Translateral spinal implant

• US 5,860,973 A
• Filed: 10/30/1996
• Issued: 01/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Gary K. Michelson
• Inventors: Michelson, Gary Karlin
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRUONG, KEVIN THAO
• Application Number:
  US08/741,301
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 606/61, 606/72-78, 606/86, 606/87, 606/88, 623/16, 623/17
• US Class Current: 606/247
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1604 Chisels; Rongeurs; Punches; Stamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30744 End caps, e.g. for closing an endoprosthetic cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30767 Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth
• 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 2/446 having a circular or elliptical cross-section substantially parallel to the axis of the spine, e.g. cylinders or frustocones
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4637 for connecting or disconnecting two parts of a prosthesis
• 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 2002/2839 Bone plugs or bone graft dowels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30112 Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30113 circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30143 hexagonal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30153 rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30154 : square
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30224 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30235 : tubular, e.g. sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30261 : parallelepipedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 : hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30599 : stackable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30604 : modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30772 : Apertures or holes, e.g. of circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 : Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 : parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30787 : inclined obliquely with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30789 : perpendicular with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30795 : Blind bores, e.g. of circular cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30836 : knurled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30845 : with cutting edges
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3085 : with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30879 : Ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 : serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30906 : shot- sand- or grit-blasted
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3092 : having an open-celled or open-pored structure
• 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 2002/449 : comprising multiple spinal implants located in different intervertebral spaces or in different vertebrae
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0004 : Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0006 : circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0017 : Angular shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0019 : rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0021 : square
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0082 : parallelepipedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0063 : Nested prosthetic parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00293 : containing a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00796 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite

Abstract

An oversized spinal implant for translateral insertion into the disc space between two vertebrae a length that is greater than one half of the transverse width of the vertebrae and is greater than the depth of the vertebrae. The translateral implant of the present invention has a height that is greater than the height of the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae so as to engage both of the vertebrae. The width of the implant need be only slightly less than the depth of the vertebrae themselves. The translateral spinal fusion implant of the present invention has more surface area of contact and thus permits greater stability so as to withstand torque, and in the case of a threaded implant, increases the depth which any threads are able to penetrate the vertebrae.

Claims

1. A translateral spinal implant for insertion from the lateral aspect of the spine in the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae, said implant having a length that is greater than one half the transverse width of the vertebrae, said length being substantially greater than the depth of the vertebrae, and a height for contacting each of the two adjacent vertebrae.

2. The spinal implant of claim 1 in which said implant has a height that is greater than the disc space and is capable of engaging both of said vertebrae.

3. The spinal implant of claim 1 in which said implant has surface roughenings for engaging said two adjacent vertebrae and for maintaining said implant in place, said surface roughenings being present on at least a portion of the exterior of said implant.

4. The spinal implant of claim 3, in which said surface roughenings include a plurality of ratchetings.

5. The spinal implant of claim 4, in which said ratchetings face one direction.

6. The spinal implant of claim 3, in which said surface roughenings include knurling.

7. The implant of claim 6 in which said implant has a cap on at least one end for removably closing said hollow portion of said Implant.

8. The spinal implant of claim 4 in which said surface roughenings include a plurality of longitudinal splines.

9. The spinal implant of claim 1 having a plurality of openings capable retaining fusion promoting material.

10. The spinal implant of claim 1 in which one end of said implant includes an engagement means for engaging instrumentation for the insertion of said implant.

11. The spinal implant of claim 1 in which said implant comprises a fusion promoting material.

12. The spinal implant of claim 1 in which said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

13. The spinal implant of claim 1 in which said implant has an internal chamber and an access opening for accessing said internal chamber.

14. The spinal implant of claim 13 in which said implant has means for closing said access opening.

15. The spinal implant of claim 13, in which said internal chamber is capable of containing fusion promoting material.

16. The spinal implant of claim 13, in which said implant comprises a wall surrounding at least in part said internal chamber.

17. The spinal implant of claim 16, in which said wall has a plurality of openings passing therethrough in communication with said internal chamber.

18. The implant of claim 1 in which said implant includes driving engaging means for engaging a driving instrument for implanting said implant within the disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae.

19. The implant of claim 1 in which said implant is generally rectangular in shape.

20. The implant of claim 1 in which said implant is generally square in shape.

21. The implant of claim 1 which said implant comprises a plurality of modular members, each of said modular members having a length that is greater than one half the transverse width of the vertebrae, said length being substantially greater than the depth of the vertebrae, a height dimensioned to fit in the space created by the removed disc material from between two adjacent vertebrae, and a width less than the depth of the vertebrae.

22. The spinal implant of claim 21 in which said implant has a height that is greater than the disc space and is capable of engaging both of said vertebrae.

23. The spinal implant of claim 1 in which said implant comprises a bone ingrowth material.

24. The implant of claim 1 for use in the lumbar spine in which the length of said implant is in the range of approximately 35 mm to 50 mm.

25. The implant of claim 1 for use in the thoracic spine in which the length of said implant is in the range of approximately 12 mm to 30 mm.

26. The spinal implant of claim 1 in which said implant has a height that is greater than the disc space and is capable of penetrating into each of the two adjacent vertebrae.

27. The spinal implant of claim 26 in which said implant is at least in part cylindrical in shape.

28. The spinal implant of claim 27, in which said implant has an external thread for engaging the vertebrae.

29. The spinal implant of claim 27, in which said implant is hollow.

30. The implant of claim 27, for use in the lumbar spine in which the diameter of said implant is in the range of approximately 22 mm to 30 mm.

31. The implant of claim 27, for use in the thoracic spine in which the diameter of said implant is in the range of approximately 14 mm to 26 mm.

32. The implant of claim 27, for use in the lumbar spine in which said implant has a length in the range of approximately 38 mm to 44 mm and diameter in the range of approximately 24 mm to 30 mm.

33. The implant of claim 27, for use in the thoracic spine in which said implant has a length in the range of approximately 12 mm to 30 mm and diameter in the range of approximately 14 mm to 26 mm.

62. The spinal implant of claim 1 in which said implant is made of an artificial material.

66. The spinal implant of claim 1 in which said implant comprises bone morphogenetic protein.

70. The spinal implant of claim 1 in which said implant comprises a bioactive material.

34. A translateral spinal implant for insertion from the lateral aspect of the spine in the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae, comprising:

a plurality of modular members, each of said modular members having a length that is greater than one half the transverse width of the vertebrae, said length being substantially greater than the depth of the vertebrae, a width less than the depth of the vertebrae, and a height for contacting each of the two adjacent vertebrae, each of said modular members comprising;

upper and lower walls, and side walls, said upper and lower walls forming a support structure including at least a portion of the interior surface of said upper and lower walls for bearing against the end plates of the adjacent vertebrae,

whereby said plurality of modular members are capable of being inserted in between said two adjacent vertebrae.

63. The spinal implant of claim 34 in which said implant is made of an artificial material.

67. The spinal implant of claim 34 in which said implant comprises bone morphogenetic protein.

71. The spinal implant of claim 34 in which said implant comprises a bioactive material.

35. A translateral spinal implant for insertion from the lateral aspect of the spine in the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae, said implant having a length that is greater than one half the transverse width of the vertebrae, said length being substantially greater than the depth of the vertebrae, a height for contacting each of the two adjacent vertebrae, and a width that is at least as great as the height.

36. The spinal implant of claim 35 in which said implant has a height that is greater than the disc space and is capable of engaging both of said vertebrae.

37. The spinal implant of claim 36, in which said implant is at least in part cylindrical in shape.

38. The spinal implant of claim 37, in which said implant has an external thread for engaging the vertebrae.

39. The spinal implant of claim 37, in which said implant is hollow.

40. The spinal implant of claim 35, in which said implant has surface roughenings for engaging said two adjacent vertebrae and for maintaining said implant in place, said surface roughenings being present on at least a portion of the exterior of said implant.

41. The spinal implant of claim 40 in which said surface roughenings include a plurality of ratchetings.

42. The spinal fusion implant of claim 41, in which said ratchetings face one direction.

43. The spinal implant of claim 40, in which said surface roughenings include knurling.

44. The implant of claim 43, in which said implant has a cap on at least one end for removably closing said hollow portion of said Implant.

45. The spinal implant of claim 40, in which said surface roughenings include a plurality of longitudinal splines.

46. The spinal implant of claim 35, having a plurality of openings capable retaining fusion promoting material.

47. The spinal implant of claim 35, in which one end of said implant includes an engagement means for engaging instrumentation for the insertion of said implant.

48. The spinal implant of claim 35, in which said implant comprises a fusion promoting material.

49. The spinal implant of claim 35 in which said implant is at least in part bioabsorbable.

50. The spinal implant of claim 35 in which said implant has an internal chamber and an access opening for accessing said internal chamber.

51. The spinal implant of claim 50, in which said implant has means for closing said access opening.

52. The spinal implant of claim 50 in which said internal chamber is capable of containing fusion promoting material.

53. The spinal implant of claim 50, in which said implant comprises a wall surrounding at least in part said internal chamber.

54. The spinal implant of claim 53, in which said wall has a plurality of openings passing therethrough in communication with said internal chamber.

55. The implant of claim 35, which said implant comprises a plurality of modular members, each of said modular members having a length that is greater than one half the transverse width of the vertebrae, said length being substantially greater than the depth of the vertebrae, a height to the height of the space created by the removed disc material from between two adjacent vertebrae, and a width substantially less than the depth of the vertebrae.

56. The spinal implant of claim 55 in which said implant has a height that is greater than the disc space.

57. The implant of claim 35 in which said implant is generally rectangular in shape.

58. The implant of claim 35, in which said implant includes driving engaging means for engaging a driving instrument for implanting said implant within the disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae.

59. The spinal implant of claim 35, in which said implant comprises a bone ingrowth material.

60. The implant of claim 35, in which said implant is generally square in shape.

64. The spinal implant of claim 35 in which said implant is made of an artificial material.

68. The spinal implant of claim 35 in which said implant comprises bone morphogenetic protein.

72. The spinal implant of claim 35 in which said implant comprises a bioactive material.

61. A translateral spinal fusion implant for insertion from the lateral aspect of the spine in the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae, said implant having a length that is greater than one half the transverse width of the vertebrae, said length being substantially greater than the depth of the vertebrae, and a height for contacting each of the two adjacent vertebrae;

said implant having an outer surface with a plurality of openings passing through said implant, said plurality of openings capable of retaining fusion promoting substances and capable of permitting bone growth in continuity from one of said adjacent vertebrae to the other of said two adjacent vertebrae to permit fusion of said two adjacent vertebrae to occur at least in part through said implants capable of engaging both of said vertebrae.

65. The spinal implant of claim 61 in which said implant is made of an artificial material.

69. The spinal implant of claim 61 in which said implant comprises bone morphogenetic protein.

73. The spinal implant of claim 61 in which said implant comprises a bioactive material.