Intervertebral prosthetic disc

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10357376-B2
Application number	US-201615167763-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 27, 2016
Priority date	May 27, 2003
Publication date	Jul 23, 2019
Grant date	Jul 23, 2019

Abstract

A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower plates, a core disposed between the plates, and at least one projection extending from at least one of the upper and lower curved surfaces of the core into at least one recess of one of the inner surfaces of the plates. The recess is oversize with respect to the projection to allow sliding movement of the plate over the core while retaining the core between the plates during such sliding movement. The projection(s) may include a rod extending through an axial hole in the core, multiple surface features of the core, or the like.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An intervertebral prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae, the disc comprising:
first and second plates each having inner surfaces and outer surfaces locatable against the respective vertebrae;
a core located between the inner surfaces of the plates, the core allowing the plates to articulate with respect to one another; and
an elongated flexible tie member engaged with at least one of the first and second plates at a location radially outside of a perimeter of the core, wherein the elongated flexible tie member holds the core captive during movement of the plates in flexion, extension, and translation,
wherein the first plate is formed by coupling two independent members together with one member forming an inner bearing surface and another member forming the outer vertebrae contacting surface, and
wherein the elongated flexible tie member is a single tie member which holds the core captive during sliding movement of the plates over the core in flexion, extension and translation.

2. A prosthetic disc as in claim 1 , wherein the elongate flexible tie member engages an inner surface of the at least one of the first and second plates to retain the core between the plates when the plates articulate with respect to one another.

3. A prosthetic disc as in claim 2 , wherein the elongate flexible tie member is secured to the inner surface of the first and second plates in an assembled configuration and wherein the prosthetic disc is configured to be implanted in the assembled configuration.

4. A prosthetic disc as in claim 1 , wherein the elongate flexible tie member goes into openings in an inner surface of the at least one of the first and second plates.

5. A prosthetic disc as in claim 1 , wherein the elongated flexible tie member engages both of the first and second plates.

6. A prosthetic disc as in claim 1 , wherein the second plate is formed by coupling two independent members together with one member forming an inner bearing surface and another member forming the outer vertebrae contacting surface.

7. A prosthetic disc as in claim 6 , wherein the first and second plates are formed by coupling the two members together by snap fitting, slip fitting, lamination, interference fitting, use of adhesives, or welding.

8. A prosthetic disc as in claim 1 , wherein the elongated flexible tie member is a flexible cord.

9. A prosthetic disc as in claim 1 , wherein the elongated flexible tie member is braided.

10. A prosthetic disc as in claim 1 , wherein the elongated flexible tie member enters passages in the at least one of the first and second plate.

11. A prosthetic disc as in claim 10 , wherein the elongated flexible tie member comprises ends which are anchored in the passages.

12. A prosthetic disc as in claim 1 , wherein the elongated flexible tie member allows rotational movements of the plates relative to the core while resisting excessive rotation of the plates and core with respect to one another.

13. A prosthetic disc as in claim 1 , wherein the prosthetic disc provides six degrees of freedom.

14. A prosthetic disc as in claim 1 , wherein the core comprises a polymer.

15. A prosthetic disc as in claim 1 , wherein the first and second plates comprise titanium.

16. A prosthetic disc as in claim 1 , wherein the core consists of a solid polymer.

17. A prosthetic disc as in claim 1 , further comprising at least one fin extending from the outer surfaces of the plates and oriented in an anterior-posterior direction.

18. A prosthetic disc as in claim 1 , wherein the elongate flexible tie member holds the core captive during spinal extension and maximum lateral flexure.

19. A prosthetic disc as in claim 1 , wherein the entire first plate, second plate and core are configured to be inserted entirely between adjacent vertebrae in the assembled configuration.

20. A prosthetic disc as in claim 1 , wherein the core and flexible tie member are configured to retain the core between the first and second plates before, during and after insertion of the prosthetic disc.

21. A prosthetic disc as in claim 1 , wherein the elongate flexible tie member is positioned entirely within a perimeter of the first and second plates.

22. A method of retaining a core in an intervertebral prosthetic disc, the method comprising:
providing first and second plates each having inner surfaces and outer surfaces locatable against respective vertebrae;
locating a core between the inner surfaces of the plates;
allowing the plates to articulate with respect to one another and with respect to the core; and
retaining the core between the plates with an elongated flexible tie member engaged with at least one of the first and second plates at a location radially outside of a perimeter of the core,
wherein the elongated flexible tie member is a single tie member which holds the core captive during sliding movement of the plates over the core in flexion, extension and translation.

23. A method as in claim 22 , wherein the core is retained between the plates when the plates articulate with respect to one another by engaging the elongate flexible tie member with an inner surface of the at least one of the first and second plates.

24. A method as in claim 22 , wherein the elongate flexible tie member goes into openings in an inner surface of the at least one of the first and second plates.

25. A method as in claim 22 , wherein the elongated flexible tie member engages both of the first and second plates.

26. A method as in claim 22 , wherein the elongated flexible tie member is a flexible cord.

27. A method as in claim 22 , wherein the elongated flexible tie member is braided.

28. A method as in claim 22 , wherein the elongated flexible tie member enters passages in the at least one of the first and second plate.

29. A method as in claim 28 , wherein the elongated flexible tie member comprises ends which are anchored in the passages.

30. A method as in claim 22 , wherein the elongated flexible tie member allows rotational movements of the plates relative to the core while resisting excessive rotation of the plates and core with respect to one another.

31. A method as in claim 22 , wherein the prosthetic disc provides six degrees of freedom.

32. A method as in claim 22 , wherein the core comprises a solid polymer and the first and second plates comprise titanium.

33. A method as in claim 22 , further comprising providing at least one fin extending from the outer surfaces of the plates and oriented in an anterior-posterior direction.

34. A method as in claim 22 , wherein the first plate is formed by coupling two independent members together with one member forming an inner bearing surface and another member forming the outer vertebrae contacting surface.

35. A method as in claim 22 , wherein the entire first plate, second plate and core are inserted entirely between adjacent vertebrae in the assembled configuration.

36. A method as in claim 22 , wherein the core and flexible tie member retain the core between the first and second plates before, during and after insertion of the prosthetic disc.

37. A method as in claim 34 , wherein the second plate is formed by coupling two members togeth

Assignees

• Simplify Medical Pty Ltd

Inventors

• De Villiers Malan
• Hahnle Ulrich

Classifications

• A61F2002/30052

  differing in electric or magnetic properties · CPC title

• A61F2310/00029

  Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium · CPC title

• A61F2002/30574

  with an integral complete or partial collar or flange · CPC title

• A61F2002/3008

  radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers · CPC title

• A61F2002/30331

  made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit · CPC title