Artificial disc prosthesis

• US 7,806,935 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2006
• Issued: 10/05/2010
• 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:
  US11/361,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20060142860A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,684 Days
• Field of Search: 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 endplate and a second endplate, each of said first endplate and said second endplate being attachable to respective vertebrae; and

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

wherein said first endplate comprises an internal cavity,

said internal cavity has a first region having a first cavity internal height measured along an axis existing in an endplate-to-endplate direction and has a second region having a second cavity internal height measured along said axis,

said internal cavity comprises a sensor located in said first region of said internal cavity, and comprises electronics located in said second region of said internal cavity, wherein said second cavity internal height is greater than said first cavity internal height.

2. The spinal disc prosthesis of claim 1, wherein said first endplate has a first endplate centroid, and said axis passes through said first endplate centroid, and wherein said axis passes through said second region and said axis does not pass through said first region.

3. The spinal disc prosthesis of claim 1, wherein said second region extends closer to said first endplate than does said first region.

4. A spinal disc prosthesis, comprising:

a first endplate and a second endplate, each of said first endplate and said second endplate being attachable to respective vertebrae; and

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

wherein said first endplate comprises a sensor and additional electronics contained in a hermetically sealed cavity,

wherein a boundary of said hermetically sealed cavity comprises a first flat layer and a second flat layer located on an opposite side of said hermetically sealed cavity from said first flat layer, said first flat layer and said second flat layer being substantially parallel to each other.

5. The spinal disc prosthesis of claim 4, wherein one of said flat surfaces is an external flat surface of said first endplate.

6. The spinal disc prosthesis of claim 5, wherein said additional electronics comprises an item selected from the group consisting of signal conditioning apparatus, telemetry apparatus, and a coil.

7. A spinal disc prosthesis, comprising:

a first endplate and a second endplate, each of said first endplate and said second endplate being attachable to respective vertebrae; and

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

wherein said first endplate comprises a hermetically sealed cavity having a boundary,

wherein said polymeric member is adhered to a portion of said boundary of said hermetically sealed cavity; and

wherein said hermetically sealed cavity contains a sensor.

8. The spinal disc prosthesis of claim 7,

wherein said hermetically sealed cavity contains an item selected from the group consisting of signal conditioning apparatus, telemetry apparatus, and a coil.

9. A spinal disc prosthesis, comprising:

a first endplate and a second endplate, each of said first endplate and said second endplate being attachable to respective vertebrae; and

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

wherein said first endplate comprises a hermetically sealed cavity having a boundary,

wherein a portion of said boundary is bone-engaging surface; and

wherein said hermetically sealed cavity contains a sensor.

10. The spinal disc prosthesis of claim 9,

wherein said hermetically sealed cavity contains an item selected from the group consisting of signal conditioning apparatus, telemetry apparatus, and a coil.