| Intervertebral implant with conformable endplate -> Monitor Keywords |
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Intervertebral implant with conformable endplateRelated Patent Categories: Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof, Or Aids And Accessories Therefor, Implantable Prosthesis, Bone, Spine Bone, Including Spinal Disc Spacer Between Adjacent Spine BonesIntervertebral implant with conformable endplate description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060111785, Intervertebral implant with conformable endplate. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/610,369, filed Jun. 30, 2003. The entire teachings of the above application(s) are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND [0002] A human intervertebral disc has several important functions, including functioning as a spacer, a shock absorber, and a motion unit. In particular, the disc maintains the separation distance between adjacent boney vertebral bodies. The separation distance allows motion to occur, with the cumulative effect of each spinal segment yielding the total range of motion of the spine in several directions. Proper spacing is important because it allows the intervertebral foramen to maintain its height, which allows the segmental nerve roots room to exit each spinal level without compression. Further, the disc allows the spine to compress and rebound when the spine is axially loaded during such activities as jumping and running. Importantly, it also resists the downward pull of gravity on the head and trunk during prolonged sitting and standing. Furthermore, the disc allows the spinal segment to flex, rotate, and bend to the side, all at the same time during a particular activity. This would be impossible if each spinal segment were locked into a single axis of motion. [0003] An unhealthy disc may result in pain. One way a disc may become unhealthy is when the inner nucleus dehydrates. This results in a narrowing of the disc space and a fibers can crack and tear. Further, loss of normal soft tissue tension may allow for a partial dislocation of the joint, leading to bone spurs, foraminal narrowing, mechanical instability, and pain. [0004] Lumbar disc disease can cause pain and other symptoms in at least two ways. First, if the annular fibers stretch or rupture, the nuclear material may bulge or herniate and compress neural tissues resulting in leg pain and weakness. This condition is often referred to as a pinched nerve, slipped disc, or herniated disc. This condition typically will cause sciatica or radiating leg pain, as a result of mechanical and/or chemical irritation against the nerve root. Although the overwhelming majority of patients with a herniated disc and sciatica heal without surgery, if surgery is indicated it is generally a decompressive removal of the portion of herniated disc material, such as a discectomy or microdiscectomy. [0005] Second, mechanical dysfunction can cause disc degeneration and pain (e.g. degenerative disc disease). For example, the disc may be damaged as the result of some trauma that overloads the capacity of the disc to withstand increased forces passing through it, and inner or outer portions of the annular fibers may tear. These torn fibers may be the focus for inflammatory response when they are subjected to increased stress, and may cause pain directly, or through the compensatory protective spasm of the deep paraspinal muscles. [0006] Traditionally, spinal fusion surgery has been the treatment of choice for individuals who have not found pain relief for chronic back pain through conservative treatment (such as physical therapy, medication, manual manipulation, etc), and have remained disabled from their occupation, from their activities of daily living, or simply from enjoying a relatively pain-free day-to-day existence. There have been significant advances in spinal fusion devices and surgical techniques. However, the procedures generally include shaping two adjacent boney vertebral endplates to conform to the endplates of the fusion device. The removal of bone from the endplates weakens the vertebral bodies and can lead to device stress shielding, bone remodeling, device subsidence, and device expulsion. Further, known endplates can lead to uneven distribution of loads across the vertebral bodies. [0007] Known artificial discs offers several theoretical benefits over spinal fusion for chronic back pain, including pain reduction and a potential to avoid premature degeneration at adjacent levels of the spine by maintaining normal spinal motion. However, like spinal fusion surgery, the removal of bone from the vertebral endplates typically is necessary, thereby, weakening the vertebral bodies. Further, known endplates cause uneven distribution of loads across the vertebral bodies. [0008] Therefore, a need exists for an intervertebral implant and a method replacing an artificial disc that overcomes or minimizes the above-referenced problems. SUMMARY [0009] The invention is generally related to an intervertebral implant for replacing an intervertebral disc of the human spine. The intervertebral implant includes a first conformable endplate, the first conformable endplate being conformable to a boney vertebral endplate under an anatomical load, a second endplate and a core between the endplates, wherein the first conformable endplate partitions the core from the boney vertebral endplate, whereby the core does not contact the boney vertebral endplate. The implant can be an artificial disc or a fusion cage. [0010] In one embodiment of the invention, the second endplate is conformable to a second boney vertebral endplate under an anatomical load. Further, the second endplate partitions the core from the second boney vertebral endplate, whereby the core does not contact the second boney vertebral endplate. [0011] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one rigid plate can be disposed between at least one of the first and second endplates and the core, the rigid plate including a material which does not deform under the anatomical load. [0012] In one embodiment of invention, the first and second endplate can include a textured surface that facilitates bone growth. The textured surface can include at least one member selected from the group consisting of porous beading, hydroxyapatite, and mesh. Optionally, the textured surface can be treated with an osteoinductive material. The osteoinductive material includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of a metallic, a polymeric, a ceramic, and a biologic material. The metallic material includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of titanium, cobalt-chromium, nitinol, and stainless steel. The polymeric material includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polyester, polyurethane, silicone, and polycarbonate. The ceramic material includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, hydroxyapatite, and tricalcium phosphate. The biologic material includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of collagen, bone morphogenic protein, a demineralized bone matrix, and a growth factor. [0013] At least one protrusion element can be optionally coupled to a surface of at least one of the first and second endplates, the protrusion element being capable of penetrating a boney vertebral endplate, thereby securing a position of the first or second endplate to the boney vertebral endplate. The protrusion element includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of a keel, a spike, a tooth, a fin, and a peg. [0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the conformable material includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of a metallic, a polymeric, and a biologic material. [0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the core between the endplates, the core supporting boney vertebral endplates between which the conformable endplates have been placed and wherein the position of each conformable endplate is controlled at least in part by the boney vertebral endplate to which it is attached and is independent of the position of the other endplate. Optionally, the core can be a non-fluid or the core can include an osteoinductive rigid matrix which provides for spinal fusion. [0016] In one embodiment of the invention, a kit includes at least two first conformable endplates. Each first conformable endplate is conformable to a boney vertebral endplate under an anatomical load. Each first conformable endplate has at least one dimension that is distinct from another conformable endplate of the kit. Each second endplate has at least one dimension that is distinct from another second endplate of the kit. A core is dimensioned for implantation between a first conformable endplate and a second endplate in an intervertebral space that has been prepared for placement of the first conformable endplate, the second endplate and the core. Upon implantation, the first conformable endplate partitions the core from a first boney vertebral endplate with which the first conformable endplate is in contact, whereby the core does not contact the first boney vertebral endplate. [0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the second endplate is conformable to a second boney vertebral endplate under an anatomical load. Further, upon implantation of the second endplate and the core into an intervertebral space that has been prepared for placement of the first conformable endplate, the core and the second endplate, the second endplate partitions the core from the second boney vertebral endplate, whereby the core does not contact the second boney vertebral endplate. [0018] In one embodiment of the invention, an intervertebral implant includes two conformable endplates. Each endplate includes a material that conforms to a boney vertebral endplate under an anatomical load and a core between the endplates. The core supports boney vertebral endplates between which the conformable endplates have been placed. The position of each conformable endplate is controlled at least in part by the boney vertebral endplate to which it is attached and is independent of the position of the other endplate. [0019] The invention is also directed to a method of replacing an intervertebral disc. The method includes removing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc to form an intervertebral disc space, implanting a first conformable endplate into the intervertebral disc space and in contact with a first boney vertebral endplate. The first conformable endplate is conformable to the first boney vertebral endplate under an anatomical load. A second endplate is implanted into the intervertebral disc space and in contact with a second boney vertebral endplate. A core is implanted between the first conformable endplate and the second endplate, wherein the first conformable endplate partitions the core from the first boney vertebral endplate. The core does not contact the first boney vertebral endplate. [0020] In one embodiment of the invention, the second endplate is conformable to the second vertebral endplate under an anatomical load. Further, the second endplate implanted partitions the core from the second boney vertebral endplate, whereby the core does not contact the second boney vertebral endplate. [0021] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one rigid plate can be implanted between the core and at least one of the first conformable endplate and the second endplate. Continue reading about Intervertebral implant with conformable endplate... Full patent description for Intervertebral implant with conformable endplate Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Intervertebral implant with conformable endplate patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Intervertebral implant with conformable endplate or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method of protecting and lubricating bearing surfaces of an artificial disc Next Patent Application: Metallic prosthetic implant for use in minimally invasive acromio-clavicular shoulder joint hemi-arthroplasty Industry Class: Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or aids and accessories therefor ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Intervertebral implant with conformable endplate patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.20581 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , 174 |
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