Spinal implant

• US 7,066,961 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2002
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Michelson, Gary Karlin
• Primary Examiner(s): BARRETT, THOMAS C
• Application Number:
  US10/292,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20030149482A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,323 Days
• Field of Search: 623 1611- 1716
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• 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 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• 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 2/4611 of spinal 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 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30143 hexagonal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30153 rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30158 trapezoidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30261 parallelepipedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3037 Translation along the common longitudinal axis, e.g. piston
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30398 Sliding
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30405 made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30433 using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30523 by means of meshing gear teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30556 for adjusting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 : with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• 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 2002/30774 : internally-threaded
• 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 2002/30797 : 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 2002/30843 : Pyramidally-shaped
• 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 2002/448 : 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 2002/4485 : comprising three or more 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 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 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• 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 2230/0017 : Angular shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0019 : rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0026 : trapezoidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0082 : parallelepipedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0009 : for adjusting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0063 : Nested prosthetic parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00796 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/907 : Composed of particular material or coated

Abstract

A spinal implant is disclosed which when placed within the spinal disc space stabilizes the spinal segment.

Claims

1. A spinal fusion implant comprising:

a leading end and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said implant having a length from said leading end to said trailing end, said trailing end having a perimeter, said trailing end having a hole therein, said trailing end having a slot portion intersecting one portion of the perimeter of said trailing end, said trailing end having another slot portion intersecting another portion of the perimeter of said trailing end opposite said one portion of the perimeter of said trailing end;

opposite sides between said leading and trailing ends, said implant having a width from one of said sides to the other of said sides, said implant having a height; and

an opening through said implant and oriented along the height, said opening being between said opposite sides and between said leading and trailing ends.

2. The implant of claim 1, wherein said slot portion and said another slot portion are opposite ends of a slot having a length and a width transverse to the length of said slot.

3. The implant of claim 2, wherein said hole has a diameter, the width of said slot being greater than the diameter of said hole.

4. The implant of claim 2, wherein said slot of said trailing end is rectangular.

5. The implant of claim 2, wherein the length of said slot is greater than the width of said slot.

6. The implant of claim 2, wherein said slot has a depth perpendicular to the length and the width of said slot, the width of said slot being greater than the depth of said slot.

7. The implant of claim 1, wherein said hole is threaded.

8. The implant of claim 2, wherein said hole has a diameter, the diameter of said hole being less than one half the length of said slot.

9. The implant of claim 1, wherein said sides have at least one opening in communication with said opening through the height of said implant.

10. The implant of claim 1, wherein said implant comprises a second opening through said implant and oriented along the height, said second opening being between said opposite sides and between said leading and trailing ends.

11. The implant of claim 1, wherein the height of said implant is less than the width of said implant.

12. A spinal implant comprising:

a leading end and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said implant having a length from said leading end to said trailing end, said trailing end having a perimeter, said trailing end having a hole therein, said trailing end having a slot portion intersecting one portion of the perimeter of said trailing end, said trailing end having another slot portion intersecting another portion of the perimeter of said trailing end opposite said one portion of the perimeter of said trailing end;

opposite sides between said leading and trailing ends, said implant having a height perpendicular to the length of said implant; and

said implant having a generally rectangular cross section along at least a portion of the length of said implant.

13. The implant of claim 12, wherein said slot portion and said another slot portion are opposite ends of a slot having a length and a width transverse to the length of said slot.

14. The implant of claim 13, wherein said hole has a diameter, the width of said slot being greater than the diameter of said hole.

15. The implant of claim 13, wherein said slot of said trailing end is rectangular.

16. The implant of claim 13, wherein the length of said slot is greater than the width of said slot.

17. The implant of claim 13, wherein said slot has a depth perpendicular to the length and the width of said slot, the width of said slot being greater than the depth of said slot.

18. The implant of claim 12, wherein said hole is threaded.

19. The implant of claim 13, wherein said hole has a diameter, the diameter of said hole being less than one half the length of said slot.

20. The implant of claim 12, further comprising an opening through said implant and oriented along the height, said opening being between said opposite sides and between said leading and trailing ends.

21. The implant of claim 20, wherein said sides have at least one opening in communication with said opening oriented along the height of said implant.

22. The implant of claim 20, wherein said implant comprises a second opening through said implant and oriented along the height, said second opening being between said opposite sides and between said leading and trailing ends.

23. The implant of claim 12, wherein said implant has a width from one of said sides to the other of said sides, the height of said implant being less than the width of said implant.

24. A spinal implant comprising:

a leading end and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said implant having a length from said leading end to said trailing end, said trailing end having a perimeter, said trailing end having a hole therein, said trailing end having a slot portion intersecting one portion of the perimeter of said trailing end, said trailing end having another slot portion intersecting another portion of the perimeter of said trailing end opposite said one portion of the perimeter of said trailing end, said trailing end being convex; and

opposite sides between said leading and trailing ends, said implant having a height perpendicular to the length of said implant.

25. The implant of claim 24, wherein said slot portion and said another slot portion are opposite ends of a slot having a length and a width transverse to the length of said slot.

26. The implant of claim 25, wherein said hole has a diameter, the width of said slot being greater than the diameter of said hole.

27. The implant of claim 25, wherein said slot of said trailing end is rectangular.

28. The implant of claim 25, wherein the length of said slot is greater than the width of said slot.

29. The implant of claim 25, wherein said slot has a depth perpendicular to the length and the width of said slot, the width of said slot being greater than the depth of said slot.

30. The implant of claim 24, wherein said hole is threaded.

31. The implant of claim 25, wherein said hole has a diameter, the diameter of said hole being less than one half the length of said slot.

32. The implant of claim 24, further comprising an opening through said implant and oriented along the height, said opening being between said opposite sides and between said leading and trailing ends.

33. The implant of claim 32, wherein said sides have at least one opening in communication with said opening oriented along the height of said implant.

34. The implant of claim 32, wherein said implant comprises a second opening through said implant and oriented along the height, said second opening being between said opposite sides and between said leading and trailing ends.

35. The implant of claim 24, wherein said implant has a width from one of said sides to the other of said sides, the height of said implant being less than the width of said implant.

36. A spinal implant comprising:

a leading end and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said implant having a length from said leading end to said trailing end, said trailing end having a perimeter, said trailing end having a hole therein, said hole having a diameter, said trailing end having a slot portion intersecting one portion of the perimeter of said trailing end, said trailing end having another slot portion intersecting another portion of the perimeter of said trailing end opposite said one portion of the perimeter of said trailing end, said slot portion and said another slot portion being opposite ends of a slot having a length, said slot having a width transverse to the length of said slot, the width of said slot being greater than the diameter of said hole; and

opposite sides between said leading and trailing ends, said implant having a height perpendicular to the length of said implant.

37. The implant of claim 36, wherein said slot of said trailing end is rectangular.

38. The implant of claim 36, wherein the length of said slot is greater than the width of said slot.

39. The implant of claim 36, wherein said slot has a depth perpendicular to the length and the width of said slot, the width of said slot being greater than the depth of said slot.

40. The implant of claim 36, wherein said hole is threaded.

41. The implant of claim 36, wherein the diameter of said hole is less than one half the length of said slot.

42. The implant of claim 36, further comprising an opening through said implant and oriented along the height, said opening being between said opposite sides and between said leading and trailing ends.

43. The implant of claim 42, wherein said sides have at least one opening in communication with said opening oriented along the height of said implant.

44. The implant of claim 42, wherein said implant comprises a second opening through said implant and oriented along the height, said second opening being between said opposite sides and between said leading and trailing ends.

45. The implant of claim 36, wherein said implant has a width from one of said sides to the other of said sides, the height of said implant being less than the width of said implant.

46. The implant of claim 36, wherein said implant includes a top and a bottom between said leading and trailing ends, and between said opposite sides, said top and said bottom being generally parallel relative to one another.

47. A spinal implant comprising:

a leading end and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said implant having a length from said leading end to said trailing end, said trailing end having a perimeter, said trailing end having a hole therein, said trailing end having a slot portion intersecting one portion of the perimeter of said trailing end, said trailing end having another slot portion intersecting another portion of the perimeter of said trailing end opposite said one portion of the perimeter of said trailing end, said slot portion and said another slot portion being opposite ends of a slot having a length, said slot having a width transverse to the length of said slot, said slot having a depth perpendicular to the length and the width of said slot, the width of said slot being greater than the depth of said slot; and

opposite sides between said leading and trailing ends, said implant having a height perpendicular to the length of said implant.

48. The implant of claim 47, wherein said slot of said trailing end is rectangular.

49. The implant of claim 47, wherein the length of said slot is greater than the width of said slot.

50. The implant of claim 47, wherein said hole is threaded.

51. The implant of claim 47, wherein said hole has a diameter, the diameter of said hole being less than one half the length of said slot.

52. The implant of claim 47, further comprising an opening through said implant and oriented along the height, said opening being between said opposite sides and between said leading and trailing ends.

53. The implant of claim 52, wherein said sides have at least one opening in communication with said opening oriented along the height of said implant.

54. The implant of claim 52, wherein said implant comprises a second opening through said implant and oriented along the height, said second opening being between said opposite sides and between said leading and trailing ends.

55. The implant of claim 47, wherein said implant has a width from one of said sides to the other of said sides, the height of said implant being less than the width of said implant.

56. An artificial spinal fusion implant comprising:

a leading end and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said implant having a length from said leading end to said trailing end, said implant having a height;

opposite sides between said leading and trailing ends, said implant having a maximum width from one of said sides to the other of said sides, said implant having a maximum height less than the maximum width of said implant; and

a plurality of openings through said implant and oriented along the height, said openings being between said opposite sides and between said leading and trailing ends.

57. The implant of claim 56, wherein at least a portion of said leading end is tapered.

58. The implant of claim 56, wherein said leading end is convex.

59. The implant of claim 56, wherein said trailing end is convex.

60. The implant of claim 56, wherein said trailing end includes an opening.

61. The implant of claim 60, wherein said opening of said trailing end is threaded.

62. The implant of claim 56, wherein said trailing end has a flat middle portion.

63. The implant of claim 62, wherein said trailing end includes a rounded portion on both sides of said flat portion.

64. The implant of claim 62, wherein said flat portion includes an opening.

65. The implant of claim 64, wherein said opening of said flat portion is threaded.

66. The implant of claim 56, wherein said trailing end includes a threaded opening having a central longitudinal axis, said implant further including a second threaded opening having a central longitudinal axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of said threaded opening of said trailing end.

67. The implant of claim 56, wherein said trailing end includes a trough.

68. The implant of claim 67, wherein said trough is at a middle portion of said trailing end.

69. The implant of claim 67, wherein said trough includes a hole.

70. The implant of claim 56, wherein said sides are generally flat.

71. The implant of claim 56, wherein one of said sides has at least one opening in communication with at least one of said openings oriented along the height of said implant.

72. The implant of claim 71, wherein said one of said sides includes a plurality of openings.

73. The implant of claim 56, wherein one of said sides has at least one opening in communication with at least one of said openings oriented along the height of said implant, said at least one side opening having a central longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional size transverse to the central longitudinal axis of said at least one side opening, the transverse cross-sectional size of said at least one side opening being different from the transverse cross-sectional size of at least one of said openings oriented along the height of said implant.

74. The implant of claim 56, wherein said implant has a cross section along at least a portion of the length of said implant that forms a quadrilateral.

75. The implant of claim 56, wherein a portion of said leading end forms an arc of a first circle from side to side and a portion said trailing end forms an arc of a second circle from side to side, the first and second circles each having a radius that is different from one another.

76. The implant of claim 75, wherein the radius of the first circle is less than the radius of the second circle.

77. The implant of claim 56, wherein said implant includes a top and a bottom, each of said top and said bottom having an interior surface, the interior surfaces of said top and said bottom being spaced apart from one another to define a hollow interior in communication with at least one of said openings.

78. The implant of claim 56, further comprising a material adapted to fill at least a portion of at least one of said openings.

79. The implant of claim 78, wherein said material is adapted to be retained within said at least one of said openings.

80. The implant of claim 56, wherein said trailing end has a middle portion, each of said sides and said middle portion of said trailing end having an upper edge, a portion of said upper edges of said sides and a portion of said upper edge of said middle portion of said trailing end lying generally in a plane.

81. The implant of claim 56, wherein said implant includes a central vertical axis and each of said sides and said trailing end have an upper portion, said openings having an upper portion between said upper portions of said opposite sides, said upper portion of at least one of said openings having a minimum dimension transverse to the central vertical axis of said implant that is greater than the maximum height of said implant.

82. The implant of claim 56, wherein said openings have a central longitudinal axis and a perimeter surrounding the central longitudinal axis, the perimeter of at least one of said openings being arcuate.

83. The implant of claim 56, wherein said implant includes a central vertical axis and each of said sides and said trailing end have an upper portion, said openings having an upper portion between said upper portions of said opposite sides, said upper portion of at least one of said openings having a minimum dimension transverse to the central vertical axis of said implant that is greater than a majority of the maximum width of said implant.

84. The implant of claim 56, wherein said implant includes a central vertical axis and each of said sides and said trailing end have an upper portion, said openings having an upper portion between said upper portions of said opposite sides, said upper portion of at least one of said openings having a minimum dimension transverse to the central vertical axis of said implant that is greater than a majority of the length of said implant.

85. The implant of claim 56, wherein at least a portior of at least one of said openings extends along a vertical line along the entire height of said implant.

86. An artificial spinal fusion implant comprising:

a leading end and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said implant having a length from said leading end to said trailing end;

opposite sides between said leading and trailing ends, each of said sides and said trailing end having an upper portion, said implant having a maximum width from one of said sides to the other of said sides, said implant having a central vertical axis perpendicular to the length and width of said implant, said implant having a height, said implant having a maximum height less than the maximum width of said implant; and

an opening through said implant and oriented along the height, said opening being between said opposite sides and between said leading and trailing ends, said opening having an upper portion between said upper portions of said opposite sides, said upper portion of said opening having a minimum dimension transverse to the central vertical axis of said implant that is greater than the maximum height of said implant.

87. The implant of claim 86, wherein said opening has a central longitudinal axis that is generally coaxial with the central vertical axis of said implant.

88. The implant of claim 86, wherein at least a portion of said leading end is tapered.

89. The implant of claim 86, wherein said leading end is convex.

90. The implant of claim 86, wherein said trailing end is convex.

91. The implant of claim 86, wherein said trailing end includes an opening.

92. The implant of claim 91, wherein said opening of said trailing end is threaded.

93. The implant of claim 86, wherein said trailing end includes a middle portion that is flat.

94. The implant of claim 93, wherein said trailing end includes a rounded portion on both sides of said flat portion.

95. The implant of claim 93, wherein said flat portion includes an opening.

96. The implant of claim 95, wherein said opening of said flat portion is threaded.

97. The implant of claim 86, wherein said trailing end includes a trough.

98. The implant of claim 97, wherein said trough includes a hole.

99. The implant of claim 86, wherein said sides are generally flat.

100. The implant of claim 86, wherein one of said sides has at least one opening in communication with said opening oriented along the height of said implant.

101. The implant of claim 100, wherein said one of said sides includes a plurality of openings.

102. The implant of claim 86, wherein one of said sides has at least one opening in communication with said opening oriented along the height of said implant, said at least one side opening having a central longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional size transverse to the central longitudinal axis of said at least one side opening, the transverse cross-sectional size of said at least one side opening being different from the transverse cross-sectional size of said opening oriented along the height of said implant.

103. The implant of claim 86, wherein said implant has a cross section along at least a portion of the length of said implant that forms a quadrilateral.

104. The implant of claim 86, wherein a portion of said leading end forms an arc of a first circle from side to side and a portion said trailing end forms an arc of a second circle from side to side, the first and second circles each having a radius that is different from one another.

105. The implant of claim 104, wherein the radius of the first circle is less than the radius of the second circle.

106. The implant of claim 86, wherein said implant includes a top and a bottom, each of said top and said bottom having an interior surface, the interior surfaces of said top and said bottom being spaced apart from one another to define a hollow interior in communication with said opening.

107. The implant of claim 86, further comprising a matorial adapted to fill at least a portion of said opening.

108. The implant of claim 107, wherein said material is adapted to be retained within said opening.

109. The implant of claim 86, further comprising a second opening oriented along the height of said implant and between said opposite sides and between said leading and trailing ends.

110. The implant of claim 86, wherein said opening has a central longitudinal axis and a perimeter surrounding the central longitudinal axis, the perimeter of said opening being arcuate.

111. The implant of claim 86, wherein said minimum transverse dimension of said upper portion of said opening is greater than a majority of the maximum width of said implant.

112. The implant of claim 86, wherein said minimum transverse dimension of said upper portion of said opening is greater than a majority of the length of said implant.

113. The implant of claim 86, wherein said upper portion of said opening has a maximum dimension transverse to the central vertical axis of said implant that is less than the maximum width of said implant.

114. The implant of claim 86, wherein at least a portion of said opening extends along a vertical line along the entire height of said implant.

115. An artificial spinal fusion implant comprising:

a leading end and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said implant having a length from said leading end to said trailing end and a maximum width perpendicular to the length;

a top and a bottom between said leading and trailing ends, said implant having a maximum height from said top to said bottom, said implant having a central vertical axis through said top and said bottom;

a plurality of openings in each of said top and said bottom;

said top and said bottom being spaced apart from one another to form an open area therebetween, said openings in said top and bottom being in communication with said open area;

the maximum width of said implant being greater than the maximum height of said implant.

116. The implant of claim 115, wherein at least a portion of said leading end is tapered.

117. The implant of claim 115, wherein said trailing end is convex.

118. The implant of claim 115, wherein said implant has a cross section along at least a portion of the length of said implant that forms a quadrilateral.

119. The implant of claim 115, wherein a portion of said leading end forms an arc of a first circle from side to side and a portion said trailing end forms an arc of a second circle from side to side, the first and second circles each having a radius that is different from one another.

120. The implant of claim 119, wherein the radius of the first circle is less than the radius of the second circle.

121. The implant of claim 115, further comprising a material adapted to fill at least a portion of one of said openings in said top.

122. The implant of claim 121, wherein said material is adapted to be retained within said one of said openings in said top.

123. The implant of claim 115, wherein one of said openings in said top has a minimum dimension transverse to the central vertical axis of said implant that is greater than the maximum height of said implant.

124. The implant of claim 115, wherein at least one of said openings has a central longitudinal axis and a perimeter surrounding the central longitudinal axis, the perimeter of said opening being arcuate.

125. The implant of claim 115, wherein one of said openings in said top has a minimum dimension transverse to the central vertical axis of said implant that is greater than a majority of the length of said implant.

126. The implant of claim 115, wherein at least one of said openings in said top and at least one of said openings in said bottom overlap each other along a vertical line.

127. The implant of claim 115, wherein said trailing end has a middle portion, said top having an outer perimeter at said middle portion of said trailing end and at opposed side portions, the outer perimeter of said top at said opposed side portions and at said middle portion of said trailing end lying generally in a plane.

128. The implant of claim 115, wherein said top and said bottom are generally parallel to one another.

129. The implant of claim 115, wherein at least one of said top and said bottom is generally planar.

130. The implant of claim 115, wherein at least one of said top and said bottom is non-arcuate from side to side.

131. The implant of claim 115, wherein at least one of said top and said bottom includes a portion extending across the entire length of said implant generally halfway along the maximum width of said implant.

132. The implant of claim 115, wherein said open area has a maximum width transverse to the length of said implant the maximum width of said open area being greater than the maximum height of said implant.

133. The implant of claim 115, wherein each of said openings in said top and said bottom has a central longitudinal axis and a maximum dimension transverse to the central longitudinal axis of said opening, said open area having a maximum width transverse to the length of said implant, the maximum width of said open area being greater than the maximum transverse dimension of one of said plurality of openings in one of said top and bottom.