Spinal disc prostheses
First Claim
1. A spinal disc prosthesis comprising:
- a first end disk having a ring and a plurality of rods, the ring having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inner surface defining an elliptical opening, the plurality of rods extending between and connecting sides of the inner surface of the ring;
a second end disk having a ring and a plurality of rods, the ring having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inner surface, the plurality of rods extending between and connecting sides of the inner surface of the ring; and
a flexible core connected to and extending between the first disk and second end disk, the flexible core formed by a plurality of flexible strands extending between and coupling the ring of the first disk and the ring of the second disk;
wherein the plurality of resilient strands exclusively provide the translation, extension, flexion, and axial support for the first end disk and the second end disk.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A spine disc prosthesis mimics a natural human spine disc through use of a structure that duplicates a natural Annulus Fibrosis of the disc to provide translation, extension, flexion, and axial support in like manner to a natural disc. The present spine disc prosthesis achieves this through the use of a first and second disk connected to one another via a flexible annulus fibrosis structure. The flexible annulus fibrosis structure or core is characterized by a plurality of compressible (pliant) strands that are affixed to and extend between the first and second disks. The strands are preferably, but not necessarily, situated on and extend about an outer perimeter of inside surfaces of the two end disks so as to mimic natural contours of an annulus fibrosis of a natural spinal disc. The strands may be formed by various types of biocompatible fibers, braids, cords, bundles or the like and may have a hollow core or a solid core (e.g. PEEK [polyetheretherketone] cores/core strands may also be used). The strands may be situated on the vertical, crossed or in other configurations. The end disks may be formed as to promote fusion with adjoining vertebrae when implanted. The end plate may also include a keel and/or installation structure to allow for implanting the spine disc prosthesis.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A spinal disc prosthesis comprising:
-
a first end disk having a ring and a plurality of rods, the ring having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inner surface defining an elliptical opening, the plurality of rods extending between and connecting sides of the inner surface of the ring; a second end disk having a ring and a plurality of rods, the ring having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inner surface, the plurality of rods extending between and connecting sides of the inner surface of the ring; and a flexible core connected to and extending between the first disk and second end disk, the flexible core formed by a plurality of flexible strands extending between and coupling the ring of the first disk and the ring of the second disk; wherein the plurality of resilient strands exclusively provide the translation, extension, flexion, and axial support for the first end disk and the second end disk. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An artificial spinal disc comprising:
-
a first end disk having a ring and a plurality of rods, the ring having an inner surface, the plurality of rods connecting and extending between sides of the inner surface of the ring; a second end disk having a ring and a plurality of rods, the ring having an inner surface, the plurality of rods connecting and extending between sides of the inner surface of the ring; and a plurality of resilient strands connecting and extending between the first end disk and the second end disk and situated to form an outline of a natural annulus fibrosis of a natural spine disc within the diameter of the first and second end disks, wherein the plurality of flexible strands define an open interior between the first and second end disks, wherein the plurality of resilient strands exclusively provide the translation, extension, flexion, and axial support for the first end disk and the second end disk. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A prosthetic spinal disc comprising:
-
a first ovoid ring supporting a first grill structure formed by a plurality of spaced-apart, substantially parallel rods connecting and extending through opposing sides of inner surfaces of the first ovoid ring; a second ovoid ring supporting a second grill structure formed by a plurality of spaced-apart, substantially parallel rods connecting and extending through opposing sides of inner surfaces of the second ovoid ring; and a flexible mesh extending between and connecting the first and second ovoid ends and contoured in a line duplicating a natural Annulus Fibrosis of a natural human spinal disc, the flexible mesh including a plurality of separate adjacent resilient strands connecting and extending between a lower surface of the first ovoid ring and an upper surface of the second ovoid ring, wherein the plurality of resilient strands exclusively provide the translation, extension, flexion, and axial support for the first and second ovoid rings. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification