Device for connecting vertebrae of the vertebral column

• US 6,371,987 B1
• Filed: 04/16/1999
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MBA Incorporado SA
• Original Assignee: Medinorm AG medizintechnische Produkte
• Inventors: Wilke, Hans-Joachim, Weiland, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Milano, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US09/293,406
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 623/16, 623/17, 623/17.11, 623/17.15, 623/17.16, 606/61
• US Class Current: 623/17.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• 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 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30123 with two diametrically opposed lobes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30143 hexagonal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30158 trapezoidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30224 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30354 Cylindrically-shaped protrusion and recess, e.g. cylinder of circular basis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30364 Rotation about the common longitudinal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30405 made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30604 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30774 internally-threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30795 : Blind bores, e.g. of circular cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30845 : with cutting edges
• 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 2230/0006 : circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0017 : Angular shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0026 : trapezoidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical

Abstract

A device for connecting vertebrae of the vertebral or spinal column through an implant to be arranged between the vertebrae. The implant has at least one hollow space and openings to allow bone tissue formed for connecting the vertebrae to grow into the implant. The implant includes a connecting portion to be placed against exposed soft bone tissue and at least one spacer portion protruding from the connecting portion to be placed against hard bone tissue.

Claims

1. A device for connecting vertebrae of the vertebral column comprised of an implant adapted to be placed between the vertebrae, wherein the implant has a hollow space and openings for permitting bone tissue to grow therethrough for connecting the vertebrae, the implant further comprising a hollow connecting portion having sides adapted to be placed against exposed soft bone tissue, wherein the connecting portion has an essentially rotationally symmetrical configuration having an axis of symmetry adapted to extend transversely of a longitudinal direction of the vertebral column and spacer wings projecting from the connecting portion and adapted to be placed against hard bone tissue, wherein the spacer wings extend diametrically from the connecting portion, and wherein each of the sides adapted to be placed against exposed soft bone tissue has a plurality of opening slots adapted to be penetrated by bone tissue, the opening slots having longitudinal axes, the longitudinal axes extending transversely of the axis of symmetry.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion and the spacer wings are tapered corresponding to vertebrae arranged inclined relative to each other.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow space extends into the spacer wings.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the implant is comprised of a hollow body having perforated walls in the form of a cage.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the opening slots extend beyond the connecting portion into the spacer wings.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the spacer wings have ends provided with cutouts.

7. The device according to claim 4, wherein the hollow body has an end wall provided with cutouts on one end face thereof and wherein another end face thereof is open.

8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a locking device for securing the implant transversely of the longitudinal direction of the vertebral column.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the locking device comprises an insert insertable into the implant, and wherein the insert has a hooking device adapted for engagement in the soft bone tissue.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the hooking device comprises hook portions provided on the insert which is rotatable into the implant in the manner of a cylinder lock.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the hook portions are configured to be turnable through the opening slots into the soft bone tissue.

12. The device according to claim 9, wherein the locking insert is mounted in the implant between an end wall of the implant and a locking member mounted on an opposite end face of the implant.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the locking member is comprised of a headless screw configured to be retractable in the implant.

14. The device according to claim 9, wherein the locking insert is secured in the implant with a predetermined play.