US20050197706A1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Intervertebral disc prosthesis

Assignee: HighRidge Medical LLC

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Filing: 2005-02-04

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Granted: —

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Expires: 2025-02-04

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Abstract

Abstract The present invention relates to an intervertebral disc prostheses that comprise at least three pieces including an upper plate ( 1 ), a lower plate ( 2 ) and a mobile core ( 3 ) at least relative to the lower plate ( 2 ), the upper surface of the core ( 3 ) being in contact with at least a part of the lower surface of the upper plate ( 1 ), limit stops ( 22, 31 ) allowing friction to be limited, while limiting or preventing the movements of the core ( 3 ) relative to the lower plate ( 2 ), in translation and in rotation, respectively, along an axis substantially parallel to the lower plate ( 2 ) and about an axis substantially perpendicular to the lower plate ( 2 ) and the lower surface of the core ( 3 ) has at least one hole ( 41 ) facilitating sliding of the core ( 3 ) relative to the upper surface of the lower plate ( 2 ) with which it is in contact.

Inventors

👤 Istvan Hovorka
👤 Pierre Bernard

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —

Jurisdiction US

Data Source google_patents

Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 05:13

CPC Classifications

A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/4425; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3468; A61B17/3472; A61F2/0095; A61F2/30767; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30362; A61F2002/30364; A61F2002/30365; A61F2002/30367; A61F2002/30369; A61F2002/30383; A61F2002/30387; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30565; A61F2002/30571; A61F2002/30604; A61F2002/30616; A61F2002/30621; A61F2002/30649; A61F2002/30662; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30673; A61F2002/30682; A61F2002/30685; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30795; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30904; A61F2002/30934; A61F2002/30937; A61F2002/443; A61F2002/4622; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 34

Claim 1

Independent Claim 229 words

1 . An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising at least three pieces including a first plate ( 1 ), a second plate ( 2 ) and a core mobile ( 3 ) at least relative to one of the plates ( 1 , 2 ), the core ( 3 ) having a curved surface in contact with at least a part of a complementary curved surface of the first plate ( 1 ) and a substantially flat surface in contact with at least a part of a substantially flat surface of the second ( 2 ), cooperation means ( 22 , 31 ) situated near the periphery of the second plate ( 2 ) and of the core ( 3 ) allowing to limit or prevent, without excessive friction, the movements in translation of the core relative to the second plate, along an axis substantially parallel to the substantially flat surfaces, and allowing to limit or prevent the movements in rotation of the core relative to the second plate, about an axis substantially perpendicular to the substantially flat surfaces, characterised in that at least the substantially flat surface of the core ( 3 ) has at least one dummy hole ( 41 ) facilitating sliding of the core ( 3 ) relative to the substantially flat surface of the second plate ( 2 ) with which it is in contact.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 229 words

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 45 words

2 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which at least the substantially flat surfaces are the lower surface of the core ( 3 ) and the upper surface of the second plate ( 2 ), known as lower plate.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 71 words

3 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which at least the substantially flat surface of the core ( 3 ) is enclosed in a protective shell ( 4 ), whereof the surface in contact with the substantially flat surface of the second plate ( 2 ) and with the substantially flat of the core ( 3 ) has at least one hole ( 41 ).

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 61 words

4 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 3 , in which the protective shell ( 4 ) of the core does not cover the cooperation means ( 31 ) of the core, so as to avoid contact of the protective shell ( 4 ) with the cooperation means ( 22 ) of the second plate ( 2 ).

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 90 words

5 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which characterised in that the area of contact of the substantially flat surface of the core ( 3 ) or of the protective shell ( 4 ) with the substantially flat surface of the second plate ( 2 ) and the area of contact of the curved surface of the core ( 3 ) with the curved surfaces of the first plate ( 1 ) are substantially equal, on both sides of the core ( 3 ).

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 88 words

6 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which the angle formed by the edges ( 411 ) of the hole ( 41 ) present at least on the substantially flat surface of the core ( 3 ) or of the protective shell ( 4 ) of the core ( 3 ) is softened to improve the sliding of the core ( 3 ) or of the shell ( 4 ) on the substantially flat surface of the second plate ( 2 ).

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 105 words

7 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which the hole ( 41 ) present on the substantially flat surface of the core ( 3 ) or of the protective shell ( 4 ) of the core is prolonged, as far as the periphery of this substantially flat surface, by grooves ( 410 ) forming channels via which the interstitial liquid from surrounding tissue can play a lubricating role to improve the sliding of the core ( 3 ) on the substantially flat surface of the second plate ( 2 ), when the prosthesis is in place on the patient.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 93 words

8 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 7 , in which the angle formed by the edges ( 411 ) of the grooves ( 410 ) prolonging the hole ( 41 ) as far as the periphery of the substantially flat surface of the core ( 3 ) or of the protective shell ( 4 ) of the core is softened to improve the sliding of the core ( 3 ) or of the shell ( 4 ) on the substantially flat surface of the second plate ( 2 ).

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 23 words

9 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which the core ( 3 ) is made of polyethylene.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 30 words

10 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which the protective shell ( 4 ) of the core ( 3 ) is made of metal.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 31 words

11 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed as claimed in claim 1 , in which the first ( 1 ) and second ( 2 ) plates are made of metal.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 44 words

12 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which the cooperation means consist in male means ( 22 ) of the second plate ( 2 ), cooperating with female means ( 31 ) of the core ( 3 ).

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 115 words

13 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which the core ( 3 ) is mobile relative to the first ( 1 ) and/or second ( 2 ) plates and that a variable angle between the first ( 1 ) and second ( 2 ) plates depends on the position of the core ( 3 ), an inclination, in any direction at all, of at least the first plate ( 1 ) inducing the displacement of the core ( 3 ) between the plates ( 1 , 2 ) and providing freedom of movement for the patient and, at the same time, helping eliminate the positioning defects of the prosthesis.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 126 words

14 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which an angle between the upper surface of the upper plate ( 1 , 2 ) and the lower surface of the lower plate ( 2 , 1 ) can be imposed either by the fact that the plane means representing the upper and lower surfaces of the core ( 3 ) form an angle, or by the fact that the plane means representing the upper and lower surfaces of the first plate ( 1 ) and/or of the second plate ( 2 ) form an angle, or by restriction of the movements of the core ( 3 ) about a position imposing inclination of at least the first plate ( 1 ).

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 33 words

15 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which the same plates ( 1 , 2 ) can be assembled with cores ( 3 ) of different thicknesses.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 47 words

16 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which at least a part of the surface of the first plate ( 1 ) is concave and complementary to the surface of the core ( 3 ) with which it is in contact.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 48 words

17 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which the dimensions of each male means are slightly less than those of each female means so as to permit slight clearance between the core ( 3 ) and the second plate ( 2 ).

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 49 words

18 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which the dimensions of each male means are substantially the same as those of each female means so as to prevent any clearance between the core ( 3 ) and the second plate ( 2 ).

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 58 words

19 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis a as claimed in claim 1 , in which the male means ( 22 ) of the second plate ( 2 ) are two contact plates situated opposite one another on two edges of the prosthesis, and the female means ( 31 ) of the core ( 3 ) are two recesses.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 60 words

20 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which the male means ( 22 ) of the second plate ( 2 ) are two walls situated opposite one another in the vicinity of two edges of the prosthesis, and in that the female means ( 31 ) of the core ( 3 ) are recesses.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 64 words

21 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which the male means ( 22 ) of the lower plate ( 2 ) are two nibs curved towards the interior of the prosthesis and situated opposite one another on two edges of the prosthesis, and the female means ( 31 ) of the core ( 3 ) are two recesses.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 44 words

22 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 21 , in which at least one of the nibs is replaced by a pin equipped with a hole and on which a plate is fixed by means of a dowel penetrating the hole.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 102 words

23 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which the lower surface of the lower plate ( 2 , 1 ) and the upper surface of the upper plate ( 1 , 2 ) are provided with teeth or notches ( 21 , 11 ) situated in the vicinity of at least two edges of the prosthesis and oriented so as to prevent sliding of the prosthesis prior to its adhesion to the osseous tissue permitted by a porous biocompatible coating of the surfaces of the plates ( 1 , 2 ) in contact with the vertebrae.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 45 words

24 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which at least the second plate ( 2 ) comprises one or more openings in the vicinity of its front side, provided to receive anchoring means of the prosthesis in a vertebra.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 37 words

25 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 24 , in which the openings of the second plate ( 2 ) are circular, and in that the anchoring means have the form of a stud.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 65 words

26 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in any one of claims 24 or 25 , in which the head of the anchoring means have larger dimensions than the openings of the second plate ( 2 ), the anchoring means being fixed into a vertebra, the second plate ( 2 ) is sandwiched in between the head of the anchoring means and said vertebra.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 36 words

27 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , in which the upper plate is bulged on at least a part of its upper surface to adapt to the form of the vertebrae.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 91 words

28 . An insertion device, between two vertebrae, of intervertebral disc prostheses comprising a first plate ( 1 ), an second plate ( 2 ) and a mobile core ( 3 ) at least relative to the second plate ( 2 ), characterised in that it comprises a clip ( 7 ) whereof the front surface ( 71 ) has a form provided to fit the form of the front edge of the prosthesis and whereof at least two edges are equipped with gripping means ( 72 ) of the prosthesis.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 91 words

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 66 words

29 . The device as claimed in claim 28 , in which the gripping means ( 72 ) present on at least two edges of the clip ( 7 ) are two flexible blades mounted on the lateral edges of the clip and holding the prosthesis by pinching the lateral edges of the upper ( 1 ) and lower ( 2 ) plates of the prosthesis.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 133 words

30 . The device as claimed in any one of claims 28 or 29 , in which the front surface ( 71 ) of the clip ( 7 ) has a form provided to fit the form of the front edge of the prosthesis, on one hand, owing to its height at least substantially equal to the height of the prosthesis, so as to come into contact with the front edges of each of the plates of the prosthesis and, on the other hand, to at least one groove ( 711 ) in at least the median part of the front surface of the clip to likewise come in contact with the front edge of the core ( 3 ) which is slightly set back relative to the front edges of the plates.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 194 words

31 . The device as claimed in claim 28 , in which the rear surface of the clip ( 7 ) can be pushed by a first end of a rod ( 51 ), known as a guide ( 5 ), equipped with a pusher ( 52 ) at its other end and with a limit stop ( 53 ) at a variable position along the guide ( 5 ) for limiting the length of the sliding of the guide inside a body ( 61 ) of a charger ( 6 ) equipped with a head ( 62 ) in which is arranged a space dimensioned for receiving the prosthesis and the clip ( 7 ), the position of the limit stop ( 53 ) on the guide ( 5 ) being adjustable such that the prosthesis, held by the clip ( 7 ), exits from the head ( 62 ) of the charger ( 6 ) and is centred relative to the vertical axis of the two vertebrae between which it must be implanted when the limit stop ( 53 ) contacts the body ( 61 ) of the charger ( 6 ).

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 174 words

32 . The device as claimed in claim 28 , in which the front end of the gripping means ( 72 ) of the prosthesis present on at least two edges of the clip ( 7 ) is larger than their back end at which the width of the clip ( 7 ) is substantially equal to the width of the space in the head ( 62 ) of the charger ( 6 ), such that, when the prosthesis and the clip ( 7 ) are in the head ( 62 ) of the charger ( 6 ), the prosthesis is held firmly by the gripping means ( 72 ) of the clip ( 7 ) which are then compressed between the prosthesis and the internal wall of the space arranged in the head ( 62 ) of the charger and, when the prosthesis exits from the head ( 62 ) of the charger, it is held less firmly by the clip ( 7 ), so as to be able to be released therefrom.

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