# US 2010/0145457 A1 · Method and system for mammalian joint resurfacing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0145457 A1 - Document ID: US20100145457A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/479,402 - Filed: 2009-06-05 - Published: 2010-06-10 - Earliest claimed: 2000-08-28 - Assignees: Vertebral Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Jeffrey C. Felt; Mark A. Rydell; Paul J. Buscemi; Alexander Arsenyev; Christopher H. Porter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100145457A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/562: {Implants for placement in joint gaps without restricting joint motion, e.g. to reduce arthritic pain} - A61F 2/30721: {Accessories} - A61F 2/34: Acetabular cups - A61F 2/38: for elbows or knees - A61F 2/3872: {Meniscus for implantation between the natural bone surfaces} - A61F 2/3877: {Patellae or trochleae} - A61F 2/389: {Tibial components (A61F2/3868 takes precedence)} - A61L 27/18: obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds - C08G 18/10: Prepolymer processes involving reaction of isocyanates or isothiocyanates with compounds having active hydrogen in a first reaction step - C08G 18/4854: {Polyethers containing oxyalkylene groups having four carbon atoms in the alkylene group} - C08G 18/61: Polysiloxanes - C08G 18/69: Polymers of conjugated dienes {(hydrogenated polymers of conjugated dienes C08G18/6208)} - A61F 2002/30535: {Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for} - A61F 2250/0058: Additional features; Implant or prostheses properties not otherwise provided for - A61L 2430/24: for joint reconstruction - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - 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) - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - C08G: MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS ## Abstract A method and system for the creation or modification of the wear surface of orthopedic joints, involving the preparation and use of one or more partially or fully preformed and procured components, adapted for insertion and placement into the body and at the joint site. In a preferred embodiment, component(s) can be partially cured and generally formed ex vivo and further and further formed in vivo at the joint site to enhance conformance and improve long term performance. In another embodiment, a preformed balloon or composite material can be inserted into the joint site and filled with a flowable biomaterial in situ to conform to the joint site. In yet another embodiment, the preformed component(s) can be fully cured and formed ex vivo and optionally further fitted and secured at the joint site. Preformed components can be sufficiently pliant to permit insertion through a minimally invasive portal, yet resilient enough to substantially assume, or tend towards, the desired form in vivo with additional forming there as needed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An artificial disc device, comprising a plurality of interconnected elements arranged in a row, adapted to be assembled in situ so that at least two of the elements of the row contact a same vertebral endplate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, wherein said elements are adapted to interlock at least in pairs. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A device according to claim 2, wherein said interlocking elements, after said interlocking have some freedom of relative motion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A device according to claim 2, wherein said interlocking elements comprise alignment portions in the form of matching parts. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A device according to claim 4, wherein said alignment portions comprise male-female matching portions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A device according to claim 1, having an osteointegrating outer layer. ### Claim 7 A method of deploying a spinal disc prosthesis, comprising: forming a path to a disc area; providing a first disc portion to said disc area; providing a second disc portion to said disc area; and assembling said second disc portion to said first disc portion so that the portions are arranged in a row at said disc area so that at least two of the portions contact a same vertebral endplate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A method according to claim 7, wherein assembling comprises interlocking. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A method according to claim 7, wherein assembling includes sliding one of the portions with respect to another of the portions. ### Claim 10 An artificial orthopedic device, comprising: a plurality of preformed components adapted to be assembled and interconnected in situ so that at least two of the components contact a same joint surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the components are adapted to interlock at least in pairs. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, comprising at least one anchor adapted to engage a vertebral plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein the anchor is adapted to be anchored after the components are assembled. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the components have sliding freedom of relative motion after interlocking. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the components comprise matable sections in the form of matching parts. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the matable sections comprise corresponding male and female portions. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the components are formed of metal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, comprising a biologically active coating. ### Claim 19 A method of installing an orthopedic prosthesis, comprising: obtaining access to a site; inserting a first segment at the site; inserting a second segment at the site; and assembling the second segment and the first segment side by side at the site so that at least two of the segments contact a common bone surface of an orthopedic joint. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, comprising anchoring the prosthesis to the bone surface. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein anchoring is performed after assembling. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the access is to a spinal area. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein obtaining access comprises forming an arthroscopic portal. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein assembling comprises mechanically locking. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein assembling includes sliding one of the segments with respect to another of the segments.