End member for a bone fusion implant

Abstract

An end member for use with a bone fusion implant is disclosed. The end member has a first portion, a second portion, and a shoulder connecting the two portions. The second portion is sized to fit within the interior of the bone fusion implant in such a fashion that the shoulder rests on the edge of the implant. The top surface of the first portion has at least one slot to receive a surgical instrument such as an inserter and / or distractor to facilitate implantation of the end member and bone fusion implant. The top surface may also have teeth to provide initial mechanical stability between the bone and end plate and promote bone fusion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 497,123 filed Feb. 3, 2000, from which priority of Provisional Application no. 60 / 118,806 filed on Feb. 4, 1999 is claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a device for bone fusion, and in particular to an end member for a bone fusion implant. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The treatment and management of bone defects remains one of the most challenging aspects of orthopaedics. Bone defects occur in a wide variety of clinical situations. Restoring natural anatomical length and shape of any long bone with a bone defect is problematic. Additionally, whenever a vertebra has to be removed, it is necessary to insert a vertebral spacer to restore the natural length and curvature of the spine as well as to promote bone fusion. Resto...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] In order to secure the end member to the implant, the second portion may have a hole for receiving a fastener. Alternatively, the exterior surface of the second portion may have protuberances that are sized to fit within the apertures of the implant. In an exemplary embodiment, the second portion comprises a plurality of tabs to secure the end member to the implant. These tabs may be resilient so that the tabs flex inward upon insertion of the second portion into the implant and flex back outward to create a friction fit that secures the end member to the implant. In another embodiment, the end member includes a projection hinged or pivotably connected to the first portion, a threaded bore in the second portion, and a set screw insertable into the threaded bore. Threading the set screw into the bore causes outward movement of the projection to thereby secure the end member to the implant.

Problems solved by technology

The treatment and management of bone defects remains one of the most challenging aspects of orthopaedics.

Restoring natural anatomical length and shape of any long bone with a bone defect is problematic.

Restoring spinal anatomy and stability and promoting bone fusion are even more difficult in a corpectomy, a surgical procedure in which a section of one or several vertebrae is removed.

Although the clinical results of mesh and allograft implants have generally been positive, one possible clinical complication is subsidence of the implant.

Excessive sinking of the ends of the implant into the bone with which they contact is especially troublesome whenever the bone is extremely porous.

However, the end rings disclosed have no provisions for holding, insertion, and distraction instruments.

Thus, implantation can be difficult.

Furthermore, there can be excessive movement between the bone and the disclosed end rings after implantation.

This may delay, and perhaps prevent bone fusion.

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