Arcuate fixation member

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12357467-B2
Application number	US-202016922739-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 7, 2020
Priority date	Apr 15, 2009
Publication date	Jul 15, 2025
Grant date	Jul 15, 2025

Abstract

Arcuate fixation members with varying configurations and/or features are provided, along with additional components for use therewith in provided fixation systems and intervertebral implant systems. The arcuate fixation members may be of varying lengths, cross sectional geometries, and/or cross sectional areas, and may be configured with various features such as heads configured to accept other fixation system components, tabs to allow arcuate fixation member-in-arcuate fixation member or fixation anchor-in-arcuate fixation member configurations. Applications of fixation systems and intervertebral implants systems utilizing arcuate fixation members are particularly suitable when a linear line-of-approach for delivering fixation members is undesirable.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. An intervertebral implant, comprising:
an implant body defining a first bone-engaging surface, a second bone-engaging surface spaced from the first bone engaging surface along a transverse direction, a posterior end, an anterior end spaced from the posterior end along a longitudinal direction that is perpendicular to the transverse direction, and opposed lateral sides spaced apart with respect to each other along a lateral direction that is substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction, the opposed lateral sides extending between the first and second bone-engaging surfaces;
a fixation plate attached to the implant body, the fixation plate defining a posterior surface, an anterior surface spaced from the posterior surface along the longitudinal direction, lateral sides opposite each other along the lateral direction, first and second access grooves located at the lateral sides of the fixation plate, and first and second engagement elements located within the first and second access grooves and configured for engagement with a delivery instrument, the fixation plate further defining at least one curved aperture having an anterior end, a posterior end, and a curved aperture axis that extends from the anterior end toward the posterior end, wherein the at least one curved aperture is located between the first and second access grooves with respect to the lateral direction;
at least one curved fixation member elongate along a curved central axis and configured to be received within the at least one curved aperture, the at least one curved fixation member having a proximal end and a distal end spaced from the proximal end along the curved central axis, the distal end defining a tip configured to cut into a vertebral body, wherein the at least one curved fixation member has a length greater than the at least one curved aperture such that the tip can be driven through the at least one curved aperture and into the vertebral body; and
a blocking plate configured to be coupled to the fixation plate so as to secure the at least one curved fixation member to the fixation plate, the fixation plate defining a bore configured to receive a locking member that couples the blocking plate to the fixation plate, the bore being disposed between the opposed lateral sides of the implant body with respect to the lateral direction.

2. The intervertebral implant of claim 1 , wherein the at least one curved fixation member has a curved intermediate portion positioned between the proximal and distal ends, the curved intermediate portion having a cross-sectional shape configured to reside within a conformal cross-sectional shape of the at least one curved aperture, and the conformal cross-sectional shapes are defined with respect to the transverse and lateral directions.

3. An intervertebral implant system, comprising:
the intervertebral implant of claim 1 ; and
a delivery instrument attachable to the fixation plate, the delivery instrument having respective first and second engagement tips that are insertable within the first and second access grooves, respectively, of the fixation plate, the first and second engagement tips having first and second engagement members that are configured to releasably grip the first and second engagement elements, respectively, of the fixation plate, the delivery instrument further comprising a guide slot that is aligned with the curved aperture of the fixation plate when the delivery instrument is attached to the fixation plate, wherein the curved fixation member is advanceable along the guide slot and through the curved aperture and into the vertebral body.

4. The intervertebral implant system of claim 3 , wherein the guide slot is arcuate.

5. The intervertebral implant system of claim 3 , wherein:
the at least one curved aperture of the fixation plate comprises first and second curved apertures that are both located between the first and second access grooves with respect to the lateral direction;
the guide slot of the delivery instrument is a first guide slot; and
the delivery instrument defines a second guide slot that is alignable with the second curved aperture of the fixation plate when the delivery instrument is attached to the fixation plate.

6. The intervertebral implant system of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first and second engagement members of the delivery instrument comprises a rib, at least one of the first and second engagement elements of the fixation plate comprises a shelf, and the rib is configured to engage the shelf to releasably attach thereto.

7. The intervertebral implant system of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first and second engagement members of the delivery instrument is rotatable within an associated at least one of the first and second access grooves, so as to cause the at least one of the first and second engagement members to releasably grip a respective one of the first and second engagement elements.

8. An intervertebral implant system, comprising:
an intervertebral implant insertable within an intervertebral space between superior and inferior vertebral bodies, the intervertebral implant having a fixation plate that defines first and second access grooves located at lateral sides of the fixation plate, wherein the lateral sides are opposite each other along a lateral direction, the fixation plate has first and second engagement elements within the first and second access grooves, and the fixation plate has a curved aperture located between the first and second access grooves with respect to the lateral direction;
a delivery instrument attachable to the fixation plate, the delivery instrument having respective first and second engagement tips that are insertable within the first and second access grooves of the fixation plate for releasably gripping the first and second engagement elements of the fixation plate, wherein the delivery instrument comprises a guide slot that is alignable with the curved aperture of the fixation plate; and
a curved fixation member having a proximal end and a distal tip, wherein the proximal end of the curved fixation member is configured receive a drive force to advance the curved fixation member along the guide slot defined in a guide member of the delivery instrument and through the curved aperture defined in the fixation plate such that the distal tip of the curved fixation member exits the curved aperture and cuts into one of the superior and inferior vertebral bodies.

9. The intervertebral implant system of claim 8 , comprising a drive member that is advanceable against the proximal end of the curved fixation member to apply a drive force to the curved fixation member to advance the curved fixation member along the guide slot and through the curved aperture.

10. The intervertebral implant system of claim 8 , wherein the intervertebral implant comprises a blocking body positionable behind at least a portion of the proximal end of the curved fixation member, and the blocking body is affixable to the fixation plate so as to secure the proximal end of the curved fixation member to the fixation plate.

11. The intervertebral implant system of claim 10 , wherein the blocking body is movable within a recess formed in an anterior surface of the fixation plate.

12. The intervertebral implant system of claim 10 , wherein the curved fixation member has a head at the proximal end thereof, and the head is configured to receive a drive force for advancing the head toward the curved aperture until at least a portion of the head resides within the recess.

13. The intervertebral implant system of claim 8 , wherein:
the guide sl

Assignees

• Depuy Synthes Products Inc

Inventors

• Schmura Kurt
• Donner Thomas
• Laurence Lawton
• Singhatat Wamis
• Schoenly Jared
• Evans David E
• Miller William

Classifications

• A61F2220/0016

  with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes · CPC title

• A61F2002/4615

  of spacers · CPC title

• A61F2002/30593

  hollow · CPC title

• A61F2002/30507

  using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw · CPC title

• A61F2310/00359

  Bone or bony tissue · CPC title