37 results about "Spinal Disk Implant" patented technology

Nucleus pulposus implants that are resistant to migration in and/or expulsion from an intervertebral disc space are provided. In one form of the invention, an implant includes a load bearing elastic body surrounded in the disc space by an anchoring, preferably resorbable, biocompatible material which may be in the form of an outer shell. In certain forms of the invention, the elastic body is surrounded by a supporting member, such as a band or jacket, and the supporting member is surrounded by the outer shell. Kits for forming such implants are also provided. In another form of the invention, an implant is provided that has locking features and optional shape memory characteristics. In yet another aspect of the invention, nucleus pulposus implants are provided that have shape memory characteristics and are configured to allow short-term manual, or other deformation without permanent deformation, cracks, tears, breakage or other damage. Methods of forming and implanting the implants are also described, as are delivery devices and components thereof for delivering the implants.

Methods and devices are provided for the explantation of spinal implants. A cutting tool may be extended into the spinal implant. The spinal implant may be cut into pieces and the pieces removed.

In one embodiment, an access device is inserted through an incision in skin of a patient. The access device is expanded from a first configuration to a second configuration, the second configuration having an enlarged cross-sectional area at a distal portion of said access device such that the distal portion extends across at least a portion of the interbody space. A prosthetic spinal disc implant is then delivered through the access device.

Nucleus pulposus implants that are resistant to migration in and/or expulsion from an intervertebral disc space are provided. In one form of the invention, an implant includes a load bearing elastic body surrounded in s the disc space by an anchoring, preferably resorbable, outer shell. In certain forms of the invention, the elastic body is surrounded by a supporting member, such as a band or jacket, and the supporting member is surrounded by the outer shell. Kits for forming such implants are also provided. In another form of the invention, an implant is provided that has locking features and optional shape memory characteristics. In yet another aspect of the invention, nucleus pulposus implants are provided that have shape memory characteristics and are configured to allow short-term manual, or other deformation without permanent deformation, cracks, tears, breakage or other damage. Methods of forming and implanting the implants are also described, as are delivery devices and components thereof for delivering the implants.

Nucleus pulposus implants that are resistant to migration in and/or expulsion from an intervertebral disc space are provided. In one form of the invention, an implant includes a load bearing elastic body surrounded in the disc space by an anchoring, preferably resorbable, outer shell. In certain forms of the invention, the elastic body is surrounded by a supporting member, such as a band or jacket, and the supporting member is surrounded by the outer shell. Kits for forming such implants are also provided. In another form of the invention, an implant is provided that has locking features and optional shape memory characteristics. In yet another aspect of the invention, nucleus pulposus implants are provided that have shape memory characteristics and are configured to allow short-term manual, or other deformation without permanent deformation, cracks, tears, breakage or other damage. Methods of forming and implanting the implants are also described.

Nucleus pulposus implants that contain reservoirs for receiving, holding, and releasing therapeutic agents are provided. In one form of the invention, a spinal implant is provided with reservoirs positioned at least partially beneath the external surface of the implant. The reservoirs are provided to receive, hold, and release therapeutic and/or pharmaceutical agents into the surrounding tissues.

Nucleus pulposus implants that are resistant to migration in and/or expulsion from an intervertebral disc space are provided. In one form of the invention, an implant includes a load bearing elastic body surrounded in the disc space by an anchoring, preferably resorbable, outer shell. In certain forms of the invention, the elastic body is surrounded by a supporting member, such as a band or jacket, and the supporting member is surrounded by the outer shell. Kits for forming such implants are also provided.

A total disc implant (TDI) is provided for total replacement of a spinal disc or discs in a human patient or other mammal, wherein the TDI is designed to maintain a substantially full range of natural motion (ROM) following implantation. The TDI generally comprises, in one preferred form, upper and lower end plates for affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies, with an intervening insert disposed therebetween. The end plates each include elongated part-cylindrical surfaces oriented generally perpendicular to each other, with one of said surfaces extending in an anterior-posterior direction and the other extending in a medial-lateral direction. The intervening insert defines concave upper and lower part-cylindrical seats oriented for respectively engaging these part-cylindrical surfaces, wherein these part-cylindrical seats are defined by offset radii to include a somewhat flattened central base region merging smoothly with upwardly curving radiused sides.

Methods and devices are provided for the explantation of spinal implants. A cutting tool may be extended into the spinal implant. The spinal implant may be disintegrated into pieces and the pieces removed.

Spinal disc and other implants include at least one flexible keel that extends substantially outwardly, typically upwardly or downwardly, beyond the primary body of the implant. Methods of fabricating elastomeric implants using a mold are also described.

The present invention relates to prostheses for treating spinal pathologies, and more specifically to an artificial disc implant. The implant includes an inferior implant for placement on an inferior vertebra and a superior implant for placement on a superior vertebra. The implant also includes an articulating interface that is generally saddle-shaped and ramped from the anterior of the vertebrae to the posterior of the vertebrae.

An intervertebral disc implant having a body with a greater height than width comprised of a resilient material and an elongate cavity for receiving a key to maintain the spacing between the vertebrae adjacent an intervertebral disc when implanted into the space from which a portion of the disc is removed. To distribute and cushion against compression loads, and to mimic the normal kinematics of the intact, healthy intervertebral disc, the key is removed after the body is implanted into the disc space and a frame that both provides resistance to compression and tension loads and translates the axis of rotation of the spinal column anteriorally and posteriorally as the patient bends and rotates is inserted into the cavity in the implant body. The frame does not extend all the way into the cavity in the body and the portion of the cavity into which the frame does not extend is filled with a hydrogel.

Intervertebral disc implants are provided for augmenting the annulus of the disc in a manner to bear at least part of the axial and/or torsional load on the annulus so that rents, fissures and subsequent herniation of the disc are prevented or substantially delayed. An aspect of the subject devices is that they have an operative height dimension that is equal to or less than the disc height of a normally functioning, healthy disc. Methods and tools are also provided for the minimally invasive implantation of the device within an intervertebral disc.

Spinal disc implants containing one or more swellable articles such as dehydrated microspheres.

An artificial spinal disc implant is provided that may be implanted between adjacent vertebrae in the spine to replace, repair or augment a natural spinal disc. The spinal disc implant may be characterized by one or more biomechanical properties that approximate those of a natural spinal disc. The implant is also designed to be sufficiently secured to the vertebrae so that it may function in the body for long time periods.

The invention relates to an instrument system for the insertion of intervertebral disk implants including two implant plates and one implant core comprising at least one trial unit including two trial elements of preferably plate shape for the determination of an implant suitable for the respective patient, at least one machining unit for the preparation of the surfaces of the bodies of the vertebra of the patient which includes operating elements having two sections of preferably forked shape and at least one holding unit which can be coupled to the implant plates for the insertion of the implant, with the trial unit, the machining unit and the holding unit each being able to be coupled to a traction instrument in particular in the manner of forceps for the pressing apart of the trial elements, the operating elements or the implant elements.

The present disclosure relates to the field of spine disc implants. Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed spinal disc implants advantageously and ultimately provide fusion with the body of the vertebra and stabilization of the spine in an anatomically correct position, e.g., in cervical, thoracic and/or lumbar regions. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to a disc implant that addresses and overcomes the shortcomings of the prior implants by providing first and second inter-vertebral elements that are movably coupled relative to each other and are adapted to permit bone in-growth over time. Thus, the disclosed spinal disc implants permit relative movement between the first and second inter-vertebral elements upon implantation and after the patient is mobilized—thereby permitting the implant to assume a desired position based on the specific and unique spinal balance of the patient in an initial post-implantation period—but then the first and second inter-vertebral elements become fixed relative to each other (i.e., fused). The present disclosure also provides advantageous instrumentation and associated methods for positioning a spine disc implant in a desired anatomical location.

This invention relates to a spinal implant (110) for promoting fusion of adjacent vertebrae and restoration of normal disc height. The spinal implant includes an upper and lower surface (120, 122) adapted to engage cancellous bone tissue in the vertebral bodies. The spinal implant also includes at least two opposing bearing surfaces (138, 140) adapted to bear against cortical bone tissue in the endplates of adjacent vertebrae. This invention also provides an instrumentation to prepare the intervertebral space to receive the spinal implant and techniques for treating patients in need of corrective spinal surgery. <IMAGE>

A spinal implant comprises an implant body extending between an anterior surface and a posterior surface and includes a first vertebral engaging surface and a second vertebral engaging surface. The implant body includes an inner surface that defines at least one cavity that is oriented to implant a fastener oblique relative to a lateral axis of a subject body and adjacent an intervertebral space of the subject body. The implant body includes an oblique surface that defines at least one opening disposed in substantial alignment with the at least one cavity. Systems and methods are disclosed.

The present invention provides for an improved spinal implant which is useful in bone fixation surgeries. The spinal implant as described herein provides a surgeon with a device that can easily and safely be inserted into the space previously occupied by the spinal disc. The spinal implant contains one or more magnets positioned on or within the device to self-align with one or more additional spinal implants inserted therein for the purpose of preventing misalignment of a plurality of implant devices during surgical procedures and preventing implant expulsion.

A method for producing a ceramic osseoconductive bone substitute material, the bone substitute material, intervertebral disk implants containing the substitute bone material, and to methods of using the bone substitute material.