System and method for spinal fusion

• US 7,799,081 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2004
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aeolin, LLC
• Original Assignee: Aeolin, LLC
• Inventors: McKinley, Laurence M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert; Eduardo C
• Assistant Examiner(s): COMSTOCK, DAVID C
• Application Number:
  US10/940,570
• Publication Number:
  US 20060058876A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,198 Days
• Field of Search: 606/90, 606/105, 606/246, 623 1711- 1716
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4455 for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages intervertebral discs A61F2/442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2817 Bone stimulation by chemical reactions or by osteogenic or biological products for enhancing ossification, e.g. by bone morphogenetic or morphogenic proteins [BMP] or by transforming growth factors [TGF]
• 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 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3008 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30451 soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30522 releasable, e.g. using a releasable ratchet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30556 for adjusting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30774 internally-threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30879 Ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/448 comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4627 with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4629 connected to the endoprosthesis or implant via a threaded connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0058 : soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 : for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0009 : for adjusting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 : radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• 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

Abstract

The current invention is directed to a system and method for fusing two adjacent vertebrae. In one embodiment, the vertebrae are fused by inserting a self-broaching interbody apparatus into a disc space without the need for separately drilling and broaching. The self-broaching interbody apparatus may include cutting flutes or other broaching means capable of cutting through the cartilaginous endplates of the vertebrae. In another embodiment, an interbody apparatus with an expanding means capable of distracting the disc space between the adjacent vertebrae is inserted into the disc space. Another embodiment includes a sleeve that fits around an interbody apparatus that has at least one opening in its outer surface leading to a cavity filled with bone and/or ortho-biological materials.

Claims

1. A spinal fusion system for fusing two adjacent vertebrae, comprising:

a self-broaching interbody apparatus with an upper surface, a llower surface, an insertion end and a trailing end; and

an expanding means comprising;

a first end wall projecting from the upper surface on one of the insertion end and the trailing end toward the lower surface and having a first opening with internal threads;

a second end wall projecting from the lower surface on the other of the insertion end and the trailing end toward the upper surface and having a second opening with internal threads;

first and second sidewalls having first and second projecting edges, the first and second sidewalls fixed to the upper surface and the first end wall, and increasing in size toward the first end wall;

third and fourth sidewalls having third and fourth projecting edges, the third and forth sidewalls fixed to the lower surface and the second end wall, and increasing in size toward the second end wall; and

a linking screw with external threads that mate with the internal threads of the first and second end walls, such that when the linking screw is rotated the first and second end walls are pulled toward each other causing the first and third projecting edges to slide against each other and the second and fourth projecting edges to slide against each other, wherein during such rotation the interbody apparatus is moved from an unexpanded state, where the upper and lower surfaces are at a first distance from each other, to an expanded state, where the upper and lower surfaces are at a second and greater distance from each other; and

wherein in the unexpanded state, the interbody apparatus can be inserted between said adjacent vertebrae while the adjacent vertebrae are in an undistracted state, and in the expanded state, the interbody apparatus increases the distance between the adjacent vertebrae such that the vertebrae are in a distracted state.

2. The spinal fusion system of claim 1, wherein the insertion end includes cutting flutes, the cutting flutes projecting from the outside surface in a first direction and configured to cut through a cartilage layer on at least one of said adjacent vertebrae.

3. The spinal fusion system of claim 2, further comprising a keel projecting in substantially the first direction, fixed to the outside surface and aligned behind at least one of the cutting flutes.

4. The spinal fusion system of claim 1, wherein the trailing end includes an edge that projects at least partially outward, such that when the interbody apparatus sits between said adjacent vertebrae, the edge exerts force on said adjacent vertebrae.

5. The spinal fusion system of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower surfaces are curved to mate with said adjacent vertebrae.