Adjustable bone fusion implant and method

• US 6,648,917 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2001
• Issued: 11/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IMDS LLC
• Original Assignee: Movdice Holding Inc., Medicinelodge, Inc (Nelso Antolotti)
• Inventors: Fallin, T. Wade, Gerbec, Daniel E., Faciszewski, Tom
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert, Eduardo C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bonderer, David A
• Application Number:
  US09/981,674
• Publication Number:
  US 20030074063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 623/17.11, 623/17.15, 623/17.16
• US Class Current: 623/17.11
• 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 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4601 for introducing bone substitute, for implanting bone graft implants or for compacting them in the bone cavity
• 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 2/4637 for connecting or disconnecting two parts of a prosthesis
• 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 2002/30266 wedge-shaped parallelepipeds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30487 Circumferential cooperating grooves and beads on cooperating lateral surfaces of a mainly longitudinal connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3052 unrestrained in only one direction, e.g. moving unidirectionally
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30522 releasable, e.g. using a releasable ratchet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3055 for adjusting length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30556 for adjusting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30774 internally-threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30784 Plurality of holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30789 perpendicular with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 : Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30892 : parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30975 : made of two halves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4622 : having the shape of a forceps or a clamp
• 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 2002/4628 : with linear motion along or rotating motion about an axis transverse to the instrument axis or to the implantation direction, e.g. clamping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4629 : connected to the endoprosthesis or implant via a threaded connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4635 : using minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0082 : parallelepipedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0009 : for adjusting thickness

Abstract

An adjustable bone fusion implant includes a first plate having an interior face with a plurality of spaced apart first support members projecting therefrom. Each support member has a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom. A second plate has an interior face with a plurality of spaced apart second support members projecting therefrom. Each second support member has at least one tooth projecting therefrom. At least a portion of the plurality of teeth of each first support member mechanically engages with the at least one tooth of a corresponding second support member so that the first plate and the second plate can be selectively separated while forming a compartment therebetween. A reinforcing member is disposed between the first plate and the second plate such that the application of a compressive force between the first plate and the second plate applies compression on the reinforcing member.

Claims

1. A method for fusing two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the method comprising:

inserting an adjustable fusion implant between two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the fusion implant comprising a first plate and an opposing second plate with a compartment formed therebetween;

expanding a portion of a tool inserted within the fusion implant so as to expand the fusion implant between the bones or pieces of bone;

removing the tool from within the fusion implant; and

inserting a reinforcing member between the first plate and the second plate.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the act of inserting comprises inserting the adjustable fusion implant between two adjacent vertebrae.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising removably securing a distal end of an inserter to the fusion implant prior to the act of inserting.

4. A method for fusing two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the method comprising:

inserting an adjustable fusion implant between two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the fusion implant having a first plate and an opposing second plate with a compartment formed therebetween;

expanding the fusion implant between the bones or pieces of bone so as to further separate the first plate from the second plate; and

positioning a reinforcing member between the first plate and the second plate such that the application of a compressive force between the first plate and the second plate causes the reinforcing member to be compressed between the first plate and the second plate.

5. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the act of expanding comprises:

expanding at least a portion of a tool within the fusion implant so as to selectively expand the fusion implant; and

removing the tool from within the fusion implant.

6. A method as recited in claim 4, further comprising removably securing a distal end of an inserter to the fusion implant such that at least a portion of the inserter is disposed within the compartment of the fusion implant, the inserter being secured prior to the act of inserting.

7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the act of positioning comprises:

advancing a tubular push rod over a distal end of the inserter; and

moving the push rod along the inserter so that the push rod advances the reinforcing member between the first plate and the second plate.

8. A method as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

removing the inserter from within the push rod; and

feeding bone graft through the tubular push rod and into the compartment of the fusion implant.

9. A method for fusing two vertebrae, the method comprising:

forming a posterior opening through a back of a person so as to expose two vertebrae, the two vertebrae having a wedged shape gap formed therebetween that enlarges anteriorly toward a front of the person;

inserting an adjustable fusion implant through the posterior opening and into the gap formed between the vertebrae, the fusion implant comprising a first plate and an opposing second plate and having a wedge shaped configuration that enlarges from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end of the fusion implant being inserted first into the gap formed between the vertebrae;

expanding the fusion implant disposed between vertebrae such that the fusion implant maintains a wedge shaped configuration; and

inserting a reinforcing member between the first plate and the second plate.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the act of expanding comprises:

expanding at least a portion of a tool within the fusion implant so as to selectively expand the fusion implant; and

removing the tool from within the fusion implant.