supple ligament axially spaced from the one ligament by the other of said shoulders,

wherein each of said two ligament retaining zones has a shoulder on the sides of each ligament retaining zones facing the other of said ligament retaining zones,

wherein said extra-osseous head is formed as one piece and includes a radial collar located between said two ligament retaining zones, said collar having two faces opposite each other, wherein said two faces from the two shoulders located on the sides of each ligament retaining zones facing the other ligament retaining zone, and

a threaded insert with two ends, said shoulders being formed on at least one of the ends of said insert, and including a radial flange.