Fixedly adjustable intervertebral prosthesis

• US 5,480,442 A
• Filed: 06/24/1994
• Issued: 01/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SDGI Holdings Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: MAN Ceramics GmbH
• Inventors: Bertagnoli, Rudolf
• Primary Examiner(s): Isabella, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): FOSSUM, LAURA J
• Application Number:
  US08/265,190
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 623/17, 623/16, 606/61-63, 606/71
• US Class Current: 623/17.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/441 made of inflatable pockets or chambers filled with fluid, e.g. with hydrogel
• 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 2002/30133 kidney-shaped or bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30224 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30235 tubular, e.g. sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30329 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3037 Translation along the common longitudinal axis, e.g. piston
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30405 made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30433 using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30448 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3055 for adjusting length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30583 filled with hardenable fluid, e.g. curable in-situ
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30601 telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30604 modular
• 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 2002/30909 : Nets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4631 : the prosthesis being specially adapted for being cemented
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0085 : hardenable in situ, e.g. epoxy resins
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0033 : made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0041 : using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 : using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0015 : Kidney-shaped, e.g. bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 : for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/907 : Composed of particular material or coated

Abstract

An implant for replacing vertebrae has a central load bearing member with a first end and a second end. A first support element is positioned at the first end and a second support element is positioned at the second end. At least one of the first and second support elements has a contact surface, wherein an angle of the contact surface relative to the central load bearing member and the adjacent vertebrae is adjustable for abutting at the adjacently arranged vertebrae. After adjusting the angle of the contact surface, the first and second support elements are fixedly connected to the central load bearing member.

Claims

1. A vertebral implant for replacing vertebrae, said implant comprising:

a central load bearing member configured and arranged to be inserted between adjacent vertebra having a first and second end;

a first support element positioned at said first end;

a second support element positioned at said second end;

at least one of said first and second support elements having a contact surface for abutting an adjacently arranged vertebra;

at least one of said first and second support elements further having universal adjustment means for allowing an angle of said contact surface relative to said central load bearing member to be universally adjusted; and

at least one of said first and second support elements having means for fixedly connecting said universal adjustment means to said central load bearing member after adjusting said angle.

2. An implant according to claim 1, wherein:

said central load bearing member is configured so as to conform substantially to a curvature of a human spine;

said central load bearing member is a hollow body; and

said hollow body has a wall including at least one layer.

3. An implant according to claim 2, wherein said central load bearing member is in a form of a cylinder.

4. An implant according to claim 2, wherein said wall has perforations.

5. An implant according to claim 2, wherein said wall is in a form of a grate.

6. An implant according to claim 1, wherein said universal adjustment means comprises a ball joint.

7. An implant according to claim 1, wherein said means for fixedly connecting said universal adjustment means to said central load bearing member is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive connection, a frictional connection, and a form-fitting connection.

8. An implant according to claim 7, wherein said means for fixedly connecting said universal adjustment means to said central load bearing member comprises providing at least one of said first and second support elements and said central load bearing member with hollow chambers for receiving a material selected from the group consisting of a filler and an adhesive.

9. An implant according to claim 1, wherein said central load bearing member comprises fiber-reinforced composite material.

10. An implant according to claim 9, wherein said fiber-reinforced composite material is a carbon fiber composite material.

11. An implant according to claim 1, wherein said first and second support elements comprise fiber-reinforced composite material.

12. An implant according to claim 11, wherein said fiber-reinforced composite material is a carbon fiber composite material.

13. An implant according to claim 1, wherein said central load bearing member and said first and second support elements comprise fiber-reinforced composite material.

14. An implant according to claim 13, wherein said fiber-reinforced composite material is a carbon fiber composite material.

15. An implant according to claim 1, wherein said central load bearing member comprises a spreading mechanism for adjusting an axial length of said implant.

16. An implant according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second support elements comprises a spreading mechanism for adjusting an axial length of said implant.

17. An implant according to claim 16, wherein said spreading mechanism comprises a piston for axially displacing said support element.

18. An implant according to claim 1, wherein said central load bearing member is a spreading element for adjusting a length of said implant.

19. An implant according to claim 18, wherein said spreading element comprises telescopic members and has a valve for introducing a pressure medium.