US20040143332A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Movable disc implant
Assignee: Zimmer Spine Inc
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Filing: 2003-10-31
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2023-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A disc implant is provided which maintains intervertebral spacing and stability within the spine. In an embodiment, a disc implant may include three or more components. Components of the implant may imitate certain physiological movements associated with a healthy spine. In certain embodiments, the components of the implant may limit physiological movements to within certain ranges, imitating normal spinal movements.
Inventors
- 👤 David Krueger
- 👤 Erik Wagner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B17/16; A61B17/1604; A61B17/1662; A61B17/1671; A61B17/17; A61B17/1739; A61B17/1757; A61B90/00; A61B90/90; A61B90/94; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/4425; A61B2017/0256; A61B90/06; A61B2090/062; A61F2/30767; A61F2/4684; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/3008; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30252; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30362; A61F2002/30364; A61F2002/30365; A61F2002/30378; A61F2002/30383; A61F2002/30448; A61F2002/30451; A61F2002/30518; A61F2002/30528; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30604; A61F2002/30616; A61F2002/30617; A61F2002/30621; A61F2002/30639; A61F2002/30649; A61F2002/30662; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30695; A61F2002/3071; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/3082; A61F2002/30823; A61F2002/30827; A61F2002/30828; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30845; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30879; A61F2002/30884; A61F2002/30891; A61F2002/443; A61F2002/4622; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4628; A61F2002/4681; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2220/005; A61F2220/0058; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0073; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/006; A61F2250/0064; A61F2250/0075; A61F2250/0085; A61F2250/0087; A61F2250/0089; A61F2250/0096; A61F2250/0097; A61F2250/0098; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00029; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/00395; A61F2310/00407; A61F2310/00592; A61F2310/00796; A61F2310/00976
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
1 . An artificial disc implant for a human spine, comprising: two engaging plates, wherein each engaging plate comprises: a recess; and two or more slots configured to engage an insertion instrument during insertion of the disc implant, wherein the slots are at an angle relative to an anterior-posterior axis of the engaging plates; and one or more members positionable between the engaging plates, wherein at least one of the members comprises a portion configured to complement at least one of the recesses to allow axial rotation, lateral movement and anteroposterior movement of the engaging plates relative to each other during use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
1 . An artificial disc implant for a human spine, comprising: two engaging plates, wherein each engaging plate comprises: a recess; and two or more slots configured to engage an insertion instrument during insertion of the disc implant, wherein the slots are at an angle relative to an anterior-posterior axis of the engaging plates; and one or more members positionable between the engaging plates, wherein at least one of the members comprises a portion configured to complement at least one of the recesses to allow axial rotation, lateral movement and anteroposterior movement of the engaging plates relative to each other during use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
2 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein one or more sides of at least one of the recesses are tapered.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
3 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein a height of a posterior side exceeds a height of an anterior side of at least one of the recesses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
4 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the portion configured to complement at least one of the recesses is a convex portion, and wherein at least one of the recesses comprises a concave portion complementary to the convex portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
5 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the engaging plates comprises a convex portion, wherein at least one of the members comprises a concave portion, and wherein the convex portion is complementary to the concave portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
6 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the two engaging plates and the one or more members are made of metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
7 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the slots are dovetailed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
8 . A system for inserting an artificial disc implant between human vertebrae, comprising: an inserter having a body, a passage through the body, and arms, wherein the arms are configured to be releasably coupled to engaging plates of the artificial disc implant; and a distractor positionable in the passage in the body, wherein the distractor is configured to separate the arms of the inserter such that engaging plates coupled to the arms of the inserter remain substantially parallel during separation of the engaging plates to form a disc space between the human vertebrae.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
8 . A system for inserting an artificial disc implant between human vertebrae, comprising: an inserter having a body, a passage through the body, and arms, wherein the arms are configured to be releasably coupled to engaging plates of the artificial disc implant; and a distractor positionable in the passage in the body, wherein the distractor is configured to separate the arms of the inserter such that engaging plates coupled to the arms of the inserter remain substantially parallel during separation of the engaging plates to form a disc space between the human vertebrae.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the inserter is configured such that coupling the inserter to the engaging plates does not increase separation between the engaging plates.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the arms of the inserter are configured to be releasably coupled to dovetailed slots in the engaging plates.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
11 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the inserter and the distractor are configured such that the distractor does not contact the engaging plates during insertion of the engaging plates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
12 . The system of claim 8 , further comprising a pusher, wherein the pusher is configured to drive a member through a passage in the distractor and position the member between the engaging plates.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
13 . The system of claim 8 , further comprising a member seater configured to seat a member in the engaging plates through the passage in the inserter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
14 . The system of claim 8 , further comprising trial endplates and one or more additional distractors, wherein the trial endplates are configured to be used in combination with the distractors to determine height and lordotic angle of the artificial disc implant to be inserted.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
90 words
15 . A method for forming an artificial disc implant between human vertebrae, comprising: positioning two engaging plates between the human vertebrae; separating the engaging plates such that the engaging plates remain substantially parallel; positioning one or more members between the engaging plates such that a surface of at least one of the members contacts a complementary surface of at least one of the engaging plates; and wherein the engaging plates and at least one of the members are configured to allow relative movement of the engaging plates during use.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
90 words
15 . A method for forming an artificial disc implant between human vertebrae, comprising: positioning two engaging plates between the human vertebrae; separating the engaging plates such that the engaging plates remain substantially parallel; positioning one or more members between the engaging plates such that a surface of at least one of the members contacts a complementary surface of at least one of the engaging plates; and wherein the engaging plates and at least one of the members are configured to allow relative movement of the engaging plates during use.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising determining a height, size and lordotic angle of the artificial disc implant to be formed between the vertebrae before positioning the engaging plates between the vertebrae.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising forming a recess in at least one of the vertebrae to engage a projection on at least one of the engaging plates.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein positioning at least one of the members comprises positioning such members in a rounded recess in at least one of the engaging plates.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the engaging plates are positioned using an angulated anterior approach to the vertebrae.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the engaging plates are positioned using an anterior approach to the vertebrae.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
82 words
21 . A disc implant, comprising: a first engaging plate and a second engaging plate; a member positionable between the engaging plates; wherein the first engaging plate comprises a recess configured to receive a base of the member, wherein one or more sides of the recess are tapered; and wherein a surface of the second engaging plate complements a surface of the member to allow axial rotation, lateral movement and anteroposterior movement of the engaging plates relative to each other during use.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
82 words
21 . A disc implant, comprising: a first engaging plate and a second engaging plate; a member positionable between the engaging plates; wherein the first engaging plate comprises a recess configured to receive a base of the member, wherein one or more sides of the recess are tapered; and wherein a surface of the second engaging plate complements a surface of the member to allow axial rotation, lateral movement and anteroposterior movement of the engaging plates relative to each other during use.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
22 . The implant of claim 21 , wherein a height of a posterior side of the recess is greater than a height of an anterior side of the recess.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
23 . The implant of claim 21 , wherein at least one of the engaging plates comprises a concave portion complementary to a convex portion of the member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
24 . The implant of claim 21 , wherein at least one of the engaging plates comprises a convex portion complementary to a concave portion of the member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
25 . The implant of claim 21 , wherein at least one of the engaging plates comprises at least one coupling projection.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
26 . The implant of claim 21 , wherein the engaging plates comprise one or more slots, wherein the slots are configured to engage an instrument for insertion of the implant.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
27 . The implant of claim 21 , wherein the engaging plates comprise one or more slots wherein the slots are configured to engage an instrument for insertion of the implant and wherein the slots are positioned at an angle relative to anterior-posterior axes of the engaging plates.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
71 words
28 . A system for inserting an artificial disc implant, comprising: an inserter having a body, a passage through the body and arms, wherein the arms are configured to be releasably coupled to engaging plates of the artificial disc implant; and one or more distractors positionable through the passage in the body, the distractors configured to move the arms to establish a separation distance between engaging plates coupled to the arms.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
71 words
28 . A system for inserting an artificial disc implant, comprising: an inserter having a body, a passage through the body and arms, wherein the arms are configured to be releasably coupled to engaging plates of the artificial disc implant; and one or more distractors positionable through the passage in the body, the distractors configured to move the arms to establish a separation distance between engaging plates coupled to the arms.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
29 . The system of claim 28 , further comprising a pusher configured to drive a member down a passage through the distractor to a position between the engaging plates.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
30 . The system of claim 28 , further comprising a member seater configured to seat a member between the engaging plates.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
31 . The system of claim 28 , further comprising trial endplates, wherein the trial endplates in combination with at least one distractor are configured to determine height and lordotic angle of the artificial disc implant to be inserted.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
61 words
32 . An instrument kit, comprising: one or more trial endplates; a plurality of implant components; and an inserter configured to couple to selected implant components to allow the components to be positioned in a disc space; one or more distractors configured to couple to the inserter to establish a separation distance between the selected implant components coupled to the inserter.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
61 words
32 . An instrument kit, comprising: one or more trial endplates; a plurality of implant components; and an inserter configured to couple to selected implant components to allow the components to be positioned in a disc space; one or more distractors configured to couple to the inserter to establish a separation distance between the selected implant components coupled to the inserter.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
33 . The instrument kit of claim 32 , wherein the inserter is configured to couple to the trial endplates.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
34 . The instrument kit of claim 32 , wherein one or more of the trial endplates are sloped.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
35 . The instrument kit of claim 32 , further comprising a pusher configured to position an implant component between the selected implant components coupled to the inserter.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
36 . The instrument kit of claim 32 , further comprising a member seater, wherein the member seater is configured to apply pressure to one of the implant components.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
37 . The instrument kit of claim 32 , further comprising a pusher configured to position an implant component between the selected implant components coupled to the inserter.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
79 words
38 . A method for forming an implant between vertebrae of a spine, comprising: coupling a pair of engaging plates to a portion of an inserter; positioning the engaging plates between adjacent vertebrae; positioning one or more members between the engaging plates; and wherein at least a portion of the engaging plates and at least a portion of at least one member is configured to allow at least some movement of a first vertebra relative to a second vertebra.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
79 words
38 . A method for forming an implant between vertebrae of a spine, comprising: coupling a pair of engaging plates to a portion of an inserter; positioning the engaging plates between adjacent vertebrae; positioning one or more members between the engaging plates; and wherein at least a portion of the engaging plates and at least a portion of at least one member is configured to allow at least some movement of a first vertebra relative to a second vertebra.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
39 . The method of claim 38 , wherein positioning the engaging plates comprises an anterior approach to the vertebrae.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
40 . The method of claim 38 , wherein positioning the engaging plates comprises an angled anterior approach to the vertebrae.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
36 words
41 . The method of claim 38 , further comprising positioning a distractor in the inserter wherein the distractor is configured to separate in a substantially parallel direction one engaging plate from a second engaging plate.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
56 words
42 . The method of claim 38 , further comprising positioning a distractor in the inserter wherein the distractor is configured to separate one engaging plate from a second engaging plate and wherein positioning a member of the one or more members between the engaging plates comprises guiding the member through the distractor with a pusher.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
43 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the movement comprises at least axial rotation and lateral movement of the spine.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
51 words
44 . The method of claim 38 , further comprising inserting one or more trial implants and one or more distractors in the vertebral space before coupling the engaging plates to the inserter to determine a lordotic angle of the engaging plates and a height of the members to be inserted.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
55 words
45 . An instrument for insertion of a disc implant, comprising: a body; one or more arms configured to couple to one or more engaging plates; a distractor positionable in an opening of the body, wherein the distractor is configured to separate in a substantially parallel direction one engaging plate from a second engaging plate.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
55 words
45 . An instrument for insertion of a disc implant, comprising: a body; one or more arms configured to couple to one or more engaging plates; a distractor positionable in an opening of the body, wherein the distractor is configured to separate in a substantially parallel direction one engaging plate from a second engaging plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US20040002758A1
Cited
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