US6540785B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Artificial intervertebral joint permitting translational and rotational motion
Assignee: SDGI Holdings Inc
•
Filing: 2000-03-24
•
Granted: 2003-04-01
•
Expires: 2020-03-24
Abstract
Abstract An intervertebral joint prosthesis having a ball component ( 22 ) for engagement with a first vertebra ( 26 ) and a trough component ( 24 ) for engagement with a second vertebra ( 27 ) adjacent to the first vertebra is disclosed. The trough component ( 24 ) includes a generally concave surface ( 50 ) having a substantially flat portion ( 52 ). When the ball component ( 22 ) and the trough component ( 24 ) are engaged to their respective vertebrae, the ball component ( 72 ) and the trough component ( 24 ) engage each other, permitting rotation and translation of the vertebrae with respect to each other. Both components include a flange ( 34,56 ) for engaging a vertebra. The invention also contemplates a method for and a tool for use in implanting a two-piece intervertebral joint prosthesis.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven S. Gill
- 👤 Colin Walker
- 👤 James Van Hoeck
- 👤 Larry Gause
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/4425; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30362; A61F2002/30369; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30576; A61F2002/30578; A61F2002/30621; A61F2002/30649; A61F2002/30654; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30787; A61F2002/3079; A61F2002/3082; A61F2002/30827; A61F2002/30828; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method comprising the steps of: providing a two-part intervertebral joint prosthesis, at least one of said prosthesis parts having a vertebra engaging surface and an adjoining wedge surface that is non-parallel to said vertebra engaging surface; inserting said prosthesis parts into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae so that each of said prosthesis parts is adjacent to one of the vertebrae; and fastening said prosthesis parts to their respective vertebrae, wherein distraction of said vertebrae occurs during said inserting step.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method comprising the steps of: providing a two-part intervertebral joint prosthesis, at least one of said prosthesis parts having a vertebra engaging surface and an adjoining wedge surface that is non-parallel to said vertebra engaging surface; inserting said prosthesis parts into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae so that each of said prosthesis parts is adjacent to one of the vertebrae; and fastening said prosthesis parts to their respective vertebrae, wherein distraction of said vertebrae occurs during said inserting step.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said distraction is at least partially caused by said wedge surface.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
96 words
A method comprising the steps of: providing a two-part intervertebral joint prosthesis, at least one of said prosthesis parts having a vertebra engaging surface and an adjoining wedge surface that is non-parallel to said vertebra engaging surface; inserting said prosthesis parts into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae so that each of said prosthesis parts is adjacent to one of the vertebrae; and fastening said prosthesis parts to their respective vertebrae, wherein both of said prosthesis parts have a vertebra engaging surface and an adjoining wedge surface that is non-parallel to said vertebra engaging surface.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
96 words
A method comprising the steps of: providing a two-part intervertebral joint prosthesis, at least one of said prosthesis parts having a vertebra engaging surface and an adjoining wedge surface that is non-parallel to said vertebra engaging surface; inserting said prosthesis parts into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae so that each of said prosthesis parts is adjacent to one of the vertebrae; and fastening said prosthesis parts to their respective vertebrae, wherein both of said prosthesis parts have a vertebra engaging surface and an adjoining wedge surface that is non-parallel to said vertebra engaging surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein distraction of said vertebrae occurs during said inserting step.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein said distraction is at least partially caused by said wedge surfaces.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of implanting a multi-part intervertebral joint prosthesis in a body, comprising the steps of: placing the prosthesis parts in a predetermined spatial relationship; inserting the prosthesis parts into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae so that one of the prosthesis parts abuts one of the vertebrae and the other of the prosthesis parts abuts the other of the vertebrae and so that the predetermined spatial relationship of the prosthesis parts is maintained; and fastening the prosthesis parts to their respective vertebrae; wherein said placing step further includes the step of engaging the prosthesis parts to an insertion tool.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of implanting a multi-part intervertebral joint prosthesis in a body, comprising the steps of: placing the prosthesis parts in a predetermined spatial relationship; inserting the prosthesis parts into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae so that one of the prosthesis parts abuts one of the vertebrae and the other of the prosthesis parts abuts the other of the vertebrae and so that the predetermined spatial relationship of the prosthesis parts is maintained; and fastening the prosthesis parts to their respective vertebrae; wherein said placing step further includes the step of engaging the prosthesis parts to an insertion tool.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein said engaging step further includes the step of holding the prosthesis parts to the insertion tool by at least one clip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein said engaging step further includes the step of holding the prosthesis parts to the insertion tool by at least one cam screw.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein said fastening step includes fastening the prosthesis parts to their respective vertebrae by a plurality of bone screws.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 6 , further comprising the step of providing a tool having an elongated handle portion, and a prosthesis engaging portion connected to said handle portion for holding the prosthesis parts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein said tool includes means connected to said prosthesis engaging portion for retaining the prosthesis parts in engagement with said prosthesis engaging portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein said placing step comprises engaging said prosthesis parts to said tool.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said inserting step comprises maneuvering said tool with said prosthesis parts engaged thereto.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of implanting a multi-part intervertebral joint prosthesis in a body, comprising the steps of: placing the prosthesis parts in a predetermined spatial relationship; inserting the prosthesis parts into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae so that one of the prosthesis parts abuts one of the vertebrae and the other of the prosthesis parts abuts the other of the vertebrae and so that the predetermined spatial relationship of the prosthesis parts is maintained; and fastening the prosthesis parts to their respective vertebrae; wherein said fastening step includes fastening the prosthesis parts to their respective vertebrae by an adhesive.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of implanting a multi-part intervertebral joint prosthesis in a body, comprising the steps of: placing the prosthesis parts in a predetermined spatial relationship; inserting the prosthesis parts into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae so that one of the prosthesis parts abuts one of the vertebrae and the other of the prosthesis parts abuts the other of the vertebrae and so that the predetermined spatial relationship of the prosthesis parts is maintained; and fastening the prosthesis parts to their respective vertebrae; wherein said fastening step includes fastening the prosthesis parts to their respective vertebrae by an adhesive.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
142 words
A method comprising the steps of: providing a two-part intervertebral joint prosthesis, the prosthesis parts each having a flange with at least one aperture therethrough; placing the prosthesis parts in a predetermined spatial relationship; inserting the prosthesis parts into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae so that the flange of one of the prosthesis parts abuts one of the vertebrae and the flange of the other of the prosthesis parts abuts the other of the vertebrae and so that the predetermined spatial relationship of the prosthesis parts is maintained; and fastening the flanges of the prosthesis parts to their respective vertebrae; and providing an insertion tool having a plurality of apertures which communicate with the apertures of the flanges of the prosthesis parts, and wherein said placing step further includes the step of engaging the prosthesis parts to the insertion tool.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
142 words
A method comprising the steps of: providing a two-part intervertebral joint prosthesis, the prosthesis parts each having a flange with at least one aperture therethrough; placing the prosthesis parts in a predetermined spatial relationship; inserting the prosthesis parts into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae so that the flange of one of the prosthesis parts abuts one of the vertebrae and the flange of the other of the prosthesis parts abuts the other of the vertebrae and so that the predetermined spatial relationship of the prosthesis parts is maintained; and fastening the flanges of the prosthesis parts to their respective vertebrae; and providing an insertion tool having a plurality of apertures which communicate with the apertures of the flanges of the prosthesis parts, and wherein said placing step further includes the step of engaging the prosthesis parts to the insertion tool.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein said engaging step further includes the step of retaining the prosthesis parts to the insertion tool by at least one clip.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein said engaging step further includes the step of retaining the prosthesis parts to the insertion tool by at least one cam screw.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein said fastening step further includes the steps of: placing a drill through an aperture of one of said prosthesis parts; drilling a hole in the vertebra; and threading a bone screw into the hole in the vertebra through the aperture of said one of said prosthesis parts.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein said drill placing, drilling and threading steps are repeated for each aperture in each prosthesis part flange.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein each bone screw includes a head, and further including the step of threading a locking screw into each of the prosthesis parts so as to cover a portion of the head of each bone screw.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein said step of placing a drill includes placing the drill through an aperture of said insertion tool, and said step of threading a bone screw includes threading the bone screw through said aperture of said insertion tool.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein said fastening step includes fastening at least one of the prosthesis parts to a vertebra by an adhesive.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein said fastening step includes fastening at least one of the prosthesis parts to a vertebra by a bone screw.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
168 words
A method comprising the steps of: providing an intervertebral joint prosthesis having (1) a ball component for engagement with a first vertebra, said ball component including a generally convex surface, and a flange at one end of said ball component for engaging the first vertebra, and (2) a trough component for engagement with a second vertebra adjacent to the first vertebra, said trough component including a generally concave surface with a substantially flat portion, and a flange at one end of said trough component for engaging the second vertebra; inserting said ball component into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae so that said flange of said ball component abuts one of the vertebrae; inserting said trough component into the disc space so that said flange of said trough component abuts the other of the vertebrae, and so that said substantially flat portion of said generally concave surface is adjacent to said generally convex surface; and fastening said ball component and said trough component to their respective vertebrae.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
168 words
A method comprising the steps of: providing an intervertebral joint prosthesis having (1) a ball component for engagement with a first vertebra, said ball component including a generally convex surface, and a flange at one end of said ball component for engaging the first vertebra, and (2) a trough component for engagement with a second vertebra adjacent to the first vertebra, said trough component including a generally concave surface with a substantially flat portion, and a flange at one end of said trough component for engaging the second vertebra; inserting said ball component into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae so that said flange of said ball component abuts one of the vertebrae; inserting said trough component into the disc space so that said flange of said trough component abuts the other of the vertebrae, and so that said substantially flat portion of said generally concave surface is adjacent to said generally convex surface; and fastening said ball component and said trough component to their respective vertebrae.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 24 , further comprising the steps of (1) providing a tool having an elongated handle portion and a prosthesis engaging portion connected to said handle portion, and (2) engaging said ball component and said trough component to said tool prior to said inserting steps.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said tool further includes means connected to said prosthesis engaging portion for retaining the prosthesis in engagement with said prosthesis engaging portion.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said inserting steps occur substantially simultaneously.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said engaging step maintains said ball component and said trough component in a predetermined spatial relationship.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said inserting steps are performed via an anterior F approach to the vertebrae.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said fastening step includes fastening at least one of said ball component and said trough component to a respective vertebra by a bone screw.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said fastening step includes fastening at least one of said ball component and said trough component to a respective vertebra by an adhesive.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of implanting a multi-part intervertebral joint prosthesis in a body, comprising the steps of: placing the prosthesis parts in a predetermined spatial relationship; inserting the prosthesis parts into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae so that one of the prosthesis parts abuts one of the vertebrae and the other of the prosthesis parts abuts the other of the vertebrae and so that the predetermined spatial relationship of the prosthesis parts is maintained, wherein said inserting step causes distraction of the vertebrae; and fastening the prosthesis parts to their respective vertebrae.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of implanting a multi-part intervertebral joint prosthesis in a body, comprising the steps of: placing the prosthesis parts in a predetermined spatial relationship; inserting the prosthesis parts into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae so that one of the prosthesis parts abuts one of the vertebrae and the other of the prosthesis parts abuts the other of the vertebrae and so that the predetermined spatial relationship of the prosthesis parts is maintained, wherein said inserting step causes distraction of the vertebrae; and fastening the prosthesis parts to their respective vertebrae.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 32 , further comprising the steps of: providing a wedge surface on at least one of said prosthesis parts such that said wedge surface causes said distraction of the vertebrae during said inserting step.
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