Device for spinal fusion
AssigneeCortek, Inc.
InventorsJames E. Nicholson, Scott G. Tromanhauser, Dale E. Whipple
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spinal implant replaces excised tissue removed during spine surgery. This implant includes fasteners which firmly attach it to vertebrae adjacent to excised tissue so as to transmit tension and torsional loads to and from those vertebrae. The body of the implant has through cavities into which bone growth material is placed during surgery. The body of the implant also has a finite modulus of elasticity in compression so as to share compressive loads with emplaced bone growth material and with new bony growth facilitated by the emplaced material and the load sharing.
Claims24
An implant for mechanically attaching to the end surface of and promoting bony fusion of at least two vertebrae adjacent to a space left by surgically removed spinal tissue, comprising
- a. a load-sharing body comprising a structure having
- i. a combination of structural elements fabricated from at least one material having finite moduli of elasticity, the combination comprising at least a top surface and a bottom surface;
- ii. said combination of structural elements establishing for structure as a whole a composite non-zero elasticity at least in compression in directions generally normal to said top surface and said bottom surface;
- iii. said combination of structural elements further comprising at least one cavity communication with both said top surface and said bottom surface in a configuration suitable as a receptacle for bone implant and growth material;
- and
- b. on each of said top surface and said bottom surface at least one fastener capable of mechanically anchoring the body to said adjacent vertebrae and transmitting tensile and torsional loads to and from said adjacent vertebrae.
The method of mechanically attaching and promoting bony fusion of two vertebrae adjacent to a space left by surgically removed tissue comprising the implantation of a load-sharing implant which shares compressive loads with said adjacent vertebrae so as to promote growth of bony material between said adjacent vertebrae and which is fastened to said adjacent vertebrae with shear and tensile load transmitting fasteners so as to permit relative movement during and after healing.
The method of attaching both vertebrae adjacent to a space left by excised spinal tissue to a hollow elastic implant filled with bone chips and/or bone growth medium designed to promote and accelerate fusion of the adjacent vertebrae in such a manner as to share compressive loads with the bone chips and/or bone growth medium.
A device for separating and fastening vertebrae adjacent to a space left by surgically removed spinal tissue, comprising
- a. a body elastic to compression loads and comprising spaces for the emplacement of bone growth material;
- and
- b. fasteners which attach securely to adjacent vertebrae and transmit tension and torsional loads to and from the adjacent vertebrae.
A device for separating and fastening vertebrae adjacent to a space left by surgically removed spinal tissue, comprising:
- a. means for separating adjacent vertrbrae while yielding elastically to compression loads;
- b. means for the emplacement of bone growth material;
- and
- c. means for attaching the device securely to adjacent vertebrae and transmitting tension and torsional loads to and from the adjacent vertrbrae.
A dovetail tome apparatus which cuts at least two dovetail grooves in bone simultaneously.
A cutting apparatus comprising a single element interlock which prevents rotation of the shaft outside of the guide and which prevents withdrawal of the tool from the guide while the shaft is rotated.
A guide means for stabilizing vertebrae adjacent to a space left by surgically removed spinal tissue and for establishing references for a tome apparatus.
A tome apparatus driver device providing a plurality of small impacts axially to a bone cutting device.
(original) An implant for mechanically attaching to the ends of and promoting bony fusion of at least two vertebrae adjacent to a space left by surgically removed spinal tissue, comprising:
- a. a load-sharing body comprising a structure having,
- i. a combination of structural elements fabricated from at least one inanimate or manmade material, the combination comprising at least a top surface and a bottom surface;
- ii. said combination of structural elements establishing for the structure as a whole a composite substantial elastic compliance at least in compression in directions generally axial to said top surface and said bottom surface;
- iii. said combination of structural elements further comprising at least one cavity communicating with both said top surface and said bottom surface in a configuration suitable as a receptacle for bone implant and growth material;
- iv. said combination of structural elements having an anterior surface and further comprising a channel through the anterior surface and communication with the at least one cavity, whereby bone growth material may be added to the cavity after insertion;
- b. located on each of said top surface and said bottom surface at least one first component of a locking joint, said locking joint comprising at least two components and being capable when all components are mated of mechanically anchoring the body to said adjacent vertebrae so as to transmit tensile and torsional loads to and from said adjacent vertebrae, said first component of the locking joint being configured to mate with at least a second component of the locking joint comprising a geometrically complementary element specially formed in the adjacent vertebra for mating attachment;
- and
- c. located on each of said top surface and said bottom surface at least one plurality of ridges, whereby the implant is prevented from being extruded from the intervertebral space after implantation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.