Multi-piece artificial spinal disk replacement device with selectably positioning articulating element
AssigneeKyphon Sarl
InventorsJames Zucherman, Ken Hsu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A posterior approach for intervertebral disk replacement is provided. This technique is particularly suited for assembling a multi-piece artificial spinal disk replacement device in situ in order to alleviate discomfort associated with the spinal column.
Claims52
An implant for relieving pain associated with at least one of the spinal column and surrounding tissues and structures, which implant is positionable between a first vertebra and a second vertebra of the spinal column, wherein the first vertebra is located adjacent to and above the second vertebra, the implant comprising:
- a first end plate having a first support surface and a top surface opposite the first support surface wherein the first end plate comprises two or more first segments that are joined side by side;
- a second end plate having a second support surface and a lower surface opposite the second support surface wherein the second end plate comprises two or more second segments that are joined side by side;
- and
- a bearing member that is interposed between the first end plate and the second end plate wherein the bearing member has (i) a convex upper surface that is in contact with the first support surface and (ii) an opposite mounting surface that is in contact with the second support surface.
An implant for relieving pain associated with at least one of the spinal column and surrounding tissues and structures, which implant is positionable between a first vertebra and a second vertebra of the spinal column, wherein the first vertebra is located adjacent to and above the second vertebra, the implant comprising:
- a first end plate having a first support surface and a top surface opposite the first support surface;
- a second end plate having a second support surface and a lower surface opposite the second support surface;
- a bearing member that is interposed between the first end plate and the second end plate wherein the bearing member has (i) a convex upper surface that is in contact with the first support surface and (ii) an opposite mounting surface that is in contact with the second support surface;
- and
- means for selectively securing the bearing member to one of a plurality of positions in order to adjust the position on the first support surface that is in contact with an articular surface of the bearing member.
An implant for relieving pain associated with at least one of the spinal column and surrounding tissues and structures, which implant is positionable between a first vertebra and a second vertebra of the spinal column, wherein the first vertebra is located adjacent to and above the second vertebra, the implant comprising:
- a first end plate having a first support surface and a top surface opposite the first support surface;
- a second end plate having a second support surface and a lower surface opposite the second support surface wherein the first and second end plates are configured substantially as parallelograms such that the proximal ends of the first and second end plates are located at or near the midsagittal plane between the first and second vertebrae and the distal ends of the first and second end plates are located to a side on the posterior surface of the first and second vertebrae;
- and
- a bearing member that is interposed between the first end plate and the second end plate wherein the bearing member has (i) a convex upper surface that is in contact with the first support surface and (ii) an opposite mounting surface that is in contact with the second support surface.
A method of implanting a multiple piece device in situ between an upper and a lower vertebral body in a spine, the method comprising:
- (a) accessing an affected region of the spine posteriorly by performing a minor posterior annulotomy;
- (b) removing at least a portion of the affected region to create an exposed area in the region which is defined by a region length and a region width;
- (c) positioning a first piece of the device into the affected region, wherein the first piece comprises a first plate having a first plate length and a first plate width, with the first plate width being longer than the region length, wherein the first plate comprises two or more first segments that are joined side by side in situ and wherein the first plate is positioned so that its upper surface contacts the upper vertebral body;
- (d) positioning a second piece of the device into the affected region, wherein the second piece comprises a second plate having a second plate length and a second plate width, with the second plate width being longer than the region length, wherein the second plate comprises two or more second segments that are joined side by side in situ and wherein the second plate is positioned so that its lower surface contacts the lower vertebral body;
- and
- (e) inserting a third piece of the device between the first and second pieces wherein the third piece comprises an articulating surface that supports the first plate and a lower surface that rests on the second plate.
A method of relieving pain associated with at least one of the spinal column and associated tissues and structures comprising the steps of:
- (a) posteriority exposing an annulus comprised of fibrous tissue positioned between first and second adjacent vertebrae;
- (b) removing at least a portion of the fibrous tissue from the annulus;
- and
- (c) positioning an implant into the annulus which comprises the steps of:
- (i) inserting a first end plate having a first support surface and a top surface opposite the first support surface wherein the first support surface defines two or more recesses;
- (ii) inserting a second end plate having a second support surface and a lower surface opposite the second support surface wherein the lower surface;
- and
- (iii) a positioning bearing member between the first end plate and the second end plate wherein the bearing member has (i) a convex upper surface and (ii) an opposite mounting surface that is in contact with the second support surface, and wherein the bearing member is positioned so that its convex upper surface is positioned on one of the recesses of the first support surface of the first end plate.
A method of relieving pain associated with at least one of the spinal column and associated tissues and structures comprising the steps of:
- (a) posteriority exposing an annulus of an intervertebral disk comprised of fibrous tissue positioned between first and second adjacent vertebrae;
- (b) removing at least a portion of the fibrous tissue from the annulus and creating an aperture on a side of the posterior surface of the intervertebral disk located laterally from the midsagittal plane;
- and
- (c) positioning an implant into the annulus which comprises the steps of:
- (i) inserting a first end plate having a first support surface and a top surface opposite the first support surface through the aperture such that the distal end of the first end plate is located at or near the midsagittal plane between the first and second vertebrae and the proximal end of the first end plate is located adjacent the aperture;
- (ii) inserting a second end plate having a second support surface and a lower surface opposite the second support surface wherein the lower surface through the aperture such that the distal end of the second end plate is located at or near the midsagittal plane between the first and second vertebrae and the proximal end of the first end plate is located adjacent the aperture;
- and
- (iii) a positioning bearing member between the first end plate and the second end plate wherein the bearing member has (i) a convex upper surface and (ii) an opposite mounting surface that is in contact with the second support surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.