Posterior joint replacement device

• US 7,635,389 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2006
• Issued: 12/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3spine Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Fessler, Richard G., Yu, Kidong
• Primary Examiner(s): Barrett; Thomas C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yang; Andrew
• Application Number:
  US11/342,961
• Publication Number:
  US 20070191945A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,422 Days
• Field of Search: 606/61, 606246-279, 623 1711- 1716
• US Class Current: 623/17.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7001 Screws or hooks combined with longitudinal elements which do not contact vertebrae A61B17/7058 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• 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 2/4425 made of articulated components
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30069 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30365 with additional means for limiting said rotation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30428 made by inserting a protrusion into a slot
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30462 retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30471 connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30553 for adjusting a position by translation along an axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30563 having elastic means or damping means, different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric core or shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30578 having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30649 Ball-and-socket joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30878 with non-sharp protrusions, for instance contacting the bone for anchoring, e.g. keels, pegs, pins, posts, shanks, stems, struts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30925 etched
• 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 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 2220/0075 : sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0091 : connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0008 : for adjusting a position by translation along an axis or two perpendicular axes
• 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 2310/00161 : Carbon; Graphite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00167 : Diamond or diamond-like carbon
• 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 2310/00796 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite
• 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 prosthetic device for placement in an intervertebral space defined between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae may includes an upper articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space and a lower articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space. The lower articular portion may be configured to cooperate with the upper articular portion to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae. An attachment element may extend in the general direction of the spinal column. The attachment element may be configured to be fastened to at least one of the upper and the lower vertebrae to at least partially secure in place said one of the upper and lower articular portions. A method of implanting also is disclosed.

Claims

1. A prosthetic device for placement in an intervertebral disc space defined between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae, comprising:

an upper articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral disc space, the upper articular portion including an upper posterior portion configured to be disposed at a location posterior of the intervertebral disc space;

a lower articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral disc space and configured to cooperate with the upper articular portion to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae, the lower articular portion including a lower posterior portion configured to be disposed at a location posterior of the intervertebral disc space; and

an attachment element extending from the upper posterior portion and when implanted extends in the general direction of the spinal column, the attachment element being configured to be fastened to the upper vertebra to at least partially secure in place the upper articular portion,

wherein the upper and lower articular portions are laterally symmetric about an anterior-posterior longitudinal centerline and the attachment element is centrally aligned about the longitudinal centerline,

wherein the attachment element is connected to the upper posterior portions by a movable joint centrally aligned about the longitudinal centerline, and

wherein the upper and lower posterior portions extend in a substantially parallel direction when the prosthetic device is in a neutral position.

2. The prosthetic device of claim 1, including a fastener configured to fasten the attachment element to at least one of the upper and lower vertebrae.

3. The prosthetic device of claim 2, wherein the fastener adjustably connects to the attachment element.

4. The prosthetic device of claim 2, wherein the fastener is configured to align substantially along the centerline of said one of the upper and lower articular portions.

5. The prosthetic device of claim 2, wherein the fastener includes a bone anchor screw.

6. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the attachment element is configured to receive a fastener at a plurality of selectable locations.

7. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the joint provides a degree of freedom to the attachment element.

8. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the attachment element includes at least one aperture configured to receive a fastener.

9. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the attachment element extends at least to pedicle of the upper or lower vertebrae.

10. A method of implanting a prosthetic device in an intervertebral disc space defined between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae, comprising:

placing an upper articular portion at least partially in the intervertebral disc space, the upper articular portion having an upper posterior portion configured to be disposed at a location posterior of the intervertebral disc space;

placing a lower articular portion at least partially in the intervertebral disc space, the lower articular portion having a lower posterior portion configured to be disposed at a location posterior of the intervertebral disc space, wherein the lower articular portion cooperates with the upper articular portion to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae, the lower posterior portion connected by a joint to an attachment element;

aligning the upper and lower articular portions about a longitudinal centerline such that the upper and lower articular portions are symmetric about the longitudinal centerline and such that the upper and lower posterior portions are substantially parallel when the prosthetic device is in a neutral position;

centrally aligning the joint about the longitudinal centerline;

positioning the joint posteriorly of vertebral bodies of the upper and lower vertebrae; and

fastening the attachment element extending from the lower posterior portion in the general direction of the spinal column to the upper vertebra outside the intervertebral disc space to at least partially secure in place said one of the upper and lower articular portions.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein fastening the attachment element includes attaching the attachment element to a head of a fastener.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein fastening the attachment element includes connecting the attachment element to the upper vertebra to provide flexible dampening to the articulating motion.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein placing the upper articular portion and placing the lower articular portion are performed simultaneously.