Intervertebral disc prosthesis and method
View Patent ↗The present disclosure generally relates to an intervertebral disc prosthesis for partially or totally replacing an organic intervertebral disc. The disc prosthesis includes an interbody device, a face plate and a pair of locking mechanisms for achieving dual fixation in the cephalad and caudal direction. Methods according to the present disclosure achieve such dual fixation in a single fixation step.
1. A method of using an intervertebral disc prosthesis, comprising:
providing an intervertebral disc prosthesis, the prosthesis comprising an interbody device, a face plate having one or more fixation mechanisms integrally connected therewith, and one or more additional fixation mechanisms;
connecting the face plate to the interbody device such that the one or more fixation mechanisms are substantially disposed within a central opening defined in the interbody device;
inserting the interbody device and face plate into an intervertebral disc space; and
inserting the one or more additional fixation mechanisms through the face plate and interbody device and into a first vertebral endplate;
whereby inserting the one or more additional fixation mechanisms urges the face plate against the interbody device, thereby causing the one or more fixation mechanisms to rotate into a second vertebral endplate opposing the first vertebral endplate.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more additional fixation mechanisms comprises a screw, the method comprising inserting the screw through the face plate and interbody device and into the first vertebral endplate.
3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more fixation mechanisms comprises a pair of tusks integrally connected to the face plate, whereby urging of the face plate against the interbody device causes the tusks to rotate into the second vertebral endplate.
4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more fixation mechanisms comprises a pair of staples integrally connected to the face plate, whereby urging of the face plate against the interbody device causes the staples to rotate into the second vertebral endplate.
5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the interbody device includes a slot formed therein, the method further comprising disposing a retaining member in the slot to thereby prevent the face plate from dislodging from the interbody device.