# US 9,005,296 B2 · Tapered arcuate intervertebral implant

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- Number: US 9,005,296 B2
- Document ID: US9005296B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/605,756
- Filed: 2012-09-06
- Published: 2012-12-27
- Granted: 2015-04-14
- Earliest claimed: 2005-09-30
- Assignees: Arthrodisc, L.L.C.
- Applicants: Richard I. Zipnick
- Inventors: Richard I. Zipnick
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9005296B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/320016: {Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes (A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/1671: {for the spine}
- A61B 17/32002: {with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments}
- A61B 17/3421: {Cannulas}
- A61B 17/3476: {Powered trocars, e.g. electrosurgical cutting, lasers, powered knives}
- A61B 17/7065: {Devices with changeable shape, e.g. collapsible or having retractable arms to aid implantation; Tools therefor}
- A61B 17/7067: {Devices bearing against one or more spinous processes and also attached to another part of the spine; Tools therefor}
- 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)}
- A61F 2/4425: {made of articulated components}
- A61F 2/4455: {for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages (intervertebral discs A61F2/442)}
- A61F 2/4611: {of spinal prostheses}
- A61B 1/3135: {for examination of the epidural or the spinal space}
- A61B 17/3468: {for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires (devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069)}
- A61B 17/7059: {Cortical plates (A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/7064: {Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor}
- A61B 17/888: {the driver bit acting on the central region of the screw head}
- A61B 2017/00261: {Discectomy}
- A61B 2017/320044: {Blunt dissectors}
- A61B 2017/32007: {with suction or vacuum means}
- A61B 2017/320082: {for incising tissue}
- A61B 2017/32113: {with extendable or retractable guard or blade}
- A61B 2090/0801: {Prevention of accidental cutting or pricking}
- A61F 2/30771: {applied in original prostheses, e.g. holes or grooves}
- A61F 2/3094: {Designing or manufacturing processes}
- A61F 2/446: {having a circular or elliptical cross-section substantially parallel to the axis of the spine, e.g. cylinders or frustocones}
- A61F 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section}
- A61F 2002/30112: {Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners}
- A61F 2002/30131: {horseshoe- or crescent- or C-shaped or U-shaped}
- A61F 2002/30136: {undulated or wavy, e.g. serpentine-shaped or zigzag-shaped}
- A61F 2002/30153: {rectangular}
- A61F 2002/30172: {T-shaped}
- A61F 2002/30205: {conical}
- A61F 2002/30224: {cylindrical}
- A61F 2002/30233: {Stepped cylinders, i.e. having discrete diameter changes}
- A61F 2002/30253: {ellipsoidal or ovoid}
- A61F 2002/30261: {parallelepipedal}
- A61F 2002/30285: {rugby-ball-shaped}
- A61F 2002/30286: {barrel-shaped}
- A61F 2002/30293: {Cylindrical body made by spirally rolling up a sheet or a strip around itself}
- A61F 2002/30294: {Conical or frustoconical body made by spirally rolling up a sheet or a strip around itself}
- A61F 2002/30331: {made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit}
- A61F 2002/30393: {with additional means for limiting said rotation}
- A61F 2002/30398: {Sliding}
- A61F 2002/30401: {with additional means for preventing or locking said sliding}
- A61F 2002/30428: {made by inserting a protrusion into a slot}
- A61F 2002/30471: {connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type}
- A61F 2002/30507: {using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw}
- A61F 2002/30517: {using a locking plate}
- A61F 2002/30528: {Means for limiting said movement}
- A61F 2002/30545: {for adjusting a diameter}
- A61F 2002/3055: {for adjusting length}
- A61F 2002/30553: {for adjusting a position by translation along an axis}
- A61F 2002/30566: {Helical springs}
- A61F 2002/30571: {Leaf springs}
- A61F 2002/30573: {2-D spiral springs}
- A61F 2002/30579: {with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices}
- A61F 2002/30593: {hollow}
- A61F 2002/30594: {slotted, e.g. radial or meridian slot ending in a polar aperture, non-polar slots, horizontal or arcuate slots}
- A61F 2002/30601: {telescopic}
- A61F 2002/30604: {modular}
- A61F 2002/30624: {Hinged joint, e.g. with transverse axle restricting the movement}
- A61F 2002/30634: {biaxial}
- A61F 2002/30649: {Ball-and-socket joints}
- A61F 2002/30662: {with rotation-limiting means}
- A61F 2002/30772: {Apertures or holes, e.g. of circular cross section}
- A61F 2002/30818: {castellated or crenellated}
- A61F 2002/30822: {Circumferential grooves}
- A61F 2002/30823: {having the shape of a reverse dovetail}
- A61F 2002/30831: {perpendicular with respect to each other}
- A61F 2002/30841: {Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes}
- A61F 2002/30881: {Circumferential ribs, flanges or fins}
- A61F 2002/30883: {dovetail-shaped}
- A61F 2002/30884: {Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity}
- A61F 2002/4415: {elements of the prosthesis being arranged in a chain like manner}
- A61F 2002/443: {having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component}
- A61F 2002/444: {for replacing the nucleus pulposus}
- 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 2002/4485: {comprising three or more adjacent spinal implants}
- A61F 2002/4627: {with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument}
- A61F 2002/4629: {connected to the endoprosthesis or implant via a threaded connection}
- A61F 2002/4677: {using a guide wire}
- 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 2220/0091: connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
- A61F 2230/0004: Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners
- A61F 2230/0013: Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped
- A61F 2230/0019: rectangular
- A61F 2230/0052: T-shaped
- A61F 2230/0063: Three-dimensional shapes
- A61F 2230/0067: conical
- A61F 2230/0069: cylindrical
- A61F 2230/0071: spherical
- A61F 2230/0076: ellipsoidal or ovoid
- A61F 2230/0082: parallelepipedal
- A61F 2230/0091: helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
- A61F 2250/0008: for adjusting a position by translation along an axis or two perpendicular axes
- A61F 2250/001: for adjusting a diameter
- A61F 2310/00011: Metals or alloys
- A61F 2310/00179: Ceramics or ceramic-like structures
- 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)

## Abstract

An intervertebral implant can include: a tapered arcuate shape. The implant can include a solid non-elastic portion. The implant can include an implant-suitable material. The implant can be at least partially porous, and optionally, the pores can be filed with a biodegradable material that can include one or more active agents, such as growth factors. The implant can be formed from a hybrid of at least two implant-suitable materials. The implant can include a body having a rounded surface and a substantially flat surface. Optionally, the substantially flat surface can be opposite of the rounded surface. The rounded surface and substantially flat surface can extend from a base to a tip of the tapered arcuate shape. The base may be substantially flat, where the tip can be rounded. The tapered arcuate shape can extend from a substantially flat base and curve to a tip of the arc.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An intervertebral implant comprising:
a body having a tapered arcuate shape comprising:
a base end having a first arced cross sectional profile and area;
a tip end having a second arced cross sectional profile that is smaller than the first cross sectional profile and area; and
a body portion that tapers and arcs between the base end and tip end, the body portion having a third arced cross sectional profile and area that tapers from the first cross-sectional profile and area to the second cross-sectional profile and area.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The implant of claim 1, wherein the tapered arcuate shape has a first arc in a first plane and a second arc in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane, wherein the first plane is parallel to the first arced cross sectional profile, second arced cross sectional profile, and third arced cross sectional profile.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The implant of claim 2, wherein the tapered arcuate shape tapers in a third plane orthogonal with the first plane and second plane.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The implant of claim 3, wherein the tapered arcuate shape tapers in the second plane.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The implant of claim 1, comprising a solid non-elastic portion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The implant of claim 1, wherein the body portion extends from a first end to a second end to define the third arced cross sectional profile.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The implant of claim 6, wherein the substantially flat surface is configured to be mounted on a surface of a vertebra of two adjacent vertebras.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The implant of claim 6, wherein the rounded surface is configured to contact a surface of a vertebra of two adjacent vertebras.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The implant of claim 7, wherein the implant is configured to be secured to and only contact the surface of the vertebra.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The implant of claim 6, wherein the substantially flat surface is configured to be secured to a surface of a vertebra of two adjacent vertebras such that the other vertebra is capable of pivoting and rotating about the rounded surface.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The implant of claim 1, comprising a spring that is configured to generate force between two adjacent vertebras when the spring is loaded.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The implant of claim 1, wherein the tapered arcuate shape extends from a substantially flat base to a tip.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The implant of claim 1, comprising the body having the tapered arcuate shape extending from a substantially flat base end to the tip end, the body portion having the rounded surface and the flat surface opposite of the rounded surface, the surfaces extending between the base and tip.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The implant of claim 1, wherein the implant is configured for implantation between two adjacent vertebras.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The implant of claim 14, wherein the implant is dimensioned to be implanted between and edge portion and center of the two adjacent vertebras.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The implant of claim 1, wherein the tapered arcuate shape is configured to align two adjacent vertebras by rotating the two adjacent vertebras around the tapered arcuate shaped implant in three axes of rotation, wherein the at least two axes of rotation are relative to the sagittal and coronal planes and one of the axes is the vertical axis of rotation.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The implant of claim 1, wherein the tapered arcuate shape is configured to align two adjacent vertebras by:
rotating surfaces of the two adjacent vertebras around the tapered arcuate implant in at least one axis of rotation; and/or
rotating the surfaces of the two adjacent vertebras around a vertical axis of rotation.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The implant of claim 1, wherein the tapered arcuate shape is configured to provide rotation about a vertical axis of rotation from a wide portion to a tip of the tapered arcuate shape in the direction of its arc.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The implant of claim 1, wherein the tapered arcuate shape includes a surface configured to be secured to a surface of a vertebra between two adjacent vertebras.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The implant of claim 1, wherein the tapered arcuate shape includes a surface configured to pivotally contact a surface of a vertebra between two adjacent vertebras.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The implant of claim 1, wherein the tapered arcuate shape includes a surface configured to pivotally and rotatably contact a surface of a vertebra between two adjacent vertebras.

### Claim 22 (depends on 1)

The implant of claim 1, wherein the implant is at least partially porous.

### Claim 23 (depends on 1)

The implant of claim 1, comprising a hybrid of at least two implant-suitable materials.

### Claim 24 (depends on 1)

A method of treating adjacent vertebras, the method comprising:
providing the implant of claim 1; and
inserting the implant between two adjacent and misaligned vertebras so as to align the two adjacent vertebras.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, wherein the two adjacent vertebras include a vertical axis of rotation, a first vertebra having a bottom surface, and a second vertebra having a top surface, the method comprising one of the following:
contacting the implant with the top surface of the second vertebra, and securing the implant to the top surface of the second vertebra;
contacting the implant with the top surface of the second vertebra without contacting the bottom surface of the first vertebra, and securing the implant to the top surface of the second vertebra; or
contacting the implant with the top surface of the second vertebra without contacting the bottom surface of the first vertebra or securing the implant to the top surface of the second vertebra; or
contacting the implant with the top surface of the second vertebra without securing the implant to the top surface of the second vertebra; or
contacting the implant with the bottom surface of the first vertebra, and securing the implant to the bottom surface of the first vertebra; or
contacting the implant with the bottom surface of the first vertebra without contacting the top surface of the second vertebra, and securing the implant to the bottom surface of the first vertebra; or
contacting the implant with the bottom surface of the first vertebra without contacting the top surface of the second vertebra or securing the implant to the bottom surface of the first vertebra; or
contacting the implant with the bottom surface of the first vertebra without securing the implant to the bottom surface of the first vertebra; or
contacting the implant with the bottom surface of the first vertebra and top surface of the second vertebra.

### Claim 26 (depends on 1)

A method of treating adjacent vertebras, the method comprising:
selecting the tapered arcuate implant of claim 1;
identifying two adjacent vertebras having a vertical axis of rotation and adjacent surfaces being nonparallel; and
inserting the tapered arcuate implant between the vertebras at a location between the vertical axis of rotation and edge portions of the two adjacent vertebras; and
rotating the two adjacent vertebras around the tapered arcuate implant in at least one axis of rotation.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The method of claim 26, comprising rotating the two adjacent vertebras so as to be about parallel.

### Claim 28 (depends on 26)

The method of claim 26, comprising rotating the two adjacent vertebras around the implant in at least two axes of rotation, wherein the at least two axes of rotation are relative to at least one of the sagittal, coronal planes, and vertical axis of rotation.

### Claim 29 (depends on 26)

The method of claim 26, comprising rotating the two adjacent vertebras around the implant in at least three axes of rotation.

### Claim 30 (depends on 26)

The method of claim 26, comprising:
locating the implant to be closer to the edge portions of the two adjacent vertebras than the vertical axis of rotation.

### Claim 31 (depends on 26)

The method of claim 26, comprising:
locating the implant to be closer to the vertical axis of rotation than the edge portions.