U.S. patent application number 12/044901 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-14 for methods for deploying spinal motion preservation assemblies.
This patent application is currently assigned to TRANS1 INC.. Invention is credited to Stephen D. Ainsworth, Robert L. Assell, Eugene A. Dickhudt, Bradley J. Wessman.
Application Number | 20080195156 12/044901 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46124069 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080195156 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ainsworth; Stephen D. ; et
al. |
August 14, 2008 |
Methods for Deploying Spinal Motion Preservation Assemblies
Abstract
Spinal motion preservation assemblies adapted for use in a
spinal motion segment are disclosed including the process for
delivering and assembling the spinal motion preservation assemblies
in the spinal motion segment via an axial channel created with a
trans-sacral approach. The spinal motion preservation assemblies
make use of a dual pivot. A number of different embodiments of
spinal motion preservation assemblies are disclosed which include
at least one component adapted for elastic deformation under
compressive loads. The disclosed mobility preservation assemblies
provide for dynamic stabilization (DS) of the spinal motion
segment.
Inventors: |
Ainsworth; Stephen D.;
(Wilmington, NC) ; Assell; Robert L.; (Wilmington,
NC) ; Dickhudt; Eugene A.; (US) ; Wessman;
Bradley J.; (Wilmington, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE ECLIPSE GROUP
10605 BALBOA BLVD., SUITE 300
GRANADA HILLS
CA
91344
US
|
Assignee: |
TRANS1 INC.
Wilmington
NC
|
Family ID: |
46124069 |
Appl. No.: |
12/044901 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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12044901 |
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10972184 |
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10972040 |
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11199541 |
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10972176 |
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60621148 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
606/279 ;
606/108; 606/246 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2002/30327
20130101; A61F 2002/30571 20130101; A61F 2/441 20130101; A61F
2/4637 20130101; A61F 2002/30075 20130101; A61F 2002/3085 20130101;
A61F 2210/0085 20130101; A61F 2250/0039 20130101; A61F 2002/30014
20130101; A61F 2002/30289 20130101; A61F 2210/0061 20130101; A61F
2220/0033 20130101; A61B 17/8888 20130101; A61F 2/30742 20130101;
A61F 2002/3055 20130101; A61F 2/4611 20130101; A61F 2002/30507
20130101; A61F 2002/30224 20130101; A61F 2002/30405 20130101; A61F
2002/30331 20130101; A61F 2230/0069 20130101; A61F 2002/30583
20130101; A61F 2310/00029 20130101; A61F 2002/4495 20130101; A61F
2002/30566 20130101; A61F 2002/443 20130101; A61F 2002/4629
20130101; A61F 2/4425 20130101; A61F 2002/4627 20130101; A61F
2230/0091 20130101; A61F 2310/00017 20130101; A61F 2002/444
20130101; A61F 2002/30604 20130101; A61F 2250/0018 20130101; A61F
2002/30462 20130101; A61B 2017/0256 20130101; A61F 2/30744
20130101; A61F 2002/30495 20130101; A61B 17/70 20130101; A61F
2002/30588 20130101; A61F 2002/30677 20130101; A61F 2002/30563
20130101; A61F 2002/30859 20130101; A61F 2002/30863 20130101; A61B
17/025 20130101; A61F 2220/0025 20130101; A61F 2220/0075 20130101;
A61F 2/442 20130101; A61F 2002/30601 20130101; A61F 2002/30579
20130101; A61F 2002/30581 20130101; A61F 2002/30649 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/279 ;
606/246; 606/108 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/58 20060101
A61B017/58; A61F 11/00 20060101 A61F011/00 |
Claims
1. A method for deploying a spinal motion preservation assembly in
a motion segment accessed by an axial trans-sacral approach, the
implanted spinal motion preservation assembly comprising a distal
component and a proximal component both with external threads, an
implant subassembly extending between the distal and proximal
components which comprises a pivot adapted for unconstrained
engagement by means of dual pivot ends within both the distal
component and the proximal component, and an expandable membrane
which is expanded with a prosthetic nucleus material, the method
comprising: rotating a driver which simultaneously deploys the
distal component and the proximal component to engage the distal
component with a distal vertebral body and to engage the proximal
component with a proximal vertebral body while maintaining a
predetermined separation distance between the distal component and
the proximal component and without cross threading the thread path
cut into the proximal vertebral body; inserting a distal end of the
pivot into the proximal end of the distal implant device assembly;
and selectively advancing a portion of the proximal implant device
assembly to push the pivot against the distal implant device
assembly to change the distribution of loading between A) the
prosthetic nucleus and B) the external threads on the proximal
component and the external threads on the distal component.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of engaging
the distal component with at least one component adapted to
elastically deform under compressive load.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of engaging
the proximal component with at least one component adapted to
elastically deform under compressive load.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of engaging
the distal component with at least one component adapted to
elastically deform under compressive load.
5. A method of providing dynamic stabilization to a motion segment
in a spine, the method comprising; deploying into the motion
segment by an axial channel created with a trans-sacral approach a
spinal motion stabilization assembly with a pair of unconstrained
pivot points and at least one component capable of elastic
deformation such that motion segment after receipt of the spinal
motion stabilization assembly can undergo motion that enables the
normal range of motion in all six degrees of freedom.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of: expanding
a membrane connected to the spinal motion stabilization assembly
with prosthetic nucleus material to form a prosthetic nucleus; and
selectively varying the loading between the prosthetic nucleus and
sets of threads on the spinal motion stabilization assembly engaged
with vertebral bodies on the superior and inferior ends of the
motion segment.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein prosthetic nucleus material is
provided to the membrane through a distractor/injector tool after
distraction of the motion segment and before removal of the
distractor/injector tool.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/256,810 filed Oct. 24, 2005 for Spinal Motion
Preservation Assemblies and as such claims priority to the '810
application and incorporates it by reference. The '810 application
claims priority and incorporates by reference a then co-pending and
commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/621,148 filed
Oct. 22, 2004 for Spinal Mobility Preservation Assemblies and
second co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/621,730 filed Oct. 25, 2004 for Multi-Part
Assembly for Introducing Axial Implants into the Spine. This
application claims priority and incorporates by reference four
co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.
10/972,184, 10/927,039, 10/972,040, and 10/972,176 all filed on
Oct. 22, 2004. These four applications claim priority to two
provisional applications 60/558,069 filed Mar. 31, 2004 and
60/513,899 filed Oct. 23, 2003. Priority to these two provisionals
is claimed through the four co-pending applications and the
provisionals are incorporated by reference. This application also
claims priority to co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/199,541 filed Aug. 8, 2005 and Provisional
Application 60/599,989 filed Aug. 9, 2004 which is claimed as a
priority document for the '541 application. Both of these
applications are incorporated by reference.
[0002] This application extends the work done by Assignee and
incorporates by reference a set of U.S. applications, provisional
applications, and issued patents including: 60/182,748 filed Feb.
16, 2000; Ser. No. 09/640,222 filed Aug. 16, 2000 (now issued as
U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,979); 10/459,149 filed Jun. 11, 2003; Ser. No.
09/684,820 filed Oct. 10, 2000 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No.
6,558,386); Ser. No. 10/430,751 filed May 6, 2003; 60/182,748 filed
Feb. 16, 2000; Ser. No. 09/782,583 filed Feb. 13, 2001 (issued as
6,558,390); 09/848,556 filed May 3, 2001; Ser. No. 10/125,771 filed
Apr. 18, 2002 (issued as 6,899,716); 10/990,705 filed Nov. 17,
2004; Ser. No. 10/430,841 filed May 6, 2003; 09/710,369 filed Nov.
10, 2000 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,740,090); Ser. No. 10/853,476
filed May 25, 2004; Ser. No. 09/709,105 filed Nov. 10, 2000 (issued
as U.S. Pat. No. 6,790,210); 09/782,534 filed Feb. 13, 2001;
application Ser. Nos. 10/971,779, 10/971,781, 10/971,731,
10/972,077, 10/971,765, 10/972,065, 10/971,775, 10/971,299,
10/971,780, all filed Oct. 22, 2004; Ser. No. 60/706,704 filed Aug.
9, 2005; Ser. No. 11/189,943 filed Jul. 26, 2005, Ser. No.
10/309,416 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,403 filed Dec. 3, 2002. While
these applications have been incorporated by reference to provide
additional detail it should be noted that these other applications
(including those that have subsequently issued as patents) were
written at an earlier time and had a different focus from the
present application. Thus, to the extent that the teachings or use
of terminology differs in any of these incorporated applications
from the present application, the present application controls.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates generally to implantable
device assemblies, instrumentation systems, and methods for
accessing and a spinal motion segment via a minimally-invasive
trans-sacral approach (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,390
which is incorporated herein by reference) and procedures
comprising the deployment of implantable components and assemblies
that are anchored in bone that can be used to position, manage
motion, and stabilize a vertebral motion segments in the human
spine to relieve lower back pain, restore physiological function of
the lumbar spine, and prevent progression or transition of
degenerative disease. More specifically, the present invention
generally relates to spinal motion preservation assemblies (MPA)
generally introduced percutaneously through tissue to an access
point on the spine in a minimally invasive, low trauma manner, to
provide therapy to the spine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Overview
[0005] Much of the work is described in great detail in the many
applications referenced above and incorporated by reference into
this application. Accordingly, the background of the invention
provided here does not repeat all of the detail provided in the
earlier applications, but instead highlights how the present
invention adds to this body of work.
[0006] The spinal column is a complex system of bone segments
(vertebral bodies and other bone segments) which are in most cases
separated from one another by discs in the intervertebral spaces
(sacral vertebrae are an exception). FIG. 1 shows the various
segments of a human spinal column as viewed from the side. In the
context of the present invention, a "motion segment" comprises
adjacent vertebrae, i.e., an inferior and a superior vertebral
body, and the intervertebral disc space separating said two
vertebral bodies, whether denucleated space or with intact or
damaged spinal discs. Each motion segment contributes to the
overall flexibility of the spine contributes to the overall ability
of the spine to flex to provide support for the movement of the
trunk and head.
[0007] The vertebrae of the spinal cord are conventionally
subdivided into several sections. Moving from the head to the
tailbone, the sections are cervical 104, thoracic 108, lumbar 112,
sacral 116, and coccygeal 120. The individual vertebral bodies
within the sections are identified by number starting at the
vertebral body closest to the head. Of particular interest in this
application are the vertebral bodies in the lumbar section and the
sacral section. As the various vertebral bodies in the sacral
section are usually fused together in adults, it is sufficient and
perhaps more descriptive to merely refer to the sacrum rather than
the individual sacral components.
[0008] It is useful to set forth some of the standard medical
vocabulary before getting into a more detailed discussion of the
background of the present invention. In the context of the this
discussion: anterior refers to in front of the spinal column;
(ventral) and posterior refers to behind the column (dorsal);
cephalad means towards the patient's head (sometimes "superior");
caudal (sometimes "inferior") refers to the direction or location
that is closer to the feet. As the present application contemplates
accessing the various vertebral bodies and intervertebral spaces
through a preferred approach that comes in from the sacrum and
moves towards the head, proximal and distal are defined in context
of this channel of approach. Consequently, proximal is closer to
the beginning of the channel and thus towards the feet or the
surgeon, distal is further from the beginning of the channel and
thus towards the head, or more distant from the surgeon.
[0009] The individual motion segments within the spinal columns
allow movement within constrained limits and provide protection for
the spinal cord. The discs are important to bear and distribute the
large forces that pass through the spinal column as a person walks,
bends, lifts, or otherwise moves. Unfortunately, for a number of
reasons referenced below, for some people, one or more discs in the
spinal column will not operate as intended. The reasons for disc
problems range from a congenital defect, disease, injury, or
degeneration attributable to aging. Often when the discs are not
operating properly, the gap between adjacent vertebral bodies is
reduced and this causes additional problems including pain.
[0010] There are currently over 700,000 surgical procedures
performed annually to treat lower back pain in the U.S. In 2004, it
is conservatively estimated that there will be more than 200,000
lumbar fusions performed in the U.S., and more than 300,000
worldwide, representing approximately a $1B endeavor in an attempt
to alleviate patients' pain. Approximately 60% of spinal surgery
takes place in the lumbar spine, and of that portion approximately
80% involves the lower lumbar vertebrae designated as the fourth
lumbar vertebra ("L4"), the fifth lumbar vertebra ("L5"), and the
first sacral vertebra ("S1"). Persistent low back pain is often
attributable to degeneration of the disc between L5 and S1. (See
edge between the lumbar region 112 and the sacrum 116 in FIG.
1).
[0011] A range of therapies have been developed to alleviate the
pain associated with disc problems. One class of solutions is to
remove the failed disc and then fuse the two adjacent vertebral
bodies together with a permanent but inflexible spacing, also
referred to as static stabilization. As mentioned above, an
estimated 300,000 fusion operations take place each year. Fusing
one section together ends the ability to flex in that motion
segment. While the loss of the normal physiologic disc function for
a motion segment through fusion of a motion segment may be better
than continuing to suffer from the pain, it would be better to
alleviate the pain and yet retain all or much of the normal
performance of a healthy motion segment.
[0012] Another class of therapies attempts to repair the disc so
that it resumes operation with the intended intervertebral spacing
and mechanical properties. One type of repair is the replacement of
the original damaged disc with a prosthetic disc. This type of
therapy is called by different names such as dynamic stabilization
or spinal motion preservation.
[0013] The Operation of the Spine
[0014] The bodies of successive lumbar, thoracic and cervical
vertebrae articulate with one another and are separated by the
intervertebral spinal discs. Each spinal disc comprises a fibrous
cartilage shell enclosing a central mass, the "nucleus pulposus"
(or "nucleus" herein) that provides for cushioning and dampening of
compressive forces to the spinal column. The shell enclosing the
nucleus comprises cartilaginous endplates adhered to the opposed
cortical bone endplates of the cephalad and caudal vertebral bodies
and the "annulus fibrosus" (or "annulus" herein) comprising
multiple layers of opposing collagen fibers running
circumferentially around the nucleus pulposus and connecting the
cartilaginous endplates. The natural, physiological nucleus is
comprised of hydrophilic (water attracting) mucopolysacharides and
fibrous strands (protein polymers). The nucleus is relatively
inelastic, but the annulus can bulge outward slightly to
accommodate loads axially applied to the spinal motion segment.
[0015] The intervertebral discs are anterior to the spinal canal
and located between the opposed end faces or endplates of a
cephalad and a caudal vertebral bodies. The inferior articular
processes articulate with the superior articular processes of the
next succeeding vertebra in the caudal (i.e., toward the feet or
inferior) direction. Several ligaments (supraspinous, interspinous,
anterior and posterior longitudinal, and the ligamenta flava) hold
the vertebrae in position yet permit a limited degree of movement.
The assembly of two vertebral bodies, the interposed,
intervertebral, spinal disc and the attached ligaments, muscles and
facet joints is referred to as a "spinal motion segment".
[0016] The relatively large vertebral bodies located in the
anterior portion of the spine and the intervertebral discs provide
the majority of the weight bearing support of the vertebral column.
Each vertebral body has relatively strong, cortical bone layer
comprising the exposed outside surface of the body, including the
endplates, and weaker, cancellous bone comprising the center of the
vertebral body.
[0017] The nucleus pulposus that forms the center portion of the
intervertebral disc consists of 80% water that is absorbed by the
proteoglycans in a healthy adult spine. With aging, the nucleus
becomes less fluid and more viscous and sometimes even dehydrates
and contracts (sometimes referred to as "isolated disc resorption")
causing severe pain in many instances. The spinal discs serve as
"dampeners" between each vertebral body that minimize the impact of
movement on the spinal column, and disc degeneration, marked by a
decrease in water content within the nucleus, renders discs
ineffective in transferring loads to the annulus layers. In
addition, the annulus tends to thicken, desiccate, and become more
rigid, lessening its ability to elastically deform under load and
making it susceptible to fracturing or fissuring, and one form of
degeneration of the disc thus occurs when the annulus fissures or
is torn. The fissure may or may not be accompanied by extrusion of
nucleus material into and beyond the annulus. The fissure itself
may be the sole morphological change, above and beyond generalized
degenerative changes in the connective tissue of the disc, and disc
fissures can nevertheless be painful and debilitating. Biochemicals
contained within the nucleus are enabled to escape through the
fissure and irritate nearby structures.
[0018] A fissure also may be associated with a herniation or
rupture of the annulus causing the nucleus to bulge outward or
extrude out through the fissure and impinge upon the spinal column
or nerves (a "ruptured" or "slipped" disc). With a contained disc
herniation, the nucleus may work its way partly through the annulus
but is still contained within the annulus or beneath the posterior
longitudinal ligament, and there are no free nucleus fragments in
the spinal canal. Nevertheless, even a contained disc herniation is
problematic because the outward protrusion can press on the spinal
cord or on spinal nerves causing sciatica.
[0019] Another disc problem occurs when the disc bulges outward
circumferentially in all directions and not just in one location.
This occurs when, over time, the disc weakens bulges outward and
takes on a "roll" shape. Mechanical stiffness of the joint is
reduced and the spinal motion segment may become unstable,
shortening the spinal cord segment. As the disc "roll" extends
beyond the normal circumference, the disc height may be
compromised, and foramina with nerve roots are compressed causing
pain. Current treatment methods other than spinal fusion for
symptomatic disc rolls and herniated discs include "laminectomy"
which involves the surgical exposure of the annulus and surgical
excision of the symptomatic portion of the herniated disc followed
by a relatively lengthy recuperation period. In addition,
osteophytes may form on the outer surface of the disc roll and
further encroach on the spinal canal and foramina through which
nerves pass. The cephalad vertebra may eventually settle on top of
the caudal vertebra. This condition is called "lumbar
spondylosis".
[0020] Various other surgical treatments that attempt to preserve
the intervertebral spinal disc and to simply relieve pain include a
"discectomy" or "disc decompression" to remove some or most of the
interior nucleus thereby decompressing and decreasing outward
pressure on the annulus. In less invasive microsurgical procedures
known as "microlumbar discectomy" and "automated percutaneous
lumbar discectomy", the nucleus is removed by suction through a
needle laterally extended through the annulus. Although these
procedures are less invasive than open surgery, they nevertheless
suffer the possibility of injury to the nerve root and dural sac,
perineural scar formation, re-herniation of the site of the
surgery, and instability due to excess bone removal. In addition,
they generally involve the perforation of the annulus.
[0021] Although damaged discs and vertebral bodies can be
identified with sophisticated diagnostic imaging, existing surgical
interventions and clinical outcomes are not consistently
satisfactory. Furthermore, patients undergoing such fusion surgery
experience significant complications and uncomfortable, prolonged
convalescence. Surgical complications include disc space infection;
nerve root injury; hematoma formation; instability of adjacent
vertebrae, and disruption of muscle, tendons, and ligaments, for
example.
[0022] Several companies are pursuing the development of prosthesis
for the human spine, intended to completely replace a physiological
disc, i.e., an artificial disc. In individuals where the degree of
degeneration has not progressed to destruction of the annulus,
rather than a total artificial disc replacement, a preferred
treatment option may be to replace or augment the nucleus pulposus,
involving the deployment of a prosthetic disc nucleus. As noted
previously, the normal nucleus is contained within the space
bounded by the bony vertebrae above and below it and the annulus
fibrosus, which circumferentially surrounds it. In this way the
nucleus is completely encapsulated and sealed with the only
communication to the body being a fluid exchange that takes place
through the bone interface with the vertebrae, known as the
endplates.
[0023] The hydroscopic material comprising the physiological
nucleus has an affinity for water (and swells in volume) which is
sufficiently powerful to distract (i.e., elevate or "inflate") the
intervertebral disc space, despite the significant physiological
loads that are carried across the disc in normal activities. These
forces, which range from about 0.4.times. to about 1.8.times. body
weight, generate local pressure well above normal blood pressure,
and the nucleus and inner annulus tissue are, in fact, effectively
avascular.
[0024] The existence of the nucleus as a cushion (e.g., the nucleus
is the "air" in the "tire" known as a spinal disc), and the
annulus, as a flexible member, contributes to the range of motion
in the normal disc. Range of motion is described in terms of
degrees of freedom (i.e., translation and rotation about three
orthogonal planes relative to a reference point, the instantaneous
center of rotation around the vertical axis of the spine). The
advantages of axial spinal implant assemblies of the present
invention in preserving, restoring, and/or managing mobility in
terms of flexion, extension, compression, left/right (L/R)
rotation, L/R lateral bending, and distraction will become more
apparent from the description of the relationship between movement
and anatomical structures of the spine, and the consequences and
impact of injury (e.g., trauma/mechanical injury or aging) noted
below.
[0025] Flexion and Extension
[0026] Flexion and extension of the spine combine forward sliding
and rotation of the vertebrae. The facet joints and the annulus
resist the forward sliding. Rotation is resisted by the annulus;
capsules of the facet joints; action of the back muscles, and
passive tension generated by the thoracolumbar fascia. Extension is
resisted by the facet joints, and secondarily by the annulus.
[0027] The spine is resistant to injury if the force is only in
pure flexion, as the combination of the facet joints and disc are
intrinsically stable in this plane. While the spinal muscles can be
injured during forceful flexion since they are important in
controlling this motion, ensuing pain is not typically chronic.
[0028] Extension is impaired by impaction of the facet joints and
eventually the inferior articular process against the lamina. This
can result in a cartilage injury of the facet joint; disruption of
the facet capsule, and facet joint or pars interarticularis
fracture.
[0029] Compression
[0030] Compression of the spine is due to body weight and loads
applied to the spine. Body weight is a minor compressive load. The
major compressive load on the spine is produced by the back
muscles. As a person bends forward, the body weight plus an
external load must be balanced by the force generated by the back
muscles. That is, muscle loads balance gravitational loads so that
the spine is in equilibrium, to help keep us from falling over. The
external force is calculated by multiplying the load times the
perpendicular distance of the load from the spine. The greater the
distance from the spine, the larger is the load. Since the back
muscles act close to the spine, they must exert large forces to
balance the load. The force generated by the back muscles results
in compression of spinal structures.
[0031] Most of the compressive loads (.about.80%) are sustained by
the anterior column (disc and vertebral body). The disc is a
hydrostatic system. The nucleus acts as a confined fluid within the
annulus. It converts compressive on the vertebral end plates (axial
loads) into tension on the annulus fibers.
[0032] Compression injuries occur by two main mechanisms; axial
loading by gravity or by muscle action. Gravitational injuries
result from a fall onto the buttocks while muscular injuries result
from severe exertion during pulling or lifting. A serious
consequence of the injury is a fracture of the vertebral end plate.
Since the end plate is critical to disc nutrition, an injury can
change the biochemical and metabolic state of the disc. If the end
plate heals, the disc may suffer no malice. However, if the end
plate does not heal, the nucleus can undergo harmful changes. The
nucleus loses its proteoglycans and thus its water-binding
capacity. The hydrostatic properties of the nucleus are
compromised. Instead of sharing the load between the nucleus and
the annulus, more of the load is transferred to the annulus. The
annulus fibers then fail. In addition to annular tears, the layers
of the annular separate (delaminate). The disc may collapse or it
may maintain its height with progressive annular tearing. If the
annulus is significantly weakened, there may be a rupture of the
disc whereby the nuclear material migrates into the annulus or into
the spinal canal causing nerve root compression.
[0033] Rotation
[0034] Rotation of the spine is accomplished by the contraction of
the abdominal muscles acting through the thorax and the
thoracolumbar fascia. There are no primary muscles responsible for
lumbar rotation. The facet joints and the collagen fibers of the
annulus resist this rotation. In rotation, only 50% of the collagen
fibers are in tension at any time, which renders the annulus
susceptible to injury.
[0035] The spine is particularly susceptible to injury in a loading
combination of rotation and flexion. Flexion pre-stresses the
annular fibers. As the spine rotates, compression occurs on the
facet joint surfaces of the joint opposite the rotation.
Distraction occurs on the facet joint on the same side of the
rotation. The center of rotation of the motion segment shifts from
the back of the disc to the facet joint in compression. The disc
shifts sideways and shear forces on the annular fibers are
significant. Since the annular fibers are weak in this direction,
they can tear. If the rotation continues, the facet joints can
sustain cartilage injury, fracture, and capsular tears while the
annulus can tear in several different ways. Any of these injuries
can be a source of pain.
[0036] Lateral Bending
[0037] Bending is a combination of lateral flexion and rotation
through the annulus and facet joints.
[0038] Distraction
[0039] Pure distraction rarely occurs and is usually a combination
of tension and compression on the spinal joints depending on the
direction of applied force. An example of a distraction force is
therapeutic spinal traction to "unload" the spine.
[0040] In the context of the present invention, as used herein the
term distraction refers procedurally to an elevation in height that
increases the intervertebral disc space resulting from introduction
of the motion preservation assembly or prosthetic nucleus device
("PND"), which may be achieved either in the axial deployment of
the device itself, or assisted by means of a temporary distraction
rod, during implantation. Temporary distraction refers to elevation
of disc height by means, such as a distraction rod, which is
subsequently removed but wherein the elevation is retained
intra-operatively, while the patient remains prone. Thus, the
device may be inserted into an elevated disc space first created by
other distraction means, and thereafter physical presence and
dimensionality of the inserted device is key to preserving that
height space, to decompress the disc and alleviate pain caused by
nerve impingement.
[0041] Thus if one takes a reference point at the top face of a
vertebral body, the motion segment comprising that vertebral body,
the next most cephalad vertebral body, and the intervertebral disc
between those two vertebral bodies has six degrees of freedom. If
the x axis is aligned with the anterior/posterior direction, and
the y axis is aligned with the right/and left side, and the z axis
aligned with the caudal/cephalad direction then the six degrees of
freedom are as follows:
TABLE-US-00001 Translation along X axis Movement of upper vertebral
body in anterior/posterior direction Translation along Y axis
Movement of upper vertebral body to right or to left Translation
along Z axis Movement of upper vertebral body away from lower
vertebral body (distraction) or towards lower vertebral body
compression. Rotation in plane X and Y Rotation of spine clockwise
or defined by counterclockwise Rotation in plane X and Z Rotation
of spine to flex or extend the defined by spine Rotation in plane Y
and Z Rotation of spine to move laterally to right defined by or
left
[0042] To date, drawbacks of currently contemplated or deployed
prosthetic nucleus devices include subsidence; their tendency to
extrude or migrate; to erode the bone; to degrade with time, or to
fail to provide sufficient biomechanical load distribution and
support. Some of these drawbacks relate to the fact that their
deployment typically involves a virtually complete discectomy of
the disc achieved by instruments introduced laterally through the
patient's body to the disc site and manipulated to cut away or
drill lateral holes through the disc and adjoining cortical bone.
The endplates of the vertebral bodies, which comprise very hard
cortical bone and help to give the vertebral bodies needed
strength, are usually weakened or destroyed during the drilling.
The vertebral endplates are special cartilage structures that
surround the top and bottom of each vertebra and are in direct
contact with the disc. They are important to the nutrition of the
disc because they allow the passage of nutrients and water into the
disc. If these structures are injured, it can lead to deterioration
of the disc and altered disc function. Not only do the large
laterally drilled hole or holes compromise the integrity of the
vertebral bodies, but the spinal cord can be injured if they are
drilled too posterior.
[0043] Alternatively, current devices are sometimes deployed
through a surgically created or enlarged hole in the annulus. The
annulus fibrosus consists of tough, thick collagen fibers. The
collagen fibers which comprise the annulus fibrosus are arranged in
concentric, alternating layers. Intra-layer orientation of these
fibers is parallel, however, each alternating (i.e., interlayer)
layers' collagen fibers are oriented obliquely (.about.120). This
oblique orientation allows the annulus to resist forces in both
vertical and horizontal directions. Axial compression of a disc
results in increased pressure in the disc space. This pressure is
transferred to the annulus in the form of loads (stresses)
perpendicular to the wall of the annulus. With applied stress,
these fibrous layers are put in tension and the angle from
horizontal decreases to better resist the load, i.e., the annulus
works to resist these perpendicular stresses by transferring the
loads around the circumference of the annulus (Hoop Stress).
Vertical tension resists bending and distraction (flexion and
extension). Horizontal tension resists rotation and sliding (i.e.,
twisting). While the vertical components of the annulus' layers
enable the disc to withstand forward and backward bending well,
only half of the horizontal fibers of the annulus are engaged
during a rotational movement. In general, the disc is more
susceptible to injury during a twisting motion, deriving its
primary protection during rotation from the posterior facet joints;
however, this risk is even greater if and when the annulus is
compromised.
[0044] Moreover, annulus disruption will remain post-operatively,
and present a pathway for device extrusion and migration in
addition to compromising the physiological biomechanics of the disc
structure. Other devices, in an attempt to provide sufficient
mechanical integrity to withstand the stresses to which they will
be subjected, are configured to be so firm, stiff, and inflexible
that they tend to erode the bone or become imbedded, over time, in
the vertebral bodies, a phenomenon known as "subsidence", sometimes
also termed "telescoping". The result of subsidence is that the
effective length of the vertebral column is shortened, which can
subsequently cause damage to the nerve root and nerves that pass
between the two adjacent vertebrae.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0045] Spinal mobility preservation assemblies are disclosed which
are configured to comprise a plurality of pivots, that function in
conjunction with one or more elastomeric (e.g., semi-compliant;
compressible) or spring component (including non-helical springs
such as the relatively flat Belleville disc), that are particularly
effective in preserving motion in any plane relative to the
longitudinal axis of the spine.
[0046] In the context of the present invention, "planes" are
defined relative to x,y,z orthogonal axes, where z is the
longitudinal axis of the spine. More specifically, rotation about
x,y,z and motion about x,y are enabled by a plurality of
unconstrained pivot points, and the elastomeric component enables
motion in the z direction and serves to dampen axial
compression.
[0047] As used herein, the term unconstrained refers to the fact
that pivots are not fixed, and refers to motion that exceeds the
normal range of motion in all six degrees of freedom. Thus, with
respect to the lumbar spine, whereas the normal full range of
motion typically allows for about 12 degrees of flexion, about 8
degrees of extension, about 9 degrees of left or right lateral
bend, and about 2 degrees of clockwise or counterclockwise motion,
the mobility preservation assemblies in accordance with a preferred
aspect of the present invention (e.g., with unconstrained
dual-pivots in conjunction with an elastomeric component) which
have been configured for the lumbar spine generally will permit at
least about 4 degrees, often at least about 8 degrees and
preferably no more than about 20 degrees of flexion (bending
forwards), and at least about 4 degrees, often at least about 6
degrees and preferably no more than about 20 degrees of extension
(bending backwards). Rotation is completely unconstrained, with no
limitation. With respect to the spine generally, MPA in accordance
with the invention generally will often provide at least about 100
or 125% of the normal full range of motion for any particular
motion segment being treated.
[0048] While it is known in the art to implant certain other human
joints (e.g., fingers and knees) with devices meant to preserve
translation, the spine is the only articulating human joint with
six degrees of freedom with respect to motion, as described above.
Unlike current devices (e.g., Medtronic Maverick.TM. device, or the
SpineCore Flexicore.TM. intervertebral disc), the spinal implant
assemblies of the present invention are able to preserve motion
(including translation) in all six degrees of freedom. This is
because these assemblies are configured with a plurality of pivot
points preferably in conjunction with an elastomeric or otherwise
elastically deformable component, so as not to impede the motion
(translation), in any plane, of natural structures which bear
physiologic loads, and their deployment in an orientation in
approximately the line of principal compressive stress, i.e.,
placement at approximately the center of rotation vis a vis a human
disc motion segment.
[0049] Generally, the assemblies may be inserted axially within the
spine, following either partial or complete nucleectomy and through
a cannula that is docked against the sacrum, into a surgically
de-nucleated disc space, from said access point across a treatment
zone. In one aspect of the invention, prosthetic or augmentation
materials are introduced, through at least one vertebral body or
into at least one disc space. The introduction of the spinal MPA of
the present invention is accomplished without the need to
surgically create or deleteriously enlarge an existing hole in the
annulus fibrosus of the disc, and their deployment therapeutically
preserves the physiological function of natural disc
structures.
[0050] In one aspect of the invention, risks associated with
implant expulsion, migration, or subsidence (that are inherently
less for the MPA of the present invention) may be even further
mitigated by retention means, e.g., by external, self-tapping
threads configured to distribute stress evenly over a large surface
area, that engage the vertebral body and secure (i.e., anchor) the
implant assemblies therein.
[0051] The screw threads are typical of "cancellous" type bone
threads known in the art. The threads are typically cut with
generally flat faces on the flights of the thread with the most
flat of the faces oriented in the direction of the applied load. In
one embodiment, the thread profile generally comprises deep flights
with an asymmetric thread form, which provides the advantage of
improved weight bearing and load distribution. Threads are formed
on root portions and extend as continuous threads from the trailing
end to the leading end of the respective threaded sections. The
screw threads include multiple revolutions that are spaced apart
along the roots by inter-thread spacings. The proximal component
and distal component threads are like-handed (i.e. the threads turn
in the same direction) so that both screw threads are right-handed
or so that both are left-handed.
[0052] The self-tapping threads may or may not be configured to
assist in distraction of adjacent vertebral bodies within a motion
segment, i.e., may or may not be configured with distal and
proximal components (anchored in superior and inferior vertebral
bodies, respectively) with differential thread pitches, and wherein
the distal anchor has a major diameter that is less than that of
the proximal anchor. Clockwise rotation of embodiments configured
with right-handed threads (i.e., differential pitch and major
diameters as just described) advances assemblies axially and
distracts the superior and inferior vertebral bodies within a
motion segment relative one to the other.
[0053] In the context of the present invention, "dynamic" refers to
non-static devices with an inherent ability to allow mobility by
enabling or facilitating forces or load bearing that assist or
substitute for physiological structures that are otherwise
compromised, weakened or absent. The mobility preservation
assemblies (MPA) of the present invention provide dynamic
stabilization (DS) across a progression-of-treatment interventions
for treating symptomatic discogenic pain, ranging from treatment in
patients where little degeneration or collapse is evident
radio-graphically, to those for whom prosthetic nucleus devices or
total disc replacements are indicated. For example, a prosthetic
nucleus (PN) would be indicated in patients with a greater degree
of degeneration and loss of disc height but not to the stage where
advanced annular break-down is present. A prosthetic nucleus would
go beyond dynamic stabilization by including an aggressive
nucleectomy and subsequent filling of the de-nucleated space with
an appropriate material. Here, the goal is to restore disc height
and motion. Total disc replacement (TDR) are generally indicated
with more advanced disease than with a prosthetic nucleus but where
some annular function remains. The motion preservation assemblies
of the present invention serve as prosthetic disc replacements
(PDR) that are much less invasive (in terms of deployment) than
traditional total disc replacements, and are configured so as to
augment, preserve, restore, and/or manage the physiological
function according to the intervention indicated. In general, the
axial motion preservation assemblies of the present invention
disclosed herein are preferably configured as devices with an
aspect ratio of greater than 1, i.e., the device dimension in the
axial vertebral plane is greater than the device dimension in any
orthogonal direction to that axial plane in close proximity to the
physiological instantaneous center of axial rotation, and are
deployed in an orientation in approximately the line of principal
compressive stress, and placed at approximately the center of
rotation vis a vis a human disc motion segment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0054] FIG. 1 identifies the sections of a human spine.
[0055] FIG. 2 illustrates an anterior axial trans-sacral access
method of creating an axial channel in the spine which can be used
to prepare an axial channel in the spine for use with the present
invention.
[0056] FIG. 3 illustrates an implanted motion preservation assembly
300 in a spinal motion segment.
[0057] FIG. 4 is an exploded diagram that provides another view of
the components described in FIG. 3.
[0058] FIG. 5 provides a view of the motion preservation assembly
in FIG. 3 with a quarter round section removed from the distal bone
anchor 340 and the proximal bone anchor 344 to reveal the
components within an assembled set of components.
[0059] FIG. 6 is a view of the same motion preservation assembly
300 but with a quarter round of the entire assembly removed.
[0060] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged portion of FIG. 5.
[0061] FIG. 8A illustrates the effect of using two different pivot
body widths.
[0062] FIG. 8B illustrates the effect of changing the depth of the
pivot end cup.
[0063] FIG. 9 illustrates the advantage of a dual pivot over a
single pivot.
[0064] FIG. 10 illustrates a non-symmetric cavity in the pivot cup
to allow for a greater amount of additional allowed translation in
one direction as compared with another direction.
[0065] FIG. 11 illustrates an asymmetric pivot.
[0066] FIG. 12 illustrates one motion preservation assembly with
elastomeric components.
[0067] FIG. 13 illustrates a cross section of a pivot 900 with a
machined spring connecting the two ends.
[0068] FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the motion
preservation assembly with a externally threaded distal pivot
cup.
[0069] FIG. 15 shows an exploded view of another motion
preservation assembly distal implanted component having an
integrated bearing surface.
[0070] FIG. 16 shows the components of yet another motion
preservation with a helical spring.
[0071] FIG. 17 shows the cross section of a keyed driver assembly
for delivery of two implanted components.
[0072] FIGS. 18 and 19 show the cross section of a delivery tool
during the delivery of the distal pivot cup.
[0073] FIG. 20 shows a perspective view with a quarter round
removed from a distractor/injector tool.
[0074] FIGS. 21 and 22 show the cross section of a delivery tool
during the delivery of a dual pivot to the distal pivot cup.
[0075] FIG. 23 shows the cross section of a delivery tool during
the delivery of a proximal end cup.
[0076] FIG. 24 shows the cross section of a delivery tool during
deliver of a jam nut.
[0077] FIG. 25 shows the perspective view of the distal portion of
a driver assembly for delivery of two implanted components using an
elongated hexagonal driver.
[0078] FIG. 26 is a flow chart describing a particular method for
deployment of a motion preservation assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0079] Axial Trans-Sacral Access
[0080] The present invention contemplates the use of the axial
trans-sacral access to the lumbo-sacral spine. The axial
trans-sacral access method illustrated in FIG. 2, eliminates the
need for muscular dissection and other invasive steps associated
with traditional spinal surgery while allowing for the design and
deployment of new and improved instruments and therapeutic
interventions, including stabilization, motion preservation, and
fixation devices/fusion systems across a progression-of-treatment
in intervention.
[0081] FIG. 2 provides an introductory overview of the process with
FIGS. 2A and 2B showing the process of "walking" a blunt tip stylet
204 up the anterior face of the sacrum 116 to the desired position
on the sacrum 116 while monitored on a fluoroscope (not shown).
This process moves the rectum 208 out of the way so that a straight
path is established for the subsequent steps. FIG. 2C illustrates a
representative axial trans-sacral channel 212 established through
the sacrum 116, the L5/sacrum intervertebral space, the L5 vertebra
216, the L4/L5 intervertebral space, and into the L4 vertebra 220.
If therapy is not being provided to the L4/L5 motion segment then
the channel would end in L5 rather than extend into L4.
[0082] The discussion of FIG. 2 is provided to provide context for
the present invention. Previous applications (some now issued as
U.S. patents) assigned to TranS1, Inc. have included a description
of an alternative access method that is a posterior trans-sacral
axial spinal approach rather than an anterior trans-sacral axial
spinal approach. (See e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,386 for Axial Spinal
Implant and Method and Apparatus for Implanting an Axial Spinal
Implant Within the Vertebrae of the Spine as this patent describes
the anterior trans-sacral axial approach illustrated in FIG. 2 and
is incorporated by reference in its entirety.) The teachings of the
present invention can be utilized with an axial trans-sacral
channel.
[0083] A brief overview of this method of accessing the spinal
region to receive therapy is useful to provide context for the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 2A, a pre-sacral approach
through percutaneous anterior track towards sacral target, through
which trans-sacral axial bore will be made and channel extended
distally for subsequent advancement of multi-level axial spinal
stabilization assemblies. An anterior, pre-sacral, percutaneous
tract extends through the "pre-sacral space" anterior to the
sacrum. The pre-sacral, percutaneous tract is preferably used to
introduce instrumentation to access and prepare (e.g., by drilling
a bore in the distal/cephalad direction through one or more lumbar
vertebral bodies and intervening discs). "Percutaneous" in this
context simply means through the skin and to the posterior or
anterior target point, as in transcutaneous or transdermal, without
implying any particular procedure from other medical arts. However,
percutaneous is distinct from a surgical access, and the
percutaneous opening in the skin is preferably minimized so that it
is less than 4 cm across, preferably less than 2 cm, and, in
certain applications, less than 1 cm across. The percutaneous
pathway is generally axially aligned with the bore extending from
the respective anterior or posterior target point through at least
one sacral vertebral body and one or more lumbar vertebral body in
the cephalad direction as visualized by radiographic or
fluoroscopic equipment.
[0084] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2b, the lumbar spine is
accessed via a small skin puncture adjacent to the tip of the
coccyx bone. The pre-sacral space is entered, using standard
percutaneous technique, and the introducer assembly with the
stylet's blunt tip serving as a dilator is placed through the
paracoccygeal entry site. Once the tip of the stylet is through the
facial layer, the blunt tip is rotated back against the anterior
face of the sacrum and "walked" to the desired position on the
sacrum under fluoroscopic guidance. Once the target site has been
accessed and risk of soft tissue damage mitigated, the blunt-tipped
stylet is removed and a guide pin, or wire, is safely introduced
through the guide pin introducer tube, and "tapped in". The guide
pin establishes the trajectory for placement of subsequent bone
dilators and sheath through which a twist drill is introduced
creating an axial bore track, the lumen of which is extended
distally. The guide pin maintains the axial alignment of access
& preparation tools as well as the alignment of cannulated
spinal stabilization devices and assemblies, of larger diameter
than the bore track, that are subsequently introduced over a 23''
long, 0.090'' diameter guide pin and through an exchange cannula
for deployment of within the vertebral column, as described at
least in part in co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. patent
application Ser. Nos. 10/972,065, 10/971,779; 10/971,781;
10/971,731; 10/972,077; 10/971,765; 10/971,775; 10/972,299; and
10/971,780, all of which were filed on Oct. 22, 2004, and in
co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Patent
Application 60/706,704, filed Aug. 9, 2005, and all of which are
incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
FIRST EXAMPLE
[0085] The present invention will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to accompanying drawings in order to
disclose selected illustrative embodiments. This invention may,
however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather
these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure can be
thorough and complete, and as part of the effort to convey the
scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers
refer to like elements throughout.
[0086] In order to avoid the imprecision that can sometimes be
introduced into a patent application while discussing many
different alternative configurations at once, FIG. 3 starts with
one very specific embodiment of the present invention. In order to
provide an overview of the components and their placement with
respect to a spinal motion segment, the explanation will start with
an overview of an implanted device. Subsequent drawings will
provide detail on the delivery and assembly of the device.
[0087] FIG. 3 illustrates an implanted motion preservation assembly
300. FIG. 4 provides an exploded diagram that provides another view
of the components described in FIG. 3.
[0088] This motion preservation assembly 300 is implanted into a
distal vertebral body 304 and a proximal vertebral body 308 and
extends across an intervertebral disc space 312. The motion
preservation assembly 300 would be placed in a previously prepared
axial channel 212. Collectively, the distal vertebral body 304, the
proximal vertebral body 308 and the intervertebral disc space 312
form a motion segment 316. The drawings of the vertebral bodies are
not intended to convey anatomical details of the spinal components
but to illustrate the placement of the assembled motion
preservation assembly 300. One mapping of the components
illustrated in FIG. 3 onto a spine would be for the distal
vertebral body to be the L5 vertebral body 216 (See FIG. 2) at the
caudal end of the lumbar section 112 (See FIG. 1) and the proximal
vertebral body 308 would be the sacrum 116 (See FIG. 1).
Alternatively, the motion segment could be more cephalad (and thus
more distal to the surgeon) such as the L4/L5 vertebral bodies 220,
216 (See FIG. 2).
[0089] The major components of the motion preservation assembly 300
include the distal component (anchored in the superior, or distal
vertebral body, herein also sometimes referred to as distal bone
anchor) 340, proximal component (anchored in the inferior, or
proximal vertebral body, herein also sometimes referred to as
proximal bone anchor) 344, prosthetic nucleus 348 (generally
including outer membrane 460), and a pivot 352.
[0090] The distal bone anchor 340 shown in FIG. 3 has a set of
external threads 356. Advantageously, the set of external threads
356 can include a chip breaker section 360 at the distal end of the
distal bone anchor to facilitate the starting of cutting a thread
path into the distal vertebral body 304. The chip breaker section
is best seen in FIG. 5. A chip breaker is a discontinuity in the
thread that allows chips to break off as the thread path is cut.
The axial channel 212 is created into the distal vertebral body
304, with the diameter of the axial channel 212 at the distal
vertebral body 304 approximately equal to the minor diameter of the
set of external threads 356.
[0091] The distal bone anchor 340 has a cavity 364 running from the
distal face 366 of the distal bone anchor 340 to the proximal face
370 of the distal bone anchor 340. In this context, a face is the
three dimensional surface of the part as viewed from that side,
akin to the six three dimensional faces of die from a pair of dice.
The cavity 364 is not of uniform cross section and serves several
purposes. The distal end of the cavity 364 illustrates that the
cavity can be used to allow the distal bone anchor 340 to be
deployed over a guide wire. The cavity 364 includes an internal
threaded section 368 which can be engaged by a driver, retention or
extraction tool as described below. The cavity 364 in the distal
bone anchor 340 shown in FIG. 3 contains a distal pivot cup 372 in
a corresponding cup section 376 of the cavity 364.
[0092] The distal pivot cup 372 in turn has a cavity 380 which
serves as a bearing surface for the distal end 384 of the pivot
352.
[0093] The pivot 352 shown in FIG. 3 has the distal end 384
referenced above and a proximal end 388 which in this embodiment
are configured as substantially spherical components integral with
the pivot body 392.
[0094] The proximal bone anchor 344 has a set of external threads
404 including a lead-in section 408. The proximal bone anchor 344
has a cavity 412 that runs from the distal face 410 of the proximal
bone anchor 344 to the proximal face 414 of the proximal bone
anchor 344. The cavity 412 is not uniform in cross section. A
portion of the cavity 412 has a set of internal threads 416.
Preferably, the pitch of the set of internal thread 416 will be
relatively fine (perhaps 16 threads per inch up to 64 threads per
inch). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the proximal bone anchor
cavity 412 contains a proximal pivot cup 420 that has a set of
external threads 424 that engage with the set of internal threads
416 to allow torque from a driver (not shown) imparted to a driver
engagement section 428 to rotate the proximal pivot cup 420
relative to the proximal bone anchor 344 to axially (distally)
advance the proximal pivot cup 420. One can appreciate that axially
advancing the proximal pivot cup 420 will cause the proximal pivot
cup 420 to contact the pivot 352 and cause the pivot 352 to contact
the distal pivot cup 372. After these components are in contact,
further axial advancement of the proximal pivot cup 420 will cause
the axial movement of the distal bone anchor 340 (and the distal
vertebral body 304 engaged with the distal bone anchor 340)
relative to the proximal bone anchor 344 (and the proximal
vertebral body 308 engaged with the proximal bone anchor 344). This
movement of one vertebral body away from another vertebral body
causes a distraction of the intervertebral disc space between the
two vertebral bodies.
[0095] Note that the distraction that can be achieved by rotation
of the proximal pivot cup 420 is preferably used as an adjustment
to alter the distribution of loading between the pivot and the
prosthetic nucleus component of the motion preservation assembly.
The primary means for achieving distraction is by means of the
distraction and insertion tool 2032 in FIG. 20, as will be
described below.
[0096] Returning to FIG. 3, the driver engagement section 428 could
be configured among any one of many types of ways to impart torque
with a driver. A female hex socket is a suitable choice. The
proximal pivot cup 420 shown in FIG. 3 includes a threaded cavity
432 which can be engaged with a driver or extraction tool. The
proximal pivot cup 420 includes a distal cavity 436 that serves as
a bearing surface for the proximal end 388 of the pivot 352.
[0097] The cavity 412 in the proximal bone anchor 344 also includes
a jam nut 440 with a distal end 442 and a proximal end 446. The jam
nut 440 has set of external threads 444 adapted to engage with the
set of internal threads. The jam nut 440 also has a driver
engagement section 448 that is adapted to receive torque imparted
by a corresponding driver such as a male hex driver. The torque
input can cause the jam nut 440 to axially (distally) advance until
it makes contact with the proximal pivot cup 420. The jam nut 440
shown in FIG. 3 also includes a threaded cavity 452 which can be
used by a driver or extraction tool.
[0098] The prosthetic nucleus 348 includes an outer membrane 460
and prosthetic nucleus material 464. As outer membrane 460 is
filled with prosthetic nucleus material 464, the outer membrane 460
expands to conformably contact the inferior endplate of the distal
vertebral body 304, the superior endplate of the proximal vertebral
body 308, and the inner wall of the annulus fibrosus (not shown)
which collectively define the boundaries of an intervertebral disc
space.
[0099] As FIG. 4 shows the various components before insertion into
the body, the outer membrane 460 is shown before expansion with
prosthetic nucleus material 464 to form a prosthetic nucleus 348
within the intervertebral disc space. FIG. 4 shows the pair of
retainer rings 484 used as part of the mechanism to attach the
outer membrane 460 to the distal bone anchor 340 and the proximal
bone anchor 344 sufficiently to allow the membrane to be stretched
to fill the intervertebral disc space without pulling away from the
bone anchors. The attachment of the retainer rings 484 can be done
in a number of ways including using adhesives, laser welding,
crimping, or swaging. The ring could also be spring loaded or
shrunk (e.g. nitinol or a heat shrink polymer). A preferred method
of attachment uses the laser welding process to weld the
circumference of the retainer rings 484 to the bone anchors 340 and
344, respectively. It is useful for the laser-welding process to
compress the retainer ring 484 as it is being welded so that the
ring is made smaller and thus more effective in holding the outer
membrane 460 in place. Laser welding allows for the pinpoint
application of energy so that welding occurs without transfer of
large amounts of heat to the assembly which might adversely affect
the membrane.
[0100] FIGS. 5 and 6 provide additional views of motion
preservation assembly 300. FIG. 5 provides a view with a quarter
round section removed from the distal bone anchor 340 and the
proximal bone anchor 344 to reveal the components within an
assembled set of components (but without the insertion of
prosthetic nucleus material 464 as this device is not implanted in
a motion segment). FIG. 6 is a view of the same motion preservation
assembly 300 but with a quarter round of the entire assembly
removed.
[0101] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged portion of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 shows
details of one method for connecting the outer membrane 460 to the
distal bone anchor 340 and the proximal bone anchor 344. In a
preferred embodiment, outer membrane 460 is configured as an
expandable membrane, preferably comprised of an elastomeric
material, e.g. silicone rubber, such as that obtained from Nusil
Silicone Technology located in Carpeneria, Calif., exhibiting
elongation of between about 500% and about 1500% and most
preferably about 1000% and having a wall thickness of 0.220 inches.
Outer membrane 460 has a distal end 508 which fits into a groove
516 on the proximal end of the distal bone anchor 340; and a
proximal end 504 which fits into a groove 512 in the distal end of
the proximal bone anchor 344. After retainer rings 484 are placed
over the outer membrane ends 504 and 508, and along their
respective circumferences to the bone anchors 340 and 344
(preferably while compressing the retainer rings 484 to make the
ring smaller), the outer membrane 460 is firmly connected to the
two bone anchors such that the outer membrane 460 will stretch
significantly to fill the intervertebral disc space under pressure
from inserted prosthetic nucleus material 464 without pulling free
of either bone anchor 340 or 344.
[0102] Returning now to FIG. 3, it is preferred that the bulk
prosthetic nucleus materials (PNM) (element 464 in FIG. 3) comprise
elastomeric solids and/or viscoelastic gels, i.e., materials whose
viscoelastic properties (e.g., rheology and compressibility) alone
or in conjunction with the biomechanical properties of outer
expandable membrane 460, enable them to perform in a functional
manner which is substantially equivalent to the physiologic disc
nucleus. Preferred prosthetic nucleus materials and systems
comprise biomedical grade silicone elastomer e.g. silicone rubber,
such as that obtained from Nusil Silicone Technology located in
Carpeneria, Calif. or hydrogels or blends thereof (e.g.,
hydrogel/hydrogel, or hydrogel/elastomer). Cross-linked hyaluronic
acid, such as is available from Fidia Corporation in Italy, is an
example of a suitable material, however, many natural and man-made
hydrogels or blends thereof may be configured to achieve similar
properties without inflammatory response, such as those disclosed
and described in co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. patent
applications referenced above, and in detail in particular in U.S.
Provisional Patent Applications 60/599,989 filed Aug. 9, 2004, and
60/558,069 filed Mar. 31, 2004, each of which are incorporated in
their entirety into this disclosure by reference. Priority is also
claimed to co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/199,541 filed Aug. 8, 2005 for "Prosthetic Nucleus
Apparatus and Methods" and the provisional 60/599,989 filed Aug. 9,
2004 claimed as a priority document in the '541 application. Both
of these applications are incorporated in their entirety into this
disclosure by reference.
[0103] Timed Delivery FIG. 4 provides a view of slot 488 in the
cavity (364?) of the distal bone anchor 340 and the slot 492 in the
cavity 412 of the proximal bone anchor 344. The use of these two
slots allows for a keyed delivery of the two components. A keyed
(or timed) delivery of the two bone anchors 340 and 344 allows for
control over the rotational position of the two sets of threads.
The purpose of this controlled delivery is to avoid cross
threading. More specifically, when electing to use the same thread
pitch for the external threads 356 on the distal bone anchor 340
and on the external threads 404 on the proximal bone anchor 344,
the distal bone anchor 340 can be made with as large a cross
section (rod diameter) as the proximal bone anchor 344. Having a
large cross section is desirable as it makes it easier to design a
distal bone anchor with adequate strength and maximum engagement
between the threads and the bone of the distal vertebral body.
[0104] If the minor diameters and the major diameters of the
threaded portions of distal bone anchor 340 and the proximal bone
anchor 344 are the same, then the bores through the proximal
vertebral body 308 and the distal vertebral body 304 created during
the process of creating the axial channel 212 would be the same
size. As the distal bone anchor 340 is moved towards the bore in
the distal vertebral body 304, the distal bone anchor 340 is first
axially advanced by rotating it through the bore in the proximal
vertebral body 308. As the distal bone anchor 304 is rotatably
advanced through the proximal vertebral body 308, the external
threads 356 cut a helical thread path into the bone around the bore
in the proximal vertebral body 308 as the bore is approximately the
size of the minor diameter of the external threads 356 and the
major diameter of the external threads 356 extends beyond the bore
into the bone.
[0105] Without timing or keyed delivery, the subsequent axial
advancement of the proximal bone anchor 344 would tend to cut a new
helix into the bone around the bore in the proximal vertebral body
308. This second helix would meet added resistance as the bone has
just received a newly cut thread helix, and the strength of the
connection between the external threads 404 on the proximal bone
anchor 344 is compromised by previously cut and now unused thread
path through the bone. In contrast, timed delivery allows the
leading edge of the helical thread on the exterior of the proximal
bone anchor 344 to enter into the helical thread path left by the
external threads 356 on the distal bone anchor 340. An alternative
to timed delivery is to size the major diameter of the external
threads on the distal bone anchor to be less than the diameter of
the bore in the proximal vertebral body and then prepare a bore in
the distal vertebral body that is approximately the size of the
minor diameter of the external threads on the distal bone
anchor.
[0106] Distraction of the Motion Segment Though Use of Dissimilar
Thread Pitches
[0107] Previously filed applications assigned to Trans1, Inc. have
described a process for imposing a distraction on a motion segment
(to move the two vertebral bodies away from each other along the z
axis). For example see U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,403 for Method and
Apparatus for Spinal Distraction and Fusion. Thus, when a threaded
rod with a distal threaded section of a first, finer thread pitch
engages with a distal vertebral body (after passing through a bore
in the proximal vertebral body larger than the major diameter of
the threads on the distal threaded section) and a proximal, coarser
threaded section on the same threaded rod engages with a proximal
vertebral body, the rotation of the two threaded sections with
different thread pitches causes the distal finer pitched threads to
advance into the distal vertebral body slower than the coarser
threads advance into the proximal vertebral body. The net effect is
that the engagement of the two threaded sections with the two
vertebral bodies causes the two vertebral bodies to move apart.
[0108] This same method could be used to impose an axial
distraction when using bone anchors for the present invention if
the bone anchors are placed on a single driver that can maintain a
predetermined spatial separation between non-contiguous bone
anchors and impose the same rotation on each bone anchor. A driver
of this type is described in co-pending provisional application
co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/621,730 filed Oct. 25, 2005 for "Multi-Part Assembly for
Introducing Axial Implants into the Spine" which is incorporated by
reference.
[0109] Alternative Means for Imposing a Distraction
[0110] While distraction could be imposed using dissimilar thread
pitch as described above, an alternative and preferred means of
distraction is used with a tool discussed below in connection with
FIG. 20 that pushes on the distal pivot cup as the tool is axially
advanced by engagement with internal threads in the proximal bone
anchor.
[0111] Degrees of Freedom and Limitations
[0112] As FIGS. 3 through 7 are static and the desired attributes
of a motion preservation assembly are dynamic stabilization, it is
appropriate to dwell on how the motion segment can move with an
implanted motion preservation device.
[0113] If one looks at pivot point 480 located just above the
threaded cavity 432 in the proximal pivot cup, one can start to
count the ways that the distal bone anchor 340 and corresponding
distal vertebral body 304 can move relative to the pivot point 480.
The first type of movement is axial rotation (clockwise or
counterclockwise). Nothing in this particular motion preservation
device places a limit on the amount of clockwise or
counterclockwise motion. As discussed above a system that allows
about two degrees of rotation on this axis would support the normal
range of motion on this axis. (Note: range and degree of motion
will vary according to vertebral level--e.g., L4-L5 not same as
L5-S1)
[0114] As the normal full range of motion typically allows for
about 12 degrees of flexion, about 8 degrees of extension, about 9
degrees of left or right lateral bend, in order to avoid
constraining the normal range of motion an installed motion
preservation device would need to allow at least these amounts of
rotation. The precise range and degree of motion for a motion
segment varies along the motion segments of the spine. For example
the range and degree of motion in the L4-L5 motion segment will not
be exactly the same as for the L5-S1 motion segment.
[0115] The device shown in FIG. 3 is radially symmetric around the
z axis so it does not need to be positioned in a particular
orientation in order to provide the maximum capacity for rotation
in a particular direction (for example flexion versus extension or
lateral bending). The rotation of the implanted distal bone anchor
with respect to the proximal bone anchor can be achieved through a
combination of the action of the proximal pivot head 388 moving
with respect to the proximal pivot cup 420 and the action of the
distal pivot head 384 with respect to the distal pivot cup 372.
[0116] One can change the maximum pivot angle of a pivot with
respect to the corresponding pivot cup by varying two parameters,
the depth of the cavity in the pivot cup and the width of the pivot
body with respect to the pivot cavity. FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B
illustrate these concepts. FIG. 8A illustrates two different pivot
body widths. If a pivot body was changed from width 608 to width
612, then the wider pivot body 612 would hit the pivot end cup 604
after a smaller amount of rotation than if the pivot body remained
with width 608.
[0117] FIG. 8B uses the pivot body of FIG. 8a but places it in a
pivot end cup 616 that is not as deep so that the pivot can rotate
with respect to the pivot end cup more in FIG. 8B than in FIG.
8A.
[0118] The use of two pivots allows for translation of one
implanted bone anchor relative to the other in the x-axis
(anterior/posterior), y-axis (lateral) or a combination of the two.
In order to appreciate the advantage of using two pivots, it is
useful to look at the movement when there is one pivot. In FIG. 9A,
a single pivot 650 is engaged with a bearing surface in proximal
bone anchor 654 and fixed to distal bone anchor 658. When the pivot
650 rotates in the x-z plane away from the z axis as shown in FIG.
9B, the distal bone anchor 658 moves in rotation with respect to
the proximal bone anchor 654 to change the relative orientation of
the one bone anchor to the other.
[0119] In contrast, in FIG. 9C, the pivot 660 is a dual pivot and
thus can pivot with respect to proximal bone anchor 654 or distal
bone anchor 668. Now the distal bone anchor 668 can move in
substantially pure translation along the x axis with respect to the
proximal bone anchor 654. The relative orientations of the bone
anchors are preserved as the movement did not impose a rotation on
the distal bone anchor 668. The term substantially pure translation
was used as the elevation of the distal bone anchor 668 changed
slightly during the movement from the state shown in FIG. 9C to the
state shown in FIG. 9D which would not happen in pure x axis
translation. While this example showed translation in the x axis,
the same type of movement as shown in FIG. 9 would happen in the y
axis or in a mix of x and y components unless the pivots were
restrained in some way.
[0120] The example shown in FIG. 3, does not provide significant
capacity for significant additional x or y translation as the pivot
cups are substantially the same size as the pivot ends placed in
the pivot cups. Expanding the pivot cups to exceed the maximum
diameter of the pivot end sphere by 5 millimeters will provide some
additional capacity for translation. Doing this in both pivot cups
will add a second additional amount of possible translation.
[0121] The example shown in FIG. 3 uses radially symmetric pivot
ends and pivot cup cavities. Using a non-symmetric cavity in the
pivot cup could allow for a greater amount of additional allowed
translation in one direction as compared with another direction.
FIG. 10 shows an example of this concept. Looking down on half a
pivot 608, the wall of the pivot body and the maximum dimension of
the spherical head of the pivot are both shown. Also shown is
raceway 620 which serves as the constrained area for the pivot 608
to move within. Note that additional translation in the x direction
is extremely limited but a much greater amount of additional
translation is in the y (lateral) direction. When using such an
asymmetric raceway, the insertion technique would need to control
the orientation of the bone anchor so that the elongated direction
of the raceway was aligned in the proper direction. One method is
to insert the components in a particular orientation with respect
to the driver. The driver would have a marker on it so that the
driver marker could be monitored to ensure placement of the
components in proper orientation with the anterior/posterior and
lateral axes. Orientation of pivot cups within inserted bore
anchors could be controlled by having a key and slot engagement
between the pivot cup and bore anchor.
[0122] A way to allow more bending in one direction than in the
other is to have an asymmetric pivot. FIG. 11 illustrates an
asymmetric pivot 624 (only one end of the pivot is shown) in a
pivot cup 628. This asymmetric pivot provides more limitation on
the movement in the x direction (anterior/posterior) than in the y
direction (lateral left/lateral right). When using an asymmetric
component, it is important that the installation procedure place
the asymmetric component in the proper starting position. Note,
that although the device supports unlimited rotation along the z
axis, the positioning of the asymmetric pivot will remain
relatively constant as the range of axial rotation for an
individual motion segment is only approximately two degrees
clockwise and approximately two degrees counterclockwise.
[0123] In order to provide the 6.sup.th degree of freedom,
translation in the z axis, the motion preservation assembly would
need to allow the distal bone anchor to move in the z axis relative
to the proximal bone anchor. (A careful observer will note that the
translation in the x or y axis achieved through the use of dual
pivot points will incidentally provide for a change in the z axis
but a force purely along the z-axis would not cause this sort of
translation.) Adding a degree of freedom for z-translation can be
achieved in theory by a device that elongates in tension. However,
tensile loads that impart a distraction on a motion segment are
rare. The most common being the therapeutic application of traction
to extend the spine.
[0124] Thus, the more useful capacity for translation in the z-axis
is the ability to compress. Ideally, the compression would be
reversible and repeatable. Thus, the deformation from the
compression would need to be elastic. Elasticity is the property
whereby a solid material changes its shape and size under force but
recovers its original configuration when the forces are removed.
For many people, elastic deformation brings to mind a rubber ball
that can be deformed and then resumes its original shape. Bladders
can undergo elastic deformation (examples include pneumatic tires
and the bladders in soccer balls). Elastic deformation can be
achieved through use of springs including disc springs of various
types such as a Belleville disc spring or comparable spring.
[0125] Addition of an elastically deformable component in the
motion preservation assembly would allow this motion segment to
contribute to the spinal columns ability to compress under a heavy
compressive force such as landing on feet after jumping or falling
onto the buttocks. As the set of motion segments are in a stack,
the lack of ability of one motion segment to elastically compress
is tolerable as it is tolerated for the people who have a fused
motion segment. Having some ability to elastically compress in the
z direction is thought to be desirable especially for motion
preservation devices with prosthetic nuclei as these ideally mimic
the behavior of a natural motion segment.
[0126] Elastic deformation of the motion preservation device to
allow the endplates of the distal vertebral body and the proximal
vertebral body to move closer together would apply a compressive
force on the prosthetic nucleus that assumed a conforming fit shape
that contacts the endplates of these vertebral bodies. Compression
of the prosthetic nucleus in the z direction causes it to expand
radially outward to maintain the overall volume of the prosthetic
nucleus. As the prosthetic nucleus expands radially outward, it
transfers forces to the various layers of the annulus fibrosus,
thus mimicking the natural transfer and dissipation of physiologic
loads.
[0127] Having a motion preservation device with the ability to
undergo elastic deformation in the z axis and the ability to
promote radial distribution of loads to the annulus fibrosus to
mimic normal physiological load sharing is apt to reduce the risk
of subsidence or transition syndrome.
[0128] Introduction of Elastically Deformable Components.
[0129] One option for the use of an elastically deformable
component in order to aid the ability for compressive axial
translation and load distribution is to place an O-ring,
elastomeric washer, or other elastomeric object between the distal
end of the distal pivot cup 372 and the distal bone anchor 340.
Ideally, the distal pivot cup or the distal bone anchor, or both
would be shaped to allow space for the elastomeric material. Such
elastomeric components may be configured from semi-compliant
materials, for example fluoropolymer elastomer (Viton.TM.),
polyurethane elastomer, or silicone rubber.
[0130] Another location that could be used for the placement of an
elastomeric component is within the proximal bone anchor between
the proximal pivot cup and the jam nut. (embodiment not shown). In
this configuration the proximal pivot cup would not have external
threads so that it would be free to move axially in the cavity of
the proximal bone anchor to compress the elastomeric material
between the proximal end of the proximal pivot cup and the distal
face of the jam nut. Yet another location for placement of the
elastomeric surface is between the bearing surface and the
pivot.
[0131] FIG. 12 illustrates one motion preservation assembly 800
with elastomeric components. More specifically, motion preservation
assembly 800 has a pivot 804 which fits into a cavity in a distal
pivot cup 808, the cavity providing a bearing surface for the
distal end of the pivot 804. The other end of the pivot 804 fits
inside a cavity in a proximal pivot cup 812 which again provides a
bearing surface. The exteriors of the distal pivot cup 808 and the
proximal pivot cup 812 are not threaded and the pivot cups can move
longitudinally within cavities in a distal bone anchor 816 and a
proximal bone anchor 820. A distal O-ring 824 is placed between the
distal pivot cup 808 and the cavity wall in the distal bone anchor
816. Likewise, a proximal O-ring 828 is placed between the proximal
pivot cup 812 and the threaded cap 832 which engages a set of
internal threads on the proximal end of the cavity in the proximal
bone anchor 820. The threaded cap 832 has a slot 836 for receipt of
a similarly shaped driver to impart torque to the threaded cap.
With sufficient input to the slot 836, the threaded cap can be used
to impart a distraction on the motion segment with this motion
preservation device inserted by axially (distally) advancing the
threaded cap 832, the O-ring 828 (which also compresses), the
proximal pivot cup 812, the pivot 804, the distal pivot cup 808,
the distal O-ring 824 and the distal bone anchor 816. As the axial
movement of the threaded cap 832 was relative to the proximal bone
anchor 820, the movement of all the other components causes the
movement of the vertebral body engaged with the distal bone anchor
816 to move relative to the vertebral body engaged with the
proximal bone anchor 820.
[0132] One of skill in the art will recognize that the use of a
single O-ring is a viable alternative to using two O-rings. One of
skill in the art will recognize that when using two elastomeric
inserts in a single motion preservation assembly, the elastomeric
inserts could have different properties such as being made of
different thicknesses or from different elastomeric materials so
that one responded under lower axial loads than the other.
[0133] Given an appropriate modification to the shapes of the
components within the motion preservation assembly, the O-rings
could be replaced with other elastomeric components such as washer
shaped components. The O-rings could also be replaced with springs
of various configurations and stiffness that would allow for
elastic deformation without reliance on the use of elastomeric
components.
[0134] A coil spring is one option. Another option is one of the
various types of spring washer products such as a Belleville disc.
Spring washers can be stacked to provide for greater total
deflection or simply to change the response curve of deflection to
force.
[0135] Machined Springs.
[0136] FIG. 13 illustrates a cross section of a pivot 900 with a
first end 904, a second end 908, and a machined hollow rod 912
connecting the two ends. Springs machined into hollow rods (as
opposed to springs created from coil stock) can be made with great
precision which decreases the variation between machined
springs.
[0137] Another use of machined springs is in pivot cups without
external threads such as the pivot cups shown in FIG. 12. Pivot
cups with integrated machined springs would have a first section
that receives one end of the pivot and serves as the bearing
surface. The remainder of the pivot cup could include a cylindrical
portion which could be machined to incorporate a machined
spring.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0138] FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the motion
preservation assembly 300 discussed above. Distal bone anchor 740
and proximal bone anchor 744 are shown with a pivot 352 but without
outer membrane 460 (see FIG. 7). The groove 512 in the distal end
of the proximal bone anchor and the groove 516 in the proximal end
of the distal bone anchor are visible in this figure. The principal
differences between this motion preservation assembly 700 and the
motion preservation assembly 300 is that the distal pivot cup 772
has external threads 776 and is threaded into a corresponding set
of internal threads 780 in the cavity of the distal bone anchor
740, and that prosthetic nucleus material 464 is introduced
directly into the intervertebral disc space, instead of filling the
outer membrane, either with or without an accompanying sealant step
of the surfaces of the intervertebral disc space by means of
materials and methods such as described in co-pending and commonly
assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/199,541 filed Aug. 8,
2005, and further described briefly below. Note that the distal
pivot cup 772 has detent concavities 784 which can be engaged by a
detent protrusion of a corresponding driver to impart torque to the
distal pivot cup 772 to rotate it into threaded engagement with the
distal bone anchor 740.
[0139] FIG. 14 illustrates the use of a cavity bevel 748 along the
leading edge of the cavity that receives an end of the pivot 352 as
the cavity bevel 748 allows the pivot body 392 to travel further
before contacting the cavity wall. In this context, "travel
further" is further than would be possible with the same components
except that the cavity wall did not include a bevel.
[0140] FIG. 14 shows a proximal pivot cup 720 (shown in
cross-section to allow viewing of the pivot) that engages with the
threaded interior of the proximal bone anchor 744 and a jam nut
760.
[0141] FIG. 15 shows an exploded view of another motion
preservation assembly 1000. This motion preservation assembly 1000
differs from motion preservation assembly 300 in several respects.
Motion preservation assembly 1000 has a distal bone anchor 1004
with an integrated bearing surface (not visible). The motion
preservation assembly 1000 has a proximal bone anchor 1008 with a
cavity that runs through the proximal bone anchor. A pivot 1012 can
be inserted through the proximal bone anchor 1008 and a membrane
1016 connected to the proximal bone anchor 1008 and the distal bone
anchor 1004. Pivot 1012 is illustrative of the more general point
that the length of the pivot body can be different from pivot to
pivot and this variation can be used to create a combination of
components tailored to the anatomy of a specific patient.
[0142] The distal end of the inserted pivot 1012 makes contact with
the bearing surface of the distal bone anchor 1004. A threaded cup
1020 with integrated bearing surface (not visible) has a driver
engagement section 1024 which can be torqued by a corresponding
driver to rotate and axially advance the threaded cup 1020 within
the proximal end of the cavity in the proximal bone anchor through
engagement between a set of external threads 1028 on the threaded
cup and a set of internal threads 1032 in the cavity of the
proximal bone anchor 1008.
[0143] It is considered preferable to have a bearing surface
without a cavity interrupting the continuity of the bearing
surface. Thus, when a distal bone anchor is to have an integrated
bearing surface for engagement with the pivot, the deployment means
should preferably not use a guide wire. Likewise, it would be
preferable to not use a threaded cavity, such as element 368 in
FIG. 3, as that would lead to a discontinuity or gap in the bearing
surface.
[0144] These preferences for having a continuous bottom for the
bearing surface without additional cavities can be supported as
other methods exist for deploying a distal bone anchor including
the use of detents and detent concavities.
[0145] FIG. 16 shows the components of yet another motion
preservation assembly 1100. This assembly has distal bone anchor
1104, distal O-ring 1108, distal pivot cup 1112, pivot 1116,
proximal pivot cup 1120, proximal O-ring 1124, proximal bone anchor
1132, and end cup 1136. The interaction between these components is
similar to the interaction between previously discussed components
including the ability to impose a distraction based on the rotation
of the end cup 1136 to axially advance within the proximal bone
anchor 1132 through threaded engagement between the exterior of the
end cup 1136 and the threaded interior of the proximal bone anchor
1132.
[0146] An additional component in motion preservation assembly 1100
is a helical spring 1128 which in actual use would be connected
between the distal end of the proximal bone anchor 1132 to the
proximal end of the distal bone anchor 1104. The helical spring
1128 would be positioned in the intervertebral disc space of the
motion segment receiving the motion preservation assembly 1100.
This particular spring would not resist compressive loads as its
low energy state is compressed. However, the helical spring 1128
would resist rotation of the motion preservation assembly 1100 in
as the motion segment bends for flexure, extension, or lateral
bending as any one of these movements while compressing one side of
the helical spring would extend the opposite side of the
spring.
[0147] FIG. 3 shows an implanted motion preservation assembly 300
which includes a prosthetic nucleus 348 which fills the
intervertebral disc space 312 with an outer membrane 460 filled
with prosthetic nucleus material 464. FIG. 3 should not be
interpreted as a requirement that all motion preservation
assemblies have a prosthetic nucleus or a particular type of
prosthetic nucleus as motion preservation assemblies can be used
with prosthetic nuclei created with barrier-sealant membranes as
described below.
[0148] In prosthetic nucleus motion preservation assembly
embodiments configured without expandable membranes, generally a
two-step deployment process is used wherein a barrier-sealant
membrane (BSM) is preferably first introduced through conformal
contact with the interior surfaces of the intervertebral disc space
to seal physiologic structures, e.g. fissures in the annulus, to
preclude leakage of the subsequently introduced bulk prosthetic
nucleus material. For prosthetic nucleus devices used as part of a
motion preservation assembly, the viscoelastic properties, e.g.,
bulk and compressive moduli, are designed to substantially "match"
those of the native disc nucleus, to functionally enable conformal
contact of maximum device surface area within the intervertebral
disc space; to "mimic" physiologic load distribution and
dissipation; prevent bone erosion or implant subsidence; and
exhibit sufficient resistance to fatigue and shear forces to
preclude material fragmentation and migration out of the disc.
[0149] In embodiments where the motion preservation assemblies are
configured for use in conjunction with a barrier-sealant membrane,
the barrier-sealant comprises aqueous solutions of synthetic or
purified (non-antigenic) biopolymers or proteins, such as collagen
or collagen-albumin mixtures or slurries; or fibrinogen, thrombin,
and the like, or combinations thereof, of suitably highly fibrous;
highly cross-linked; high density of solids (e.g., >65 mg/ml).
In one embodiment, it is preferred that the biopolymer protein
system be modified to be insoluble, and that proteins be of Type 1
when possible and appropriate. In another embodiment, the sealant
additionally comprises a cross-linking agent, e.g.,
gluteraldehyde/aldehyde, or other suitable functional groups
modified to minimize toxicity and/or necroses (e.g., citric-acid
derivative).
[0150] In a preferred aspect of barrier-sealant membranes, the
cross-linking agent(s) comprise(s) functionalities which reduce
residuals or which are materials that are naturally metabolized. In
one embodiment, the cross-linking agent comprises at least one
citric acid derivative and synthetic or highly purified biopolymer
or protein, such as systems as just described, (e.g., collagen;
collagen-albumen; collagen; elastin, etc). In a preferred aspect,
the cross-linker is a relatively low weight macromolecule
comprising polar functional groups, such as carboxyl groups or
hydroxyl groups, that are modified by means of electron attracting
groups, e.g., succinimidyl groups.
[0151] In yet another embodiment, the barrier-sealant and/or
barriers (e.g., thicker layers) comprise hydrocolloids. More
specifically, the barrier-sealant membrane may be configured to
comprise water soluble hydrophilic colloidal components, e.g.,
carboxymethylcellulose, in combination with elastomers or
biopolymers as sealants or tissue repair matrices, respectively,
and wherein the barrier membrane comprises non-degradable,
semi-permeable film. In other embodiments, barriers may be
pectin-based or foam.
[0152] The motion preservation assembly may be deployed without the
concurrent creation of a prosthetic nucleus such as in situations
where a prosthetic nucleus will not be deployed. The motion
preservation assembly can be deployed in an assembly sequence that
includes the insertion of an elastomeric ring or collar that abuts
the annulus to prevent migration or leakage of prosthetic nucleus
material or of the outer membrane through herniations and to dampen
instantaneous load and to radially distribute loads to the annulus
fibrosus.
[0153] To be more specific about the elastomeric ring or collar
that abuts the annulus and serves to as a prosthetic annulus to
dampen instantaneous load and to radially distribute loads to the
annulus fibrosis, a non-inflatable elastomeric (e.g., silicone or
polyurethane) collar, can be used in conjunction with the expanding
membrane. This collar is described in U.S. Provisional Application
60/558,069 for Axially-Deployed Spinal Mobility Devices and has is
incorporated by reference herein. This collar is first deployed by
folding until delivered to the intervertebral disc space. The
collar is configured to conform with, i.e., buttress the annulus to
prevent migration or leakage of the membrane through herniations.
The cross sectional area of the collar is stiffer, relative to the
expandable membrane. In a preferred embodiment the collar is from
between about 8 mm-12 mm high and about 0.5 to 1.0 mm thick.
[0154] An alternative way to reinforce the annulus is to use an
expandable outer membrane between the distal anchor section and the
proximal anchor section (in lieu of outer membrane 460 discussed
above) where the outer membrane when expanded places membrane
material against the annulus fibrosus that is stiffer than the
membrane material placed near the endplates of the proximal and
distal vertebral bodies.
[0155] This annulus reinforcing outer membrane may be deployed
alone or in combination with an elastomeric ring or collar that
abuts the annulus, wherein the motion preservation assembly device
effectively functions as a prosthetic disc (PD) and provides the
same load-bearing characteristics as the natural disc., without
undergoing the invasiveness of current total disc replacement (TDR)
procedures. The balance of compliancy and stiffness, i.e., the
addition of the semi-compliant, elastomeric component, whether
provided as a collar and/or an outer membrane for a prosthetic
nucleus with an integral stiffer component as previously described,
enables the motion preservation assemblies to cushion a motion
segment, without collapsing under compressive load. That is, the
semi-compliant component provides dampening of instantaneous load,
and also maintains effective surface area of conformal contact
(congruent interface) between the motion preservation assembly and
the physiological structures, i.e., the annulus and the end plates
for the proximal and distal vertebral bodies. In turn, this yields
a more uniform, radial distribution of loads to more closely
approximate physiological load sharing. In accordance with this
aspect of the present invention, the mobility devices disclosed
herein are less likely to cause the phenomena of subsidence and/or
transition syndrome.
[0156] Preferred Materials.
[0157] In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the
non-elastomeric components motion preservation assembly of the
present invention are configured to preferably comprise
biocompatible, high-strength materials, e.g., MP35N; Co--Cr alloy
such as Stellite.TM.. In the context herein, "biocompatible" refers
to an absence of chronic inflammatory response when or if
physiological tissues are in contact with, or exposed to (e.g.,
wear debris) the materials and devices of the present invention. In
addition to biocompatibility, in another aspect of the present
invention it is preferred that the materials comprising the motion
preservation assembly, are sterilizable; visible and/or imageable,
e.g., fluoroscopically; or via CT (computed tomography), or MRI
(magnetic resonance imaging), with this last-named imaging
technique mandating that materials be substantially free of Fe
(iron). Moreover, in consideration of contrast, detail, and spatial
sensitivity, it is contemplated that contrast media or other
materials (e.g., barium sulfate) may be employed in configuring
devices when and where needed and appropriate, to supplement or
modify radiolucency or radio-opaqueness.
[0158] Also, as used herein, high-strength means that it is
preferred that exemplary embodiments' materials generally meet ISO
10993 standards for long-term implants, and/or are able to
withstand, without wear, long term normal ranges of physiological
loading (i.e., over the lifetime of the implant, or up to about
40.times.10.sup.6 cycles) of between about 1250 Newtons (N) (280
lbf) and 2250N (500 lbf) axial compression; 100 N (25 lbf) and 450N
(100 lbf) of both lateral and sagittal shear, respectively, through
full ROM. Additionally, the motion preservation assemblies of the
present invention are preferably able to tolerate short term (e.g.,
over about 20 continuous cycles) maximum physiological loads
through full ROM of about 8000 Newtons (N) (1800 lbf) axial
compression; about 2000 N (450 lbf) lateral shear; and about 3000 N
(675 lbf) sagittal shear, without failing.
[0159] In a preferred embodiment, the pivot and the bearing
surfaces are Co--Cr alloy such as Stellite.TM.. Moreover, the ends
of the pivot can be treated (e.g., surface or heat treatments as
appropriate) to enhance wear resistance. Thus while the chemical
composition may be the same the ends are now a different material
from the middle as in this context "material" is a combination of
the composition and treatments to produce properties. In yet
another embodiment, the pivot body may be made of another
compatible material (e.g., one that will not react so as to cause
electrochemical corrosion) so that while the pivot ends are made
more wear resistant, the material used for the pivot body and or
the pivot body may be treated to enhance fatigue resistance
relative to the material used for the pivot ends. Having the pivot
made from two pivot ends and a pivot body rather than machined from
a single piece of metal is not an unreasonable manufacturing
strategy even if the ends and body are made from the same material,
e.g., highly polished, highly round, spheres that are available
commercially. A preferred material for the retainer ring 484 is
titanium.
[0160] Details on process to install a Motion Preservation
Assembly.
[0161] A co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/621,730 filed Oct. 25, 2004 for Multi-Part
Assembly for Introducing Axial Implants into the Spine has been
claimed as a priority document and incorporated by reference into
this application. Details about tooling and methods for installing
motion preservation assemblies are found in that application.
[0162] As it may be useful to see the interaction of the motion
preservation assembly with various drivers, a sequence of steps are
set forth below with emphasis on how the driver interacts with the
motion preservation assembly rather than on details of the
construction of the driver devices.
[0163] FIG. 17 shows a distal bone anchor 340 and a proximal bone
anchor 344 with a membrane 460 connected to the distal bone anchor
340 and the proximal bone anchor 344. In this example, the thread
pitch of the external threads 356 on the distal bone anchor are the
same as the thread pitch on the set of external threads 404 on the
proximal bone anchor. The keyed driver assembly 2000 has a key 2004
with a shoulder 2008. The key 2004 slides in the slots in the
proximal bone anchor and the distal bone anchor (previously
discussed). The keyed driver assembly 2000 thus prevents the
proximal bone anchor 344 from rotating relative to the distal bone
anchor 340. Keying along with precise control of the distance
between the bone anchors allows the leading edge of the external
thread on the proximal bone anchor to enter into the proximal
vertebral body into the beginning of the thread path left by the
distal bone anchor as it was screwed up through the proximal
vertebral body while moving towards the distal vertebral body.
[0164] A retention rod 2012 with external thread 2016 engages with
the internal threaded section 368 of the distal bone anchor 340.
The retention rod 2012 can be rotated relative to the driver tip
2018 so that the distal bone anchor 340 is pulled to contact the
driver tip 2018.
[0165] Likewise a proximal anchor retention coupler 2088 with
external threads 2092 can rotate relative to the driver tip 2018 as
the proximal anchor retention coupler 2088 is attached to an
external sheath 2096. Rotation of the proximal anchor retention
coupler 2088 causes engagement between the external threads 2092
and the internal threads 416 of the proximal anchor 344 to draw the
proximal anchor 344 down onto the shoulder 2008. With both anchors
retained in contact with components of the keyed driver assembly
2000 the position of the distal bone anchor 340 relative to the
proximal bone anchor 344 can be set based on the distances between
the shoulder 2008 and the driver tip 2018. Control over the
distances between the two separate bone anchors allows the two bone
anchors with the same major diameter to be inserted without cross
threading of the proximal vertebral body.
[0166] FIG. 18 shows the delivery of the distal pivot cup 372
within distal bone anchor 340 by a distal cap driver 2022 using a
set of detent protrusions 2020 to engage detent concavities (See
element 2028 in FIG. 19). FIG. 19 shows the disengagement of the
driver by the extension of an atraumatic tip 2024 to cause the
axial motion of the driver away from the distal end of the distal
end cup 372 so that the detent protrusions 2020 disengage from the
detent concavities 2028. In one embodiment, the atraumatic tip 2024
is selected to be softer than the bearing surface in the distal end
cup 372 so that that bearing surface is not scratched or
marred.
[0167] FIG. 20 shows a distraction and insertion tool 2032 used to
distract the motion segment then deploy prosthetic nucleus material
in to the membrane 460 to distend the membrane 460 to a conforming
fit within the space of the intervertebral disc space. The
insertion tool 2032 has a set of external threads 2036 which engage
with a set of internal threads 416 in the proximal bone anchor 344.
The distal end of the insertion tool 2032 is an atraumatic tip 2042
designed to contact without damaging the bearing surface in the
distal pivot cup 372. Axially advancing the distraction and
insertion tool 2032 pushes the atraumatic tip 2042 on the distal
pivot cup 372 to move the vertebral body engaged with the distal
bone anchor 340 relative to the vertebral body engaged with the
proximal bone anchor 344. After achieving the desired amount of
distraction an internal channel 2048 is used to provide prosthetic
nucleus material to be delivered through a set of fenestrations
2052 to fill and expand the membrane 460. The prosthetic nucleus
material is inserted until there is a conforming fit between the
membrane 460 and the endplates of the two vertebral bodies and the
wall of the annulus fibrosus.
[0168] After the prosthetic nucleus material is allowed to cure,
the insertion tool 2032 can be removed leaving behind a void in the
prosthetic nucleus material where the insertion tool was during the
formation of the prosthetic nucleus. (see element 348 on FIG. 3).
As the sequence of drawings show a device that is not implanted in
a motion segment, the non-implanted device shown in FIG. 20 did not
actually received prosthetic nucleus material. An astute observer
will note that subsequent Figures in this sequence do not show an
expanded membrane.
[0169] FIG. 21 show the delivery of a pivot 352 by delivery tool
2056 which engages the pivot's proximal end 388 by an O-ring 2060.
FIG. 22 shows the pivot 352 after delivery with pivot's distal end
384 in contact with the bearing surface in the distal pivot cup 372
and the pivot's proximal end 388 pushed beyond the O-ring 2060. The
delivery of the pivot 352 would not be impeded by the cured
prosthetic nucleus material as this material would not have cured
along the central axis of the motion preservation device as the
insertion tool 2032 occupied that volume during the filling and
curing. To the extent that compressive forces on the prosthetic
nucleus have resulted in some movement of prosthetic nucleus
material towards the longitudinal centerline of the motion
preservation assembly, the pivot 352 can be pushed through the
reduced opening by displacing the flexible prosthetic nucleus
material.
[0170] FIG. 23 shows the use of a driver 2064 that is engaged with
proximal pivot cup 420 by retaining rod 2068 which is threadedly
engaged with the threaded cavity 432 in the proximal pivot cup. A
driver head 2072 engages the corresponding driver engagement
section 428 (best seen in FIG. 3) in the proximal pivot cup 420 to
apply torque to axially advance the proximal pivot cup 420 within
the proximal bone anchor 344 and thus to push via the pivot 352 on
the distal pivot cup 372 and thus on the distal bone anchor 340 to
move the distal bone anchor 340 relative to the proximal bone
anchor 344. When implanted in vertebral bodies, this would move the
vertebral bodies apart to impose an axial distraction.
[0171] A comparison of FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 illustrates the concept
of the movement of the components such that the pivot 352 is more
closely centered between the distal bone anchor 340 and the
proximal bone anchor 344. As previously mentioned, the pivot 352
can be provided in a variety of lengths so that a pivot 352 is
properly oriented with respect to the intervertebral space after an
imposed distraction.
[0172] FIG. 24 shows a jam nut driver 2076 with a driver head 2080
and a retention rod 2084 to engage the jam nut through threaded
cavity 352 (best seen in FIG. 3) and driver engagement section 448
(best seen in FIG. 3).
[0173] FIG. 25 provides an alternative to the keyed driver assembly
2000 shown in FIG. 17. The dual anchor driver 2100 uses a polygonal
torque driver 2104 to simultaneously engage a distal bone anchor
2108 and a proximal bone anchor 2112. These bone anchors have
external threaded sections (2116 and 2120) that have the same minor
diameter, the same major diameter, the same pitch, and the same
handedness. In order to avoid cross threading the helical thread
cut left by distal anchor external threads 2116 in the proximal
vertebral body as the proximal anchor external threads 2120 are
rotated into the proximal vertebral body, the delivery of the two
bone anchors must be timed. Having control over the relative
position of the bone anchors during the rotation and axial
advancement of the bone anchors makes this possible. Here the
control is provided by A) the action of retention rod 2012 engaging
with internal threads 2124 of distal anchor 2108 to pull the distal
anchor 2108 to seat it on the distal tip 2128 of the polygonal
torque driver 2104 and B) the action of proximal anchor retention
coupler 2132 engaging a set of external threads 2136 with internal
threads 2142 of proximal anchor 2112 to seat the proximal anchor
2112 on a shoulder 2146 polygonal torque driver 2104. Both
retention rod 2012 and proximal anchor retention coupler 2132 are
connected to dual anchor driver 2100 such that each can rotate
relative to the polygonal torque driver 2104.
[0174] Although not readily visible in FIG. 25, a dual anchor
driver 2100 using a polygonal torque driver 2104 does not need to
interact with slots in the bone anchors as is necessary when using
the keyed driver of FIG. 17. One of skill in the at will recognize
that while a hexagonal polygon is commonly used as a torque driver,
other polygons could be used such as triangular, square,
pentagonal, octagonal and so on. More complex shapes such as stars
or non symmetric shapes could be used but a simple polygon is
adequate.
[0175] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that other
relationships between the driver and the two bone anchors can
result in timed delivery of the proximal bone anchor to the thread
path cut in the proximal vertebral body by the distal bone anchor.
One such solution is to use a double-hex head driver such as a
double-hex head hex driver with a hex head that engages a
corresponding driver engagement section in the cavity of the distal
bone anchor, a spacer shaft connected to the top hex head and
extending from a larger lower hex head that engages with the
interior walls of the proximal bone anchor. As the distal bone
anchor and the proximal bone anchor would be preloaded onto the
double hex driver and retained there (such as with a retainer rod
and threaded retention coupler) until implanted in the vertebral
bodies, the orientation of the two bone anchors could be controlled
as the rotation orientation and relative axial position will not
change while the bone anchors are in contact with the double-hex
head.
[0176] A double-hex driver with a smaller distal head is
appropriate when the distal bone anchor is narrower than the
proximal bone anchor such as when dissimilar thread pitch is being
used for distraction. However, dissimilar thread pitch is not the
preferred means for distraction.
[0177] Preferred Method of Deployment and Use.
[0178] While the present invention can be implemented with a number
of variations as described above and these variations impact the
steps for implantation, it is instructive to summarize the
deployment steps 2200 for a preferred motion preservation assembly
(MPA) and prosthetic disc replacement, that is one with vertebral
implant distal component and a proximal component having the same
rod diameter and external threads of the same major diameter, minor
diameter, thread pitch, and handedness such that it is necessary to
have a timed delivery of the proximal component to enter the
helical thread path cut into the proximal vertebral body by the
passage of the distal component, said threaded components serve to
anchor the implants in adjacent vertebral bodies. This embodiment
uses a flexible membrane that is configured to be intermediate to
and integral with the distal component to the proximal component
and is later expanded with insertion of prosthetic nucleus material
to form a prosthetic nucleus component within the intervertebral
disc space between the adjacent distal and proximal vertebral
bodies.
[0179] The preferred driver for two threaded components of the same
diameter (such as just described above) is an elongated hex driver
analogous to that shown in FIG. 25. As many details about the bone
anchors and the drivers have previously been introduced, this flow
chart serves as a summary rather than a detailed introduction.
[0180] Step 2210 Load the device driver assembly with both the
distal and proximal components. These two anchors, connected by a
flexible membrane, are placed on the anchor driver assembly. The
driver assembly is analogous to the anchor driver assembly in FIG.
25 in that it uses an elongated torque driver, in this case a
hexagonal shaped toque driver with an elongated section with a
constant cross sectional (taken perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis).
[0181] The step of loading the driver assembly includes seating the
distal component onto the distal end of the driver wherein it is
retained on the tip during insertion and axial, distal advancement
by means of a threaded retention rod, and seating the proximal bone
anchor on a shoulder within the dual anchor driver assembly through
use of a proximal anchor retention coupler. Seating the two bone
anchors on the driver assembly maintains a predetermined spatial
separation between the distal component and proximal component and
stretches the flexible membrane located therebetween so that the
membrane slightly "necks in" and is less likely to be damaged while
passing through the proximal vertebral body.
[0182] Step 2220 Insert the anchor driver assembly over a guide
wire and advance the anchor driver assembly through the previously
prepared axial channel that includes a bore through the proximal
vertebral body and a bore in the distal vertebral body. The bore
hole in the proximal vertebral body is about the size of the minor
diameter of the external threads on both bone anchors.
[0183] Step 2230 Torque is applied using the anchor driver assembly
to rotate and axially advance the distal bone anchor through the
proximal vertebral body thereby creating a helical thread path
through the first vertebral body.
[0184] Step 2240 Continued application of torque axially advances
the bone anchors, which are held on the anchor driver assembly at a
spatially maintained distance, to anchor the distal component into
the distal vertebral body and anchor the proximal component into
the proximal vertebral body without cross threading or rethreading
in the proximal vertebral body.
[0185] Step 2250 Once the bone anchors are positioned into the
respective vertebral bodies, release the distal bone anchor from
the threaded engagement with the retention rod and release the
proximal bone anchor from the proximal anchor retention coupler as
the retention rod and the proximal anchor retention coupler can be
rotated relative to the elongated hexagonal hex driver.
[0186] Step 2260 Remove the anchor driver assembly.
[0187] Step 2270 Insert the distal pivot cup by engaging the distal
pivot cup with driver such as show in FIGS. 18 and 19 that employs
a detent mechanism to engage the distal pivot cup.
[0188] Step 2280 Disengage the distal pivot cup driver from the
distal pivot cup and remove the distal pivot cup driver.
[0189] Step 2290 Insert distractor/injector tool into the implanted
bone anchors so that atraumatic tip of the distractor/injector tool
contacts the distal pivot cup bearing surface.
[0190] Step 2300 Move the distal vertebral body relative to the
proximal vertebral body by axially advancing the
distractor/injector tool relative to the proximal bone anchor
through threaded engagement within the proximal bone anchor to push
via an atraumatic tip on the distal pivot cup.
[0191] Step 2310 Inject prosthetic nucleus material through the
interior of the distractor/injector and out apertures in fluid
communication between the interior of the distractor/injector and
the flexible membrane to expand and fill the flexible membrane
sufficiently to form the prosthetic nucleus component of this
prosthetic disc device, the prosthetic nucleus component being in
conformal contact with the surfaces of the intervertebral disc
space.
[0192] Step 2320 Allow the injected material to cure.
[0193] Step 2330 Remove the distractor/injector tool.
[0194] Step 2340 Engage the proximal end of the pivot with delivery
tool. Insert delivery tool and push the distal end of the pivot
through the cured material and into the distal pivot cup while
releasing the proximal end of the pivot from the engagement with
the delivery tool. A preferred delivery tool is shown in FIGS. 21
and 22.
[0195] Step 2350 Remove the pivot delivery tool from the axial
channel.
[0196] Step 2360 Insert the threaded proximal pivot cup into the
proximal bone anchor. Engage the threads in the proximal bone
anchor and advance the proximal pivot cup to contact the proximal
end of the pivot.
[0197] Step 2370 Further rotation and axial advancement of the
proximal pivot cup pushes the pivot against the distal pivot cup
and thus causes additional incremental distraction of the distal
vertebral body relative to the proximal vertebral body. The ability
to additionally adjust distraction of the vertebral bodies in this
manner enables selective distribution of axial load bearing between
the prosthetic nucleus component of the prosthetic disc device, and
the mechanical "in-line" sub-assembly comprising the pivot, bearing
surface, elastomeric component, and the distal and proximal
threaded components anchored in the vertebral bodies. This
distraction imposes a compressive force on the one or more
components that can undergo an elastic deformation in
compression.
[0198] Step 2380 Disengage driver from pivot cup
[0199] Step 2390 Engage jam nut with driver. Insert driver and jam
nut into the axial channel. Engage the threads on the jam nut with
threads on the proximal bone anchor and tighten. The preferred
process uses the same driver for the pivot cup and the jam nut.
[0200] Step 2400 Disengage the driver from the jam nut and remove
the driver from the axial channel.
[0201] While this ends the process of deploying a motion
preservation device in an axial channel in the spine, the surgical
site would be closed by a surgeon.
[0202] One of skill in the art will recognize that the alternative
embodiments set forth above are not universally mutually exclusive
and that in some cases alternative embodiments can be created that
employ two or more of the variations described above. Likewise, the
present invention is not limited to the specific examples or
particular embodiments provided to promote understanding of the
present invention. Moreover, the scope of the present invention
covers the range of variations, modifications, and substitutes for
the components described herein as would be known to those of skill
in the art.
[0203] The legal limitations of the scope of the claimed invention
are set forth in the claims that follow and extend to cover their
legal equivalents. Those unfamiliar with the legal tests for
equivalency should consult a person registered to practice before
the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
* * * * *