Spinal nucleus replacement implants
AssigneeWarsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
InventorsRandall Allard, Robert S. Biscup, Thomas Carls, Jason Eckhardt, Tom Francis, Clayton G. Leroux, Robert B. Rice
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Abstract
A multi-piece intervertebral disc augmentation implant that may be assembled within the annulus fibrosus is disclosed. The implant may be guided into a precise location through a relatively small opening in the annulus fibrosus with the aid of an elongated guide.
Claims18
An intervertebral prosthesis apparatus implantable within a disc space, disposed between upper and lower vertebral endplates, via an opening in the annulus extending around the disc space, comprising:
- a first module comprising a generally L-shaped configuration comprising at least three planar surfaces;
- and
- a second module comprising a generally L-shaped configuration comprising at least three planar surfaces;
- wherein the first and second modules are insertable through the opening into the disc space, the at least three planar surfaces of the first module and the at least three planar surfaces of the second module being complementarily-shaped and sized and configured to engage within the disc space in a manner that the first and second modules form an assembled prosthesis of a size substantially preventing it from being outwardly expelled from the disc space through the opening, the first and second modules having bearing surfaces slidably engageable with the endplates to permit articulation between upper and lower vertebral endplates.
A system for implantation of an intervertebral prosthesis within a disc space, between a first vertebral endplate and a second vertebral endplate, via an opening in the annulus extending around the disc space, comprising:
- a first module comprising a generally L-shaped configuration comprising at least three planar surfaces;
- and
- a second module comprising a generally L-shaped configuration comprising at least three planar surfaces;
- and
- an elongated guide for inserting the first and second modules into the disc space;
- the first and second modules being insertable in a direction through the opening into the disc space;
- the at least three planar surfaces of the first module and the at least three planar surfaces of the second module being complementarily-shaped and sized;
- the at least three planar surfaces of the first module being configured to engage the at least three planar surfaces of the second module within the disc space to form an assembled prosthesis of a size substantially preventing it from being outwardly expelled from the disc space through the opening;
- the first and second modules having bearing surfaces slidably engageable with the endplates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.