US20120059481A1 - Spinal Fusion Cage, Method of Design, and Method of Use - Google Patents
Spinal Fusion Cage, Method of Design, and Method of Use Download PDFInfo
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- US20120059481A1 US20120059481A1 US13/296,222 US201113296222A US2012059481A1 US 20120059481 A1 US20120059481 A1 US 20120059481A1 US 201113296222 A US201113296222 A US 201113296222A US 2012059481 A1 US2012059481 A1 US 2012059481A1
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- fusion cage
- void
- plunger
- insert
- geometry
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
- A61F2/30—Joints
- A61F2/44—Joints for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
- A61F2/4455—Joints for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages
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- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
- A61F2/30—Joints
- A61F2/44—Joints for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
- A61F2/4455—Joints for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages
- A61F2/447—Joints for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
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- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
- A61F2/30—Joints
- A61F2/46—Special tools or methods for implanting or extracting artificial joints, accessories, bone grafts or substitutes, or particular adaptations therefor
- A61F2/4603—Special tools or methods for implanting or extracting artificial joints, accessories, bone grafts or substitutes, or particular adaptations therefor for insertion or extraction of endoprosthetic joints or of accessories thereof
- A61F2/4611—Special tools or methods for implanting or extracting artificial joints, accessories, bone grafts or substitutes, or particular adaptations therefor for insertion or extraction of endoprosthetic joints or of accessories thereof of spinal prostheses
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- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
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- A61F2002/30329—Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
- A61F2002/30331—Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
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- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
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- A61F2002/30316—The prosthesis having different structural features at different locations within the same prosthesis; Connections between prosthetic parts; Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for
- A61F2002/30329—Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
- A61F2002/30383—Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements made by laterally inserting a protrusion, e.g. a rib into a complementarily-shaped groove
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- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
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- A61F2002/30316—The prosthesis having different structural features at different locations within the same prosthesis; Connections between prosthetic parts; Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for
- A61F2002/30535—Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for
- A61F2002/30537—Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for adjustable
- A61F2002/30556—Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for adjustable for adjusting thickness
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- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
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- A61F2002/30001—Additional features of subject-matter classified in A61F2/28, A61F2/30 and subgroups thereof
- A61F2002/30316—The prosthesis having different structural features at different locations within the same prosthesis; Connections between prosthetic parts; Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for
- A61F2002/30535—Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for
- A61F2002/30593—Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for hollow
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
- A61F2/30—Joints
- A61F2002/30001—Additional features of subject-matter classified in A61F2/28, A61F2/30 and subgroups thereof
- A61F2002/30316—The prosthesis having different structural features at different locations within the same prosthesis; Connections between prosthetic parts; Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for
- A61F2002/30535—Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for
- A61F2002/30604—Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for modular
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
- A61F2/30—Joints
- A61F2/30767—Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth
- A61F2/30771—Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth applied in original prostheses, e.g. holes or grooves
- A61F2002/30772—Apertures or holes, e.g. of circular cross section
- A61F2002/30777—Oblong apertures
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
- A61F2/30—Joints
- A61F2/30767—Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth
- A61F2/30771—Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth applied in original prostheses, e.g. holes or grooves
- A61F2002/30772—Apertures or holes, e.g. of circular cross section
- A61F2002/30784—Plurality of holes
- A61F2002/30785—Plurality of holes parallel
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- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
- A61F2/30—Joints
- A61F2/44—Joints for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
- A61F2002/448—Joints for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2220/00—Fixations or connections for prostheses classified in groups A61F2/00 - A61F2/26 or A61F2/82 or A61F9/00 or A61F11/00 or subgroups thereof
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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- A61F2250/00—Special features of prostheses classified in groups A61F2/00 - A61F2/26 or A61F2/82 or A61F9/00 or A61F11/00 or subgroups thereof
- A61F2250/0004—Special features of prostheses classified in groups A61F2/00 - A61F2/26 or A61F2/82 or A61F9/00 or A61F11/00 or subgroups thereof adjustable
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- A61F2250/00—Special features of prostheses classified in groups A61F2/00 - A61F2/26 or A61F2/82 or A61F9/00 or A61F11/00 or subgroups thereof
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- A61F2250/0009—Special features of prostheses classified in groups A61F2/00 - A61F2/26 or A61F2/82 or A61F9/00 or A61F11/00 or subgroups thereof adjustable for adjusting thickness
Abstract
A fusion cage of the present invention includes a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and an insert portion adapted to be received therebetween, wherein the geometry of the fusion cage corresponds substantially to the geometry of a void into which the fusion cage is to be inserted. Also described is a novel tool for insertion of a fusion cage and a novel method for designing a fusion cage or other surgical implant for filling a void identified within a patient.
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/081,162, filed on Mar. 16, 2005. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/081,162 is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- Not Applicable.
- Not Applicable.
- The present invention relates generally to an implantable device for promoting the fusion of adjacent bony structures, and a method of using the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to an expandable fusion cage that may be inserted into an intervertebral space, and a method of using the same.
- Fusion cages provide a space for inserting a bone graft between adjacent portions of bone. Such cages are often made of titanium and are hollow, threaded, and porous in order to allow a bone graft contained within the interior of the cage of grow through the cage into adjacent vertebral bodies. Such cages are used to treat a variety of spinal disorders, including degenerative disc diseases such as Grade I or II spondylolistheses of the lumbar spine.
- The majority of spinal fusion cages are placed in front of the spine, a procedure known as anterior lumbar interbody fusion, or ALIF. The cages are generally inserted through a traditional open operation, though laparoscopic or percutaneous insertion techniques may also be used. Cages may also be placed through a posterior lumbar interbody fusion, or PLIF, technique, involving placement of the cage through a midline incision in the back.
- Regardless of the approach, the typical procedure for inserting a common threaded and impacted fusion cage is the same. First, the disc space between two vertebrae of the lumbar spine is opened using a wedge or other device on a first side of the vertebrae. The disk space is then prepared to receive a fusion cage. Conventionally, a threaded cage is inserted into the bore and the wedge is removed. A disk space at the first side of the vertebrae is then prepared, and a second threaded fusion cage inserted into the bore. Alternatively, the disk space between adjacent vertebrae may simply be cleared and a cage inserted therein. Often, only one cage is inserted obliquely into the disk space. Use of a threaded cage may be foregone in favor of a rectangular or pellet-shaped cage that is simply inserted into the disk space.
- Although ALIF is common, the procedure suffers from disadvantages. In cases where patients have a “tall” disc, or where there is instability (such as with isthmic spondylolistheses), an anterior approach to the spinal fusion may not provide adequate stability. Further, the procedure is performed in close proximity to the large blood vessels that go to the legs, thereby risking damage to these blood vessels, which can result in excessive blood loss. In dealing with male patients, another unique risk arises. Approaching the L5-S1 disc space from the front risks a condition known as retrograde ejaculation. This is due to the position of small nerves directly over the disc interspace that control a valve causing the ejaculate to be expelled during intercourse. Dissecting over the disk space can cause the nerves to stop working and, absent innervation to the valve, the ejaculate may move into the bladder.
- A problem common to many fusion cages, regardless of method of insertion, concerns maintaining or restoring the normal anatomy of the fused spinal segment. Once a disc or a portion thereof is removed, the normal lordotic or kyphotic curvature of the spine is eliminated. Traditional fusion cages neglect the need to correct this curvature. Such cages may lead to a kyphotic deformity as the vertebrae settles around the implant. Often, revision surgeries are necessary to correct spinal imbalances. Fusion cages have been designed having a wedge-like shape in order to address these issues, but because of the shape of the cage, such devices must heretofore have been implanted using an ALIF procedure, thereby suffering from all of the disadvantages of using that procedure.
- A problem with existing titanium cages is that it is difficult to assess spinal fusions postoperatively because the metal of the cage interferes with attempts to evaluate the fusion by x-ray. Radiolucent cages, such as those made from either carbon fiber or polyetheretherketone (PEEK), have been used to provide better postoperative visualization of spinal fusions. A problem with such cages, however, is that they do not adhere well to the bony endplates and thus often must be supplemented with pedicle screws.
- What is needed, therefore, is a spinal fusion cage suitable for a PLIF procedure that allows for preservation or restoration of the proper lordotic or kyphotic curvature of the spine, provides adequate strength and stability to be used with or without supplements such as pedicle screws, and that can be visualized postoperatively via radiologic procedures such as x-rays and the like. What is further needed is a fusion cage adapted to remain within an intervertebral space, designed to match the natural curvature of the adjacent vertebrae, and an insertion tool adapted to easily insert such a fusion cage into an intervertebral space. Furthermore, a method is needed for producing a fusion cage having the above characteristics, as well as for producing other implantable devices conforming to the shape of the space to be occupied by the device.
- The present invention provides, in one aspect, a fusion cage including a first housing, a second housing, and an insert portion adapted to be received therebetween, wherein the fusion cage has a geometry that corresponds substantially to a geometry of a void into which the fusion cage is to be inserted.
- In another aspect of the present invention, each of the housing portions of the fusion cage includes at least one aperture for allowing bone growth therethrough.
- In another aspect of the present invention, at least one of the housing portions includes a stop to prevent insertion of an insert portion beyond an edge of the housing portions.
- In another aspect of the present invention, the housing portions of the fusion cage include at least one ridge extending across at least a portion of the exterior surface thereof to prevent backwards motion of the fusion cage when inserted into a space between adjacent vertebrae.
- In another aspect of the present invention, the housing portions and insert portions include engaging lock portions that lock the insert portion in place once properly positioned between the two housing portions.
- In another aspect, the present invention provides a tool for insertion of a fusion cage, the tool including a shaft portion, a plunger portion located within the shaft portion and slidingly maneuverable therein, and tab portions having posts that are adapted to engage the apertures in the housing portions of a fusion cage. The plunger portion is adapted to releasably engage an insert portion of a fusion cage.
- In another aspect of the present invention, a method of designing a fusion cage or other surgical implant is provided, the method including identifying a void into which an implant is to be inserted, creating a model of the void, extracting the geometry of the void from the model, obtaining a plurality of geometries from a predetermined number of patients, using the geometries extracted to create an averaged surface, and designing a geometry of a surgical implant to correspond substantially to the geometry of the void based on the averaged surface.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a fusion cage constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a fusion cage constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the fusion cage being engaged with an insertion tool also constructed as taught herein. -
FIG. 3 is a magnified perspective view of the fusion cage ofFIG. 2 shown engaged with an insertion tool. -
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a fusion cage and insertion tool constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. -
FIG. 5 is a CT scan of a patient anatomy identifying a void between adjacent vertebrae. -
FIG. 6 is an illustration of a void geometry extraction process in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. -
FIG. 7 is a surface representation of a solid model extracted by a void geometry extraction process of the present invention. -
FIG. 8 a representation of a surface extraction in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 9 is a representation of a void solid model and superior surface extracted in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. -
FIG. 10 is a representation of a surface overlay procedure in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 11 is a representation of an interpolated surface in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. - Before turning to a detailed description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms “upper” and “lower” are used herein to distinguish various features or parts of the present invention. As these words are used herein, they refer to the relative position of the described part when implanted into a human body, and when that human body is erect. The terms are used for clarity of understanding only, and are not intended to place any specific limitations on the invention described herein. The same holds true for other variations on the words “upper,” “lower,” “upward,” “downward,” and the like.
- The phrase “interior surface” or some variant thereof is also used herein, and refers generally to a surface of a device that disposed toward an interior of the device when the device is assembled.
- The phrase “fixedly attached” is used herein to indicate a fixed attachment of any sort (i.e. one that is not readily releasable with damaging the device). It is contemplated that the phrase fixedly attached, when used in relation to two or more portions of the present invention, includes portions that are formed from a single, contiguous piece of material, such as a synthetic polymer. Such portions are considered fixedly attached to one another even though they represent a single piece of material rather than a physical attachment such as by adhesive or the like.
- The several embodiments of the fusion cage of the present invention are shown in the figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts. Turning now to
FIG. 1 , there is provided one embodiment of a fusion cage constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.Fusion cage 10 includes generally anupper housing portion 12, alower housing portion 14, aninsert portion 16, twoapertures lower housing portion 14, and two apertures 22 and 24 (not shown inFIG. 1 ) inupper housing portion 12. - Although
device 10 is operable and may be used in accordance with the principles of the present invention, it is shown here primarily to illustrate certain novel features of a fusion cage constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, these novel features being the results of an unexpected finding by the Applicant. Before turning to these novel features, however, a general explanation of the use of the device ofFIG. 1 is now provided. -
Housing portions absent insert portion 16, by use of distracting forceps, a specialized insertion tool, or any other suitable method of insertion. Oncehousing portions insert portion 16 into place between the two housing portions, thereby displacing the housing portions and causing the housing portions to abut the surfaces of the adjacent vertebrae.Apertures fusion cage 10, thereby allowing the adjacent vertebrae to fuse to one another withfusion cage 10 in place. - The above-described process is provided to establish a general principle of use of a fusion cage constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Further detail with respect to this use, as well as tools provided herein for use with a fusion cage according to the present invention, is provided below.
- One novel aspect of the present fusion cage, in its various embodiments, lies in the curvature of the upper and
lower housing portions lower housing portions - The method used to obtain the curvature of upper and
lower housing portions -
FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of one embodiment of afusion cage 110 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, thefusion cage 110 being associated with anovel insertion tool 150. Upper andlower housing portions fusion cage 110 preferably retain the same curvature as described with respect tofusion cage 10 for the reasons provided above, though it is contemplated that a fusion cage having a conventional shape known in the art may be adapted for use with the present tool and method. The features offusion cage 110 will be described in greater detail with respect toFIG. 3 , below. - As seen in
FIG. 2 , a specialized,novel tool 150 is used for the insertion offusion cage 110 into a space between adjacent vertebrae.Insertion tool 150 includes twosemi-cylindrical shaft portions fin portions knob portion 152.Shaft portions portions device 150 by a user of said device during normal use. Other portions ofinsertion tool 150 are described with respect toFIG. 4 , below. -
Insertion tool 150 includes a plurality of protruding posts, such as upwardly protrudingposts insertion tool 150 engages the housing portions offusion cage 110. Upwardly protrudingposts upper housing portion 112. Downwardly protrudingposts 138 and 140 are provided for engagement oflower housing portion 114, but are not visible inFIG. 2 . The relationship between these various protruding posts and the remainder ofinsertion tool 150 is shown more clearly inFIG. 4 and described below. Whileinsertion tool 150 is shown in the figures as having two upwardly protruding posts and two downwardly protruding posts, it is contemplated that only one of each post may be present, or that more than two of each may be present. -
Insert portion 116 is shown in final position between upper andlower housing portions insert portion 116 between upper andlower housing portions insert portion 116 is positioned betweenshaft portions lower housing portions -
Insertion tool 150 is used to insert upper andlower housing portions fusion cage 110 into a space between two adjacent vertebrae while upper andlower housing portions insert portion 116 is not present between upper andlower housing portions fusion cage 110 in a collapsed form). Upper andlower housing portions fin portions insertion tool 150, by putting pressure onknob 152, by using a small hammer or other instrument to tapfin portions knob 152, by any combination of these, or by any other suitable method for completing the insertion of upper andlower housing portions insertion tool 150. Once insertion is accomplished, upper andlower housing portions upper fin portion 154 orlower fin portion 155, or both, depending on the alignment desired or required. In this way, precise placement of upper and lower housing portions, and therefore offusion cage 110, may be achieved. - Once upper and
lower housing portions knob 152 may be utilized to forceinsert portion 116 between the two housing portions, thereby expandingdevice 110 such thatupper housing portion 112 is in contact with a lower surface of a vertebra immediately above the device andlower housing portion 114 is in contact with an upper surface of a vertebra immediately below the device. The novel curvature of the two housing portions will correspond substantially to the curvature of the surfaces of the vertebrae being contacted. -
FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of afusion cage 110 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.Fusion cage 110 is shown in greater detail so that certain features of the device may be more clearly shown and commented upon.Upper housing portion 112, for example, preferably includes a plurality ofridges 126 disposed along an outer surface thereof and in such a manner as to prevent backward motion ofupper housing portion 112 whenupper housing portion 112 is in contact with a vertebral surface. Likewise,lower housing portion 114 preferably includes a plurality ofridges 142 disposed along an outer surface thereof an in such a manner as to prevent backward motion oflower housing portion 114 whenlower housing portion 114 is in contact with a vertebral surface. Althoughmultiple ridges - Also shown in
FIG. 3 arelower stop 130 andupper stop 132. These stops are preferably protrusions formed as part of the shape of upper andlower housing portions upper housing portion 112,upper stop 132 extends in a downward direction, whereas in the case oflower housing portion 114,lower stop 130 extends in an upward direction. These stops serve to containinsert portion 116 withindevice 110 and insure thatinsert portion 116 does not extend beyond the boundaries of upper andlower housing portions portion 116 in order to expanddevice 110 and moveinsert portion 116 into place. In furtherance of this same goal,insert portion 116 is preferably provided with a raisedportion 144 and a groove or notch 148.Lower housing portion 114 is preferably provided with a raisedportion 146 that is adapted to be received bygroove 148 ofinsert portion 116. Upper housing portion is preferably provided with agroove 147 adapted to receive raisedportion 144 ofinsert portion 116. Asinsert portion 116 is being positioned between upper andlower housing portions portion 144 ofinsert portion 116 engagesgroove 147 ofupper housing portion 112, and raisedportion 146 oflower housing portion 114 engages withgroove 148 ofinsert portion 116, lockinginsert portion 116 into place. It is contemplated that only a single raised portion/groove combination may be utilized (eithergroove 147 and raisedportion 144 or groove 148 and raised portion 146). Alternatively, the raised portion/groove locking mechanism may be eliminated entirely, relying on the aforementioned stops to prevent too much forward movement ofinsert portion 116. An advantage of the raised portion/groove combination, however, is that unwanted forward and backward motions ofinsert portion 116 are both prevented. While the stops and raised portion/groove combinations are described herein and shown in the drawings, it is contemplated that any suitable mechanism of locking insert portion into place or preventing unwanted movement may be utilized. In some embodiments, locking mechanisms or mechanisms for hindering unwanted movement ofinsert portion 116 may be eliminated entirely. Onceinsert 116 is correctly positioned,knob 152 is retracted, allowinginsertion tool 150 to be removed entirely (as described more fully below). -
FIG. 4 provides an exploded view offusion cage 110 andinsertion tool 150 in order to clarify the structure of the two and functional relationship therebetween. As can be seen, for example, protrudingposts tab 160 extending fromupper shaft portion 158, and downwardly protrudingpost 162 is preferably located on atab 162 extending fromlower shaft portion 159. Although not shown, a second downwardly protruding post is also provided in the embodiment of the present invention shown in the drawings. -
FIG. 4 also shows features ofinsert portion 116 not shown in the preceding figures. As shown in the figure, insertportion 116 preferably includes a raisedportion 144 upon each of the upper surfaces of the long edges of the insert portion. That is, on either side ofinsert portion 116 at a point whereininsert portion 116 contactsupper housing portion 112. Agroove 148 is likewise preferably present on each of the sides ofinsert portion 116, except along a lower surface of the long edges ofinsert portion 116 at points whereinsert portion 116 contactslower housing portion 114. Also shown as a feature ofinsert portion 116 isinterior channel 172, which runs along an interior surface ofinsert portion 116 and along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis thereof. It is preferred that a second interior channel is present along an opposite interior surface ofinsert portion 116, although this second channel is not shown in the drawing. These interior channels are adapted to receiveflanges 172 of plunger 164, allowinginsert portion 116 to be mounted thereon.Sidewall 176 ofinsert portion 116 preferably abuts stop 174 of plunger portion 164 wheninsert portion 116 is fully mounted thereon. As can be seen,knob 152 is attached to plunger portion 164, and wheninsert portion 116 is mounted on plunger portion 164,knob 152 can be used to manipulateinsert portion 116 and slide it into place between upper andlower housings insert portion 116 is correctly positioned,knob 152 may be used to retract plunger 164. This opens aninterior space 170 ofinsert portion 116. Pressure may be applied to reinforcedportions shaft portions tabs interior space 170 ofinsert portion 116 and disengaging protrudingposts insertion tool 150 may be removed fromfusion cage 110, leavingfusion cage 110 properly positioned between two vertebrae. - Also shown in
FIG. 4 are anupper rail 166 andlower rail 168. Upper andlower rails lower rails portion 116, can be easily oriented in the proper up-down direction by matching the larger radius rail with the larger groove in the surface of plunger 164 and vice versa.Rails shaft portions -
FIG. 4 also illustrates the way in which insertportion 116 aligns properly withupper housing 112 andlower housing 114. This is accomplished by flat surfaces running along each of the long edges of the two housing portions, and these flat surfaces are referred to herein as “channels” even though they are not necessarily enclosed on three sides (although it is contemplated that such U-shaped channels may be used as an alternative to those shown in the figures).Lower housing portion 114, for example, preferably includes twochannels edges 192 and 194 ofinsert portion 116, raisededges 192 and 194 running along at least a portion of the length ofinsert portion 116 and along opposing lower edges thereof.Housing portion 112 preferably includes raisededges housing portion 112 and along opposing lower edges thereof.Insert portion 116 preferably includes flat surfaces running along each of the long upper edges of housing portion 116 (said channels also referred to herein as channels), thechannels edges upper housing portion 112. The various channels and raised edges may be referred to collectively as aligning portions. - In each of the various embodiments of a fusion cage constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, it is desirable to strike a balance between the strength of the cage and the area available for bone growth. To that end, the apertures in the upper and lower housings are relatively large with respect to the overall surface area of the housings. Likewise, the interior space of the insert portion is relatively large as compared to the size of the insert portion as a whole. This allows a great deal of area for bone growth. It is contemplated that any suitable size or shape of apertures and/or interior space may be utilized, so long as the device has sufficient strength to be useful for its intended purpose. To that end, the materials used to construct the present device may also vary. The housing portions may, for example, be constructed from any polymer, metal, or other material approved for implantation into the human body. A preferred material for the housings is titanium. The insert portion may likewise be constructed from any suitable material approved for implantation into the human body, though it is preferably constructed from polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or other radiolucent material so that a radiologic analysis of the fusion within the cage may be performed. Either of the housing portions or the insert portion may also be constructed from carbon fiber, or may be machined from natural or artificially-produced bone.
-
Insertion tool 150 is preferably constructed from a synthetic polymer, although any suitable material may be used whether or not approved for implantation into the human body. It is preferred thatinsertion tool 150 is disposable. The protruding posts of the insertion tool may also be formed from any suitable material, preferably a material that allows the posts to deform enough to fit into the apertures of the housing portions while remaining rigid enough to resist retraction until a user of the tool intends to retract them. It is further preferred that the general shape ofinsertion tool 150 is cylindrical such that the tool can be inserted through a tube retractor. - Once the present fusion cage device is properly inserted into a space between two adjacent vertebrae, it is preferred that a portion of bone is placed within the device and an end cap is provided to prevent the bone from moving out of the interior of the device. The end cap may be a rigid cap made from polymer or other material, or a gel plug that is positioned such that the bone portion is held within the device. Any other suitable end cap, structure, or other means for partially or completely enclosing an end of the present fusion cage device may also be utilized. Bone morphogenic protein (BMP) may also be provided within the device in order to facilitate bone growth.
- Rather than, or in addition to, the ridges present on the housing portions of the present fusion cage device, as described above, other methods of preventing or inhibiting unwanted movement of the device may be utilized. For example, hydroxyapatite may be provided on the surface of the housings or mixed into, for example, a polymer used to create the housings. Alternatively, a smooth cage such as that shown in
FIG. 1 may have a screen-like surface to aid in engagement of the vertebral surfaces. As another alternative, the surfaces of the housing portions may be ‘bead blasted’ with liquid titanium to give a sandpaper-like surface that engages the vertebral surfaces. Any suitable method of inhibiting or preventing unwanted movement of the device may be utilized. - Although the present device is preferably utilized in the lumbar spine, the principles behind the present device are applicable to other areas of the spine as well. That is, in order to match the curvature found in the thoracic or cervical spine, the principles disclosed herein, which include digitizing the bone, analyzing the void between the adjacent vertebrae, and shaping the device to match the void between the adjacent vertebrae, can be utilized to produce devices for use in other areas of the spine. It is contemplated that such a use of the present novel method of designing an implantable device are within the scope of the present invention.
- Further, it is contemplated that the principles of the above-described method may be applied to the design of other devices intended to be implanted in spaces between portions of a human or animal body capable of suitable imaging.
- The method used to determine the shape of the housing portions of a fusion cage device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is now described in greater detail. Generally speaking, the method includes surface interpolation in order to generate a surface definition that can be imposed on surgical implants used to fill an anatomic void. The end-result of this process is an implant with optical conformity for a large portion of the population.
- The present method begins with the step of identifying the void to be filled by the surgical implant. In the case of a fusion cage device such as described above, the void is created by removing an intervertebral disc from the lumbar spine, thereby creating a void between adjacent vertebrae. It is this void that is filled by the fusion cage. Once the void is identified, a surface curvature representative of a significant portion of the population is determined. In the case of a fusion cage, for example, the surface curvature of interest is that of the superior and inferior surfaces of the intervertebral disc. The curvature of the intervertebral disc matches the curvature of the vertebral endplates. With respect to the fusion cage devices described above, it is preferred that the curvature of the implant (i.e. the surfaces of the upper and lower housing portions) match the curvature of the vertebral endplates.
- The surfaces of interest are extracted from 3D geometric models of the void by, for example, CT or MRI scanning, or by any other suitable imaging method. Imaging software is then used to analyze 2D slices of the data and create a 3D solid model of the void. Such imaging software is known in the art, and this general approach to geometry extraction is also known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Once the 3D solid model of the void is created, the 2D slice data is reconstructed to form a 3D surface model of the geometry previously identified. This process is preferably repeated across multiple patient scans to generate a plurality of void geometries that can be combined to form an interpolated surface.
- Once the geometry of interest has been extracted using the techniques described above, the desired surfaces are identified and removed from the solid model. This is accomplished using a computer algorithm that performs the following steps: 1) identifies surfaces normal to the patient anatomy; 2) extract normal surfaces from the 3D solid model; 3) applies coordinate transformation to surface data to align surfaces; 4) interpolates and combines surface data from multiple surfaces to create one ‘averaged’ surface; and 5) outputs surface data for further processing. These steps are preferably applied to a data set that contains multiple void geometries.
-
FIGS. 5 through 11 are provided in order to supplement the description of the present method provided above with respect to a fusion cage device of the present invention.FIG. 5 is a computer tomography (CT) scan of the lumbar spine with the void area identified therein.FIG. 6 provides an example of the void geometry extraction process.FIG. 6( a) is a patient MRI scan showing the region of the body in which the void is located (in this case, the lumbar spine).FIG. 6( b) shows the void identified on a 2D slice of the patient data.FIG. 6( c) shows a 3D model of the void superimposed on the MRI scan, andFIG. 6( d) shows a 3D model of the solid void extracted by this technique. -
FIG. 7 provides a visual representation of solid model data generated by computer imaging software. This type of surface representation is known in the rapid prototyping art, and the surface is defined by a plurality of triangular surfaces. The surface definition defines the nodal coordinates of each node of each triangle. Nodal connectivity is also provided, as is a vector that is normal (perpendicular) to the triangle surface. - A computer program is used to identify and extract the surface of the void geometry that is normal to patient anatomy. The dot product between the normal vector of each triangle of the void surface and a vector in the direction of interest is computed. If the dot product is greater than a specified value, then the triangle of the void surface is extracted. If the dot product is less than a specified value, then the triangle is rejected. When this process is complete for all triangles in the dataset the surface of interest is identified and extracted. The “specified value” used to accept or reject triangles may vary depending on the particular geometry of a void involved in a given application of the above-described method. With respect to a fusion cage of the present invention, for example, an exemplary specified value is 0.8. In the fusion cage example, the dot product is used to extract only the surface that is in contact with the vertebral end plate. Assuming a vector is created that points straight up from the surface of the void, the surface that is to be extracted, 0.8 is a suitable value. The values of the dot product range from −1 to 1, with −1 indicating a surface pointing in the opposite direction and 1 indicating a surface pointing in the same direction. Since the surface is curved, a threshold is needed near 1 that will extract the top surface of the void but not the sides or bottom. A value lower than 0.8, for example, would extract not only the top surface but at least a portion of the side surfaces as well. Depending on the particular void desired to be extracted for a given application, a different value can be used to extract only the desired surfaces.
-
FIG. 8 is a visual representation of surface extraction showing vectors A, B, & C thereon. The dot product of vector A and B is a measure of the length of the component of vector A in the direction of vector B. This is used to determine which triangles that make up the void surface are in the direction of interest. In the illustration provided inFIG. 8 , the dot product of A and C is negative since the two vectors point in opposite directions. The dot product between A and B, however, is positive. The closer the two vectors are to pointing in the same direction, the larger the magnitude of the result. In this way, triangles that are normal to patient anatomy are identified, and those that are not normal are eliminated from the dataset. Each triangle, for example, has an outward normal vector associated with it (i.e. a vector pointing away from the triangular surface and perpendicular to it). Using this data, the orientation of every triangle that makes up the void surface can be known. In the example of a fusion cage, the orientation of each triangle is compared with that of the vertebral end plate. In order to determine which triangles are facing the end plate surface and which are not, a vector is created perpendicular to the end plate. The dot product of this vector is then compared with the dot product of the outward normal vector of each triangle on the surface. The dot product for each triangle on the top surface will be greater than the 0.8 threshold described above, whereas the dot product for triangles on the side and bottom will be below the threshold. If the void were a cube, for example, and it was desired to extract the top surface, a vector would be created that points straight up from the top surface of the cube. Next, a dot product would be determined between an outward normal vector on each cube face and the reference vector extending straight up from the top surface of the cube. The top surface of the cube would have a dot product of 1, the side surfaces would have a dot product of 0 since they are perpendicular to the top surface, and the bottom surface would have a dot product of −1. -
FIG. 9 shows a void solid model and the superior surface extracted by the present method. The void solid model is provided inFIG. 9( a), whereas the superior surface extracted is provided inFIG. 9( b). Once the surface of interest has been extracted, a computer program is used to apply coordinate transformation to the surface data. This transformation translates and rotates all of the surfaces to overlay them with one another.FIG. 10 provides an illustration of the surface overlay procedure, showing several surfaces overlaid with one another. Various surfaces in the figure have been shaded differently so that the combination can be seen more clearly. - Once the surfaces are overlaid, a computer program is used to apply an interpolation algorithm that averages the surface data into one ‘universal’ surface that can be used for the surgical implant. The surface provided may be used further in a computer-aided design (CAD) package for design of the surgical implant.
- It should be understood that the various descriptions and illustrations of the present system set forth herein are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Upon reading this disclosure, many variations and modifications will be apparent to those of skill in the art, and it is contemplated that these variations and modifications are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Claims (21)
1. A fusion cage comprising
a first housing portion;
a second housing portion; and
an insert portion adapted to be received between said first and second housing portions such that said first and second housing portions are held in place by said insert portion, the insert being slidingly engaged by said first and second housing portions,
wherein an external geometry of said fusion cage corresponds substantially to a geometry of a void in which said fusion cage is to be inserted.
2. The fusion cage according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and second housing portions comprises at least one aperture extending through a thickness thereof to allow bone growth through at least a portion of said fusion cage once said fusion cage has been implanted within a patient.
3. The fusion cage according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second housing portions comprises a stop extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom toward a central longitudinal axis of said fusion cage, said stop preventing said insert portion from extending beyond an outer edge of said fusion cage.
4. The fusion cage according to claim 1 further comprising at least one ridge extending across at least a portion of an exterior surface of at least one of said first and second housing portions, said ridge adapted to engage a surface within a patients body, the surface being adjacent said fusion cage, in order to substantially prevent movement of said fusion once said fusion case is placed in operable position within said patient.
5. The fusion cage according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second housing portions comprises a first lock portion, and further wherein said insert portion comprises a second lock portion, said first and second lock portions being adapted engage one another such that when said lock portions engage said insert portion is locked into position relative to said first and second housing portions.
6. The fusion cage according to claim 5 wherein said first lock portion is a notch and said second lock portion is a raised portion, said notch being sized and shaped to receive said raised portion, thereby locking said insert portion in place with respect to said first and second housing portions.
7. The fusion cage according to claim one wherein said insert portion defines an interior space therein for allowing bone growth within said interior space.
8. The fusion cage according to claim 7 wherein said interior space of said insert portion is sized and shaped to receive a plunger portion of a tool for inserting a fusion cage into a space between adjacent vertebrae.
9. A tool for inserting a fusion cage into a space between adjacent vertebrae, the tool comprising:
a shaft portion having a first end and a second end and an upper and lower surface and having an interior space therein, the interior space extending substantially along a longitudinal axis thereof;
a plunger portion within said interior space, said plunger portion being slidingly engaged with said shaft portion;
an upper tab portion fixedly attached to an upper edge of said second end of said shaft;
a lower tab portion fixedly attached to a lower edge of said second end of said shaft;
at least one first post portion fixedly attached to said upper tab portion, said first post portion sized and shaped to engage an aperture of a housing portion of a fusion cage; and
at least one second post portion fixedly attached to said lower tab portion, said second post portion sized and shaped to engage an aperture of a housing portion of a fusion cage,
wherein said plunger portion is adapted to releasably engage an insert portion of a fusion cage.
10. The tool according to claim 9 further comprising a knob portion fixedly attached to said plunger portion for moving said plunger portion along a longitudinal axis of said shaft portion.
11. The tool according to claim 9 wherein said shaft portion comprises an upper shaft portion forming an upper portion of a length and width of said shaft portion, and a lower shaft portion forming a lower portion of a length and width of said shaft portion, said upper and lower shaft portions being removably attached to said plunger portion.
12. The tool according to claim 11 wherein said upper shaft portion further comprises a rail portion attached to an interior surface thereof, and further wherein said plunger comprises a groove portion substantially along the length of an upper surface thereof, said groove portion being sized and shaped to receive said rail portion and allow said plunger portion to slide along a length of said rail portion.
13. The tool according to claim 11 wherein said lower shaft portion further comprises a rail portion attached to an interior surface thereof, and further wherein said plunger comprises a groove portion substantially along the length of an lower surface thereof, said groove portion being sized and shaped to receive said rail portion and allow said plunger portion to slide along a length of said rail portion.
14. The tool according to claim 13 wherein said upper shaft portion further comprises a rail portion attached to an interior surface thereof, and further wherein said plunger comprises a groove portion substantially along the length of an upper surface thereof, said groove portion being sized and shaped to receive said rail portion and allow said plunger portion to slide along a length of said rail portion.
15. The tool according to claim 11 wherein said tool is disposable.
16. The tool according to claim 11 further comprising a first fin portion fixedly attached to a first end of said shaft portion and extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, and a second fin portion fixedly attached to a first end of said shaft portion and extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, said first fin portion extending from a substantially opposite surface of said shaft portion as said second fin portion.
17. A method of designing a surgical implant, said method comprising the steps of:
a) imaging a void to be filled by a surgical implant;
b) identifying a geometry of said void; and
c) designing a surgical implant having a geometry, at least a portion of the geometry of the surgical implant being substantially the same as at least a portion of the geometry of said void.
18. The method according to claim 17 wherein said surgical implant is a fusion cage, and further wherein said void is a space between adjacent vertebrae in a patient.
19. A method of designing a surgical implant, said method comprising the steps of:
a) identifying a void to be filled by a surgical implant;
b) creating at least one virtual image of the void using a computer imaging technique;
c) creating a three-dimensional solid model of the void using the at least one virtual image of the void created in step b), above;
d) identifying surfaces of the three-dimensional model that are normal to a patient's anatomy;
e) extracting using a computer program the normal surfaces identified in step d), above;
f) repeating steps a through e, above, iteratively a predetermined number of times to acquire surface data from a desired number of patients;
g) applying coordinate transformation to the surface data acquired in step f), above, in order to align the surfaces;
h) interpolating and combining surface data from the surfaces aligned in step g), above, to created one averaged surface;
g) designing a geometry of a surgical implant based on the average surface created in step h), above.
20. The method according to claim 19 wherein said surgical implant is a fusion cage, and further wherein said void is a space between adjacent vertebrae in a patient.
21. The method according to claim 18 wherein at least a portion of a geometry of the surgical implant designed in step g) corresponds substantially to at least a portion of a geometry of the void identified in step a).
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US13/296,222 US20120059481A1 (en) | 2005-03-16 | 2011-11-14 | Spinal Fusion Cage, Method of Design, and Method of Use |
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