Spinal prostheses

• US 7,011,685 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2004
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Premia Spine Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Impliant Ltd. (Premia Spine Ltd.)
• Inventors: Arnin, Uri, Sudin, Yuri, Tauber, Michael, Anekstein, Yoram
• Primary Examiner(s): Isabella, David J
• Application Number:
  US10/750,860
• Publication Number:
  US 20050102028A1
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 623 1711- 1716, 606/60, 606/61, 606/72, 606/73, 606/54, 606/59
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7043 with a longitudinal element fixed to one or more transverse elements which connect multiple screws or hooks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7062 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral processes, vertebral facets or ribs rib fixation devices A61B17/8076; Tools for such devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4405 for apophyseal or facet joints, i.e. between adjacent spinous or transverse processes devices implanted between spinous or transverse processes A61B17/7062
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30387 Dovetail connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/305 Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30563 having elastic means or damping means, different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric core or shock absorbers
• 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 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• 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 2310/00796 Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/91 Polymer

Abstract

An article including a spinal prosthesis having a unitary body with at least three attachment points attachable to spinal structure, the unitary body including a flexure assembly positioned between first and second attachment members, wherein flexure of the flexure assembly permits movement of the first attachment member relative to the second attachment member.

Claims

1. An article comprising:

a spinal prosthesis comprising a unitary body with at least three attachment points attachable to a spinal structure, said unitary body comprising a flexure assembly positioned between first and second attachment members, wherein flexure of said flexure assembly permits movement of the first attachment member relative to the second attachment member,

wherein said flexure assembly comprises a multi-part articulating assembly, including a first joint member that has a convex contour that articulates with a second joint member that has a concave contour that corresponds to and glides over the convex contour of the first joint member, said first and second joint members being attached to or integrally part of said attachment members; and

wherein pedicle screw mounting members extend non-perpendicularly outwards from said first and second attachment members, and wherein pedicle screws, each having a threaded shank and a swivel head, are attached to said pedicle screw mounting members, wherein said pedicle screw mounting members comprise rounded prongs.

2. The article according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said flexure assembly is integrally formed with said first and second attachment members.

3. The article according to claim 1, wherein said flexure assembly comprises a boot placed at least partially around inner portions of said first and second attachment members, said boot being connected to said first and second attachment members.

4. The article according to claim 3, wherein said boot is elastomeric.

5. The article according to claim 1, wherein said flexure assembly is adapted to flex omnidirectionally.

6. The article according to claim 1, wherein said first joint member has a truncated face formed in said convex contour.

7. The article according to claim 6, further comprising a stopper that limits the flexure of said flexure assembly and limits relative movement of the attachment members with respect to one another.

8. The article according to claim 6, wherein said truncated face comprises a semi-circular cutout gouged out of said convex outer contour.

9. An article comprising:

a spinal prosthesis comprising a unitary body with at least three attachment points attachable to a spinal structure, said unitary body comprising a flexure assembly positioned between first and second attachment members, wherein flexure of said flexure assembly permits movement of the first attachment member relative to the second attachment member, wherein said flexure assembly comprises a multi-part articulating assembly, including a first joint member that has a convex contour that articulates with a second joint member that has a concave contour that corresponds to and glides over the convex contour of the first joint member, said first and second joint members being attached to or integrally part of said attachment members; and

wherein pedicle screw mounting members extend non-perpendicularly outwards from said first and second attachment members, and wherein pedicle screws, each having a threaded shank and a swivel head, are attached to said pedicle screw mounting members, wherein said first joint member has a truncated face formed in said convex contour and wherein said truncated face comprises a semi-circular cutout gouged out of said convex outer contour, and further comprising a stopper that limits the flexure of said flexure assembly and limits relative movement of the attachment members with respect to one another, wherein said stopper protrudes into the semi-circular cutout.