MODULAR ARTICULATING AND FUSION SPINAL DISC IMPLANT SYSTEM
The present invention provides an intervertebral implant for replacing intervertebral disc material and controlling relative motion between adjacent vertebral bodies. The intervertebral implant may have at least one end plate and an intermediate component which slides into engagement with the end plate. The intermediate component may be engageable with the end plate from an anterior approach, or a right or left lateral approach. The intermediate component can be a set of bearing surfaces which articulate to provide relative motion between two vertebral bodies, an elastic insert which deforms to provide motion between two vertebral bodies, or a rigid insert which prevents relative motion between two vertebral bodies. The intermediate component is replaceable with a different intermediate component which provides a different function. The present invention also provides one or more retaining members which snap into engagement with the end plate and secure the intermediate component to the end plate.
This application claims the benefit of the following:
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60,720,513, filed Sep. 26, 2005, which carries Applicants' Docket No. MLI-45 PROV and is entitled MODULAR ARTICULATING AND FUSION SPINAL DISC IMPLANT SYSTEM;
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/720,514, filed Sep. 26, 2005, which carries Applicants' Docket No. MLI-46 PROV and is entitled UNIVERSAL SPINAL DISC IMPLANT SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING INTERVERTEBRAL ARTICULATION AND FUSION; and
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/741,513, filed Nov. 30, 2005, which carries Applicants' Docket No. MLI-50 PROV and is entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT DELIVERY AND REMOVAL.
All of the foregoing are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to spinal orthopedics, and more precisely, to intervertebral implants.
2. The Relevant Technology
Severe back pain can be caused by a number of different ailments, including spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and the like. Many such ailments can be corrected by controlling or limiting relative motion between the affected vertebrae. Accordingly, a variety of devices including artificial discs and fusion devices have been proposed.
Such devices are limited in that they typically provide only one mode of correction. Many such devices cannot be replaced or corrected. This is particularly true with intervertebral implants, in which bone-growth is often stimulated to integrate the implants with the surrounding bone tissue. Thus, if the device fails to solve the problem, there may be no other recourse for the patient.
Further, many known devices are expensive or difficult to manufacture, or are difficult to implant. Some known intervertebral devices require the adjacent vertebrae to be distracted excessively, thereby endangering the surrounding ligaments and other connective tissues. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a device that remedies these problems. Such a device would considerably enhance outcomes for patients with spinal disorders.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSVarious embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope.
The present invention relates to human spinal disc replacement systems. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the systems and methods described herein may be readily adapted for other modular implant systems for anatomic replication of orthopedic joints by man made implant systems.
Referring to
As shown, the portion of the spine 10 illustrated in
As shown, the first vertebra 24 has a body 28 with a generally disc-like shape and two pedicles 30 that extend posteriorly from the body 28. A posterior arch, or lamina 32, extends between the posterior ends of the pedicles 30 to couple the pedicles 30 together. The first vertebra 24 also has a pair of transverse processes 34 that extend laterally from the pedicles 30 generally along the medial/lateral axis 20, and a spinous process 36 that extends from the lamina 32 along the posterior direction 18.
Similarly, the second vertebra 26 has a body 48 from which two pedicles 50 extend posteriorly. A posterior arch, or lamina 52, extends between the posterior ends of the pedicles 50 to couple the pedicles 50 together. The second vertebra 26 also has a pair of transverse processes 54, each of which extends from the corresponding pedicle 50 generally along the medial/lateral axis 20, and a spinous process 56 that extends from the lamina 52 along the posterior direction 18. The vertebrae 24, 26 are separated from each other by an intervertebral disc 66.
Referring to
In the embodiment depicted in
During the implantation procedure, initially the inferior 100 and superior 200 end plates are placed in the intervertebral space, adjacent to the vertebral bodies 28, 48. In the embodiment depicted the end plates 100, 200 are identical, but are inserted in an opposite orientation from one another. Thus, as depicted in
Referring to
Referring to
A hollow grafting channel 114 runs through the center of each bone engaging spike 112. Each grafting channel 114 originates on the bearing engaging face 108, runs through the support member 110, and ends at the pointed termination of the bone engaging spike 1 12. This hollowed point configuration may be compared to the hollow point of a hypodermic needle, and further facilitates the penetration of the vertebral body 28 by the bone engaging spikes 112. The grafting channels 114 also allow for the growth of bony columns from the vertebral body 28 through the channels, thereby fusing the inferior end plate 100 to the vertebral body 28.
A plurality of grafting ports 116 is present in the inferior end plate 100. Each grafting port is an opening from the bearing engaging face 108 through the support member 110 to the bone engaging face 106. The grafting ports 116 allow for the growth of bony material from the vertebral body 28 through the ports, thereby fusing the inferior end plate 100 to the vertebral body 28.
A groove 118 is present on each outer corner of the inferior end plate 100. Each groove 118 is an indentation into the support member 1 10. Each groove 118 is designed to fit closely around the end of an insertion tool such that the insertion tool (not shown) may securely grip the inferior end plate 100 during insertion or removal of the end plate.
Referring to
Moving toward the center of the inferior end plate 100, each lateral 128 and anterior 130 gap is adjacent to a pocket 134, which is recessed into the bearing engaging face 108. The sides of the pocket 134 are part of the support member 1 10. The pocket 134 is T-shaped to fit the arms 504 and the body 506 of the clip 500 when it is snapped to the inferior end plate 100. The floor of the pocket 134 is sloped such that the pocket arms 136 are deeper than the pocket body 138. The floor of the pocket body 138 slopes upward until it is flush with a slot 140.
Continuing toward the center of the inferior end plate 100, the slot 140 extends from the pocket 134 to the central grafting port 116. The slot 140 is also recessed into the bearing engaging face 108 but to a lesser extent than the pocket 134. Each slot 140 has two side walls which are chamfered, forming two opposing chamfered edges 142 into which prongs 508 of the clip 500 fit closely. The opposing chamfered edges 142 of each slot 140 are slightly angled toward one another as the edges approach the center of the inferior end plate 100. A chamfered wall 144 is formed by the continuation of the posterior chamfered edges 142 of the two lateral slots 140; the two posterior chamfered edges 142 continue past their respective slots 140 and meet, forming the chamfered wall 144. The gaps 128, 130, the pocket 134 and the slot 140 are shaped to hold the clip 500 in place once it has been inserted. Once the clip 500 has been inserted, the chamfered edges 142 retain the prongs 508 of the clip 500, while the tab 502 of the clip fits into the lateral 128 or anterior 130 gap. The spring bias 522 of the clip 500 causes the body 506, arms 504 and tab 502 to be held in the pocket 134 against the bearing engaging side 104 of the inferior end plate 100 once the clip 500 has been inserted and the tab 502 snapped into the gap 128 or 130.
In the embodiment depicted, the inferior end plate 100 is intended to be implanted using one of three approaches into the intervertebral area with two clips 500 snapped to it. Implantation may be from an anterior approach, a right lateral approach, or a left lateral approach. If implantation is from the anterior approach, the anterior gap 130 is left empty with no clip secured, and with clips 500 snapped in the right and left lateral gaps 128. When the inferior bearing 300 is later inserted, an anterior clip 500 will inserted with it, and once inserted, the anterior clip 500 is snapped to the inferior end plate 100, into the empty anterior gap 130.
If implantation is from the right lateral approach, the right lateral gap 128 is left empty with no clip secured, and clips 500 are snapped in the anterior gap 130 and left gap 128 prior to implantation. When the inferior bearing 300 is later inserted, a right lateral clip 500 will be inserted with it, and once inserted, the right lateral clip 500 is snapped to the inferior end plate 100, into the empty right lateral gap 128.
If implantation is from the left lateral approach, the left lateral gap 128 is left empty with no clip secured and clips 500 are snapped in the anterior gap 130 and right gap 128 prior to insertion. When the inferior bearing 300 is later inserted, a left lateral clip 500 will be inserted with it, and once inserted, the left lateral clip 500 is snapped to the inferior end plate 100, into the empty left lateral gap 128. It is appreciated that in alternative embodiments of the invention, the number and location of gaps and associated clips may vary.
Referring to
Returning to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The inferior bearing 300 and the superior bearing 400 are inserted together into the space between the end plates 100, 200. Inserting the bearings 300, 400 together requires less distraction of the vertebral bodies 28, 48 than if they were inserted separately. If inserted separately, additional distraction would be required to allow the dome 332 on the inferior bearing 300 to pass by the ridge 434 on the superior bearing 400. When inserted together, the dome 332 is fit into the cup 432, allowing the two bearings 300, 400 to fit into the smallest space possible. The bearings 300, 400 can be inserted from an anterior approach, a right lateral approach, or a left lateral approach; they will be inserted using whichever approach was chosen for the placement of the end plates 100, 200 during the same surgical procedure. However, it is appreciated that should there be any subsequent procedure for replacement or adjustment of the bearings 300, 400 such procedure may be carried out from any one of the three approaches.
Returning to
If a right lateral approach is implemented, the chamfered interior edge 514 of the clip is placed under the right chamfered edge 324 of the detent 322 of the inferior bearing 300. The protrusion 520 of the clip 500 fits into right pocket 318 of the inferior bearing 300, when the inferior bearing 300 and the clip 500 are held together. If a left lateral approach is implemented, the chamfered interior edge 514 of the clip is placed under the left chamfered edge 324 of the detent 322 of the inferior bearing 300. The protrusion 520 of the clip 500 fits into left pocket 320 of the inferior bearing 300, when the inferior bearing 300 and the clip 500 are held together.
Returning to
If a right lateral approach is implemented, the chamfered interior edge 514 of the clip is placed under the right chamfered edge 424 of the detent 422 of the superior bearing 400. The protrusion 520 of the clip 500 fits into right pocket 418 of the superior bearing 400, when the superior bearing 400 and the clip 500 are held together. If a left lateral approach is implemented, the chamfered interior edge 514 of the clip is placed under the left chamfered edge 424 of the detent 422 of the superior bearing 400. The protrusion 520 of the clip 500 fits into left pocket 420 of the superior bearing 400, when the superior bearing 400 and the clip 500 are held together.
Referring to
If an anterior approach is used, the bearings 300, 400 and clips 500 are slid in a posterior direction parallel to the end plates 100, 200 so that the detents 322, 422 slide into the empty anterior gaps 130, 230. They are slid until the leading chamfered edge 324 of the detent 322 engages under the chamfered wall 144 at the end of the slot 140. Simultaneously, on the superior bearing 400, the leading chamfered edge 424 of the detent 422 engages under the chamfered wall 244 at the end of the slot 240.
After the bearings 300, 400 and clips 500 are fully slid in with all chamfered edges engaged, the tabs 502 are pinched downward or caudally following the spring bias 522 so that the tabs 502 snap into the anterior gaps 130 or lateral gap 128 of the inferior end plate 100, and the arms 504 are seated in the pockets 134. Similarly, the tabs 502 on the clips 500 adjacent to the superior end plate 200 are pinched upward in the cephalic direction, so that the tabs 502 snap into the anterior gaps 230 or lateral gaps 228 of the superior end plate 200, and the arms 504 are seated in the pockets 234. Once the tabs 502 are thus pinched, the spring bias 522 holds the clips 500 against end plates 100, 200, and bearings 300, 400 are prevented from slipping in a lateral, anterior, posterior, caudal or cephalad direction.
Should revision of the initial implantation be necessary, it can be accomplished by any of the three approaches: anterior, right lateral, or left lateral. For example, if the bearings 300, 400 need to be replaced by those of a different size or configuration (or by an elastic insert or the fusion block that will be described below), the surgery may be approached from a different direction than the initial implantation, thus avoiding disturbance of scar tissue. To remove the bearings 300, 400, the tabs 502 of the two clips 500 on one approach (anterior, right or left) are pinched together. For example, if the anterior approach is used, the tab 502 of the anterior clip 500 on the inferior end plate 100 is pinched toward the tab 502 of the anterior clip 500 on the superior end plate 200. The pinching action will free the tab arms 504 from the pockets 134, 234 of the inferior 100 and superior 200 end plates. Simultaneously, the protrusions 520 on the clips 500 will fit into the pockets 316, 416 in the inferior 300 and superior 400 bearings. The clips are then pulled perpendicularly away from the end plates 100, 200, with the bearings 300, 400 held between them. The replacement bearings 300, 400 can then be inserted with clips 500 in place, as described in the original insertion procedure.
As viewed in
A plurality of grafting ports 614, passing through a support member 620, is present on the fusion block 600. In this embodiment of the invention, these grafting ports 614 are configured to line up with the grafting ports 116, 216 on the inferior and superior end plates 100, 200. These adjacent openings extend through the entire implant to allow growth of bone material through the fusion block 600 and the end plates 100, 200, thus fusing the fusion block 600, end plates 100, 200, and vertebral bodies 28, 48 together. Before, during or after positioning of the end plates 100, 200 between the vertebral bodies, the fusion block 600 is at least partially packed with an osteogenic substance. In this application, “osteogenic substance” is broadly intended to include natural bone, such as autogenous bone graft or bone allograft, synthetic bone, growth factors and cytokines (including bone morphogenic proteins), and/or combinations thereof.
Referring to
A square first detent 622 is located on the cephalad side 602 while a similar, square second detent 624 is on the caudal side 604. The detents 622, 624 are laterally centered but slightly displaced toward the posterior end 608. The detents 622, 624 project outward from the end plate engaging surfaces 640, 642 of each side 602, 604. The first detent 622 has chamfered edges 626, and the second detent 624 has chamfered edges 628.
As depicted in
Returning to
Referring to
If an anterior approach is used, the fusion block 600 and clips 500 are slid until the leading chamfered edges 626, 628 of the detents 622, 624 engage under the chamfered walls 244, 144 at the end of the slots 240, 140. If a lateral approach is used, the fusion block 600 and clips 500 are slid until the leading chamfered edges 626, 628 of the detents 622, 624 engage under the interior edges 514 of the opposite lateral clips 500 already in place. Thus engaged, the fusion block cannot slide in any further. As the clips 500 are slid in with the fusion block 600, the chamfered edges 518 on the prongs 508 also slide under the chamfered edges 142, 242 of the pockets 134, 234.
After the fusion block 600 and clips 500 are fully slid in with all chamfered edges engaged, the tabs 502 are pinched individually toward the end plates following the spring bias 522 so that the tabs 502 snap into the anterior gaps 130, 230 or lateral gaps 128, 228 of the end plates 100, 200 and the arms 504 are seated in the pockets 134, 234. Once the tabs 502 are thus snapped into place, the spring bias 522 holds the clips 500 against the end plates 100, 200 and the fusion block 600 is prevented from slipping in a lateral, anterior, posterior, caudal or cephalad direction.
As with the bearings, if revision of the initial implantation of the fusion block is necessary, it can be accomplished by any of the three approaches: anterior, right lateral, or left lateral. For example, if the fusion block 600 needs to be replaced by one of a different size or configuration, the surgery may be approached from a different direction than the initial implantation, thus avoiding disturbance of scar tissue. To remove the fusion block 600, the tabs 502 of the two clips 500 on one approach (anterior, right or left) are pinched together. For example, if the anterior approach is used, the tab 502 of the anterior clip 500 on the cephalad side 602 is pinched toward the tab 502 of the anterior clip 500 on the caudal side 604. The pinching action will free the tab arms 504 from the pockets 134, 234 of the inferior 100 and superior 200 end plates. Simultaneously, the protrusions 520 on the clips 500 will fit into the pockets 630 in the first and second end plate engaging surfaces 640, 642. The clips are then pulled perpendicularly away from the end plates 100, 200, with the fusion block 600 held between them. A replacement fusion block 600, elastic insert, or bearings 300, 400 can then be inserted with clips 500 snapped in place, as described in the original insertion procedure.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. It is appreciated that various features of the above-described examples can be mixed and matched to form a variety of other alternatives. As such, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims
1. An intervertebral implant comprising:
- a first end plate configured to be secured to a first vertebral body; and
- a first intermediate component that is slidable into engagement with the first end plate along either of at least two selections from the group consisting of a first lateral direction, a second lateral direction different from the first lateral direction, and a posterior direction.
2. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein the first intermediate component is selected from the group consisting of a first bearing surface configured to articulate with a second bearing surface to provide relative motion between the first vertebral body and a second vertebral body, an elastic insert configured to deform to provide motion between the first vertebral body and a second vertebral body, and a rigid insert configured to substantially prevent relative motion between the first vertebral body and a second vertebral body.
3. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, wherein the first intermediate component is detachable from the first end plate to permit replacement of the first intermediate component with a second intermediate component.
4. The intervertebral implant of claim 3, wherein the second intermediate component causes the intervertebral implant to perform a function which is different from a function performed with the first intermediate component.
5. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, further comprising a first retention member configured to be secured to the first end plate independently of the first intermediate component to secure the first intermediate component to the first end plate.
6. The intervertebral implant of claim 5, wherein the first retention member is configured to be inserted into engagement with the first intermediate component.
7. The intervertebral implant of claim 5, wherein the first retention member snaps into securement with the first end plate.
8. The intervertebral implant of claim 5, further comprising a second retention member configured to be secured to the first end plate independently of the first intermediate component and the first retention member to further secure the first intermediate component to the first end plate.
9. The intervertebral implant of claim 8, wherein the first retention member is securable to the first end plate prior to insertion of the first intermediate component along a first direction of the two selections, and the second retention member is securable to the first end plate after the insertion of the first intermediate component, and wherein the second retention member is securable to the first end plate prior to the insertion of the first intermediate component along a second direction of the two selections, and the first retention member is securable to the first end plate after the insertion of the intermediate component.
10. The intervertebral implant of claim 1, further comprising a second end plate configured to be secured to a second vertebral body, wherein the first intermediate component is slidable into engagement with the second end plate along either of at least two selections from the group consisting of the first lateral direction, the second lateral direction, and the posterior direction.
11. An intervertebral implant comprising:
- a first end plate configured to be secured to a first vertebral body;
- a first intermediate component configured to engage the first end plate to control or prevent motion of the first vertebral body relative to a second vertebral body; and
- a first retention member configured to be engageable to the first end plate, wherein the first retention member is slidable into engagement with the first end plate to secure the first intermediate component to the first end plate.
12. The intervertebral implant of claim 11, wherein the first intermediate component is selected from the group consisting of a first bearing surface configured to articulate with a second bearing surface to provide relative motion between the first vertebral body and a second vertebral body, an elastic insert configured to deform to provide motion between the first vertebral body and a second vertebral body, and a rigid insert configured to substantially prevent relative motion between the first vertebral body and a second vertebral body.
13. The intervertebral implant of claim 11, wherein the first intermediate component is detachable from the first end plate to permit replacement of the first intermediate component with a second intermediate component.
14. The intervertebral implant of claim 13, wherein the second intermediate component causes the intervertebral implant to perform a function which is different from a function performed with the first intermediate component.
15. The intervertebral implant of claim 11, further comprising a second retention member configured to be secured to the first end plate independently of the first intermediate component and the first retention member to further secure the first intermediate component to the first end plate.
16. The intervertebral implant of claim 15, wherein the first and second retention members are independently slidable into engagement with the first end plate along either of at least two selections from the group consisting of a first lateral direction, a second lateral direction different from the first lateral direction, and a posterior direction.
17. The intervertebral implant of claim 16, wherein the first retention member is securable to the first end plate prior to insertion of the first intermediate component along a first direction of the two selections, and the second retention member is securable to the first end plate after the insertion of the first intermediate component, and wherein the second retention member is securable to the first end plate prior to the insertion of the first intermediate component along a second direction of the two selections, and the first retention member is securable to the first end plate after the insertion of the intermediate component.
18. The intervertebral implant of claim 11, wherein the first retention member is configured to be inserted into engagement with the first intermediate component.
19. The intervertebral implant of claim 11, wherein the first retention member snaps into securement with the first end plate.
20. The intervertebral implant of claim 11, further comprising a second end plate configured to be secured to a second vertebral body, wherein the first intermediate component is slidable into engagement with the second end plate along either of at least two selections from the group consisting of a first lateral direction, a second lateral direction different from the first lateral direction, and a posterior direction.
21. An intervertebral implant comprising:
- a first end plate configured to be secured to a first vertebral body;
- a first intermediate component configured to engage the first end plate to control or prevent motion of the first vertebral body relative to a second vertebral body; and
- at least two retention members that are activatable independently of each other to secure the first intermediate component to the first end plate.
22. The intervertebral implant of claim 21, wherein the first intermediate component is selected from the group consisting of a first bearing surface configured to articulate with a second bearing surface to provide relative motion between the first vertebral body and a second vertebral body, an elastic insert configured to deform to provide motion between the first vertebral body and a second vertebral body, and a rigid insert configured to substantially prevent relative motion between the first vertebral body and a second vertebral body.
23. The intervertebral implant of claim 21, wherein the first intermediate component is detachable from the first end plate to permit replacement of the first intermediate component with a second intermediate component.
24. The intervertebral implant of claim 23, wherein the second intermediate component causes the intervertebral implant to perform a function which is different from a function performed with the first intermediate component.
25. The intervertebral implant of claim 21, wherein the first intermediate component is slidable into engagement with the first end plate.
26. The intervertebral implant of claim 21, wherein each of the retention members is slidable into engagement with the first end plate along either of at least two selections from the group consisting of a first lateral direction, a second lateral direction different from the first lateral direction, and a posterior direction.
27. The intervertebral implant of claim 21, further comprising a third retention member that is independently activatable to secure the first intermediate component to the first end plate.
28. The intervertebral implant of claim 21, wherein each retention member has an engaged position and a free position relative to the first end plate, and wherein each retention member snaps into engagement in response to motion from the free position to the engaged position.
29. A method for implanting an intervertebral implant, the method comprising:
- securing a first end plate to a first vertebral body; and
- sliding a first intermediate component into engagement with the first end plate along either of at least two selections from the group consisting of a first lateral direction, a second lateral direction different from the first lateral direction, and a posterior direction.
30. The method of claim 29, further comprising selecting the first intermediate component from the group consisting of a first bearing surface configured to articulate with a second bearing surface to provide relative motion between the first vertebral body and a second vertebral body, an elastic insert configured to deform to provide motion between the first vertebral body and a second vertebral body, and a rigid insert configured to substantially prevent relative motion between the first vertebral body and a second vertebral body.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the first intermediate component is replaceable, wherein replacing the first intermediate component comprises detaching the first intermediate component from the first end plate and engaging a second intermediate component with the first end plate.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein engaging the second intermediate component causes the intervertebral implant to perform a function which is different than the function performed with the first intermediate component.
33. The method of claim 29, further comprising securing at least one retention member to the first end plate independently of the first intermediate component, wherein securing the retention member secures the first intermediate component to the first end plate.
34. The method of claim 33, further comprising inserting the first retention member with the first intermediate component.
35. The method of claim 33, further comprising snapping the first retention member to the first end plate to secure the first retention member to the first end plate.
36. The method of claim 33, further comprising securing a second retention member to the first end plate independently of the first intermediate component, wherein securing the second retention member further secures the first intermediate component to the first end plate.
37. The method of claim 36, further comprising selecting from a group including securing the first retention member to the first end plate prior to inserting the first intermediate component along a first direction of the two selections, then securing the second retention member to the first end plate after inserting the first intermediate component, and securing the second retention member to the first end plate prior to inserting the first intermediate component along a second direction of the two selections, then securing the first retention member to the first end plate after the insertion of the first intermediate component.
38. The method of claim 29, further comprising securing a second end plate to a second vertebral body, and sliding the first intermediate component into engagement with the second end plate along either of at least two selections from the group consisting of the first lateral direction, the second lateral direction, and the posterior direction.
39. A method for implanting an intervertebral implant, the method comprising:
- securing a first end plate to a first vertebral body;
- engaging a first intermediate component with the first end plate to control or prevent motion of the first vertebral body relative to a second vertebral body; and
- sliding a first retention member into engagement with the first end plate to secure the first intermediate component to the first end plate.
40. The method of claim 39, further comprising selecting the first intermediate component from the group consisting of a first bearing surface configured to articulate with a second bearing surface to provide relative motion between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body, an elastic insert configured to deform to provide motion between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body, and a rigid insert configured to substantially prevent relative motion between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body.
41. The method of claim 39, wherein the first intermediate component is replaceable, wherein replacing the first intermediate component comprises detaching the first intermediate component from the first end plate and engaging a second intermediate component with the first end plate.
42. The method of claim 41, wherein engaging the second intermediate component causes the intervertebral implant to perform a function which is different than the function performed with the first intermediate component.
43. The method of claim 39, further comprising securing a second retention member to the first end plate independently of the first intermediate component and the first retention member, to further secure the first intermediate component to the first end plate.
44. The method of claim 43, further comprising sliding the first and second retention members independently into engagement with the first end plate along either of at least two selections from the group consisting of a first lateral direction, a second lateral direction different from the first lateral direction, and a posterior direction.
45. The method of claim 44, further comprising selecting from a group including securing the first retention member to the first end plate prior to inserting the first intermediate component along a first direction of the two selections, then securing the second retention member to the first end plate after inserting the first intermediate component, and securing the second retention member to the first end plate prior to inserting the first intermediate component along a second direction of the two selections, then securing the first retention member to the first end plate after the insertion of the first intermediate component.
46. The method of claim 39, further comprising inserting the first retention member with the first intermediate component.
47. The method of claim 39, further comprising snapping the first retention member to the first end plate to secure the first retention member to the first end plate.
48. The method of claim 39, further comprising securing a second end plate to the second vertebral body, and sliding the first intermediate component into engagement with the second end plate along either of at least two selections from the group consisting of a first lateral direction, a second lateral direction different from the first lateral direction, and a posterior direction.
49. A method for implanting a device within an intervertebral space, the method comprising:
- securing a first end plate to a first vertebral body;
- engaging a first intermediate component with the first end plate to control or prevent motion of the first vertebral body relative to a second vertebral body; and
- activating at least two retention members independently of each other to secure the first intermediate component to the first end plate.
50. The method of claim 49, further comprising selecting the first intermediate component from the group consisting of a first bearing surface configured to articulate with a second bearing surface to provide relative motion between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body, an elastic insert configured to deform to provide motion between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body, and a rigid insert configured to substantially prevent relative motion between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body.
51. The method of claim 49, wherein the first intermediate component is replaceable, wherein replacing the first intermediate component comprises detaching the first intermediate component from the first end plate and engaging a second intermediate component with the first end plate.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein engaging the second intermediate component causes the intervertebral implant to perform a function which is different than the function performed with the first intermediate component.
53. The method of claim 49, further comprising sliding the first intermediate component into engagement with the first end plate.
54. The method of claim 49, further comprising sliding each of the retention members into engagement with the first end plate along either of at least two selections from the group consisting of a first lateral direction, a second lateral direction different from the first lateral direction, and a posterior direction.
55. The method of claim 49, further comprising independently activating a third retention member to further secure the first intermediate component to the first end plate.
56. The method of claim 49, further comprising snapping each retention member in response to motion from a free position to an engaged position relative to the first end plate.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 25, 2006
Publication Date: Apr 26, 2007
Inventors: Lytton Williams (Los Angeles, CA), Daniel Justin (Logan, UT), T. Fallin (Hyde Park, UT), Raymond Gardocki (Germantown, TN), Nathan Pierce (Millville, UT)
Application Number: 11/534,946
International Classification: A61F 2/44 (20060101);