177 results about "Lordosis" patented technology

A spinal fusion cage comprises an upper half-cage, a lower half-cage, and a plunger with a cam. The upper half-cage and lower half-cage have a first collapsed configuration which has a thin, flat, rectangular envelope and a second expanded configuration. The half-cages have at least one ramped surface on which the cam of the plunger rides. The cam bears against the ramped surface and spreading the two half-cages apart. A method of deploying a spinal fusion cage comprises the steps of disposing in a spinal space an upper half-cage and lower half-cage in a first collapsed configuration which has a thin, flat, rectangular envelope and a second expanded configuration. The method continues with the step of distally advancing a plunger between the upper half-cage and lower half-cage and spreading the two half-cages apart.

The invention concerns a stabilized interbody fusion system for vertebrae, of the type comprising an interbody implant (4) designed to be inserted in the intervertebral space defined between two neighboring vertebrae to be mutually secured, so as to restore the height and the angle of the lordosis of the vertebral segment defined by the two neighboring vertebrae and a stabilizing plate (17) provided, at each of its ends, with at least a passage hole (18) for an anchoring screw, the plate (17) and the implant (4) being provided with mutual assembly means, such that after assembly, the stabilizing plate (17) extends on each side of the implant to enable the stabilizing plate to be anchored on the neighboring vertebrae through the screws, characterized in that it comprises spacing means (30), interposed between the stabilizing plate (17) and the implant (4), to enable the stabilizing plate to be positioned at a specific distance relative to the implant.

An artificial functional spinal unit is provided comprising, generally, an expandable artificial intervertebral implant that can be placed via a posterior surgical approach and used in conjunction with one or more artificial facet joints to provide an anatomically correct range of motion. Expandable artificial intervertebral implants in both lordotic and non-lordotic designs are disclosed, as well as lordotic and non-lordotic expandable cages for both PLIF (posterior lumber interbody fusion) and TLIF (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) procedures. The expandable implants may have various shapes, such as round, square, rectangular, banana-shaped, kidney-shaped, or other similar shapes. By virtue of their posteriorly implanted approach, the disclosed artificial FSU's allow for posterior decompression of the neural elements, reconstruction of all or part of the natural functional spinal unit, restoration and maintenance of lordosis, maintenance of motion, and restoration and maintenance of disc space height.

The present invention is directed to an expandable spinal fusion intervertebral implant that provides for maintaining and creating lordosis in the human spine that can be filled with biologics while in situ to encourage spinal fusion. A threaded rod that traverses an insertion / injection handle can be rotated to operate a screw within the interbody cage that displaces opposing vertical tapped sliding wedges, causing them to converge towards each other. Such contact causes the operation of a horizontal wedge that acts as a lift to expand the interbody cage to one of various dimensions in a preferred range. At its desired expansion, the spinal fusion implant of the present invention is sized to fit within the disc space between two vertebral bodies and fill all voids left while the vertical and horizontal wedges operate within, due to the biologics being contained within the interbody cage.

Disclosed herein are spinal implants particularly useful in interbody fusion surgery. One embodiment pertains to a plate configured to establish desired lordosis and / or disc height that may be implanted and secured to a superior and inferior vertebral body. The plate may be interlocked with a spacer component to form a single implant. Also disclosed is an anti-backout mechanism that helps prevent fixators from backing out upon securement of the plate in the spine. Kits comprising different sizes and inclination angles of components are disclosed, which can assist the surgeon in preoperatively assembling an implant to best fit in the surgical site of the patient.

The spinal fusion cage of the invention comprises two opposing end plates, and three opposing collapsible legs. The two opposing end plates and three opposing collapsible legs are adapted to be configured into an expanded cage from a collapsed configuration. The expanded cage assumes a predetermined rigid shape and volume for disposition between two adjacent vertebrae. The collapsed configuration of the cage is adapted for posterior insertion into the disk space. The apparatus further comprises locking means for at least temporarily locking the legs and maintaining the cage in an expanded configuration. One of the legs is medially disposed on a first side of the cage and the other two are laterally disposed with respect to the end plates on a second side. The three legs have differing lengths so that the cage assumes a wedge-shaped envelope in the expanded configuration. The wedge-shaped envelope reestablishes a predetermined lordosis between fused vertebrae. The invention includes an inserter comprised of a tubular member and holding clamp disposed on the distal end of the tubular member. The holding clamp holds the cage in the collapsed configuration for insertion into a confined surgical theater. The cage is then reconfigured to the expanded configuration using the inserter. Further activation of the inserter causes the cage to be temporarily locked into the expanded configuration.

An artificial functional spinal unit is provided comprising, generally, an expandable artificial intervertebral implant that can be placed via a posterior surgical approach and used in conjunction with one or more artificial facet joints to provide an anatomically correct range of motion. Expandable artificial intervertebral implants in both lordotic and non-lordotic designs are disclosed, as well as lordotic and non-lordotic expandable cages for both PLIF (posterior lumber interbody fusion) and TLIF (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) procedures. The expandable implants may have various shapes, such as round, square, rectangular, banana-shaped, kidney-shaped, or other similar shapes. By virtue of their posteriorly implanted approach, the disclosed artificial FSU's allow for posterior decompression of the neural elements, reconstruction of all or part of the natural functional spinal unit, restoration and maintenance of lordosis, maintenance of motion, and restoration and maintenance of disc space height.

An artificial functional spinal unit including an expandable intervertebral implant that can be inserted via a posterior surgical approach and used with one or more facet replacement devices to provide an anatomically correct range of motion is described. Lordotic and non-lordotic expandable, articulating implants and cages are described, along with embodiments of facet replacement devices and instruments for insertion. Methods of insertion are also described.

The invention relates to an artificial intervertebral disc for placement between adjacent vertebrae. The artificial intervertebral disc is preferably designed to restore disc height and lordosis, allow for a natural range of motion, absorb shock and provide resistance to motion and axial compression. Furthermore, the intervertebral disc may be used in the cervical, the thoracic, or the lumber regions of the spine. The artificial intervertebral disc may include either singularly or in combination: an interior at least partially filled with a fluid; a valve for injecting fluid into the interior of the disk; a central region having a stiffness that is preferably greater than the stiffness of the outer regions thus enabling the disc to pivot about the central region. The central pivot may be formed by a center opening, a central chamber, an inner core or a central cable.

An artificial functional spinal unit is provided comprising, generally, an expandable artificial intervertebral implant that can be placed via a posterior surgical approach and used in conjunction with one or more artificial facet joints to provide an anatomically correct range of motion. Expandable artificial intervertebral implants in both lordotic and non-lordotic designs are disclosed, as well as lordotic and non-lordotic expandable cages for both PLIF (posterior lumber interbody fusion) and TLIF (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) procedures. The expandable implants may have various shapes, such as round, square, rectangular, banana-shaped, kidney-shaped, or other similar shapes. By virtue of their posteriorly implanted approach, the disclosed artificial FSU's allow for posterior decompression of the neural elements, reconstruction of all or part of the natural functional spinal unit, restoration and maintenance of lordosis, maintenance of motion, and restoration and maintenance of disc space height.

An expandable stabilizing cage includes a body having a fixed cage section, an expandable cage section, formed as a number of elongate blocks, and a relief between the fixed and expandable cage sections. An orifice, which through the expandable cage section decreases in diameter with increased distance along the central axis of the body away from the fixed cage section, is provided through the body. The expandable stabilizing cage also includes a wafer, which, when inserted into the orifice through the body, causes outward flaring of the elongate bars for fixing the expandable stabilizing cage securely in place in the intervertebral disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies. Upper elongate blocks have substantially planar upper surfaces. Lower elongate blocks have substantially planar lower surfaces. The surfaces may be provided with surface irregularities for facilitating stable engagement with adjacent vertebral bodies, exemplary irregularities including denticles, dimples, scores, grooves or small protuberances.

Cephalad and caudal vertebral facet joint prostheses and methods of use are provided. The prostheses provide an artificial facet joint structure including an artificial articular configuration unlike the preexisting articular configuration. The radii and material stress values of the prostheses are configured to sustain contact stress. The cephalad prosthesis provides for posterior-anterior adjustment. Both prostheses permit lateral adjustment and adjustment to accomodate interpedicle distance. Further, the prostheses may be customized to provide a pre-defined lordotic angle and a pre-defined pedicle entry angle.

An artificial functional spinal unit including an expandable intervertral implant that can be inserted via a posterior surgical approach and used with one or more facet replacement devices to provide an anatomically correct range of motion is described. Lordotic and non-lordotic expandable, articulating implants and cages are described, along with embodiments of facet replacement devices and instruments for insertion. Methods of insertion are also described.

An instrument system for preparing a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies to receive a repair device includes a series of distractors for distracting the vertebral bodies in a manner that restores natural lordosis of the lumbar and cervical spine, a vertebrae immobilizing template to fix the positions of the bodies, a handle for employing the distractor and the template, and a reamer for cutting tissue from endplates of the vertebral bodies.

A lordotic guard and method for guiding a bone removal device to form an implantation space in the human spine and, if desired, for inserting a spinal implant into the implantation space. The guard has a body having a first portion and a second portion in pivotal relationship to one another proximate the leading end between an open position and a closed position. The first and second portions define an opening for providing a protected pathway to the disc space and the adjacent vertebral bodies. At least one disc space penetrating extension extends from the leading end of the body adapted for insertion at least in part into the disc space. First and second portions of the extension are in pivotal relationship to one another about an axis that passes through at least a portion of the pathway.

A lordotic guard and method for guiding a bone removal device to form an implantation space in the human spine and, if desired, for inserting a spinal implant into the implantation space.

The present invention provides a fixation and fusion cage with interlocking plate comprising a central cage portion and interlocking plate that rigidly attaches to the front of the cage. The cage can be varied in shape to account for various clinical necessities such as lordosis. The invention may be installed in an offset configuration so as to avoid damage to blood vessels. The device may be constructed from radiolucent material to allow for visualization of bone fusion within the cage.

An expandable intervertebral cage device includes a first base plate and a second base plate, a proximal block with internal threading that mechanically couples the first base plate and the second base plate, and a distal block comprising an internal passage. The device has exactly two arm assemblies, one on each side. Each arm assembly includes a first arm mechanically coupled to the first base plate and the distal block, and a second arm is mechanically coupled to the second base plate and the distal block. A screw is arranged partially within the internal threading of the proximal block and passes through the internal passage of the distal block, such that rotation of the screw relative to the proximal block causes a change in distance between the proximal block and the distal block, and a corresponding change in the spacing and lordosis of the device.

A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized cross section in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Expanding selectively (anteriorly, along the vertical axis of the spine) rather than uniformly, the cage height increases and holds the vertebrae with fixation forces greater than adjacent bone and soft tissue failure forces in natural lordosis. Stability is thus achieved immediately, enabling patient function by eliminating painful motion. The cage shape intends to rest proximate to the anterior column cortices securing the desired spread and fixation, allowing for bone graft in, around, and through the implant for arthrodesis whereas for arthroplasty it fixes to endpoints but cushions the spine naturally.

A removably insertable surgical apparatus is configured for insertion between adjacent vertebrae during spinal surgery and adjusted in-situ to produce varying degrees of distraction, neural-decompression, lordotic, kyphotic and / or scoliotic adjustment in the spine.

A pair of flat support plates in a spinal fusion implant device contact and rest against the softer, central cancellous bone portion of respective endplates of adjacent vertebrae. Each support plate has a front template that is orthogonal to the plate and is bent to communicate with the anterior surface of the hard cortical endplate the vertebrae. A wedge-shaped support strut in a central channel between the two plates is configured to vary the distance between the support plates such that the height of the device proximate the anterior end is greater than the height of the device at the posterior end to maintain the natural lordosis of the spine. Channels formed on either side of the support strut are filled with bone graft material and contact the endplates of the vertebrae through large openings in the flat support plates to facilitate fusion.