Non-threaded spinal implant

• US 5,458,638 A
• Filed: 11/06/1992
• Issued: 10/17/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc. (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Spine-Tech, Inc. (Sulzer Medica)
• Inventors: Kuslich, Stephen D., Bagby, George W., Corin, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Application Number:
  US07/972,827
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 623/16-18, 606/60-61
• US Class Current: 623/17.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8875 Screwdrivers, spanners or wrenches
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30744 End caps, e.g. for closing an endoprosthetic cavity
• 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 2/446 having a circular or elliptical cross-section substantially parallel to the axis of the spine, e.g. cylinders or frustocones
• 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 2002/30125 elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30143 hexagonal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30217 hollow cones, e.g. tubular-like cones
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30235 tubular, e.g. sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/305 Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30617 Visible markings for adjusting, locating or measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30772 Apertures or holes, e.g. of circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30787 inclined obliquely with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30789 perpendicular with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30845 with cutting edges
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3085 : with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30851 : Multiple threadings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30868 : Square, rectangular or rhomboidal threads
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0008 : elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0017 : Angular shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0067 : conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0097 : Visible markings, e.g. indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 : Ceramics or ceramic-like structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/907 : Composed of particular material or coated

Abstract

An implant is disclosed for use in spinal stabilization. In one preferred embodiment, the implant is a body having side walls extending between upper and lower walls with openings on the upper and lower walls. The side walls are solid and oppose disk material.

Claims

1. An implant for insertion into a bore formed between opposing vertebrae of an animal'"'"'s spine, said vertebrae separated by disk material of predetermined dimensions and wherein said bore is generally oval in cross section and extends into said opposing vertebrae and through said disk material, said implant comprising:

a rigid body extending from a leading end to a trailing end spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of said body;

said body having spaced apart side walls and upper and lower walls cooperating to define hollow interior, said upper and lower walls having means for defining openings extending into an interior of said body;

said side walls sized for said implant to be received within said bore with said openings opposing said vertebrae and with said sidewalls sized to oppose said disk material without substantial exposure of disk material to said interior.

2. An implant according to claim 1 wherein said leading end has means for defining axial openings extending through said leading end and exposing said interior, said means dimensioned for said axial openings to oppose said vertebra and with substantial exposure through said axial openings to said interior with said implant received within said bore.

3. An implant according to claim 1 wherein said trailing end is provided with an axial opening therethrough exposing said interior;

said implant further comprising an end cap selected to cover said trailing end axial face.

4. An implant according to claim 3 wherein said end cap is formed of non-abrasive, bio-compatible material.

5. An implant according to claim 1 wherein said upper and lower walls are defined by a plurality of arcuate ribs connecting said side walls with said ribs spaced apart to define said openings.