Intervertebral devices and related methods
Intervertebral devices and systems, and methods of their use, are disclosed having configurations suitable for placement between two adjacent vertebrae, replacing the functionality of the disc therebetween. Intervertebral devices and systems contemplated herein are implantable devices intended for replacement of a vertebral disc, which may have deteriorated due to disease for example. The intervertebral devices and systems are configured to allow for ample placement of therapeutic agents therein, including bone growth enhancement material, which may lead to better fusion between adjacent vertebral bones. The intervertebral devices and systems are configured for use in minimally invasive procedures, if desired.
1 . An intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae comprising:
a first element 710 , the first element being constructed and arranged to provide an outer surrounding structure for the intervertebral implant ( 700 ), the first element 710 including a first end ( 712 ) and a second end ( 714 ), the first and second ends integrally connected with a first side portion ( 716 ) and a second side portion ( 718 ), a bottom portion ( 720 ) enclosing a portion of the bottom of the first element, the bottom portion including a bottom surface to interface with a first biological tissue, the bottom portion ( 720 ) including a top inner surface including a plurality of first element engaging elements ( 736 ),
a second element ( 740 ) positioned adjacent the top inner surface of the first element ( 710 ), a bottom surface of the second element including a plurality of second element ( 740 ) engaging elements ( 750 ) for interlocking engagement with the first element engaging elements ( 736 ), such that during traversal of the second element, the second engaging elements sequentially pass over the first engaging elements, a distal portion of the second element ( 740 ) including a spring biasing force to aide in maintaining contact between the engaging elements ( 736 ), ( 750 ) respectively,
a third element ( 770 ) being slidably interfaced with the surrounding structure of the first element ( 710 ) for movement between a collapsed position wherein the intervertebral device has a first height and an expanded position wherein the intervertebral device has an increased height, the third element including a plurality of third element sloped surfaces ( 778 ) formed integral to the third element ( 770 ),
wherein the second element ( 740 ) includes a plurality of second element sloped surfaces ( 748 ) positioned to cooperate with the plurality of third element sloped surfaces ( 778 ) to move the third element between the collapsed position and the expanded position in response to longitudinal traversal of the second element.
2 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 1 , wherein the biasing force applied to the second element ( 740 ) is provided by a spring ( 747 ).
3 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 1 wherein the spring ( 747 ) is a coil spring.
4 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 1 wherein the biasing force engages the first element engaging elements ( 736 ) and the second element engaging elements ( 750 ) into interlocking engagement, the interlocking engagement requiring a predetermined minimum force to traverse the second element to maintain the positioning of the second element with respect to the first element when no vertical force is applied to the third element.
5 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 1 wherein translation of the second element requires repeated engagement and disengagement of the second element engaging elements ( 750 ) with respect to the first element engaging elements ( 736 ).
6 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 1 wherein a vertical force applied to a top surface of the third element causes engagement of the plurality of second element engaging elements ( 750 ) with the first element engaging elements ( 736 ), preventing translation of the second element ( 740 ).
7 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 1 wherein the second element ( 740 ) moves vertically in accordance with a geometry outline and contact engagement of the first element engaging elements ( 736 ) and the second element engaging elements ( 750 ).
8 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 1 wherein the first element engaging elements ( 736 ) and the second element engaging elements ( 750 ) include conjugately engaging shapes.
9 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 8 wherein the conjugately engaging shapes are adjacently positioned triangles.
10 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 8 wherein the conjugately engaging shapes are not symmetrical, to allow the second element ( 740 ) to translate easier in one direction while resisting movement in the opposite direction.
11 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 1 wherein first element ( 710 ) includes a positioning protrusion ( 724 ), the positioning protrusion is constructed and arranged to move within a channel ( 776 ) positioned in the third element ( 770 ) to provide directional guidance to the third element as it is positioned with respect to the first element ( 710 ).
12 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 1 wherein the third element ( 770 ) includes one or more openings ( 772 ) in a top portion ( 771 ) thereof for introduction of therapeutic agents therethrough.
13 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 1 wherein the third element ( 770 ) includes a top portion ( 771 ), the top portion ( 771 ) having one or more protrusions ( 774 ) for engaging a bone surface.
14 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 1 wherein the bottom portion ( 720 ) of the first element ( 710 ) includes one or more openings ( 722 ) for introduction of therapeutic agents to an internal void ( 702 ) of the intervertebral device ( 700 ).
15 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 1 wherein the intervertebral device is constructed from metal or polymer.
16 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 1 wherein the intervertebral device is constructed to have an overall height in the range of from 6 mm to 16 mm, and a length in the range of from 20 to 40 mm, and a width in the range of from 8 mm to 16 mm.
17 . An intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae comprising:
a first element ( 710 ), the first element being constructed and arranged to provide an outer surrounding structure for the intervertebral implant ( 700 ), the first element ( 710 ) including a first end 712 surrounding structure and a second end ( 714 ) surrounding structure, the first and second surrounding structures integrally connected with a first side portion ( 716 ) and a second side portion ( 718 ), a bottom portion ( 720 ) enclosing a portion of the bottom of the first element, the bottom portion including a bottom surface to interface with a first biological tissue, the bottom portion ( 720 ) including a top inner surface including a plurality of first element engaging elements ( 736 ),
a third element ( 770 ) being slidably interfaced with the surrounding structure of the first element ( 710 ) for movement between a collapsed position wherein the intervertebral device has a first height and an expanded position wherein the intervertebral device has an increased height, the third element including a plurality of third element sloped surfaces ( 778 ) formed integral to the third element ( 770 ),
a second element ( 740 ) positioned between the top inner surface of the first element ( 710 ) and a bottom surface of the third element ( 770 ), the second element ( 740 ) including a plurality of second element sloped surfaces ( 748 ) positioned to cooperate with the plurality of third element sloped surfaces ( 778 ) to move the third element between the collapsed position and the expanded position in response to longitudinal traversal of the second element in a ratcheting manner with respect to the first element ( 710 ), the second element ( 740 ) being spring biased to maintain contact between the engaging elements ( 736 ), ( 750 ), a bottom surface of the second element including a plurality of second element ( 740 ) engaging elements ( 750 ) for interlocking engagement with the first element engaging elements ( 736 ), such that the second engaging elements pass over the first engaging elements increasing the biasing force applied to the second element, maintaining engagement of the second engaging elements to a respective adjacent first engaging element during longitudinal traversal of the second element.
18 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 17 wherein the biasing force applied to the second element ( 740 ) is provided by a spring ( 747 ).
19 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 17 wherein the spring ( 747 ) is a coil spring.
20 . The intervertebral device ( 700 ) for placement between two vertebrae of claim 17 wherein the biasing force engages the first element engaging elements ( 736 ) and the second element engaging elements ( 750 ) into interlocking engagement, the interlocking engagement requiring a predetermined minimum force to traverse the second element to maintain the sliding contact between the second element and the first element when no vertical force is applied to the third element.