Artificial disc replacement (ADR) using elastic tether member
OwnerBret A. Ferreeinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Artificial disc (ADR) and joint replacement components, particularly those associated with the knee and hip, use compressible, resilient materials to approximate natural kinematics, often in conjunction with elastic or spring components to tether articulating components to avoid dislocation, excessive compression, flexion or other out-of-range movements. The preferred embodiments require only two or a few articulating components. The designs allow for normal flexion, extension, lateral bending, rotation, and translocation, depending upon the application.
Claims24
A prosthetic implant, comprising:
- a plurality of components adapted for disposition between articulating bones;
- and
- one or more members to tether the components together.
An artificial disc replacement (ADR), comprising:
- a C-shaped spring component;
- and
- a generally biconvex component that articulates between the endplate of a vertebra and the C-shaped spring component,
- whereby pressure on the biconvex component causes the ends of the C-shaped component move apart during axial loads on the spine and during spinal flexion, but wherein the shape memory returns the C-shaped component and biconvex components to their neutral positions as the axial load is removed or the spine is returned to a neutral position.
A spring-biased prosthetic device configured for placement in an artificial joint or between superior and inferior vertebrae as part of an artificial disc replacement (ADR), comprising:
- a spring component between the articular surfaces of the joint or between the superior and inferior vertebrae, thereby creating a central cavity;
- and
- a compressible material at least partially filling the central cavity.
A dampened artificial disc replacement (ADR), comprising:
- a component that moves laterally within a disc space during compression and relaxation;
- and
- a material that dampens the movement of the component, at least during relaxation.
The dampened ADR of claim i3, wherein the material that dampens the movement of the component is a hydrogel, polyurethane, foam polyurethane, or other polymer.
An artificial disc replacement (ADR) including one or more components constructed with more than one material to provide at least one or more of the following advantages:
- a) improved surface wear characteristics,
- b) shielding of elastic/compressible components from excessive forces, and
- c) sealing of certain structures to avoid exposure to bodily fluids.
A prosthetic component, comprising:
- a bone-contacting component;
- and
- a dampening component, the interaction between the bone-contacting component and the dampening component enabling the dampening component to be optimized for dampening as opposed to surface wear.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.