Artificial disc implant
AssigneeSDGI Holdings, Inc.
InventorsThomas A. Zdeblick, William F. McKay
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An artificial disc implant includes an upper shell, a lower shell, and a spacer therebetween. The spacer preferably has properties similar to that of a natural spinal disc, while the upper and lower shells form a rigid interface between the implant and the adjacent vertebral bodies. The upper and lower shells can be configured to prevent expulsion of the spacer from the disc space. The implant upper and lower shells may further be configured into partially cylindrical shapes for ease of insertion through an insertion tube as presently known for interbody fusion devices. The devices may further be configured for insertion through a double-barreled insertion tube. Methods and instruments for inserting an artificial disc implant are also provided.
Claims44
An artificial disc implant, comprising:
- an upper shell having a first portion with a first convex bone contacting surface, a second portion with a second convex bone contacting surface, and a middle portion having a concave bone contacting surface extending between said first portion and said second portion, said upper shell having a cavity formed therein;
- a lower shell having a first portion with a first convex bone contacting surface, a second portion with a second convex bone contacting surface, and a middle portion having a concave bone contacting surface extending between said first portion and said second portion, said lower shell having a cavity formed therein;
- and
- a compressible spacer supporting said upper shell and said lower shell positioned in said cavities of said upper shell and said lower shell.
An artificial disc implant, comprising:
- an upper shell having a leading end, a trailing end, a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and an arcuate upper bone contacting surface extending between said leading end and said trailing end about said longitudinal axis, said upper shell having a cavity formed therein opposite said upper surface, said upper shell further including at least one rib extending upwardly from said upper surface and generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis engageable in bone of an upper vertebral endplate when positioned in the disc space;
- a lower shell having a leading end, a trailing end, a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and an arcuate lower bone contacting surface extending between said leading end and said trailing end about said longitudinal axis, said lower shell having a cavity formed therein opposite said lower surface, said lower shell further including at least one rib extending downwardly from said lower surface and generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis engageable in bone of a lower vertebral endplate when positioned in the disc space;
- and
- a compressible spacer positioned in said cavities of said upper shell and said lower shell.
An artificial disc implant, comprising:
- an upper shell having a cavity defined by a first partially cylindrical lobe, a second partially cylindrical lobe, and a middle portion extending therebetween;
- a lower shell having a cavity defined by a first partially cylindrical lobe, a second partially cylindrical lobe, and a middle portion extending therebetween;
- and
- a compressible spacer supporting said upper shell and said lower shell positioned in said cavities of said upper shell and said lower shell.
An artificial disc implant, comprising:
- an upper shell having a leading end, a trailing end, and an arcuate upper bone contacting surface extending therebetween, said upper shell having a cavity formed therein opposite said upper surface, said upper shell further including three ribs extending upwardly from said upper surface and between said leading end and said trailing end;
- a lower shell having a leading end, a trailing end, and an arcuate lower bone contacting surface extending therebetween, said lower shell having a cavity formed therein opposite said lower surface, said lower shell further including three ribs extending downwardly from said lower surface and between said leading end and said trailing end;
- and
- a compressible spacer positioned in said cavities of said upper shell and said lower shell.
An artificial disc implant, comprising:
- an upper shell having a tapered leading end, a tapered trailing end, and an arcuate upper bone contacting surface extending therebetween, said upper shell having a cavity formed therein opposite said upper surface, said upper shell further including at least one rib extending upwardly from said upper surface and between said leading end and said trailing end;
- a lower shell having a tapered leading end, a tapered trailing end, and an arcuate lower bone contacting surface extending therebetween, said lower shell having a cavity formed therein opposite said lower surface, said lower shell further including at least one rib extending downwardly from said lower surface and between said leading end and said trailing end;
- and
- a compressible spacer positioned in said cavities of said upper shell and said lower shell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.