527 results about "Intervertebral space" patented technology

Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted, a hollow sleeve having teeth at one end is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve. Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted to restore the normal angular relationship of the vertebrae adjacent to that disc space. An extended outer sleeve having extended portions capable of maintaining the vertebrae distracted in their normal angular relationship is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve.

The present invention provides an expandable intervertebral implant that is selectively disposed in the intervertebral space and deployed, thereby in-situ distracting, realigning, and/or stabilizing or fusing a portion of the spine of a patient in the treatment of injury, disease, and/or degenerative condition. The expandable intervertebral implant includes a superior member and an inferior member, each of which has a partially or substantially wedge or prismatic shape and a partially or substantially convex or other-shaped surface that is suitable for engaging the substantially concave surfaces of the associated bony superior and inferior intervertebral endplates. Once disposed in the intervertebral space, the expandable intervertebral implant is actuated and deployed, with the superior member and the inferior member moving apart from one another, seating against the associated intervertebral endplates, and distracting, realigning, and/or stabilizing them to a desired degree. The external surface of each of the superior member and the inferior member is provided with a plurality of ridges or other friction structures, providing purchase with the associated intervertebral endplates.

An expandable intervertebral implant (20) is provided for insertion into an intervertebral space defined by adjacent vertebrae. The expandable intervertebral implant includes a pair of outer sleeve portions (30A, 30B) and an inner core (50) disposed between the outer sleeve portions. Movement of the inner core relative to the outer sleeve portions causes the outers sleeve portions to deflect away from each other, thereby engaging the expandable intervertebral implant with the vertebrae and adjusting the height of the intervertebral space.

An implant device is provided for implantation within an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae comprising an implant body, a rotatable portion and a piercing portion configured to pierce the adjacent vertebra.

Featured are a method and apparatus for fixing adjacent vertebrate of a spine that avoids the need and associated problems with prior cage or straight rod and screw systems. Methods and apparatus of the invention utilize a new implant member, which preferably is arcuate. Preferred methods of the invention for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae of the spine, include steps of providing a positioning apparatus including two guide sleeves, each guide sleeve having a long axis and locating the two guide sleeves with respect to the adjacent vertebrae such that a vertex formed by the long axis of each guide sleeve is located in the intervertebral space for the adjacent vertebrae. The method further includes forming an aperture in each of the adjacent vertebrae using the guide sleeves and inserting an implant into the apertures formed in each of the adjacent vertebrae so that the implant extends between the adjacent vertebrae and through the intervertebral space. In an alternative method a cutting fixture including a pivot arm is secured to the adjacent vertebrae and a cutting device is secured to the pivot arm. The pivot arm and cutting device are configured and arranged so that rotation of the pivot arm about a particularly located pivot point allows the cutting device to form the aperture in each of the adjacent vertebrae. Another alternative method for fixing adjacent vertebrate of a spine includes the step of forming a common channel in and between the adjacent vertebrae and inserting a biscuit implant in the common so as to bridge between the adjacent vertebrae.

An interbody vertebral cage facilitates minimally invasive approaches to the intervertebral disc for corrective restoration of disc height, stabilization between vertebra, and fusion. The preferred embodiment provides a streamlined, slender straight contour with a central hinge or other articulating apparatus that allows the introduction of the cage into the operative field and disc space in a minimally invasive, bone-sparing manner. After partial insertion, the hinge component is activated, allowing the operator to steer the cage anterior-medially within the disc space to an anterior-central position within the intervertebral space. In this state the cage is shaped like a crescent, chevron or boomerang.

An method and apparatus is provided for achieving stability of an implant in an intervertebral space of the human body, including an implant having a superior surface and an inferior surface, the surfaces having no significant protrusions extending therefrom and at least one modular projection mateable with one of each superior and inferior surface of the implant to achieve stability within the intervertebral space. The implants can be selected form a group of artificial discs and spinal fusion cages.

An apparatus for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebrae includes an implant body dimensioned for positioning within an intervertebral space between upper and lower vertebrae to maintain the vertebrae in desired spaced relation to facilitate fusion thereof. The implant body includes lower and upper surfaces for engaging the respective lower and upper vertebrae and first and second side wall portions extending between the upper and lower surfaces. The first and second side wall portions are substantially solid. At least one of the first and second side wall portions have a substantially narrow longitudinal slit defined therein arranged to enhance flexibility of the one side wall portion. Preferably, each of the first and second side wall portions includes a longitudinal slit. The implant body may define an internal chamber dimensioned for reception of bone growth inducing substances. The implant body includes an internal bore extending through the upper and lower surfaces for reception of bone growth inducing substances. Preferably, the internal bore is cylindrical shaped to receive a cylindrical bone dowel harvested during the surgical procedure, or alternatively, to receive a prepackaged cylindrical rod containing bone growth inducing substances. A plurality of internal bores may be provided in side by side relation.

An articular disc prosthesis and method of implanting the same within an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bodies. The prosthesis includes a pair of articular components and an articular ball disposed therebetween. Each of the articular components includes an outer shell portion and a removable inner insert portion. The insert portion includes a concave articular surface sized and shaped to receive a portion of the articular ball to provide articulating motion between the articular components. The outer shell portion includes a central hemi-cylindrical portion, a pair of laterally extending flanges, and an axially extending lip. Following removal of the natural intervertebral disc, a pair of hemi-cylindrical recesses are formed along a central region of the adjacent vertebral bodies to a predetermined depth. The prosthesis is implanted within the prepared disc space by axially displacing the hemi-cylindrical central portions of the articular components along the hemi-cylindrical recesses in the vertebral bodies. The lateral flanges and the axial lip of the articular components bear against the endplates of the adjacent vertebral bodies to stabilize the prosthesis and to prevent subsidence.

The present invention provides an intervertebral implant for implantation in a treated area of an intervertebral space between vertebral bodies of a spine. The implant includes a spacer portion having an inferior and superior surface, wherein the inferior and superior surfaces each have a contact area capable of engaging with anatomy in the treated area, and the inferior and superior surfaces define a through-hole extending through the spacer body. The present invention further provides screw holes extending from a side portion to the inferior and superior surfaces of the spacer portion and a plate portion rigidly coupled to the spacer portion through a coupling means, wherein the plate portion contains screws holes for receiving screws. A screw back out prevention mechanism adapted on the plate portion and prevents the back out of screws from the screw holes.

The present invention relates to an artificial disc prosthesis system which includes a scaffold assembly and a fusion or disc prosthesis removably retained by the scaffold assembly. The artificial disc prosthesis system facilitates the removal, replacement or upgrade of disc prostheses without the need to remove the entire system from the intervertebral space in which it is disposed. Also provided are disc prostheses suitable for use in the artificial disc prosthesis system.

A method for performing percutaneous interbody fusion is disclosed. The method includes the steps of inserting a guide needle posteriorly to the disc space, inserting a dilator having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide needle over the guide needle to the disc space to enlarge the disc space, and successively passing a series of dilators, each having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the previous dilator, over the previous dilator to the disc space the gradually and incrementally increase the height of the disc space. Once the desired disc height is achieved, the guide needle and all the dilators, with the exception of the outermost dilator, are removed. An expandible intervertebral disc spacer is then passed through the remaining dilator and positioned in the disc space. The disc spacer is expanded to the required disc height, and then a bone matrix is passed through the dilator to fill the disc space. The dilator is then removed. An expandible intervertebral disc spacer is also disclosed, having a tapered bore that causes greater expansion of one end of the spacer with respect to the other. A kit for performing the percutaneous interbody fusion procedure is also disclosed.

A prosthesis for use in maintaining an interspinal space is disclosed. The prosthesis may be provided as first and second substantially symmetrical halves. The first and second halves may each have a coupling portion and a process portion. The coupling portions allow the separate halves to be separately fit within the interspinal space and then connected to form a single prosthesis, eliminating the need for cutting connecting ligaments to allow insertion of the prosthesis. Various connection and locking arrangements are disclosed to maintain the halves engaged with each other and the interspinal space.

A system for implanting an interbody device between adjacent vertebrae comprises an interbody device having a plurality of lobes extending outwardly from a longitudinal rib, and having a relaxed shape approximating the shape of the disc being replaced. An insertion guide is provided having a bore therein from a proximal end to a distal end thereof to accept said interbody device in an unrelaxed shape, wherein said distal end is shaped for insertion into an intervertebral space. The insertion rod may be positioned within said bore of said insertion guide whereby said interbody device is positioned within said intervertebral space by advancing said insertion rod into said insertion guide.

An intervertebral prosthesis includes a bone graft implant member dimensioned for insertion within an intervertebral space defined between adjacent vertebrae and having at least first and second longitudinal sections with respective first and second cross-sectional dimensions. The first cross-sectional dimension of the first implant section is greater than the second cross-section dimension of the second implant section to define a stepped region having a retaining surface. Consequently, upon insertion of the implant member within a generally correspondingly dimensioned receiving bed formed within the adjacent vertebrae, the retaining surface facilitates securement therewithin by corresponding engagement with surfaces of the receiving bed. A method for fusion of adjacent vertebrae utilizing the prosthesis is also disclosed.

A method of performing percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic lumbar surgery on a patient, includes the steps of creating an opening in the patient's skin, passing at least one tubular cannula through the opening so as to create a soft tissue tunnel, placing a semi-tubular spreader over the at least one tubular cannula inside the soft tissue tunnel, placing a flat blade spreader into an opening formed by the semi-tubular spreader, dilating the opening by spreading apart blades of the flat blade spreader, inserting bone grafts through the opening and into an intervertebral space of the patient.

The present invention includes intervertebral prosthetic devices and methods for installing intervertebral prosthetic devices into an intervertebral space. In one embodiment, an intervertebral prosthetic disc includes a superior endplate; an inferior endplate; and at least one protrusion element, wherein at least one of the superior endplate and the inferior endplate is adapted to receive the protrusion element. In another embodiment, the invention includes an intervertebral prosthetic disc having a superior endplate including a core retaining member; an inferior endplate including a core retaining member; and an asymmetric core positioned between the superior endplate and the inferior endplate, wherein the superior endplate and the inferior endplate are adapted to accommodate the core. The present invention also includes an intervertebral prosthetic disc system that includes an intervertebral prosthetic disc and at least one spring element.

The invention relates to a spinal implant to be inserted between two vertebra to support and stabilize adjacent vertebra and allow for physiological motion. One embodiment of the implant includes an upper assembly and a lower assembly, where the assemblies are adapted to articulate relative to one another. This implant also includes elongate elements that are deployable between a closed position and an open position. Portions of the implant can interlock to form various shapes. The invention includes an implantable device to support the vertebrae, and a minimally invasive method for inserting and deploying the device within the intervertebral space.

A method and a distracter for replacing a removed, intervertebral disc with a prosthesis. An inter-body distracter is inserted within the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, the vertebrae are distracted and are supported by the distracter. A fluid, curable polymer is injected into the intervertebral space and around the distracter and then the polymer is cured to a semi-rigid, pliable, elastically deformable state. The distracter is then disabled from supporting compressive forces applied by the vertebrae and remains in place. The preferred distracter is a scissors jack having intermediate bearings joined by links to support feet. One of the bearings has a threaded lateral bore and the second bearing has a lateral bore. A rod extends through the bores and has a threaded portion extending from a first end of the rod and threadedly engaging the threaded bearing. The inside diameter of the second bore is greater than the outside diameter of the threaded portion of the rod so the rod is axially slidable through the second bore. A thrust bearing is fixed on the threaded rod and positioned laterally outwardly of the second bearing for forcing the second bearing laterally toward the first bearing upon rotation of the rod in one direction and for permitting the rod to be withdrawn from the bearing by rotating the rod in the opposite direction and disengaging it from the first bearing. Alternative distracters are also disclosed.