Apparatus for insertion into an implantation space

• US 7,976,566 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2002
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Michelson, Gary Karlin
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho; (Jackie) Tan-Uyen T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ryckman; Melissa
• Application Number:
  US10/105,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20020099378A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,396 Days
• Field of Search: 606/61, 606/73, 606/252, 606/246, 623/17.11, 623/17.15, 623/17.16
• US Class Current: 606/246
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0642 for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/809 with bone-penetrating elements, e.g. blades or prongs bone staples A61B17/0642; intramedullary nails with a plate at an end A61B17/7233
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8665 Nuts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/92 Impactors or extractors, e.g. for removing intramedullary devices insertion or extraction of artificial joints A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 having at least three legs as part of one single body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0648 threaded, e.g. tacks with a screw thread
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30767 Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• 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 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 2/446 having a circular or elliptical cross-section substantially parallel to the axis of the spine, e.g. cylinders or frustocones
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30235 : tubular, e.g. sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30329 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30433 : using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• 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 2002/30787 : inclined obliquely with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30836 : knurled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3085 : with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 : serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• 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 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 2220/0041 : using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• 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 2310/00059 : Chromium or Cr-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00796 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite

Abstract

A spinal fixation device for stabilizing one or more segments of the human spine and for preventing the dislodgement of intervertebral spinal fusion implants, which remains permanently fixated once applied. The spinal fixation device of the present invention comprises of a staple member made of material appropriate for human surgical implantation which is of sufficient length to span the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae and to engage, via essentially perpendicular extending projections, the vertebrae adjacent to that disc space. A portion of the staple of the spinal fixation device interdigitates with an already implanted intervertebral spinal fusion implant which itself spans the disc space to engage the adjacent vertebrae, and the spinal fixation device is bound to the spinal fusion implant by a locking means. The spinal fixation device of the present invention is of great utility in restraining the vertebrae adjacent to the spinal fusion implant from moving apart as the spine is extended and also serves as an anchor for a multi-segmental spinal alignment means for aligning more that one segment of the spine.

Claims

1. An apparatus for implantation at least in part in the disc space between naturally adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising:

at least two devices adapted to be fixedly attached to one another within the same disc space, each of said devices including surfaces for contacting the endplates of each of the adjacent vertebral bodies, and each of said devices having an end wall, said end wall defining a recess therein, and a threaded opening therethrough;

a connection member configured to be received within said recess of each of said devices to thereby connect said devices, wherein said connection member includes a through hole; and

a fastener for securing said connection member to at least one of said devices, said fastener being received in said through hole of said connection member and said threaded opening of said at least one of said devices.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said recess and said connection member cooperate to limit rotation of said devices.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said devices include upper and lower portions with a plurality of openings for permitting bone growth from one of the adjacent vertebral bodies through each of said devices to the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a hollow interior within each of said devices, said hollow interior being in communication with at least two of said plurality of openings.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said devices have upper and lower portions that are arcuate.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said devices further comprise a protrusion for engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said protrusion of said upper and lower portions of said devices is a thread.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said connector is selected from one of a rod, a cable, a plate, and a bar.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, in combination with a fusion promoting substance.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said fusion promoting substance includes at least one of harvested bone, hydroxyapatite, and bone morphogenetic protein.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fastener is a screw.

12. An apparatus for insertion into an implantation space formed at least in part in the disc space between two naturally adjacent vertebral bodies of the human spine, said apparatus comprising:

at least two devices adapted to be fixedly attached within the same implantation space, each of said devices including surfaces adapted to contact each of the adjacent vertebral bodies, and each of said devices having an end wall, said end wall having a recess therein;

a connection member configured to fit into said recess of each of said devices for connecting said devices, wherein said connection member includes a through hole; and

a fastener for securing said connection member to at least one of said devices, said fastener being received in said through hole of said connection member and a threaded opening of said at least one of said devices.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said devices include upper and lower portions with a plurality of openings for permitting bone growth from one of the adjacent vertebral bodies through each of said devices to the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a hollow interior within each of said devices, said hollow interior being in communication with at least two of said plurality of openings.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said devices have upper and lower portions that are arcuate.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said devices further comprise a protrusion for engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said connector is selected from one of a rod, a cable, a plate, and a bar.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, in combination with a fusion promoting substance.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said fusion promoting substance includes at least one of harvested bone, hydroxyapatite, and bone morphogenetic protein.