Bone fusion device

• US 9,186,262 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2013
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neuropro Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: Neuropro Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: McLuen, Gary R., Remington, Benjamin J., Baker, Daniel R., Logan, Joseph N., Stalcup, Gregory C.
• Primary Examiner(s): STEWART, ALVIN J
• Application Number:
  US14/067,813
• Publication Number:
  US 20140058521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 623 1711- 1716
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/70 Spinal positioners or stabilisers ; Bone stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• 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 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• 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 2002/2835 Bone graft implants for filling a bony defect or an endoprosthesis cavity, e.g. by synthetic material or biological material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30224 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30263 cubical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30266 wedge-shaped parallelepipeds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30411 having two threaded end parts connected by a threaded central part with opposite threads at its opposite ends, i.e. for adjusting the distance between both end parts by rotating the central part
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30492 using a locking pin
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30505 spring biased
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30525 Worm gears
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30528 : Means for limiting said movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 : for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30556 : for adjusting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30565 : having spring elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 : with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 : Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30784 : Plurality of holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 : Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• 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 2002/3092 : having an open-celled or open-pored structure
• 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 2220/0016 : with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 : for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0009 : for adjusting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• 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

A bone fusion device provides stability to bones during a bone fusion period. The bones include, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable tabs attached to the bone fusion device by associated rotating means. The bone fusion device is preferably inserted by using an arthroscopic surgical procedure. During arthroscopic insertion of the device, the tabs are pre-configured for compactness. In this compact configuration, the tabs are preferably deposed along and/or within an exterior surface of the bone fusion device. After the bone fusion device has been positioned between the bones, one or more tab(s) are extended. In the preferred embodiment, the position of each tab is related to a positioning element and extending blocks. Typically, the tabs advantageously position and brace the bone fusion device in the confined space between the bones until the bones have fused.

Claims

1. A bone fusion device for insertion into a desired location comprising:

a. a body having a first end, a second end and an interior cavity;

b. one or more tabs configured to selectively move from a retracted position within the body to an extended position extending out of the body in order to brace the bone fusion device in the desired location, each tab comprising a first tab end proximate the first end and a second tab end distal from the first end and proximate the second end;

c. a positioning element positioned through the first end of the body and substantially within the interior cavity of the body;

d. one or more extending blocks coupled to the positioning element for moving the one or more tabs between the retracted position and the extended position; and

e. one or more retention springs configured to apply a force to the tabs biasing the tabs in the retracted position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the retention springs comprise one or more wires coupled to the body and positioned such that the wires impede a portion of the tabs from moving to the extended position thereby biasing the tabs in the retracted position.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the portion of each of the tabs comprise one or more channels that receive a portion of the wires in order to prevent the wires from slipping off of the portion of the tabs.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the portion of each of the tabs comprise one or more apertures through which the wires are threaded in order to secure wires to the portion of the tabs.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the retention springs comprise one or more wires each surrounding the tabs such that the wires resist separation of the tabs thereby biasing the tabs in the retracted position.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the retention springs comprise one or more wires coupled to the body and the tabs such that the wires resist movement of the tabs with respect to the body thereby biasing the tabs in the retracted position.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the retention springs comprise one or more wires each coupled to two or more of the tabs such that the wires resist separation of the two or more tabs thereby biasing the tabs in the retracted position.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the retention springs comprise one or more flexible portions of the body positioned such that the flexible portions of the body impede a portion of the tabs from moving to the extended position thereby biasing the tabs in the retracted position.

9. A bone fusion device for insertion into a desired location comprising:

a. a body having a first end and an interior cavity;

b. one or more tabs configured to selectively move from a retracted position within the body to an extended position extending out of the body in order to brace the bone fusion device in the desired location;

c. a positioning element positioned through the first end of the body and substantially within the interior cavity of the body;

d. one or more extending blocks coupled to the positioning element for moving the one or more tabs between the retracted position and the extended position; and

e. one or more retention springs configured to apply a force to the tabs biasing the tabs in the retracted position, wherein the one or more retention springs comprise one or more wires coupled to the body and positioned such that the wires impede a portion of the tabs from moving to the extended position thereby biasing the tabs in the retracted position, wherein the portion of each of the tabs comprise one or more channels that receive a portion of the wires in order to prevent the wires from slipping off of the portion of the tabs.

10. A bone fusion device for insertion into a desired location comprising:

a. a body having a first end and an interior cavity;

b. one or more tabs configured to selectively move from a retracted position within the body to an extended position extending out of the body in order to brace the bone fusion device in the desired location;

c. a positioning element positioned through the first end of the body and substantially within the interior cavity of the body;

d. one or more extending blocks coupled to the positioning element for moving the one or more tabs between the retracted position and the extended position; and

e. one or more retention springs configured to apply a force to the tabs biasing the tabs in the retracted position, wherein the one or more retention springs comprise one or more wires coupled to the body and positioned such that the wires impede a portion of the tabs from moving to the extended position thereby biasing the tabs in the retracted position, wherein the portion of each of the tabs comprise one or more apertures through which the wires are threaded in order to secure wires to the portion of the tabs.

11. A bone fusion device for insertion into a desired location comprising:

a. a body having a first end and an interior cavity;

b. one or more tabs configured to selectively move from a retracted position within the body to an extended position extending out of the body in order to brace the bone fusion device in the desired location;

c. a positioning element positioned through the first end of the body and substantially within the interior cavity of the body;

d. one or more extending blocks coupled to the positioning element for moving the one or more tabs between the retracted position and the extended position; and

e. one or more retention springs configured to apply a force to the tabs biasing the tabs in the retracted position, wherein the retention springs comprise one or more wires coupled to the body and the tabs such that the wires resist movement of the tabs with respect to the body thereby biasing the tabs in the retracted position.

12. A bone fusion device for insertion into a desired location comprising:

a. a body having a first end and an interior cavity;

b. one or more tabs configured to selectively move from a retracted position within the body to an extended position extending out of the body in order to brace the bone fusion device in the desired location;

c. a positioning element positioned through the first end of the body and substantially within the interior cavity of the body;

d. one or more extending blocks coupled to the positioning element for moving the one or more tabs between the retracted position and the extended position; and

e. one or more retention springs configured to apply a force to the tabs biasing the tabs in the retracted position, wherein the retention springs comprise one or more wires each coupled to two or more of the tabs such that the wires resist separation of the two or more tabs thereby biasing the tabs in the retracted position.