Hybrid intervertebral disc system

• US 7,250,060 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2004
• Issued: 07/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: SDGI Holdings Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Trieu, Hai H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Isabella; David J.
• Application Number:
  US10/765,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20050165485A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,281 Days
• Field of Search: 623 1711- 1716, 606/61
• US Class Current: 623/17.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/08 Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments sutures A61B17/04
• 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 2/4425 made of articulated components
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30014 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30113 circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30133 kidney-shaped or bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30153 rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/302 toroidal, e.g. rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30364 Rotation about the common longitudinal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30369 Limited lateral translation of the protrusion within a larger recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30448 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• 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 2002/30581 having a pocket filled with fluid, e.g. liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30662 with rotation-limiting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30878 with non-sharp protrusions, for instance contacting the bone for anchoring, e.g. keels, pegs, pins, posts, shanks, stems, struts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30906 : shot- sand- or grit-blasted
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30925 : etched
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/443 : having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component
• 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 2220/005 : using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 : sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0006 : circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0015 : Kidney-shaped, e.g. bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0019 : rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0065 : toroidal, e.g. ring-shaped, doughnut-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0018 : differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• 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 2310/00161 : Carbon; Graphite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00167 : Diamond or diamond-like carbon
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00203 : containing alumina or aluminium oxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00239 : containing zirconia or zirconium oxide ZrO2
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/0058 : Coating made of diamond or of diamond-like carbon DLC
• 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: A61F 2310/00976 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of proteins or of polypeptides, e.g. of bone morphogenic proteins BMP or of transforming growth factors TGF

Abstract

A vertebral implant for interposition between two vertebral endplates comprises a first endplate assembly for engaging a first vertebral endplate, a second endplate assembly for engaging a second vertebral endplate, and a first flexible core component interposed between the first and second endplate assemblies. The first flexible core component comprises first and second end portions. The first end portion is coupled to the first endplate assembly to prevent translation of the first end portion with respect to the first endplate assembly, and the second end portion is pivotable with respect to the second endplate assembly.

Claims

1. A vertebral implant for interposition between two vertebral endplates comprising:

a first endplate assembly for engaging a first vertebral endplate;

a second endplate assembly for engaging a second vertebral endplate; and

a first flexible core component interposed between the first and second endplate assemblies, the first flexible core component comprising a first end portion and a second end portion,

wherein the first endplate assembly comprises a first circumferential groove for coupling with a complementary first circumferential ridge of the first end portion, and

wherein the coupling of the first end portion to the first endplate assembly restricts lateral translation of the first end portion with respect to the first endplate assembly while permitting pivoting motion between the first end portion and the first endplate assembly and wherein the second end portion is pivotable with respect to the second endplate assembly.

2. The vertebral implant of claim 1 wherein the second end portion comprises a second circumferential ridge for coupling with a second circumferential groove of the second endplate assembly and wherein the coupling of the second end portion to the second endplate assembly restricts lateral translation of the second end portion with respect to the second endplate assembly while permitting pivoting motion between the second end portion and the second endplate assembly.

3. The vertebral implant of claim 1 wherein the first endplate assembly articulates with respect to the second endplate assembly in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second vertebral endplates.

4. The vertebral implant of claim 1 wherein the first flexible core component comprises a first wear resistant articulating surface and the second endplate assembly comprises a smooth articulating surface.

5. The vertebral implant of claim 4 wherein the first wear resistant articulating surface and the smooth articulating surfaces are flat.

6. The vertebral implant of claim 4 wherein the first wear resistant articulating surface comprises an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

7. The vertebral implant of claim 4 wherein the first wear resistant articulating surface comprises a cobalt-chrome alloy.

8. The vertebral implant of claim 4 wherein the first wear resistant articulating surface comprises cross-linked UHMWPE.

9. The vertebral implant of claim 4 wherein the first wear resistant articulating surface comprises polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

10. The vertebral implant of claim 4 wherein the first wear resistant articulating surface comprises polyurethane treated with a metal ion implantation.

11. The vertebral implant of claim 1 wherein the first flexible core component comprises a second wear resistant articulating surface and the second endplate comprises a smooth articulating surface.

12. The vertebral implant of claim 1 wherein the first flexible core component comprises polyurethane.

13. The vertebral implant of claim 1 wherein the first flexible core component comprises silicone.

14. The vertebral implant of claim 1 wherein the first flexible core component comprises a hydrogel.

15. The vertebral implant of claim 1 wherein the first flexible core component comprises copolymers of silicone and polyurethane.

16. A vertebral implant for interposition between two vertebral endplates, the vertebral implant comprising:

a first endplate assembly comprising a first vertebral endplate contact surface and a first interior surface;

a second endplate assembly comprising a second vertebral endplate contact surface and a second interior surface;

a flexible core component interposed between the first and second interior surfaces, the flexible core component comprising a first end portion and a second end portion,

wherein the first end portion comprises a circumferential ridge for coupling to a circumferential groove of the first interior surface to prevent translation of the first end portion with respect to the first endplate assembly, and

wherein the second end portion is pivotable with respect to the second endplate assembly.

17. The vertebral implant of claim 16 wherein the first end portion is affixed to the first endplate assembly to prevent rotation between the first end portion and the first endplate assembly.

18. The vertebral implant of claim 16 wherein the first end portion is harder than a flexible portion of the flexible core component.

19. The vertebral implant of claim 16 wherein an articulating portion of the flexible core component is harder than the first end portion.

20. A hybrid vertebral implant comprising:

first and second opposing endplate assemblies, each endplate assembly comprising an engagement surface having a circumferential undercut groove; and

an elastically deformable core component comprising opposite end surfaces each having a circumferential ridge configured to engage the respective circumferential undercut grooves,

wherein each engagement surface prevents linear displacement of the respective end surface while permitting rotational motion between the respective engagement and end surfaces.

21. The hybrid vertebral implant of claim 20 wherein the end surfaces comprise a wear resistant material.

22. The hybrid vertebral implant of claim 20 wherein the opposite end surfaces are flat.

23. The hybrid vertebral implant of claim 20 wherein the elastically deformable core component comprises a portion having a lower modulus of elasticity than the opposite end surfaces.

24. The hybrid vertebral implant of claim 20 wherein the elastically deformable core comprises a polyolefin rubber.

25. The hybrid vertebral implant of claim 20 wherein the elastically deformable core component comprises polyurethane.

26. The hybrid vertebral implant of claim 20 wherein the elastically deformable core component comprises silicone.

27. The hybrid vertebral implant of claim 20 wherein the elastically deformable core component comprises a hydrogel.