Modular intervertebral prosthesis system

• US 6,899,735 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2002
• Issued: 05/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: SDGI Holdings Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Simonton, T. Andrew, Foley, Kevin, Coates, Bradley J., Van Hoeck, James E., Haid, Regis
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Pedro
• Assistant Examiner(s): BONDERER, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US10/263,115
• Publication Number:
  US 20040068318A1
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 623/17.11, 623/17.15, 623/17.16
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/08 Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments sutures A61B17/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4425 made of articulated components
• 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 2002/2817 Bone stimulation by chemical reactions or by osteogenic or biological products for enhancing ossification, e.g. by bone morphogenetic or morphogenic proteins [BMP] or by transforming growth factors [TGF]
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30378 Spherically-shaped protrusion and recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30383 made by laterally inserting a protrusion, e.g. a rib into a complementarily-shaped groove
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/304 with additional means for limiting said sliding
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/305 Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30514 using a locking washer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30578 having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30604 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30614 Sets comprising both primary and revision endoprostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30616 Sets comprising a plurality of prosthetic parts of different sizes or orientations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30772 Apertures or holes, e.g. of circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/443 having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 bioabsorbable
• 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 2310/00017 : Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00029 : Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 : Ceramics or ceramic-like structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00359 : Bone or bony tissue

Abstract

A modular intervertebral prosthesis system includes first and second baseplates and an insert designed to mate to the baseplates. The baseplates include a mounting section and a intervertebral section extending away from the mounting section generally perpendicular thereto. The intervertebral section has at least one aperture passing therethrough. When installed, the insert is disposed between the intervertebral sections of the baseplates and faces the apertures. In this way, the insert is not insulated from the vertebral members, thereby allowing for osteoinduction, osteoconduction, and/or osteointegration, if desired. The insert may take the form of an articulating-type insert or a fusion-type insert, with the baseplates being operative with both types of inserts. After installation of the insert between the baseplates, the insert may be readily removed, at least initially.

Claims

1. A modular intervertebral prosthesis assembly, comprising:

a first baseplate having a first mounting section and a first intervertebral section extending away from said first mounting section, said first intervertebral section having a first aperture passing therethrough;

a second baseplate having a second mounting section and a second intervertebral section extending away from said second mounting, said second intervertebral section having a second aperture passing therethrough;

at least a first insert disposed between said first and second baseplates so as to face said first and second apertures and adapted to engage said first and second baseplates; and

a retaining mechanisnm mounted to said first mounting section and on contact with said first insert to prevent the removal of said first insert from between said first and second baseplates, said retaining mechanism being spaced from said second baseplate such that said first insert is exposed between said first and second baseplates.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second baseplates have a generally L-shaped side profile.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first insert comprises a fusion element.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said fusion element is selected from the group consisting of allograft bone and autograft bone.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first insert comprises an articulating insert.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said first insert comprises at least two distinct members designed to move relative to one another after installation.

7. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least a second insert adapted to be disposed between said first and second baseplates so as to face said first and second apertures, said second insert of a different configuration than said first insert.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first insert connects to said first and second baseplates in a fashion so as to be removable therefrom immediately after installation.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said first insert includes a rail and wherein said first intervertebral section comprises a groove for mating with said rail.

10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first intervertebral section comprises at least two arms extending away from to said first mounting section.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said first intervertebral section further comprises a member bridging said arms and space from said first mounting section.

12. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of fasteners for securing said mounting sections of said first and second baseplates to respective vertebral members.

13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first intervertebral section extends away from said first mounting section generally perpendicular thereto.

14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein said second intervertebral section extends away from said second mounting section generally perpendicular thereto.

15. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second baseplates are interchangeable.

16. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

said first insert includes a rail;

said first intervertebral section comprises at least two arms extending generally perpendicular away from said first mounting section and a groove for mating with said rail on said first insert;

said first and second baseplates are interchangeable; and

said first insert connects to said first and second baseplates in a fashion so as to be removable therefrom immediately after installation.

17. The assembly of claim 16 further comprising at least a second insert adapted to be disposed between said first and second baseplates so as to face said first and second apertures, said second insert of a different configuration than said first insert.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein said retaining mechanism comprises a screw having a head that extends over the first insert to prevent the insert from moving from between the first and second baseplates.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the screw includes a retaining ring having a larger diameter than the head, the retaining ring extending over the first insert.

20. The device of claim 18, comprising a retaining ring having a central opening through which the screw extends and having a ring body that extends over the first insert.

21. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second retaining mechanism mounted to said second mounting section to prevent the removal of the first insert.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the second retaining mechanism is spaced from said first baseplate such that the first insert is exposed between said first and second baseplates.

23. A modular intervertebral prosthesis kit, comprising:

a first baseplate having a first mounting section and a first intervertebral section extending away from said first mounting section, said first intervertebral section having a first aperture passing therethrough;

a second baseplate having a second mounting section and a second intervertebral section extending away from said second mounting, said second intervertebral section having a second aperture passing therethrough;

a first insert disposed between said first and second baseplates so as to face said first and second apertures and removably mated to said first and second baseplates;

a second insert adapted to be disposed between said first and second baseplates so as to face said first and second apertures when said first insert is unmated from said first and second baseplates, said second insert of a different configuration than said first insert; and

a retaining mechanism removably attached to the first baseplate, and on contact with the first insert to prevent removal of the first insert and the second insert when disposed between the first and second baseplates, the retaining mechanism sized to be spaced away from the second baseplate when mounted to expose the first insert and the second insert.

24. The assembly of claim 23 wherein said first intervertebral section comprises at least two arms extending away from to said first mounting section.

25. The assembly of claim 23 wherein said first insert comprises an articulating insert.

26. The assembly of claim 23 wherein one of said first and second inserts comprises an articulating insert and the other of said first and second inserts comprises a fusion insert.

27. The assembly of claim 23 wherein said first and second baseplates are interchangeable.

28. The device of claim 23, further comprising a tab that extends outward from the first insert, the tab contacting the first mounting section when the first insert is mounted between the first and second intervertebral sections to prevent over-insertion.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein one of the first mounting section comprises a recessed notch to receive the tab when the first insert is disposed between the first and second baseplates.

30. The device of claim 23, wherein the retaining mechanism comprises a screw sized to extend over the first insert and the second insert.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the screw includes a retaining ring that extends outward from the screw to extend over the first insert and the second insert.

32. A modular intervertebral prosthesis assembly, comprising:

a first baseplate having a first mounting section and a first intervertebral section extending away from said first mounting section, said first intervertebral section having a first aperture passing therethrough;

a second baseplate having a second mounting section and a second intervertebral section extending away from said second mounting, said second intervertebral section having a second aperture passing therethrough;

at least a first insert disposed between said first and second baseplates proximate said first and second apertures and removably engaging said first and second baseplate; and

a screw mountable to one of the first and second mounting sections to retain the first insert within the first and second baseplates, the screw sized such that the first insert is exposed.

33. The assembly of claim 32 wherein said first insert comprises an articulating insert.

34. The assembly of claim 32 further comprising at least a second insert adapted to be disposed between said first and second baseplates when said first insert is disengaged from said first and second baseplates, said second insert of a different configuration than said first insert.

35. The assembly of claim 32 wherein said first and second baseplates have a generally L-shaped side profile.

36. The assembly of claim 32 wherein said first and second baseplates are interchangeable.

37. The assembly of claim 32, further comprising a ring attached to the screw, the ring sized to extend over the first insert.

38. A intervertebral prosthesis method, comprising:

providing a first baseplate having a first mounting section and a first intervertebral section extending away from said first mounting section, said first intervertebral section having a first aperture passing therethrough;

providing a second baseplate having a second mounting section and a second intervertebral section extending away from said second mounting section, said second intervertebral section having a second aperture passing therethrough;

securing said first baseplate to a superior vertebral member via said first mounting section;

securing said second baseplate to an inferior vertebral member via said second mounting section;

mating a first insert to said first and second baseplates, between the intervertebral sections thereof, such that said first insert faces said first and second apertures, said first insert being initially removably mated to said first and second baseplates; and

mounting a mechanism to the first baseplate and on contact with the first and retaining the first insert between the intervertebral sections while a front of the first insert remains exposed between the first and second mounting sections.

40. The method of claim 38 wherein said first insert comprises a fusion element.

41. The method of claim 40 comprising fusing said fusion element to said superior and inferior vertebral members via said first and second apertures, respectively.

42. The method of claim 40 wherein said fusion element is selected from the group consisting of allograft bone and autograft bone.

43. The method of claim 38 wherein said first insert comprises an articulating insert.

44. The method of claim 38 further comprising:

unmating said first insert from said first and second baseplates;

thereafter mating a second insert to said first and second baseplates, between the intervertebral sections thereof, such that said second insert faces said first and second apertures, said second insert being initially removably mated to said first and second baseplates immediately after installation thereof.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein said second insert is of a different configuration than said first insert.

46. The method of claim 44 wherein said first insert comprises an articulating insert.

47. The method of claim 38, the step of retaining the first insert between the intervertebral sections comprises positioning a retaining ring over the first insert.

48. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of retaining the first insert between the intervertebral sections further comprises retaining securing members to one of the inferior or superior vertebral members.

39. The method of claim further comprising removing said first insert and mating a second insert to said first and second baseplates, between the intervertebral sections thereof, such that said second insert views said first and second apertures.

49. A modular intervertebral prosthesis assembly, comprising:

a first baseplate having a first mounting section and a first intervertebral section extending away from said first mounting section, said first mounting section having a first aperture to receive a screw to attach the first baseplate to a first intervertebral member;

a second baseplate having a second mounting section and a second intervertebral section extending away from said second mounting;

an insert disposed between said first and second intervertebral sections; and

a retaining mechanism attached to the first mounting section to prevent removal of the screw from the first intervertebral member and prevent removal of the insert from between the first and second intervertebral sections, the retaining mechanism sized such that the insert is exposed between the first and second baseplates.

50. The assembly of claim 49, wherein the retaining mechanism comprises a retaining screw that extends over the screw and the insert.

51. The assembly of claim 50, wherein the retaining mechanism comprises a retaining ring sized to extend over the screw and the insert.

52. The assembly of claim 49, further comprising a second aperture in the first mounting section to receive a second screw to attach the first baseplate to the first intervertebral member, the retaining mechanism sized to extend over the second screw.

53. A modular intervertebral prosthesis assembly, comprising:

a first baseplate having a first mounting section and a first intervertebral section extending away from said first mounting section, said first intervertebral section having a first aperture passing therethrough;

a second baseplate having a second mounting section and a second intervertebral section extending away from said second mounting, said second intervertebral section having a second aperture passing therethrough; and

at least a first insert disposed between said first and second baseplates so as to face said first and second apertures and adapted to engage said first and second baseplates, the at least first insert further comprises an outwardly-extending tab that contacts one of the first and second mounting sections to prevent over-insertion when the first insert is positioned between the first and second baseplates.

54. The device of claim 53, wherein one of the first and second mounting sections comprises a recessed notch in which the tab contacts when the insert is positioned between the first and second baseplates.

55. The device of claim 53, further comprising a screw inserted within one of the first and second mounting sections, the screw having a head that extends over the tab to prevent the insert from moving from between the first and second baseplates.

56. The device of claim 55, wherein the screw includes a retaining ring having a larger diameter than the head, the retaining ring extending over the tab.

57. The device of claim 55, further comprising a retaining ring having a central opening through which the screw extends and having a ring body that extends over the tab.

58. The device of claim 53, further comprising a retaining mechanism for retaining the insert within the baseplates.