US20050261772A1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Intervertebral disk implant

Assignee: HighRidge Medical LLC

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Filing: 2005-04-15

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Granted: —

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Expires: 2025-04-15

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Abstract

Abstract The invention relates to an intervertebral disk implant having two implant plates contacting prepared vertebral body surfaces in the implanted state and an implant core which can be introduced between the implant plates. The invention further relates to a method for the manufacture of an intervertebral disk implant.

Inventors

👤 Michael Filippi
👤 Mathias Heller
👤 Jorn Seebeck

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —

Jurisdiction US

Data Source google_patents

Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 12:45

CPC Classifications

A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/4425; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/302; A61F2002/30252; A61F2002/30253; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/305; A61F2002/30518; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30563; A61F2002/30565; A61F2002/30604; A61F2002/30616; A61F2002/30621; A61F2002/30649; A61F2002/3065; A61F2002/30652; A61F2002/30654; A61F2002/30662; A61F2002/30663; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30934; A61F2002/30937; A61F2002/443; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0065; A61F2230/0073; A61F2230/0076; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00029; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/00592; A61F2310/00796

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 58

Claim 1

Independent Claim 55 words

1 . An intervertebral disk implant having two implant plates ( 15 17 ; 115 , 117 ) contacting prepared vertebral body surfaces in the implanted state and an implant core ( 19 ; 119 ; 219 ) which can be introduced between the implant plates ( 15 , 17 ; 115 , 117 ).

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 55 words

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 30 words

2 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the implant core ( 19 ; 119 ; 219 ) has a lens-like basic shape.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 63 words

3 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the implant core ( 19 ; 119 ; 219 ) has at least approximately the shape of two spherical segments whose planar sides lie on top of one another, with the respective spherical center ( 11 ) of the one spherical segment lying within the other spherical segment.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 66 words

4 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the implant core ( 19 ; 119 ; 219 ) has at least approximately the shape of two spherical segments whose planar sides face one another and a cylindrical disk disposed therebetween, with the respective spherical center ( 11 ) of the one spherical segment lying within the other spherical segment.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 87 words

5 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the implant core ( 119 ; 219 ) has a basic shape of two spherical segments whose planar sides lie on top of one another or face one another, said implant core being provided by material removal from the basic shape with at least one spring region which gives the implant core ( 119 ; 219 ) increased resilient shape changeability under the effect of pressure with respect to the basic shape.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 54 words

6 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that articulation surfaces ( 147 , 149 ) of the implant core ( 119 ) and of the implant plates ( 115 , 117 ) contact one another in linear or strip shape when the intervertebral disk implant is assembled.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 89 words

7 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that articulation surfaces ( 147 , 149 ) of the implant core ( 119 ) and of the implant plates ( 115 , 117 ) have different shapes, with the radius of curvature R 1 of the articulation surfaces ( 149 ) of the implant core ( 119 ) preferably being smaller than the radius of curvature R 0 of the articulation surfaces ( 147 ) of the implant plates ( 115 , 117 ).

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 81 words

8 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that articulation surfaces ( 147 ) of the implant plates ( 115 , 117 ) are each a part surface of a sphere having a constant radius of curvature R 0 and articulation surfaces ( 149 ) of the implant core ( 119 ) are each formed by a plurality of part surfaces of a sphere having different radii of curvature (R 1 , R 2 ).

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 124 words

9 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 8 , characterized in that, starting from an implant radius which corresponds to the radius of curvature R 0 of the articulation surfaces ( 147 ) of the implant plates ( 115 , 117 ) and is measured from a center M 0 disposed on the central axis ( 167 ) of the implant core ( 119 ), the articulation surfaces ( 149 ) of the implant core ( 119 ) have a radius of curvature R 1 <R 0 in the direction of the core equator and a radius of curvature R 2 <R 0 in the direction of the core pole, with R 1 preferably not being equal to R 2 .

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 105 words

10 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 9 , characterized in that the centers M 0 , M 1 and M 2 of the radii of curvature R 0 , R 1 and R 2 lie on a common straight line which intersects the contact line P between the implant core ( 119 ) and the implant plates ( 115 , 117 ), when the intervertebral disk implant is assembled, and which includes an angle c with the equatorial plane of the implant core ( 119 ) in the range from approximately 45° to 75°, in particular from at least approximately 60°.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 54 words

11 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 7 , characterized in that R 0 −6 mm<R 1 <R 0 −1 mm and/or R 2 <R 1 applies, where R 0 is the radius of curvature of the articulation surfaces ( 147 ) of the implant plates ( 115 , 117 ).

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 54 words

12 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 8 , characterized in that R 0 −6 mm<R 1 <R 0 −1 mm and/or R 2 <R 1 applies, where R 0 is the radius of curvature of the articulation surfaces ( 147 ) of the implant plates ( 115 , 117 ).

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 45 words

13 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that 8 mm<R 0 <18 mm applies, where R 0 is the radius of curvature of the articulation surfaces ( 147 ) of the implant plates ( 115 , 117 ).

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 74 words

14 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the implant core ( 119 ; 219 ) is provided, in particular in the region of its equatorial plane, with an outer ring groove ( 169 ; 269 ) and/or with an inner ring groove ( 171 ; 271 ) preferably forming a radial extension of a passage ( 173 ; 273 ) extending perpendicular to the equatorial plane.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 58 words

15 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the implant core ( 119 ; 219 ) has a passage ( 173 ; 273 ) extending perpendicular to the equatorial plane whose longitudinal axis preferably coincides with the center axis ( 167 ; 267 ) of the implant core ( 119 ).

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 42 words

16 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the implant core ( 19 ; 119 ; 219 ) has a greater resilience in a radially outer rim region than in a radially inner central region.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 72 words

17 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the implant core ( 19 ; 119 ; 219 ) has the lowest resilience in a radially central region which is disposed between a radially outer region, on the one hand, and a central region provided with a passage ( 173 ; 273 ) extending perpendicular to an equatorial plane ( 275 ), on the other hand.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 65 words

18 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the implant core ( 219 ) is made in multiple parts and in particular includes an arrangement preferably made as a material composite of at least one inner support cushion ( 277 ) and at least one shell ( 279 , 281 ) surrounding the support cushion ( 277 ).

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 26 words

19 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 18 , characterized in that the support cushion ( 277 ) has a lens-like base shape.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 39 words

20 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 18 , characterized in that the shell includes two half shells ( 279 , 281 ) which are preferably arranged spaced apart from one another in the axial direction.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 60 words

21 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 18 , characterized in that the support cushion ( 277 ) and the shell ( 279 , 281 ) are made from different materials, with the material of the shell ( 279 , 281 ) preferably being harder and/or stiffer than the material of the support cushion ( 277 ).

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 34 words

22 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 18 , characterized in that the shell ( 279 , 281 ) projects beyond the support cushion ( 277 ) in the radial direction.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 44 words

23 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 18 , characterized in that an intermediate space ( 283 ) is present in a radially outer rim region between the shell ( 279 , 281 ) and the support cushion ( 277 ).

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 45 words

24 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 18 , characterized in that an intermediate layer ( 289 , 291 ), in particular made of metal, is arranged between the support cushion ( 277 ) and the shell ( 279 , 281 ).

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 51 words

25 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 24 , characterized in that the intermediate layer ( 289 , 291 ) is made as a path boundary for spigots of the implant plates projecting into a passage ( 273 ) extending perpendicular to an equatorial plane ( 275 ).

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 67 words

26 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that a passage ( 173 , 273 ) of the implant core ( 119 , 219 ) extending perpendicular to an equatorial plane ( 275 ) has a cross-sectional area which varies over its length, with the cross-sectional area preferably respectively increasing, in particular constantly, outwardly from the equatorial plane ( 275 ).

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 35 words

27 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 18 , characterized in that a passage ( 273 ) has a restriction bounded by an inner wall of the support cushion ( 277 ).

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 62 words

28 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 18 , characterized in that the support cushion ( 277 ) is made in ring shape, with the ring thickness measured in the radial direction preferably being the largest in the equatorial plane ( 275 ) and in each case reducing with increasing axial distance from the equatorial plane ( 275 ).

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 31 words

29 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 18 , characterized in that the support cushion ( 277 ) is stiffened in a central region in the axial direction.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 28 words

30 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 18 , characterized in that the support cushion ( 277 ) is stiffened inwardly in the radial direction.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 53 words

31 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 18 , characterized in that a separate stiffening element ( 293 ), in particular having a ring shaped or cylindrical base shape, is provided which is preferably arranged in a passage ( 273 ) extending perpendicular to an equatorial plane ( 275 ).

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 102 words

32 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 18 , characterized in that the support cushion ( 277 ) is injection molded onto the shell ( 279 , 281 ), in particular onto two half shells ( 279 , 281 ) forming the shell, with the material of the support cushion ( 277 ) preferably having a higher melting point than the material of the shell ( 279 , 281 ) for the forming of a material composite between the support cushion ( 277 ) and the shell ( 279 , 281 ) which can be manufactured by injection molding.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 38 words

33 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 18 , characterized in that the support cushion ( 277 ) is injection molded onto an intermediate layer ( 289 , 291 ), in particular made of metal.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 75 words

34 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 18 , characterized in that the support cushion ( 277 ) or an intermediate layer ( 289 , 291 ) connected to the support cushion ( 277 ) and in particular made of metal is connected to the shell ( 279 , 281 ) in particular to two half shells ( 279 , 281 ) forming the shell by a clip, snap, or latch connection.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 35 words

35 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that a passage ( 273 ) has a restriction bounded by an inner wall of a support cushion ( 277 ).

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 62 words

36 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 35 , characterized in that the support cushion ( 277 ) is made in ring shape, with the ring thickness measured in the radial direction preferably being the largest in the equatorial plane ( 275 ) and in each case reducing with increasing axial distance from the equatorial plane ( 275 ).

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 31 words

37 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 35 , characterized in that the support cushion ( 277 ) is stiffened in a central region in the axial direction.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 28 words

38 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 35 , characterized in that the support cushion ( 277 ) is stiffened inwardly in the radial direction.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 53 words

39 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 35 , characterized in that a separate stiffening element ( 293 ), in particular having a ring shaped or cylindrical base shape, is provided which is preferably arranged in a passage ( 273 ) extending perpendicular to an equatorial plane ( 275 ).

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 102 words

40 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 35 , characterized in that the support cushion ( 277 ) is injection molded onto the shell ( 279 , 281 ), in particular onto two half shells ( 279 , 281 ) forming the shell, with the material of the support cushion ( 277 ) preferably having a higher melting point than the material of the shell ( 279 , 281 ) for the forming of a material composite between the support cushion ( 277 ) and the shell ( 279 , 281 ) which can be manufactured by injection molding.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 38 words

41 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 35 , characterized in that the support cushion ( 277 ) is injection molded onto an intermediate layer ( 289 , 291 ), in particular made of metal.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 75 words

42 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 35 , characterized in that the support cushion ( 277 ) or an intermediate layer ( 289 , 291 ) connected to the support cushion ( 277 ) and in particular made of metal is connected to the shell ( 279 , 281 ) in particular to two half shells ( 279 , 281 ) forming the shell by a clip, snap, or latch connection.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 51 words

43 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the implant plates ( 15 , 17 ) each have a dome-shaped extension ( 41 ), in particular in the form of a spherical segment, or a barrel-shaped extension ( 41 ′) at their outer side.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 55 words

44 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the outer sides of the implant plates ( 15 , 17 ) are each outwardly arched, with the arches ( 63 ) preferably being provided in addition to a dome-shaped extensions or a barrel-shaped extension ( 41 ; 41 ′).

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 53 words

45 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the outer sides of the implant plates ( 15 , 17 ) each have a planar rim region ( 65 ) extending at least over part of the periphery of the implant plates ( 15 , 17 ).

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 56 words

46 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the implant plates ( 15 , 17 ) each have at least one guide projection ( 43 ), in particular formed as a peen, and/or a holding projection ( 43 ′), in particular a pyramid-shaped holding projection, on their outer side.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 94 words

47 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the implant plates ( 15 , 17 ; 115 , 117 ) each have a recess ( 115 ) on their inner sides for the reception of the implant core ( 19 ; 119 ; 219 ), with the cooperating articulation surfaces ( 47 , 49 ; 147 , 149 ; 249 ) of the recess ( 45 ) and of the implant core ( 19 ; 119 ; 219 ) preferably each being part surfaces of a sphere.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 121 words

48 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that at least one implant plate ( 15 , 17 ; 115 , 117 ) has a spigot ( 51 ; 151 ) which protrudes from its inner side and which projects into a depression ( 53 ) formed on the outer side of the implant core ( 19 ; 119 ; 219 ), when the implant is assembled, with the depression ( 53 ) being dimensioned larger than the spigot ( 51 ; 151 ) in order to permit a relative movement between the implant plate ( 15 , 17 ; 115 ; 117 ) and the implant core ( 19 ; 119 ; 219 ).

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 38 words

49 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the spigot ( 51 ; 151 ) is arranged centrally with respect to the dimension of the implant plate in the sagittal direction.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 38 words

50 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the spigot ( 51 ; 151 ) is arranged eccentrically with respect to the dimension of the implant plate in the sagittal direction.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 61 words

51 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the implant core ( 19 ) is provided on at least one outer side with an introduction passage ( 55 ) for the spigot ( 51 ) of the implant plate ( 15 , 17 ) extending from the rim to the depression ( 53 ).

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 55 words

52 . An intervertebral disk implant in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that at least one implant plate ( 15 , 17 ) is provided on its inner side with an introduction passage ( 57 ) for the implant core ( 19 ) extending from the rim to the recess ( 45 ).

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 160 words

53 . A method for the manufacture of an intervertebral disk implant, which includes two implant plates ( 15 , 17 ; 115 , 117 ) contacting prepared vertebral body surfaces in the implanted state and an implant core ( 19 ; 119 ; 219 ) which can be introduced between the implant plates ( 15 , 17 ; 115 , 117 ) and includes at least one inner support cushion ( 277 ) and at least one shell ( 279 , 281 ) surrounding the support cushion ( 277 ) and preferably formed by two half shells, with the support cushion ( 277 ) being injection molded in a plastic injection method onto the shell ( 279 , 281 ), in particular onto the half shells, or being injection molded onto an intermediate layer ( 289 , 291 ) arranged between the support cushion ( 277 ) and the shell ( 279 , 281 ) in the finished state.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 160 words

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 67 words

54 . A method in accordance with claim 53 , characterized in that a material for the support cushion ( 277 ) to be injection molded is selected for the manufacture of a material composite between the support cushion ( 277 ) and the shell ( 279 , 281 ) which has a higher melting point than the material of the shell ( 279 , 281 ).

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 25 words

55 . A method in accordance with claim 53 , characterized in that the intermediate layer ( 289 , 291 ) is made from metal.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 54 words

56 . A method in accordance with claim 53 , characterized in that recesses or undercuts ( 295 ) formed at the inner side of the shell ( 279 , 281 ) or the intermediate layer ( 289 , 291 ) are injection molded on the injection of the support cushion ( 277 ).

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