# US 2008/0188895 A1 · Spinal mobility preservation apparatus

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- Number: US 2008/0188895 A1
- Document ID: US20080188895A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 11/981,331
- Filed: 2007-10-31
- Published: 2008-08-07
- Earliest claimed: 2000-02-16
- Assignees: TranS1 Inc.
- Inventors: Andrew H. Cragg; Robert L. Assell; Steven D. Ainsworth; Eugene A. Dickhudt; Bradley J. Wessman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080188895A1

## CPC

- 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)}
- A61B 17/70: Spinal positioners or stabilisers, e.g. stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
- A61F 2/441: {made of inflatable pockets or chambers filled with fluid, e.g. with hydrogel}
- A61F 2/4425: {made of articulated components}
- A61B 17/864: {hollow, e.g. with socket or cannulated}
- A61B 17/8685: {comprising multiple separate parts}
- A61F 2/30742: {Bellows or hose-like seals; Sealing membranes (A61B17/8808 takes precedence; sealing membranes for retaining bone substitute A61F2/2846)}
- A61F 2/30744: {End caps, e.g. for closing an endoprosthetic cavity}
- A61F 2/4611: {of spinal prostheses}
- A61F 2002/30014: {differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility}
- A61F 2002/30062: {(bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive}
- A61F 2002/30075: {swellable, e.g. when wetted}
- A61F 2002/30224: {cylindrical}
- A61F 2002/30242: {spherical}
- A61F 2002/30289: {helically-coiled}
- A61F 2002/30331: {made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit}
- A61F 2002/30405: {made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves}
- A61F 2002/30448: {using adhesives}
- A61F 2002/30462: {retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable}
- A61F 2002/30495: {using a locking ring}
- A61F 2002/30507: {using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw}
- A61F 2002/30563: {having elastic means or damping means, different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric core or shock absorbers}
- A61F 2002/30565: {having spring elements}
- A61F 2002/30566: {Helical springs}
- A61F 2002/30571: {Leaf springs}
- A61F 2002/30579: {with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices}
- A61F 2002/30583: {filled with hardenable fluid, e.g. curable in-situ}
- A61F 2002/30604: {modular}
- A61F 2002/30677: {Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body}
- A61F 2002/3085: {with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface}
- A61F 2002/30859: {having threaded portions of different pitches}
- A61F 2002/3097: {using laser}
- A61F 2002/443: {having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component}
- A61F 2002/444: {for replacing the nucleus pulposus}
- A61F 2002/4495: {having a fabric structure, e.g. made from wires or fibres}
- A61F 2002/4667: {for measuring torque}
- A61F 2210/0004: bioabsorbable
- A61F 2210/0061: swellable
- A61F 2210/0085: hardenable in situ, e.g. epoxy resins
- A61F 2220/0025: Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
- A61F 2220/0033: made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
- A61F 2220/005: using adhesives
- A61F 2220/0075: sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
- A61F 2230/0069: cylindrical
- A61F 2230/0071: spherical
- A61F 2230/0091: helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
- A61F 2250/0018: differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
- A61F 2310/00017: Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
- A61F 2310/00029: Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
- A61F 2310/0097: Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A spinal mobility preservation apparatus and methods are disclosed. The spinal mobility preservation apparatus may include a proximal body, an intermediate body, a distal body, and an expandable membrane. The proximal body and the distal body secure the mobility preservation apparatus to adjacent vertebral bodies. At least one of an intermediate body and an expandable membrane secure the proximal body to the distal body and provide a degree of support to a spinal motion segment defined by the adjacent vertebral bodies. A single proximal body and an expandable membrane may also compose a spinal mobility preservation apparatus. The proximal body secured to one of a superior or an inferior vertebral body and the expandable membrane extending into the intervertebral disc space to support the spinal motion segment.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for supporting the spine, comprising the steps of:
implanting a mobility preservation apparatus between a cephalad vertebral body and a caudad vertebral body, the mobility preservation apparatus comprising an intermediate body, wherein the intermediate body permits the relative flexing of the cephalad vertebrae and the caudad vertebrae that are adjacent to the mobility preservation apparatus;
inserting a stiffening member through an axial bore in the caudad vertebral body; and
positioning the stiffening member within at least a portion of an intermediate lumen defined by the intermediate body to increase the stiffness of the intermediate body.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method, as in claim 1, further comprising the step of the stiffening member converting the mobility preservation apparatus to fusion apparatus.

### Claim 3

A method for supporting the spine, comprising the steps of:
providing a mobility preservation apparatus having an intermediate body having a proximal end and a distal end, the intermediate body including at least one flexible element positioned between the proximal end and the distal end;
forming an axial bore through a caudad vertebral body, an intervertebral disc and a cephalad vertebral body;
removing at least a portion of a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc through the axial bore to form a disc space; and
axially inserting the mobility preservation apparatus through the axial bore;
securing at least a portion the mobility preservation apparatus in the cephalad vertebral body with the first retention structure;
securing at least a portion of the mobility preservation apparatus in the caudad vertebral body with the second retention structure; and
positioning a stiffening member within at least a portion of an intermediate lumen to increase the stiffness of the at least one flexible element.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A method, as in claim 3, further comprising the step of the stiffening member converting the mobility preservation apparatus to fusion apparatus.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

A method, as in claim 3, further comprising the step of securing the stiffening member within the intermediate lumen.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

A method, as in claim 3, further comprising the step of rotating the stiffening member within the intermediate lumen to secure the stiffening member within the intermediate lumen.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

A method, as in claim 3, further comprising the step of providing the mobility preservation apparatus comprising the intermediate body configured as substantially radially symmetrical about a longitudinal axis.

### Claim 8 (depends on 3)

A method, as in claim 3, further comprising the step of providing the mobility preservation apparatus comprising the intermediate body defining at least one fenestration.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

A method, as in claim 7, further comprising the step of providing a mobility preservation apparatus comprising a proximal body, the proximal body configured as substantially radially symmetrical about a longitudinal axis, the proximal body secured to the proximal end of the intermediate body, and the proximal body including a first retention structure.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

A method, as in claim 9, further comprising the step of providing a mobility preservation apparatus comprising the intermediate body defining at least one fenestration.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

A method, as in claim 10, further comprising the step of providing a mobility preservation apparatus comprising the proximal body defining a proximal lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fenestration of the intermediate body.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

A method, as in claim 9, further comprising the step of providing a mobility preservation apparatus comprising a distal body, the distal body configured as substantially radially symmetrical about a longitudinal axis, the distal body secured to the distal end of the intermediate body, and the distal body including second retention structure.

### Claim 13

A method for supporting the spine, comprising the steps of:
providing a mobility preservation apparatus having an intermediate body being substantially radially symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end, the intermediate body including at least one flexible element positioned between the proximal end and the distal end, and the intermediate body defining at least one fenestration, a proximal body being substantially radially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis, the proximal body secured to the proximal end of the intermediate body, the proximal body including a first retention structure, and the proximal body defining a proximal lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fenestration of the intermediate body, and a distal body being substantially radially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis, the distal body secured to the distal end of the intermediate body, and the distal body including second retention structure;
forming an axial bore through a caudad vertebral body, an intervertebral disc and a cephalad vertebral body;
removing at least a portion of a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc through the axial bore to form a disc space; and
axially inserting the mobility preservation apparatus through the axial bore;
securing at least a portion of the distal body of the mobility preservation apparatus in the cephalad vertebral body with the first retention structure;
securing at least a portion of the proximal body of the mobility preservation apparatus in the caudad vertebral body with the second retention structure; and
positioning a stiffening member within at least a portion of the intermediate lumen to increase the stiffness of the at least one flexible element.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

A method, as in claim 13, further comprising the step of the stiffening member converting the mobility preservation apparatus to fusion apparatus.