Intervertebral spinal implant devices and methods of use
A spinal implant device used for the surgical treatment of a spinal disorder. The implant device may be a static device or a dynamic device. In one embodiment, the implant device is constructed of a radiolucent material with attached radiopaque markers. The markers may be constructed of the same radiolucent material and a radiopaque additive. In one embodiment, the implant device is constructed of a carbon nanostructure reinforced polymer. In one embodiment, the implant device has a porous bone interface surface. The pore density of the bone interface surface may vary up to a larger value in areas where the bone interface surface contacts a cortical bone portion of a vertebra.
1 . An implant device comprising:
a body constructed from a first radiolucent material; and
a first marker positioned within the body, the first marker constructed from the radiolucent material and having a radiopaque additive.
2 . The implant device of claim 1 further comprising first and second end plates on each side of the body.
3 . The implant device of claim 1 further comprising a second marker oriented substantially parallel to the first marker.
4 . The implant device of claim 1 further comprising a second marker constructed from a different concentration of radiopaque additive as compared to the first marker.
5 . The implant device of claim 1 further comprising a second marker constructed from a different radiopaque additive as compared to the first marker.
6 . The implant device of claim 1 wherein the marker extends from a first side of the body to a second side of the body.
7 . The implant device of claim 1 wherein the first material is completely radiolucent when viewed within a patient through an x-ray device.
8 . The implant device of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a protrusion to engage a bony surface, the first marker positioned within the protrusion.
9 . An implant device comprising:
a body constructed from a first material having a first radiolucency; and
a first marker positioned within the body, the first marker constructed from the first material and a second material, the second material having a second radiolucency greater than the first material.
10 . The implant device of claim 9 further comprising a second marker constructed from the first material and a third material having a third radiolucency different than the second material.
11 . The implant device of claim 9 wherein barium sulfate is the second material.
12 . The implant device of claim 11 wherein between about 4-6 percent by weight barium sulfate is added to the first material.
13 . The implant device of claim 9 further comprising a second marker constructed from the first material and a different amount of the second material as compared to the first marker.
14 . A method of making an implant comprising the steps of:
forming a body from a radiolucent material;
forming a marker from at least the radiolucent material and a radiopaque material; and
attaching the marker to the body.
15 . The method of claim 14 wherein attaching the marker to the body comprises molding the body around the marker.
16 . The method of claim 14 wherein attaching the marker to the body comprises pressing the marker into the body.
17 . The method of claim 14 wherein attaching the marker to the body comprises adhering the marker to the body.
18 . The method of claim 14 wherein attaching the marker to the body comprises embedding the marker within the body.
19 . The method of claim 14 further comprising forming a second marker from the radiolucent material and a different radiopaque material and attaching the second marker to the body.
20 . The method of claim 14 further comprising forming a second marker from the radiolucent material and a different quantity of the radiopaque material and attaching the second marker to the body.
21 . The method of claim 14 further comprising forming a protrusion extending from the body to engage a bony surface and inserting the marker into the protrusion.
22 . An implant device comprising:
an outer surface having a first region and a second region, each region having a common construction, the first region having a pore density that is greater than the second region.
23 . The implant device of claim 22 wherein the first region is disposed about the perimeter of the device.
24 . The implant device of claim 23 wherein the first region spans substantially a full perimeter of the implant device.
25 . The implant device of claim 23 wherein the first region spans a portion of a perimeter of the implant device.
26 . The implant device of claim 22 wherein the second region is Inside of first region.
27 . The implant device of claim 22 wherein the common construction comprises carbon nanofibers.
28 . An implant device comprising:
a body sized to be inserted within an intervertebral space between a first and second vertebra, the body having a face to contact one of the vertebra, the face having a first region that substantially aligns with a cortical rim of the vertebra and a second region inward from the first region, the first region having a pore density that is greater than the second region.
29 . The implant device of claim 28 wherein the first region spans substantially all of the cortical rim.
30 . The implant device of claim 28 wherein the first region spans a portion of the cortical rim.
31 . The implant device of claim 28 wherein the first region is disposed at a perimeter of the implant device.
32 . The implant device of claim 28 wherein the second region is disposed away from a perimeter of the implant device.
33 . A method of making an implant comprising:
forming an outer layer on a support surface of the implant;
creating a first region on the outer layer having a first pore density; and
creating a second region on the outer layer having a second pore density that is different than the first density.
34 . The method of claim 33 further comprising merging the first region into the second region.
35 . The method of claim 33 wherein the second region is disposed inward of the first region.
36 . The method of claim 33 further comprising forming a gradient transition between the first region and the second region.
37 . The method of claim 33 wherein the step of forming an outer layer on a support surface of the implant further comprises applying carbon nanofibers to the outer layer.
38 . A implant that provides for dynamic motion in the spine comprising:
a body having a bearing surface to allow relative vertebral motion, the body constructed of a polymeric matrix having carbon nanostructures.
39 . The implant of claim 38 wherein the bearing surface is a polished surface.
40 . The implant of claim 38 wherein the bearing surface has a surface roughness of less than about 2 micrometers.
41 . The implant of claim 38 wherein the bearing surface has a sphericity of less than about 20 micrometers.
42 . The implant of claim 38 wherein the carbon nanostructures have a diameter of less than about 185 nm.
43 . The implant of claim 38 wherein the carbon nanostructures are nanotubes.
44 . The implant of claim 38 wherein the carbon nanostructures are nanospheres.
45 . The implant of claim 38 wherein the carbon nanostructures are nanofibers.
46 . The implant of claim 38 wherein the body is further constructed of PEEK.
47 . A implant that provides for dynamic motion in the spine comprising:
an end plate having a bone interface surface and a first bearing surface; and
a nucleus having a second bearing surface that slidingly engages the first bearing surface to allow relative vertebral motion, the nucleus constructed of a polymeric matrix having carbon nanostructures.
48 . The implant of claim 47 wherein the bearing surface is a polished surface.
49 . The implant of claim 47 wherein the bearing surface has a surface roughness of less than about 2 micrometers.
50 . The implant of claim 47 wherein the bearing surface has a sphericity of less than about 20 micrometers.
51 . The implant of claim 47 wherein the carbon nanostructures have a diameter of less than about 185 nm.
52 . The implant of claim 47 wherein the carbon nanostructures are nanotubes.
53 . The implant of claim 47 wherein the carbon nanostructures are nanospheres.
54 . The implant of claim 47 wherein the carbon nanostructures are nanofibers.
55 . The implant of claim 47 wherein the nucleus is further constructed of PEEK.
56 . A method of making an implant that provides for dynamic motion in the spine, the method comprising:
forming a body having a polymer matrix comprising less than about 15 percent by weight carbon nanofibers; and
forming a bearing surface on the implant, the bearing surface providing articulating motion between vertebral bodies.
57 . The method of claim 56 wherein forming a body having carbon nanofibers comprises injection molding the body.
58 . The method of claim 56 wherein forming a body having carbon nanofibers comprises forming the body from a carbon fiber reinforced PEEK.
59 . The method of claim 56 wherein forming a bearing surface on the implant comprises polishing the bearing surface.