Artificial disc prosthesis

• US 7,763,076 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2006
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Theken Spine LLC (Orthofix Medical Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Theken Spine LLC (Orthofix Medical Inc.)
• Inventors: Theken, Randall R., Navarro, Richard R., Ananthan, Bharadwaj
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert; Eduardo C
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARVEY, JULIANNA NANCY
• Application Number:
  US11/362,424
• Publication Number:
  US 20060259146A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,614 Days
• Field of Search: 606/61, 623 1711- 1716
• US Class Current: 623/17.15
• 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 2002/30372 with additional means for limiting said translation
• 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 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• 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 2002/30604 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30884 Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30892 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3097 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4666 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• 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 2220/0075 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

Abstract

A visco-elastic motion-limiting artificial intervertebral disc prosthesis is provided that mimics the physiologic function of a normal spinal disc. The disc comprises upper and lower endplates having therewithin channels or openings for optionally receiving one or more motion-limiting members fitted on each end with an enlarged portion. One or more compression stops is provided between the upper and lower endplates. Additionally, an elastomeric cushion is disposed between the endplates and surrounds the motion-limiting members. Also, force transducers and microelectronics can be utilized to provide data to the surgeon or the patient regarding the load state of the disc.

Claims

1. A subassembly for a spinal disc prosthesis, said subassembly comprising:

a first endplate and a second endplate, each of said first endplate and said second endplate having a respective bone-contacting surface and a respective non-bone contacting surface opposite said respective bone-contacting surface;

a polymeric member interposed between and adhered to said first and second endplates, further comprising a polymeric member internal cavity therein having an opening adjacent each of said respective non-bone contacting surfaces of said first endplate and said second endplate;

wherein said polymeric member internal cavity has a polymeric member internal cavity cross-section in a plane parallel to at least one of said respective non-bone contacting surfaces of said first endplate and said second endplate;

wherein said first endplate further comprises an endplate opening through said bone contacting surface and said non-bone contacting surface further comprising an endplate opening cross-section;

wherein said endplate opening cross-section and said polymeric member internal cavity cross-section are geometrically substantially similar to each other;

said endplate opening being large enough for insertion therethrough of internal components;

in combination with a cover joinable with said endplate opening, so as to close said polymeric member internal cavity and to cover said endplate opening and form a continuous endplate.

2. The subassembly of claim 1 wherein said internal components further comprise electronics.

3. A subassembly for a spinal disc prosthesis, said subassembly comprising:

a first endplate having a first bone-contacting surface and a first non-bone contacting surface opposite said first bone-contacting surface and having a first endplate opening through said respective surfaces;

a second endplate having a second bone-contacting surface and a second non-bone contacting surface opposite said second bone-contacting surface;

a polymeric member interposed between and adhered to said first and second endplates, further comprising a polymeric member internal cavity therein having an opening adjacent said first and second non-bone contacting surfaces of said first endplate and said second endplate;

wherein said polymeric member internal cavity has a polymeric member internal cavity cross-section in planes parallel to said respective non-bone contacting surfaces of said first endplate and said second endplate;

a subplate attachable to said first endplate, and having a subplate opening therethrough;

in combination with a cover attachable to said subplate, wherein when said subplate is attached to said first endplate, said subplate covers said first endplate opening and wherein when said cover is attached to said subplate said cover covers said subplate opening.

4. The subassembly of claim 3, wherein said first endplate opening is approximately dimensionally equal to said polymeric member internal cavity cross-section.