Polyaryletherketone Artificial Intervertebral Disc
An intervertebral prosthesis for insertion between adjacent vertebrae, in one embodiment, includes upper and lower prosthesis plates and a movable core. The prosthesis plates and optionally the core are formed of polyaryletherketone (PAEK) for improved imaging properties. A metallic insert is provided on each of the PAEK prosthesis plates providing a bone ongrowth surface.
1 . An intervertebral disc comprising:
an upper plate having an upper vertebra contacting surface and a lower bearing surface, wherein the upper plate is formed of polyaryletherketone (PAEK) with the upper surface formed at least in part from a metallic insert having a plurality of projections formed thereon for improving bone attachment;
a lower plate having a lower vertebra contacting surface and an upper bearing surface, wherein the lower plate is formed of PAEK with the lower surface formed at least in part from a metallic insert having a plurality of projections formed thereon for improving bone attachment; and
a core positioned between the upper and lower plates, the core having upper and lower surfaces configured to mate with the bearing surfaces of the upper and lower plates.
2 . The disc of claim 1 , wherein the core is movable with respect to the upper and lower plates.
3 . The disc of claim 1 , further comprising anchoring elements in the form of fins extending from the upper surface of the upper plate and from the lower surface of the lower plate.
4 . The disc of claim 3 , wherein the fins each have a height greater than their width and a length greater than their height.
5 . The disc of claim 3 , wherein the fin is formed of PAEK.
6 . The disc of claim 3 , wherein the fin is formed is formed of PAEK and is covered with a metallic material.
7 . The disc of claim 3 , wherein the fin is formed as a part of the metallic insert.
8 . The disc of claim 1 , wherein the metallic inserts are formed of titanium.
9 . The disc of claim 1 , wherein the metallic inserts are insert molded into the PAEK of the upper and lower plates.
10 . The disc of claim 1 , wherein the metallic inserts having a thickness of about 0.1 to about 1.0 mm.
11 . The disc of claim 1 , wherein the metallic inserts are attached to the PAEK of the upper and lower plates by a press fit connection.
12 . The disc of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the upper surface of the upper plate and the lower surface of the lower plate include titanium plasma spray coating for bone attachment.
13 . The disc of claim 1 , wherein the core is formed of PAEK.
14 . An intervertebral disc comprising:
an upper plate having an upper vertebra contacting surface and a lower bearing surface, wherein the upper plate is formed of polyaryletherketone (PAEK) with the upper surface formed at least in part from a metallic insert having a thickness of at least 0.3 mm;
a lower plate having a lower vertebra contacting surface and an upper bearing surface, wherein the lower plate is formed of PAEK with the lower surface formed at least in part from a metallic insert having a thickness of at least 0.3 mm; and
a core positioned between the upper and lower plates, the core having upper and lower surfaces configured to mate with the bearing surfaces of the upper and lower plates.
15 . The disc of claim 14 , wherein the core is movable with respect to the upper and lower plates.
16 . The disc of claim 14 , further comprising anchoring elements in the form of fins extending from the upper surface of the upper plate and from the lower surface of the lower plate.
17 . The disc of claim 16 , wherein the fins each have a height greater than their width and a length greater than their height.
18 . The disc of claim 16 , wherein the fin is formed of PAEK.
19 . The disc of claim 16 , wherein the fin is formed is formed of PAEK and is covered with a metallic material.
20 . The disc of claim 16 , wherein the fin is formed as a part of the metallic insert.
21 . The disc of claim 14 , wherein the metallic inserts are formed of titanium.
22 . The disc of claim 14 , wherein the metallic inserts are insert molded into the PAEK of the upper and lower plates.
23 . The disc of claim 14 , wherein the metallic inserts are attached to the PAEK of the upper and lower plates by a press fit connection.
24 . The disc of claim 1 , wherein the core is formed of PAEK.
25 . The disc of claim 1 , wherein the metallic inserts comprise stamped teeth.
26 . An intervertebral disc comprising:
an upper plate having an upper vertebra contacting surface and a lower bearing surface, wherein the upper plate is formed of polyaryletherketone (PAEK) with the upper surface formed at least in part from a metallic insert having a plurality of projections formed thereon for improving bone attachment;
a lower plate having a lower vertebra contacting surface and an upper bearing surface, wherein the lower plate is formed of PAEK with the lower surface formed at least in part from a metallic insert having a plurality of projections formed thereon for improving bone attachment; and
wherein the upper and lower bearing surfaces are configured to allow articulation between the upper vertebra contacting surface and the lower vertebra contacting surface.
27 . The disc of claim 26 , wherein the upper and lower bearing surfaces are configured to engage a movable core positioned between the upper and lower plates.
28 . The disc of claim 26 , further comprising anchoring elements in the form of fins extending from the upper surface of the upper plate and from the lower surface of the lower plate.
29 . The disc of claim 28 , wherein the fins each have a height greater than their width and a length greater than their height.
30 . The disc of claim 28 , wherein the fins are formed of PAEK.
31 . The disc of claim 26 , wherein the metallic inserts are formed of titanium.
32 . The disc of claim 26 , wherein the metallic inserts are insert molded into the PAEK of the upper and lower plates.
33 . The disc of claim 26 , wherein the metallic inserts having a thickness of about 0.1 to about 1.0 mm.
34 . The disc of claim 26 , wherein the metallic inserts are attached to the PAEK of the upper and lower plates by a press fit connection.
35 . The disc of claim 26 , wherein the metallic inserts are attached to the PAEK and cover at least 50% of bone contacting surface of the upper and lower plates.
36 . The disc of claim 26 , wherein the PAEK comprises polyetheretherketone (PEEK).
37 . An intervertebral disc comprising:
an upper plate formed of polyaryletherketone (PAEK) with a metallic insert fixed to the PAEK and configured to contact a first vertebra;
a lower plate formed of PAEK with a metallic insert fixed to the PAEK and configured to contact a second vertebra adjacent to the first vertebra; and
wherein the upper and lower plates are arranged to articulate in a anterior-posterior direction and in a lateral direction with respect to one another and to rotate with respect to one another.