Artificial disc prosthesis

• US 7,771,480 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2006
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• 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:
  US11/361,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20060149377A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,628 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 spinal disc prosthesis, comprising:

a first metallic endplate attachable to a first vertebra, having a first hermetically sealed internal cavity that is bounded by metal;

a second endplate attachable to a second vertebra; and

a polymeric member interposed between and adhered to said first and second endplates;

wherein said first hermetically sealed internal cavity contains electronics.

2. The prosthesis of claim 1, further comprising a polymeric member that defines polymeric member interior space not occupied by said polymeric member, and wherein said first endplate comprises a protrusion extending into said polymeric member interior space.

3. The prosthesis of claim 2, wherein said protrusion defines protrusion internal space which connects with said first hermetically sealed internal cavity.

4. The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein said first hermetically sealed internal cavity is bounded at least by a bone-contacting boundary and a non-bone-contacting boundary, and said bone-contacting boundary directly interacts with bone of one of said vertebrae.

5. The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein said first endplate comprises a layer of metal, and further comprising a sensor in contact with said layer of metal.

6. The spinal disc prosthesis of claim 1,

wherein said first endplate has a protrusion extending therefrom,

wherein said hermetically sealed cavity is in an interior of said protrusion;

wherein in a first, unloaded, condition said protrusion does not contact said second endplate; and

wherein in a second, loaded, condition, said protrusion does contact said second endplate whereby said protrusion receives and transmits loads through said second endplate.

7. A spinal disc prosthesis, comprising:

a first endplate and a second endplate each of said first endplate and said second endplate having a respective bone-contacting surface for attaching to respective vertebrae and a respective non-bone contacting surface opposite said respective bone-contacting surface wherein said first endplate has a first endplate substantially planar vertebral attachment surface; and

a polymeric member interposed between and adhered to said first and second endplates, said polymeric member defining polymeric member interior space not occupied by said polymeric member or by said respective non-bone contacting surfaces; and

a protrusion connected to said non-bone contacting surface of said first endplate, wherein said protrusion has a side surface that is substantially perpendicular to said first endplate substantially planar vertebral attachment surface, and wherein said protrusion extends into and occupies a portion of said polymeric member interior space;

wherein said protrusion defines a hermetically sealed protrusion interior space; and

wherein said protrusion interior space contains electronic components therein.

8. The prosthesis of claim 7, further comprising endplate internal cavity space adjacent to and connected to said protrusion interior space.

9. The prosthesis of claim 7, wherein said protrusion is capable of receiving compressive load from said second endplate or from a component connected to said second endplate.

10. The prosthesis of claim 7, wherein said protrusion and said first endplate are made substantially of a metal.

11. A spinal disc prosthesis, comprising:

a first endplate and a second endplate each of said first endplate and said second endplate having a respective bone-contacting surface for attaching to respective vertebrae and a respective non-bone contacting surface opposite said respective bone-contacting surface wherein said first endplate has a first endplate substantially planar vertebral attachment surface; and

a polymeric member interposed between and adhered to said first and second endplates, said polymeric member defining polymeric member interior space not occupied by said polymeric member or by said respective non-bone contacting surfaces; and

a protrusion connected to said non-bone contacting surface of said first endplate, wherein said protrusion has a side surface that is substantially perpendicular to said first endplate substantially planar vertebral attachment surface, and wherein said protrusion extends into and occupies a portion of said polymeric member interior space;

wherein said protrusion defines a hermetically sealed protrusion interior space,

further comprising endplate internal cavity space adjacent to and connected to said protrusion interior space, wherein said endplate internal cavity space contains electronic components therein.