Posterior elements motion restoring device

• US 7,377,942 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2003
• Issued: 05/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Berry, Bret M.
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott; Corrine M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miller; Cheryl
• Application Number:
  US10/635,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20050033434A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,756 Days
• Field of Search: 623 1711- 1716, 606/61, 606/72, 606/73
• US Class Current: 623/17.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7067 Devices bearing against one or more spinous processes and also attached to another part of the spine; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• 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 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30405 made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30474 using an intermediate sleeve interposed between both prosthetic parts to be coupled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30517 using a locking plate
• 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 2002/30565 having spring elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30649 Ball-and-socket joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30662 with rotation-limiting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30683 Means for collecting wear particles in a hollow cavity inside the prosthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30685 Means for reducing or preventing the generation of wear particulates
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30774 internally-threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3085 with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/449 comprising multiple spinal implants located in different intervertebral spaces or in different vertebrae
• 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 2220/0075 : sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• 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

Abstract

A prosthetic device for interposition in a space left by one or more excised vertebral posterior structures. The prosthetic device comprises a lamina bridge having an inferior portion for replacing an excised lamina; at least one inferior facet replacement device, connected to the inferior portion of the lamina bridge, to replace an excised inferior articular process; and at least one superior facet replacement device to replace an excised superior articular process. The at least one superior facet replacement device articulates with the at least one inferior facet replacement device.

Claims

1. A prosthetic device for interposition in a space left by one or more excised vertebral posterior structures, the prosthetic device comprising:

a lamina bridge connectable to a first vertebra for replacing an excised lamina of the first vertebra wherein the lamina bridge has an inferior portion and comprises a spinous process prosthesis extending dorsally from the lamina bridge;

at least one inferior facet replacement device, connected to the inferior portion of the lamina bridge;

a flexible bumper connectable to the lamina bridge via a center aperture of the flexible bumper, the center aperture configured to receive the spinous process prosthesis therein, the flexible bumper having a first end having a notch disposed therein for receiving and moveably connecting with a spinous process of a second vertebra and a second end opposite the first end, the second end having a notch disposed therein for receiving and moveably connecting with a spinous process of a third vertebra, wherein the second and third vertebrae are adjacent the first vertebra; and

at least one superior facet replacement device,

wherein the at least one superior facet replacement device articulates with the at least one inferior facet replacement device, and

wherein a portion of one of the at least one inferior facet replacement device and the at least one superior facet replacement device comprises a majority of a sphere.

2. The prosthetic device of claim 1 wherein the at least one inferior facet replacement device is integrally connected with the lamina bridge.

3. The prosthetic device of claim 1 wherein the at least one inferior facet replacement device is threadedly connected with the lamina bridge.

4. The prosthetic device of claim 1 wherein the at least one inferior facet replacement device comprises a spherical portion in contact with the at least one superior facet replacement device.

5. The prosthetic device of claim 1 further comprising a motion constraint mechanism to control a range of articulation between the at least one inferior facet replacement device and the at least one superior facet replacement device.

6. The prosthetic device of claim 5 wherein the motion constraint mechanism comprises a tether extending between the at least one inferior facet replacement device and the at least one superior facet replacement device.

7. The prosthetic device of claim 5 wherein the motion constraint mechanism comprises a sheath at least partially extended over the at least one inferior facet replacement device and the at least one superior facet replacement device.

8. The prosthetic device of claim 5 wherein the motion constraint mechanism comprises a hydrogel.

9. The prosthetic device of claim 1 wherein the flexible bumper is formed from a hydrogel.

10. The prosthetic device of claim 1 further comprising at least one pedicle screw for securing the lamina bridge to a vertebra.

11. A multiple level prosthetic device for interposition in a space left by the excision of one or more vertebral posterior structures from at least two adjacent vertebrae, the prosthetic device comprising:

a first lamina bridge for connection to a first vertebra, the first lamina bridge comprising a first spinous process prosthesis extending dorsally from the first lamina bridge, the first lamina bridge connected to at least one inferior facet replacement device; and

a second lamina bridge connected to at least one superior facet device;

a first flexible bumper connectable to the first lamina bridge via a center aperture of the flexible bumper, the center aperture configured to receive the spinous process prosthesis therein, the flexible bumper having a first end having a notch disposed therein for receiving and moveably connecting with a spinous process of a second vertebra and a second end opposite the first end, the second end having a notch disposed therein wherein the second vertebrae is adjacent the first vertebra; and

a second flexible bumper connectable to the second lamina bridge;

wherein the second end of the first flexible bumper is movably connected to one end of the second flexible bumper such that the first and second flexible bumpers are in direct contact with one another;

wherein the at least one inferior facet replacement device articulates with the at least one superior facet device, and

wherein a portion of one of the at least one inferior facet replacement device and the at least one superior facet replacement device comprises a majority of a sphere.