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US 2011/0087329 A1Published application
Lumbar implant
OwnerNicholas Poulosinventor
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OwnerNicholas Poulosinventor
Estimating the term…
The present disclosure relates to an intervertebral disc prostheses or implant, and more particularly to an intervertebral disc prosthesis that can be surgically introduced between adjacent vertebral bodies and adjusted or expanded in situ to occupy an optimal or desired space between the vertebral bodies. The implant is preferably inserted into the evacuated disc space obliquely and then oriented so as to extend laterally across the anterior adjacent vertebrae bodies occupying the disc space with the outer ends of the implant being supported by the cortical rims on the opposite sides of the vertebrae bodies. The outer convex surfaces of the two body members conform anatomically to the shape of the disc space contacting the endplates. The implant has two body members that are movable relative to one another so as to vary the space between the members. With the implant so positioned and oriented, the disc space and the implant may be then distracted and a spacer of a desired, predetermined thickness may be inserted within the space between the body members so as to maintain a desired amount of distraction. A method of using an implant is also disclosed.
A spinal implant for insertion in a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae bodies, said disc space being defined by an annulus wall attached to said adjacent vertebrae, said implant comprising an elongate body which may be inserted obliquely within the disc space through an incision in the annulus wall, with one end of the implant being at least partially received in a first opening formed in the annulus wall generally opposite said incision, upon said implant being so inserted within said disc space said implant being oriented so that its said one end remains in register with said first opening and so that its other end extends generally laterally of said vertebrae bodies and is at least partially received within a second opening in said annulus wall generally opposite said first opening such that said implant extends generally laterally of the vertebrae, said implant being of a sufficient length so as to extend laterally of said vertebrae bodies and to be supported on the cortical rims and endplates of said vertebrae bodies, said implant having a lower body member and an upper body member, each of said body members having an outer surface and an inner surface with a space between said inner surfaces, each of said body member inner surfaces having an oblique slot therein for receiving the operating blades of a distractor so that upon operation of said distractor said body members are forced apart a desired amount so as to in turn distract the disc space, said implant further comprising a spacer of a predetermined thickness that may be inserted between the inner faces of said upper and lower body members.
A method of installing and using an implant to distract and stabilize a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae so as to enable bone graft material to fuse said adjacent vertebrae, said vertebrae each having a cortical rim and an endplate, said adjacent vertebrae having an annulus and a disc space therebetween, said implant having an elongate body of a length sufficient to extend laterally across said cortical rims of the adjacent vertebrae bodies and to be supported by said cortical rims and endplates of said adjacent vertebrae bodies, said implant further having a lower body member and an upper body member movable toward and away from one another with a space therebetween, said method comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.