Minimally invasive intervertebral staple distraction devices

• US 9,744,054 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2015
• Issued: 08/29/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Frasier, William, Fisher, Michael A, Hawkins, John Riley
• Primary Examiner(s): WOODALL, NICHOLAS W
• Application Number:
  US14/954,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20160081820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0642 for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12013 for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3782 transmitter or receiver in catheter or minimal invasive instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• 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 2/442 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 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4603 for insertion or extraction of endoprosthetic joints or of accessories thereof
• 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 2002/30176 V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30301 saddle-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3082 Grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• 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 2002/4635 : using minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 : V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0095 : Saddle-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 : for adjusting angular orientation
• 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 2310/00029 : Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 : Ceramics or ceramic-like structures
• 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 2310/00365 : Proteins; Polypeptides; Degradation products thereof

Abstract

Multiple, small, staple-like supports are inserted through a small tube into the disc space then rotated into position on the edge of the vertebral bodies. The tooth-like geometry of the proximal and distal faces of these staples mates with the outer edge of the vertebral body, extending past the front of the endplate anteriorly. The staples have teeth that dig into the endplate on the inside of the rim as well.

Claims

1. A method of inserting a fusion cage into a disc space defined by upper and lower endplates, the cage comprising:

i) a distal portion, an intermediate portion, and a proximal portion,

ii) an anterior wall having a distal portion, an intermediate portion, a proximal portion, and a center hole,

iii) first and second opposed side walls extending from the anterior wall, each sidewall having a distal portion, an intermediate portion, a proximal portion, and an opposed throughhole,

the method comprising;

a) inserting the fusion cage into the disc space in an orientation in which the anterior wall is substantially parallel to a selected endplate and the distal portion of the anterior wall is more anterior than the proximal portion of the anterior wall,

b) moving the distal portion of the anterior wall so the distal portion of the anterior wall is further from the selected endplate than the proximal portion of the anterior wall and so that the anterior wall faces anteriorly.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the anterior wall contacts the lower endplate during the insertion step.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the distal portion of the anterior wall and the proximal portion of the anterior wall are substantially equidistant from the lower endplate during the insertion step.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the moving step results in the entire distal portion of the anterior wall being further from the lower endplate than the entire proximal portion of the anterior wall.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected endplate is the lower endplate.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the moving step comprises pivoting the anterior wall.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the pivoting takes place about a pivot point located at a proximal end portion of the cage.