Prosthesis (i.e. – artificial body members) – parts thereof – or ai – Implantable prosthesis – Bone
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-10
2001-05-15
Nguyen, Dinh X. (Department: 3738)
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai
Implantable prosthesis
Bone
C623S017130
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231609
ABSTRACT:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A disc replacement prosthesis is described for positioning between adjacent superior and inferior vertebral bodies in the spine. Included is an upper cylindrical section for contacting and gripping the superior vertebral body lower surface and a lower cylindrical section for contacting and gripping the inferior vertebral body upper surface. A resilient intermediate cylindrical section is affixed to and extends between the upper and lower means for contacting and gripping. The upper, intermediate and lower sections form a cylinder having an exterior surface when joined, and screw threads are formed on the exterior surface of the cylinder. Structure is provided that affords shear strength in the intermediate cylindrical section.
The invention described herein includes a method of providing a prosthetic replacement for a vertebral disc removed from an intradiscal space between adjacent superior and inferior vertebral bodies wherein the inferior and superior vertebral bodies have lower and upper surfaces respectively adjacent the intradiscal space. The method includes the steps of fabricating an upper and a lower rigid member having surfaces thereon which are porous to living bone cells, and configuring the upper and lower rigid members for retention by the adjacent superior and inferior vertebral bodies respectively. Further included are the steps of attaching a resilient member between the upper and lower rigid members to produce a disc prosthesis and engaging the lower and upper surfaces on the vertebral bodies with the upper and lower rigid members respectively as well as strengthening the resilient member to resist shear forces.
In accordance with the invention described herein a prosthesis is disclosed for replacing a disc removed from an intradiscal space between adjacent superior and inferior vertebral bodies. An upper prosthesis member is included having a contact surface configured to engage and become fixed to a lower surface on the superior vertebral body. Furthermore, a lower prosthesis member is included having a contact surface configured to engage and become fixed to an upper surface on the inferior vertebral body. An intermediate elastomeric prosthesis member is fixed to and extends between the upper and lower prosthesis members. Means is included for securing the upper and lower prosthesis members in place and in contact with the superior and inferior vertebral bodies, respectively. Structure is provided for imparting shear strength to the intermediate elastomeric prosthesis member. The upper and lower prosthesis member contact surfaces have a porosity for admitting bone cell growth for enhancing arthrodesis.
A disc replacement prosthesis has upper means for contacting and gripping a lower surface on a superior vertebral body and lower means for contacting and gripping an upper surface on an inferior vertebral body. Resilient intermediate means is affixed to and extends between the upper and lower means. Additionally, means is provided for affording resistance to shear force applied to the resilient intermediate means.
The invention further includes a method of making a disc replacement prosthesis having an upper and a lower body compatible rigid member and an intermediate body compatible resilient member. The method involves the steps of treating the upper and lower rigid members to enhance bone cell growth into the surfaces thereof and fixing the upper and lower rigid members onto opposing sides of the intermediate resilient member. Also included is the step of providing shear force resistance for the intermediate resilient member.
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Part I Removal of Disc (Post 1970).
Aronson et al Publication 1982.
Nguyen Dinh X.
Stanley Henry M
Stewart Alvin
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