Inter-body implant

• US 8,828,082 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2010
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: R Tree Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: R Tree Innovations, LLC
• Inventors: Puno, Rolando M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yang, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chang, Olivia C
• Application Number:
  US12/833,352
• Publication Number:
  US 20110009970A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,523 Days
• Field of Search: 623/17.16
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/708 with tubular extensions coaxially mounted on the bone anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4465 having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/46 Special tools or methods for implanting or extracting artificial joints, accessories, bone grafts or substitutes, or particular adaptations therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4684 Trial or dummy prostheses
• 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 2002/30056 differing in radiographic density
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3008 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30133 kidney-shaped or bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30365 with additional means for limiting said rotation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30492 using a locking pin
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/305 Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30571 Leaf springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30594 slotted, e.g. radial or meridian slot ending in a polar aperture, non-polar slots, horizontal or arcuate slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30624 Hinged joint, e.g. with transverse axle restricting the movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30632 : with rotation-limiting stops, e.g. projections or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30672 : temporary
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30808 : parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30879 : Ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30892 : parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4415 : elements of the prosthesis being arranged in a chain like manner
• 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 2210/0014 : using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• 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 2230/0015 : Kidney-shaped, e.g. bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 : for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0032 : differing in radiographic density
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 : radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys

Abstract

A system for implanting an inter-body device between adjacent vertebrae comprises an inter-body device having a plurality of cans secured to a flexible bridge and having a relief portion therebetween. An inserter tube and complementary bullnoses are advantageously secured to the vertebrae by an extension arm for securing the assembly precisely in place. A plurality of articulating trial implants are provided to test fit a disc space for the proper sized inter-body device.

Claims

1. An interbody device for insertion into a disc space and replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae comprising:

an interbody device having a pair of spaced cans connected to each other by a single flexible bridge, the pair of spaced cans each having an upper and lower surface for contacting said adjacent vertebrae, and each having an interior wall spaced in opposition to said flexible bridge and a posterior wall disposed between the upper and lower surfaces; and

a relief area bounded by said interior walls of said cans and said flexible bridge whereby said cans may be compressed into said relief area as said interbody device is inserted into said disc space.

2. The interbody device for insertion into a disc space and replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae as claimed in claim 1 comprising;

the pair of cans having an upper and lower surface for contacting said adjacent vertebrae and at least one aperture between said upper and lower surfaces for containing bone graft material.

3. The interbody device for insertion into a disc space and replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae as claimed in claim 1

wherein the pair of spaced cans are each separated from the other at a medial portion by a predetermined distance.

4. The interbody device for insertion into a disc space and replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spaced cans are secured to said bridge along a portion of said interior wall.

5. The interbody device for insertion into a disc space and replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae as claimed in claim 1 comprising:

a distal can and a proximal can spaced from one another.

6. The interbody device for insertion into a disc space and replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae as claimed in claim 1 comprising:

the pair of cans having upper and lower corrugated surfaces for engaging said adjacent vertebrae as said interbody device is positioned in said disc space.

7. The interbody device for insertion into a disc space and replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae as claimed in claim 1 comprising:

a plurality of radiographic markers disposed at a plurality of points on said device for confirming the position thereof utilizing radiographic techniques.

8. The interbody device for insertion into a disc space and replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae as claimed in claim 1 wherein said interbody device comprises peek, nitinol and titanium materials.

9. An interbody device for insertion into a disc space and replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae comprising:

a first can having upper and lower surfaces for contacting adjacent vertebrae, a distal and proximal end, and an interior wall;

a second can having upper and lower surfaces for contacting adjacent vertebrae, a distal and proximal end and an interior wall, said distal end of said second can spaced from said proximal end of said first can by a predetermined distance;

a flexible bridge secured to the distal end of said first can and to the proximal end of said second can, said flexible bridge opposed to said interior walls of said cans, wherein a relief substantially enclosed by said bridge and the interior walls of said cans.

10. The interbody device for insertion into a disc space and replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae as claimed in claim 9 comprising:

said first and second cans each having a posterior wall and each having an aperture through said upper and lower surfaces for accepting a bone graft material.

11. The interbody device for insertion into a disc space and replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae as claimed in claim 9 comprising:

upper and lower corrugated surfaces on each can for engaging said adjacent vertebrae as said interbody device is positioned in said disc space.

12. The interbody device for insertion into a disc space and replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae as claimed in claim 9 comprising:

said second can having a void in the proximal end thereof between said upper and lower surfaces and a pin secured between said upper and lower surfaces bisecting said void for engaging an insertion tool.

13. The interbody device for insertion into a disc space and replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae as claimed in claim 9 wherein said flexible bridge is convex in shape and wherein said bridge permits both compression and flexure between said cans.

14. The interbody device for insertion into a disc space and replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae as claimed in claim 9 wherein said flexible bridge is substantially the same width as said interior wall of said cans.

15. The interbody device for insertion into a disc space and replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae as claimed in claim 9 comprising:

first and second cans each having an interior wall and a posterior wall, said interior walls being spaced from said flexible bridge to define a void between said cans and said flexible bridge.

16. The interbody device for insertion into a disc space and replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae as claimed in claim 9 comprising:

said first can having a beveled distal edge portion to facilitate insertion of said device in said disc space.

17. The interbody device for insertion into a disc space and replacing a disc between adjacent vertebrae or fusing adjacent vertebrae as claimed in claim 9 wherein said first and second cans and said flexible bridge are integrally formed from the same material.