Support structure device and method

• US 7,875,077 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2005
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3spine Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Eisermann, Lukas G., Humphreys, Steven C., Peterman, Marc M., Hodges, Scott D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barrett; Thomas C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yang; Andrew
• Application Number:
  US11/031,700
• Publication Number:
  US 20050154464A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,209 Days
• Field of Search: 623 1711- 1716, 606/61, 606246-248, 606/279
• US Class Current: 623/17.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/08 Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments sutures A61B17/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• 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 2/4425 made of articulated components
• 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 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 2002/30004 the prosthesis being made from materials having different values of a given property at different locations within the same prosthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30331 made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• 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 2002/30578 having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30604 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30624 Hinged joint, e.g. with transverse axle restricting the movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30649 Ball-and-socket joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30685 Means for reducing or preventing the generation of wear particulates
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30769 madreporic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30884 Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30909 Nets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30929 having at least two superposed coatings
• 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 2002/4631 : the prosthesis being specially adapted for being cemented
• 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 2250/0014 : having different values of a given property or geometrical feature, e.g. mechanical property or material property, at different locations within the same prosthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00161 : Carbon; Graphite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00167 : Diamond or diamond-like carbon
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00203 : containing alumina or aluminium oxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00239 : containing zirconia or zirconium oxide ZrO2
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00407 : Coating made of titanium or of Ti-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00796 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00976 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of proteins or of polypeptides, e.g. of bone morphogenic proteins BMP or of transforming growth factors TGF

Abstract

An artificial vertebral joint is interposed between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra. The artificial vertebral joint comprises a rostral joint component having a first surface adapted for engagement with an endplate of the superior vertebra, a first anterior articulation surface, and a support tab adapted for extending from the first surface and for engaging a portion of the endplate. The portion of the endplate extends from the first surface to a posterior edge of the endplate. The joint further comprises a caudal joint component having a second surface adapted for engagement with an endplate of the inferior vertebra and a spacer component adapted for interposition between the rostral joint component and the caudal joint component.

Claims

1. An artificial spinal joint for creating a portion of a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra comprising:

an anterior joint replacement component comprising a ball and socket joint and a laterally facing outer surface, the ball and socket joint comprising a socket having an open lateral side portion flush with the laterally facing outer surface and comprising a curved protrusion having a lateral sidewall forming a part of the laterally facing outer surface, a radius of curvature of the curved protrusion closely matching a radius of curvature of the socket;

a bridge coupled to the anterior joint replacement and extending posteriorly from the anterior joint replacement beyond one or both generally cylindrical body portions of a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra;

a posterior joint replacement component coupled to the bridge, wherein the posterior joint replacement component includes a rostral component and a caudal component, and wherein one of the rostral component and the caudal component is arranged to extend further posteriorly than the other one of the rostral component and the caudal component; and

a support tab coupled to the anterior joint replacement component and arranged to engage a posterior surface of the generally cylindrical body portion of the superior vertebra.

2. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 further comprising a fastener configured in a manner to fasten the support tab to the generally cylindrical body portion of the superior vertebra.

3. The artificial spinal joint of claim 2 wherein the fastener is a bone screw.

4. The artificial spinal joint of claim 2 wherein the fastener includes a plurality of bone screws.

5. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 wherein the support tab is shaped to follow the contour of the posterior surface of the generally cylindrical body portion of the superior vertebra.

6. The artificial spinal joint of claim 5 wherein an angle between the support tab and the anterior joint replacement component is greater than 90 degrees.

7. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 wherein the support tab is rigidly coupled to the anterior joint replacement component.

8. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 wherein a surface of the support tab is coated with osteoconductive material.

9. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 wherein a surface of the support tab is roughened in a manner to promote bone ingrowth.

10. The artificial spinal joint of claim 1 wherein the bridge is at least a portion of an artificial pedicle.

11. An artificial spinal joint replacement device for placement between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra, the device comprising:

an upper retaining portion; and

a lower retaining portion, the upper and lower retaining portions each having an anterior joint replacement element sized to fit within a space between vertebral bodies of the superior and inferior endplates, the anterior joint replacement elements together forming a ball and socket joint and having a laterally facing outer surface, the ball and socket joint comprising a socket having an open lateral side portion flush with the laterally facing outer surface and comprising a curved protrusion having a lateral sidewall forming a part of the laterally facing outer surface, a radius of curvature of the curved protrusion closely matching a radius of curvature of the socket;

at least one of the upper and lower retaining portions having a posterior element connected to the anterior joint replacement element, such that an overall length of said at least one of the upper and lower retaining portions is greater than an overall length of the other of the upper and lower retaining portions, said at least one of the upper and lower retaining portions being sized so that the posterior element is disposed outside the space between the vertebral bodies when the anterior joint replacement element is disposed within the space between the vertebral bodies,

wherein the posterior element includes a connector hole configured to receive a fastener to secure said at least one of the upper and lower retaining portions to the respective superior or inferior vertebrae.

12. The joint replacement device of claim 11, further comprising a bridge section extending between and connecting the posterior element and the anterior joint replacement element of said at least one of the upper and lower retaining portions.

13. The joint replacement device of claim 11, wherein the connector hole is disposed in a manner that directs the fastener into a pedicle of the respective superior and inferior vertebrae.

14. The joint replacement device of claim 11, wherein the upper retaining portion is shaped in a manner that allows it to directly contact only the upper vertebra and the lower retaining portion is shaped in a manner that allows it to directly contact only the lower vertebra.

15. The joint replacement device of claim 11, wherein the upper and lower retaining portions are shaped for implantation on one side of a midline of the superior and inferior vertebrae.

16. The joint replacement device of claim 11, comprising:

a second upper retaining portion; and

a second lower retaining portion, the second upper and second lower retaining portions each having a second anterior joint replacement element sized to fit within a space between vertebral bodies of the superior and inferior endplates, the second upper and lower retaining portions being sized for implantation on one side of a midline of the superior and inferior vertebrae.

17. The joint replacement device of claim 11, wherein said at least one of the upper and lower retaining portions having a posterior element is the lower retaining portion.

18. The joint replacement device of claim 11, wherein the upper and lower retaining portions are sized for implantation though a posterior approach.

19. The joint replacement device of claim 11, wherein the upper and lower retaining portions are sized for implantation through a posterior approach without requiring removal of facet joints.

20. An artificial spinal joint replacement device for placement between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra, the device comprising:

an upper retaining portion including

an upper endplate contact surface configured in a manner to contact an endplate of the superior vertebra,

a lower surface; and

a lower retaining portion including

a lower endplate contact surface configured in a manner to contact an endplate of the inferior vertebra,

an upper surface facing the lower surface of the upper retaining portion,

the upper and lower retaining portions each having an anterior joint replacement element sized to fit within a space between vertebral bodies of the superior and inferior endplates and shaped in a manner that cooperatively provides movement of the upper retaining portion relative to the lower retaining portion in a manner to provide relative movement to the superior and inferior vertebra, the upper and lower retaining portions comprising a ball and socket joint and having a laterally facing outer surface, the ball and socket joint comprising a socket having an open lateral side portion flush with the laterally facing outer surface and comprising a curved protrusion having a lateral sidewall forming a part of the laterally facing outer surface, a radius of curvature of the curved protrusion closely matching a radius of curvature of the socket;

at least one of the upper and lower retaining portions having a posterior element connected to the anterior joint replacement element, such that an overall length of said at least one of the upper and lower retaining portions is greater than an overall length of the other of the upper and lower retaining portions, said at least one of the upper and lower retaining portions being sized so that the posterior element is disposed outside the space between the vertebral bodies when the anterior joint replacement element is disposed within the space between the vertebral bodies,

wherein the posterior element includes a connector hole configured to receive a fastener to secure said at least one of the upper and lower retaining portions to the respective superior or inferior vertebrae.

21. The joint replacement device of claim 20, further comprising a bridge section extending between and connecting the posterior element and the anterior joint replacement element of said at least one of the upper and lower retaining portions.

22. The joint replacement device of claim 20, wherein the connector hole is disposed in a manner that directs the fastener into a pedicle of the respective superior and inferior vertebrae.

23. The joint replacement device of claim 20, comprising:

a second upper retaining portion; and

a second lower retaining portion, the second upper and second lower retaining portions each having a second anterior joint replacement element sized to fit within a space between vertebral bodies of the superior and inferior endplates, the second upper and lower retaining portions being sized for implantation on one side of a midline of the superior and inferior vertebrae.