Threaded spinal implant

• US 6,149,650 A
• Filed: 05/08/1998
• Issued: 11/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Karlin Technology, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Michelson, Gary Karlin
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US09/075,516
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 606/60, 606/61, 623/16, 623/17
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8888 at its central region
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/036 abutting on tissue or skin
• 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 2/446 having a circular or elliptical cross-section substantially parallel to the axis of the spine, e.g. cylinders or frustocones
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4603 for insertion or extraction of endoprosthetic joints or of accessories thereof
• 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 2002/30143 hexagonal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30235 tubular, e.g. sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30405 made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30774 internally-threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30787 inclined obliquely with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3085 with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/448 comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4619 : for extraction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4627 : with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4629 : connected to the endoprosthesis or implant via a threaded connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4681 : by applying mechanical shocks, e.g. by hammering
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0017 : Angular shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical

Abstract

An artificial spinal implant is disclosed which when placed between two adjacent vertebrae directly participates and is incorporated in the ensuing fusion. Instrumentation and procedure is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A fusion implant comprising a generally cylindrical member having an outside diameter larger than the space between two adjacent vertebrae to be fused and a thread on the exterior of said cylindrical member for engaging the adjacent vertebrae to maintain said implant in place, a plurality of openings in the cylindrical surface of said member, said outside diameter of said cylindrical member being substantially uniform over the entire length of said implant.

2. The implant of claim 1, wherein said implant is made of a material designed to promote bone ingrowth.

3. The implant of claim 1, wherein said implant has a hollow portion for receiving autogenous bone for promoting bone ingrowth.

4. The implant of claim 3, wherein said implant has a removable cap for covering said hollow portion.

5. The implant of claim 4, wherein said cap has a thread for screwing onto said hollow portion.

6. The implant of claim 1, wherein said implant has means for engaging an insertion/removal device for inserting and removing said implant.

7. The implant of claim 6, wherein said engaging means comprises a shoulder and a threaded opening.

8. The implant of claim 1, wherein said thread is a locking thread.

9. The implant of claim 1, wherein said thread is interrupted.