Intervertebral implant
View Patent ↗The intervertebral implant is in the form of a three-dimensional structure ( 10 ) comprising (a) a top side ( 1 ) and an underside ( 2 ) which are designed to rest against the end plates of two adjacent vertebras, (b) a left side face ( 3 ) and a right side face ( 4 ), (c) a front face ( 5 ) and a rear face ( 6 ), (d) a horizontal center plane situated between the top side ( 1 ) and the underside ( 2 ), (e) a vertical center plane ( 8 ) situated between the left side face ( 3 ) and the right side face ( 8 ) and (f) a plurality of boreholes ( 9 ) passing through the implant structure ( 10 ) that are designed to receive longitudinal affixation elements ( 20 ), the axes ( 19 ) of said elements intersecting the horizontal center plane ( 7 ). At least one of the boreholes ( 9 ) is designed in a manner that the affixation element ( 10 ) received in it can be rigidly connected to the intervertebral implant. Said connection is implemented using a thread or by matching conical surfaces.
1. An intervertebral implant comprising:
a body having an upper surface at least partially configured to lie adjacent to the endplate of a first vertebrae and defining an upper plane, and a lower surface at least partially configured to lie adjacent to the endplate of a second vertebrae and defining a lower plane;
a plate displaceably associated with the body, and having a first fastener hole for receiving a first fastener insertable into the first vertebrae, and a second fastener hole for receiving a second fastener insertable into the second vertebrae;
wherein at least a portion of the plate is inset in the body;
wherein first and second fasteners each have a head, the heads of the fasteners are retained between the upper and lower planes.
2. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the first fastener is configured to be divergent the second fastener.
3. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the first fastener hole is threaded.
4. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the plate has a plurality of fastener holes located along its periphery.
5. The implant of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface includes teeth.
6. The implant of claim 1 , wherein a surface of the plate is substantially flush with the a surface of the body.
7. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a horizontal center plane, and wherein the plate is disposed substantially perpendicular to the horizontal center plane.
8. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a horizontal center plane, and wherein the plate is displaceable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal center plane.
9. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the plate is comprised of a first material, and wherein the body is comprised of a second material different than the first material.
10. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the plate is comprised of metal.
11. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the body is comprised of plastic.
12. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a convex side surface.
13. The implant of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the upper surface and lower surface is convex.
14. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a horizontal center plane, and wherein the plate has a fasterner hole having an axis angled from about 25 degrees to about 70 degrees with respect to the horizontal center plane.
15. The implant of claim 14 , wherein the axis is angled from about 35 degrees to about 50 degrees with respect to the horizontal center plane.
16. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the plate is allowed to translate to promote healing.
17. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the plate is allowed to translate to neutralize mechanical stresses.
18. An intervertebral implant comprising:
an upper surface at least partially to lie configured to lie adjacent to the endplate of a first vertebrae, and defining an upper plane;
a lower surface at least partially configured to lie adjacent to the endplate of a second vertebrae, and defining a lower plane;
at least a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first and second openings extend from the lower surface through to the upper surface;
a front surface having a recess; and
a plate at least partially disposed in the recess, and having inn a first fastener hole for receiving a first insertable into the first vertebrae, and a second fastener hole for receiving a second fastener insertable into the second vertebrae;
wherein first and second fasteners each have a head, the heads of the fasteners are
retained between the upper and lower planes.
19. The implant of claim 18 , wherein the first fastener is configured to be divergent the second fastener.
20. The implant of claim 18 , wherein the first fastener hole is threaded.
21. The implant of claim 18 , wherein the plate has a plurality of fastener holes located along its periphery.
22. The implant of claim 18 , wherein, at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface includes teeth.
23. The implant if claim 18 , wherein the plate is displaceably associated with the front surface.
24. The implant of claim 18 , further comprising a horizontal center plane, and wherein the plate is disposed substantially perpendicular to the horizontal center plane.
25. The implant of claim 18 , further comprising a horizontal center plane, and wherein the plate is displaceable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal center plane.
26. The implant of claim 18 , wherein the plate is comprised of a first material, and wherein the remainder of the implant is comprised of a second material different than the first material.
27. The implant of claim 18 , wherein the plate is comprised of metal.
28. The implant of claim 18 , wherein at least a portion of the implant is comprised of plastic.
29. The implant of claim 18 , further comprising a convex side surface.
30. The implant of claim 18 , wherein at least one of the upper surface and lower surface is convex.
31. The implant of claim 18 , further comprising a horizontal center lane, and wherein the plate has a fastener hole having an axis angled from about 25 degrees to about 70 degrees with respect to the horizontal center plane.
32. The implant of claim 31 , wherein the axis is angled from about 35 degrees to about 50 degrees wills respect to the horizontal center plane.