# US 8,784,492 B2 · Artificial disc replacements with natural kinematics

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- Number: US 8,784,492 B2
- Document ID: US8784492B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/737,500
- Filed: 2013-01-09
- Published: 2013-05-23
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2002-04-23
- Assignees: SpineCore, Inc.
- Applicants: SpineCore, Inc.
- Inventors: Bret A. Ferree; David Tompkins
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784492B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/4425: {made of articulated components}
- A61F 2/44: for the spine, e.g. vertebrae or spinal discs
- A61B 17/86: Pins or screws {or threaded wires; nuts therefor (A61B17/72 take precedence)}
- A61F 2/30767: {Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth}
- A61F 2002/30016: {differing in hardness, e.g. Vickers, Shore, Brinell}
- A61F 2002/3008: {radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers}
- A61F 2002/30136: {undulated or wavy, e.g. serpentine-shaped or zigzag-shaped}
- A61F 2002/302: {toroidal, e.g. rings}
- A61F 2002/30245: {Partial spheres}
- A61F 2002/30301: {saddle-shaped}
- A61F 2002/30324: {differing in thickness}
- A61F 2002/30327: {differing in diameter}
- A61F 2002/30507: {using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw}
- A61F 2002/30518: {with possibility of relative movement between the prosthetic parts}
- A61F 2002/30563: {having elastic means or damping means, different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric core or shock absorbers}
- A61F 2002/30578: {having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws}
- A61F 2002/30604: {modular}
- A61F 2002/30616: {Sets comprising a plurality of prosthetic parts of different sizes or orientations}
- A61F 2002/30632: {with rotation-limiting stops, e.g. projections or recesses}
- A61F 2002/30649: {Ball-and-socket joints}
- A61F 2002/30769: {madreporic}
- A61F 2002/30841: {Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes}
- A61F 2002/30878: {with non-sharp protrusions, for instance contacting the bone for anchoring, e.g. keels, pegs, pins, posts, shanks, stems, struts}
- A61F 2002/30884: {Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity}
- A61F 2002/30919: {Sleeves}
- A61F 2002/30934: {Special articulating surfaces}
- A61F 2002/443: {having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component}
- A61F 2002/448: {comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants}
- A61F 2220/0025: Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
- A61F 2230/0004: Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners
- A61F 2230/0065: toroidal, e.g. ring-shaped, doughnut-shaped
- A61F 2230/0071: spherical
- A61F 2230/0095: Saddle-shaped
- A61F 2250/0019: differing in hardness, e.g. Vickers, Shore, Brinell
- A61F 2250/0039: differing in diameter
- A61F 2250/0098: radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
- A61F 2310/00023: Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
- A61F 2310/00029: Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
- A61F 2310/00179: Ceramics or ceramic-like structures
- A61F 2310/00203: containing alumina or aluminium oxide
- A61F 2310/00239: containing zirconia or zirconium oxide ZrO2
- A61F 2310/00293: containing a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. apatite
- A61F 2310/00395: Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of metals or of alloys
- A61F 2310/0058: Coating made of diamond or of diamond-like carbon DLC
- A61F 2310/00592: Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of ceramics or of ceramic-like compounds
- 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

This invention improves upon prior art total disc replacements (TDRs) by more closely replicating the kinematics of a natural disc. The preferred embodiments feature two or more fixed centers of rotation (CORs) and an optional variable COR (VCOR) as the artificial disk replacement (ADR) translates from a fixed posterior COR that lies posterior to the COR of the TDR to facilitate normal disc motion. The use of two or more CORs allows more flexion and more extension than permitted by the facet joints and the artificial facet (AF). AF joint-like components may also be incorporated into the design to restrict excessive translation, rotation, and/or lateral bending.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An artificial disc replacement (ADR) configured for positioning between vertebral bodies having an anterior portion and a posterior portion, comprising:
a superior component with a lower articulating surface; and
an inferior component with an upper articulating surface that cooperates with the lower surface through at least one fixed and at least one variable center of rotation (COR), the fixed COR being located in the anterior portion and remaining fixed during movement of the superior component relative to the inferior component, wherein articulation of the superior component relative to the inferior component is defined by a range of motion, and the fixed COR remains fixed through the range of motion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The ADR of claim 1, wherein the lower articulating surface is convex and the upper articulating surface is convex and the upper articulating surface is concave.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The ADR of claim 1, wherein the lower and upper articulating surfaces are congruent or non-congruent.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The ADR of claim 1, further including at least one set of articulating surfaces forming a separate center of rotation (COR) in the posterior portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The ADR of claim 4, wherein the anterior and posterior CORs are spherical, symmetrical, or both.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The ADR of claim 4, wherein the anterior and posterior CORs are at different vertical heights.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The ADR of claim 1, including at least one additional anterior or posterior center of rotation (COR) and substantially smooth transition surface therebetween.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The ADR of claim 1, further including one or more facet approximating features that limit excessive translation, rotation and/or lateral bending.

### Claim 9

An artificial disc replacement (ADR) configured for positioning between vertebral bones, the ADR comprising:
a superior component with a lower articulating surface; and
an inferior component with an upper articulating surface that cooperates with the lower surface through two or more centers of rotation (CORs),
wherein one of the CORs is a fixed COR that is located between the posterior third and anterior two-thirds of the vertebral bodies, and articulation of the superior component relative to the inferior component is defined by a range of motion, the fixed COR remaining fixed during movement of the superior component relative to the inferior component through the range of motion.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The ADR of claim 9, wherein the lower articulating surface is convex and upper articulating surface is convex and the upper articulating surface is concave.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The ADR of claim 9, wherein the lower and upper articulating surfaces are congruent or non-congruent.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The ADR of claim 9, further including at least one set of articulating surfaces forming a separate center of rotation (COR) in the anterior portion.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The ADR of claim 12, wherein the anterior and posterior CORs are spherical, symmetrical, or both.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The ADR of claim 9, including at least one additional anterior or posterior center of rotation (COR) and a substantially smooth transition surface therebetween.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The ADR of claim 9, further including one or more facet approximating features that limit excessive translation, rotation and/or lateral bending.

### Claim 16

An artificial disc replacement (ADR) configured for positioning between vertebral bodies having an anterior portion and a posterior portion, comprising:
a superior component with a lower articulating surface; and
an inferior component with an upper articulating surface that cooperates with the lower surface through multiple fixed centers of rotation (CORs) and at least one variable center of rotation (COR), the fixed CORs remaining fixed during movement of the superior component relative to the inferior component, wherein articulation of the superior component relative to the inferior component is defined by a range of motion, and the fixed COR remains fixed through the range of motion.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The ADR of claim 16, wherein the lower and upper articulating surfaces are congruent or non-congruent.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The ADR of claim 16, wherein one of the CORs is located in the anterior portion.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The ADR of claim 16, further including at least one set of articulating surfaces forming a separate center of rotation (COR) in the posterior portion.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The ADR of claim 19, wherein the anterior and posterior CORs are spherical, symmetrical, or both.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The ADR of claim 19, wherein the anterior and posterior CORs are at different vertical heights.

### Claim 22 (depends on 16)

The ADR of claim 16, including a substantially smooth transition between the CORs.

### Claim 23 (depends on 16)

The ADR of claim 16, further including one or more facet approximating features that limit excessive translation, rotation and/or lateral bending.

### Claim 24

An artificial disc replacement (ADR) configured for positioning between vertebral bodies, comprising:
a superior component with a lower articulating surface; and
an inferior component with an upper articulating surface that cooperates with the lower surface through an anterior-to-posterior-oriented torodial region, the ADR having at least one center of rotation (COR) that is fixed during movement of the superior component relative to the inferior component, wherein articulation of the superior component relative to the inferior component is defined by a range of motion, and the fixed COR remains fixed through the range of motion.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The ADR of claim 24, further including at least one spherical articulating region adjacent the torodial region.

### Claim 26 (depends on 24)

The ADR of claim 24, including a substantially smooth transition between the torodial region and the spherical region.

### Claim 27 (depends on 24)

The ADR of claim 24, wherein the lower and upper articulating surfaces are congruent or non-congruent.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The ADR of claim 27, further including at least one set of articulating surfaces forming a separate center of rotation (COR) in the posterior portion.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The ADR of claim 28, wherein the anterior and posterior CORs are spherical, symmetrical, or both.

### Claim 30 (depends on 24)

The ADR of claim 24, further including one or more facet approximating features that limit excessive translation, rotation and/or lateral bending.