Minimally invasive spinal disc stabilizer and insertion tool

• US 20070299521A1
• Filed: 07/29/2005
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bradley Glenn, Gary Schneiderman
• Original Assignee: Bradley Glenn, Gary Schneiderman
• Inventors: Glenn, Bradley, Schneiderman, Gary
• Granted Patent: US 7,887,589 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4425 made of articulated components
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30116 partial circles, i.e. circular segments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30136 undulated or wavy, e.g. serpentine-shaped or zigzag-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30153 rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30166 H-shaped or I-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30172 T-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30177 W-shaped, M-shaped or sigma shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30179 X-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30181 Y-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30301 saddle-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30329 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30369 Limited lateral translation of the protrusion within a larger recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30433 using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30556 for adjusting thickness
• 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 2002/30599 stackable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30604 : modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30624 : Hinged joint, e.g. with transverse axle restricting the movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30649 : Ball-and-socket joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30774 : internally-threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30836 : knurled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 : Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/443 : having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component
• 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 2210/0019 : operated at only one temperature whilst inside or touching the human body, e.g. constrained in a non-operative shape during surgery, another temperature only occurring before the operation
• 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 2220/0041 : using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0004 : Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0006 : circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0019 : rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0028 : Shapes in the form of latin or greek characters
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0052 : T-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0056 : W-shaped, e.g. M-shaped, sigma-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0058 : X-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/006 : Y-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0095 : Saddle-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 : for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0009 : for adjusting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0063 : Nested prosthetic parts
• 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 2310/00047 : Aluminium or Al-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00059 : Chromium or Cr-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00131 : Tantalum or Ta-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00155 : Gold or Au-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/0097 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics
• 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

The invention relates to a spinal implant to be inserted between two vertebra to support and stabilize adjacent vertebra and allow for physiological motion. One embodiment of the implant includes an upper assembly and a lower assembly, where the assemblies are adapted to articulate relative to one another. This implant also includes elongate elements that are deployable between a closed position and an open position. Portions of the implant can interlock to form various shapes. The invention includes an implantable device to support the vertebrae, and a minimally invasive method for inserting and deploying the device within the intervertebral space.

Claims

1. An intervertebral implant comprising:

an upper assembly comprising at least two elongate elements; and

a lower assembly comprising at least two elongate elements;

wherein the upper assembly is adapted to articulate relative to the lower assembly.

2. The implant of claim 1, wherein the at least two elongate elements of at least one of the upper assembly and the lower assembly interlock to form an X shape in a horizontal plane.

3. The implant of claim 1, wherein the at least two elongate elements of at least one of the upper assembly and the lower assembly interlock to form a shape selected from the group consisting of A, H, I, K, M, N, T, V, W, Y, and Z shapes in a horizontal plane.

4. The implant of claim 1, wherein at least one of the elongate elements comprises a bend.

5. The implant of claim 1, wherein the implant comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum, tantalum, gold, titanium, ceramic, chromium, cobalt, nitinol, metal/ceramic matrices, polytetrafluoroethylene, thermoplastic polyurethane;

ethylene vinyl acetate;

thermoplastic polyether block amides;

thermoplastic polyester elastomers, nylons, silicones;

polyethylenes;

polyamides, and polyetheretherketone.

6. The implant of claim 1, wherein the at least two elongate elements of at least one of the upper assembly and the lower assembly define a clearance therebetween to enable a limited range of motion between the at least two elongate elements in an interlocked arrangement.

7. The implant of claim 1, wherein the at least two elongate elements of at least one of the upper assembly and the lower assembly are adapted to be configured in each of a closed position and an open position, wherein the at least two elongate elements are movable relative to one another to be deployable between the closed position and the open position.

8. The implant of claim 7, wherein deployment is effected by a shape memory material.

9. The implant of claim 7, wherein the at least two elongate elements in the closed position comprise an I shape in a horizontal plane.

10. The implant of claim 7, wherein the at least two elongate elements in the open position comprise at least one of an X shape and a Y shape in a horizontal plane.

11. The implant of claim 7, wherein the at least two elongate elements are positionable relative to one another through a predetermined angular range between the closed position and the open position.

12. The implant of claim 11, wherein the predetermined angular range comprises a value greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

13. The implant of claim 7, wherein the at least two elongate elements are secured by a pivot.

14. The implant of claim 7 further comprising a locking mechanism for preventing relative movement between the at least two elongate elements when in a locked configuration and allowing relative movement when in an unlocked configuration.

15. The implant of claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a shape memory material.

16. The implant of claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper assembly and the lower assembly is adapted for engaging an adjacent vertebral surface.

17. The implant of claim 1 further comprising an articulation region disposed on each of the upper assembly and the lower assembly.

18. The implant of claim 17, wherein the articulation regions comprise a protuberance disposed on one of the upper and lower assembly and a mating recess disposed on the other assembly, the protuberance and recess at least partially in contact.

19. The implant of claim 17, wherein the articulation regions are selected from the group consisting of a ball and socket configuration, a male to female configuration, mating arcuate surfaces, and corresponding saddles.

20. The implant of claim 1, wherein at least one of the elongate elements tapers along a length thereof.

21. The implant of claim 1, wherein at least one of the elongate elements defines at least one aperture for enabling in-growth of bone.

22. The implant of claim 1, wherein the implant comprises a spacer disposed between the upper assembly and the lower assembly.

25. The implant of claim 17, wherein the articulation regions are expandable to increase a bearing contact surface between the upper assembly and lower assembly.

23. An intervertebral implant comprising:

an upper assembly comprising at least one elongate element; and

a lower assembly comprising at least one elongate element interlocked with the upper assembly;

wherein the upper assembly is adapted to enable a limited range of motion between the interlocked elements.

24. An intervertebral implant comprising:

an upper assembly comprising at least two elements, the at least two elements configurable to vary a size of a vertebral contact surface area of the upper assembly; and

a lower assembly supporting the upper assembly, the lower assembly comprising at least two elements, the at least two elements configurable to vary a size of a vertebral contact surface of the lower assembly.

26. An intervertebral implant comprising:

an upper assembly; and

a lower assembly coupled to the upper assembly through mating articulation regions, wherein the articulation regions comprise expandable bearing surfaces.