Cervical interbody device

• US 7,320,708 B1
• Filed: 11/13/2002
• Issued: 01/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: SDGI Holdings Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Bernstein, Avi
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene; Pedro
• Application Number:
  US10/293,843
• Time in Patent Office: 1,896 Days
• Field of Search: 623/17.11, 623/17.12, 623/17.13, 623/17.14, 623/17.15, 623/17.16, 606/61
• US Class Current: 623/17.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30907 Nets or sleeves applied to surface of prostheses or in cement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4465 having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine
• 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 2002/2839 Bone plugs or bone graft dowels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30131 horseshoe- or crescent- or C-shaped or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30571 Leaf springs
• 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 2002/30904 serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30909 Nets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0013 Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys

Abstract

An interbody spacer assembly includes a pair of end pieces spaced apart by a connector extending between them. The end pieces extend generally parallel to the end plates of adjoining vertebral bodies. Fasteners connect the end pieces to the vertebral bodies. Bone graft material or solid bone can be placed in the interior space defined by the end pieces and connector, which bone graft material or solid bone eventually fuses together and to the adjoining end plates through the end pieces.

Claims

1. An interbody spacer assembly for replacing either a vertebra or disk, comprising:

first and second end pieces, said end pieces spaced a fixed distance apart from each other;

a non-adjustable connector extending between and connecting said first and second end pieces, said connector leaving an interior region between said end pieces for receiving bone graft material, said interior region being substantially open around its circumference;

at least one fastener for securing the spacer assembly to a vertebral body; and

a flange extending from a peripheral edge of at least one of said end pieces and configured to receive the at least one fastener.

2. The spacer assembly of claim 1 further comprising a retainer spanning said first and second end pieces for retaining bone graft material.

3. The spacer assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the end pieces is substantially disk-shaped.

4. The spacer assembly of claim 1 wherein the connector is a rod.

5. The spacer assembly of claim 1 wherein the connector is a wall.

6. The spacer assembly of claim 5 wherein the connector is positioned so that it can extend along the spinal cord.

7. The spacer assembly of claim 6 wherein the connector is curved.

8. An interbody spacer assembly for replacing either a vertebra or a disk, comprising:

first and second end pieces, said end pieces spaced apart from each other;

a fixed length connector extending between and connected to said first and second end pieces;

at least one fastener for securing the spacer assembly to a vertebral body; and

a flange extending from at least one of said end pieces, said flange cooperating with said at least one fastener for securing the spacer assembly to a vertebral body;

wherein said end pieces have outer edges, and wherein said connector is a side wall extending from the outer edge of said first end piece to the outer edge of said second end piece.

9. The spacer assembly of claim 8 wherein said end pieces each include a plurality of apertures.

10. The spacer assembly of claim 8 wherein said end pieces each have a roughened exterior surface.

11. The spacer assembly of claim 10 wherein said roughened surfaces are comprised of alternating ridges and valleys.

12. The spacer assembly of claim 8 wherein said end pieces each comprise a pair of arms defining a space between said arms, and wherein said spaces between said arms communicate with the open interior region extending between said end pieces.

13. An interbody spacer assembly for replacing either a vertebra or disk, comprising:

a pair of substantially disk-shaped end pieces, each of said end pieces approximating the cross-sectional dimensions of a vertebral body and having a plurality of apertures extending through said end pieces;

a connector rigidly connecting and spacing said end pieces, said end pieces and connector defining an interior space;

a flange extending from each of said pieces and away from said interior space;

at least one fastener engaging the flange for securing said spacer assembly to a vertebral body; and

a retainer extending between the end pieces for retaining bone graft material within said interior space.

14. An interbody spacer assembly comprising:

a pair of end pieces each approximating the cross-sectional dimensions of a vertebral body;

a connector extending between peripheral edges of the first and second end pieces, the connector rigidly connecting and spacing the end pieces; and

an interior region formed by the first and second end pieces and the connector, the interior region having a fixed non-adjustable size and being substantially open to receive bone graft material.

15. The spacer assembly of claim 14 wherein the first and second end pieces are substantially flat.

16. The spacer assembly of claim 14 wherein the connector has a contoured shape to match the peripheral edges of the pair of end pieces.

17. The spacer assembly of claim 14 wherein the pair of end plates each comprise a pair of arms defining a space between said arm, and wherein said spaces between said arms communicate with the interior region.

18. The spacer assembly of claim 14 wherein the connector is positioned on a posterior side of the pair of end plates.

19. The spacer assembly of claim 14 further comprising at least one post within the interior region and extending between the pair of end pieces.

20. An interbody spacer assembly comprising:

first and second end pieces that are spaced apart from each other;

a connector connected to each of the first and second end pieces, the connector extending between and spacing apart the first and second end pieces;

an interior region formed between the first and second end pieces and the connector, the interior region being substantially open and having a fixed non-adjustable size to receive bone graft material; and

a flange extending from a peripheral edge of at least one of the first and second end pieces, and configured to receive a fastener to fasten the interbody spacer to a verterbral body.

21. The spacer assembly of claim 20 wherein the connector is attached along peripheral edges of the first and second end pieces.

22. The spacer assembly of claim 20, further comprising a plurality of connectors extending between the first and second end pieces.