Interlocking spinal inserts

• US 6,251,140 B1
• Filed: 05/26/1999
• Issued: 06/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nuvasive Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nuvasive Incorporated
• Inventors: Marino, James F., Ahlgren, Dan K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stewart, Alvin
• Application Number:
  US09/320,236
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 623/17.11, 623/17.12, 623/17.13, 623/17.14, 623/17.15, 623/17.16, 623/16.11, 623/11.11
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• 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 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30331 made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30884 Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity
• 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 2002/4629 connected to the endoprosthesis or implant via a threaded connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0033 made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit

Abstract

A method of interlocking first and second inserts between adjacent vertebrae comprising: introducing the first insert between adjacent vertebrae; rotating the first insert to anchor the first insert into a fixed position between the adjacent vertebrae; introducing the second insert between the adjacent vertebrae; rotating the second insert to anchor the second insert into a fixed position between the adjacent vertebrae; and fastening the first insert to the second insert.

Claims

1. A method of interlocking first and second inserts in a patient'"'"'s intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae comprising:

introducing the first insert between the adjacent vertebrae, the first insert having opposite vertebral contact surfaces;

rotating the first insert about a first axis passing between the adjacent vertebrae in a path generally parallel to opposing ends of the adjacent vertebrae to position the vertebral contact surfaces adjacent to the adjacent vertebrae;

introducing the second insert between the adjacent vertebrae, the second insert having opposite vertebral contact surfaces;

rotating the second insert about a second axis disposed at an angle to the first axis to position the vertebral contact surfaces adjacent to the adjacent vertebrae, wherein, the central longitudinally extending axes of the first and second intervertebral inserts are positioned to be angled from 70 to 135°

apart from one another; and

fastening the first insert to the second insert.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein fastening the second insert into the first insert comprises:

inserting a protrusion on the second insert into a receiving hole on the first insert,

rotating the second insert such that the protrusion rests against a stub on the wall of the receiving hole of the first insert; and

rotating an axially displaceable threaded screw in the first insert to contact the protrusion on the second insert, thereby holding the second insert in a fixed position relative to the first insert.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein rotating the threaded screw in the first insert comprises accessing the threaded screw by way of an axially extending passageway in the first insert.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein,

the first and second intervertebral inserts are separately introduced into the intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae by percutaneously introduced cannulae, each cannula positioned in a posterolateral approach.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein,

the central longitudinally extending axes of the first and second intervertebral inserts are positioned to be angled from 70 to 135°

apart from one another.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein,

the cannulae have oval or racetrack-shaped cross sections.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein rotating the first insert to anchor the first insert comprises:

camming apart adjacent vertebrae with outwardly facing convexly curved camming surfaces disposed on opposite sides of the insert.

8. A spinal support system, comprising:

a first intervertebral insert having a central longitudinally extending axis, the first insert having opposite vertebral contact surfaces; and

a second intervertebral insert having a central longitudinally extending axis, the second insert having opposite vertebral contact surfaces, wherein the first and second intervertebral inserts interlock together to form an assembly with the central longitudinally extending axes of the first and second intervertebral inserts disposed at an angle of 70°

to 135°

from one another when the first and second inserts have been rotated into an interlocked position.

9. The spinal support system of claim 8, wherein,

the first and second intervertebral inserts are interlocked together at their anterior ends.

10. The spinal support system of claim 8, wherein,

each of the first and second intervertebral inserts have outwardly facing convexly curved camming surfaces.

11. The spinal support system of claim 8, wherein,

the width of each of the first and second intervertebral inserts are tapered from an narrow anterior end to a wide posterior.

12. The spinal support system of claim 8, wherein,

the height of each of the first and second intervertebral inserts are tapered from a wide anterior end to a narrow posterior end.

13. The spinal support system of claim 8, wherein,

each of the first and second intervertebral inserts are made of a bio-compatible material.

14. The spinal support system of claim 8, wherein,

each of the first and second intervertebral inserts are made of a bio-absorbable material.

15. A method of interlocking first and second inserts between adjacent vertebrae comprising:

introducing the first insert between adjacent vertebrae;

rotating the first insert to anchor the first insert into a fixed position between the adjacent vertebrae;

introducing the second insert between the adjacent vertebrae;

rotating the second insert to anchor the second insert into a fixed position between the adjacent vertebrae; and

fastening the first insert to the second insert by;

inserting a protrusion on the second insert into a receiving hole on the first insert,

rotating the second insert such that the protrusion rests against a stub on the wall of the receiving hole of the first insert; and

rotating an axially displaceable threaded screw in the first insert to contact the protrusion on the second insert, thereby holding the second insert in a fixed position relative to the first insert.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein rotating the threaded screw in the first insert comprises accessing the threaded screw by way of an axially extending passageway in the first insert.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein,

the first and second intervertebral inserts are separately introduced into the intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae by percutaneously introduced cannulae, each cannula positioned in a posterolateral approach.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein,

the central longitudinally extending axes of the first and second intervertebral inserts are positioned to be angled from 70 to 135°

apart from one another.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein,

the cannulae have oval or racetrack-shaped cross sections.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein rotating the first insert to anchor the first insert comprises:

camming apart adjacent vertebrae with outwardly facing convexly curved camming surfaces disposed on opposite sides of the insert.

21. A spinal support system, comprising:

a first intervertebral insert having a central longitudinally extending axis, the first insert having opposite vertebral contact surfaces; and

a second intervertebral insert having a central longitudinally extending axis, the second insert having opposite vertebral contact surfaces, wherein the first and second intervertebral inserts have outwardly facing convexly curve camming surfaces and are adapted to be interlocked together such that the central longitudinally extending axes of the first and second intervertebral inserts are disposed at an angle of 70°

to 135°

from one another.

22. A spinal support system, comprising:

a first intervertebral insert having a central longitudinally extending axis, the first insert having opposite vertebral contact surfaces; and

a second intervertebral insert having a central longitudinally extending axis, the second insert having opposite vertebral contact surfaces, wherein the first and second intervertebral inserts are adapted to be interlocked together such that the central longitudinally extending axes of the first and second intervertebral inserts are disposed at an angle of 70°

to 135°

from one another, and wherein the width of each of the first and second intervertebral inserts are tapered from an narrow anterior end to a wide posterior.

23. A spinal support system, comprising:

a first intervertebral insert having a central longitudinally extending axis; and

a second intervertebral insert having a central longitudinally extending axis, wherein the first and second intervertebral inserts are adapted to be interlocked together such that the central longitudinally extending axes of the first and second intervertebral inserts are disposed at an angle of 70°

to 135°

from one another, and wherein the height of each of the first and second intervertebral inserts are tapered from a wide anterior end to a narrow posterior end.

24. A spinal support system, comprising:

a first intervertebral insert having a central longitudinally extending axis; and

a second intervertebral insert having a central longitudinally extending axis, wherein the first and second intervertebral inserts are adapted to be interlocked together such that the central longitudinally extending axes of the first and second intervertebral inserts are disposed at an angle of 70°

to 135°

from one another, and wherein each of the first and second intervertebral inserts are made of a bio-absorbable material.