Spinal Implant

Abstract

The present invention is an implant for bone. The current implant is particularly useful in spinal surgical procedures.

Claims

1) An implant adapted for implantation into a spine; the implant comprising: opposed and converging first and second planar load supporting surfaces and a central aperture extending through the implant; the central aperture created by an arrangement of alternating curved and straight edges facing the central aperture.

2) The implant of claim 1, wherein the arrangement comprises at least two opposed arcuate sections.

3) The implant of claim 2, wherein each of the at least two opposed arcuate sections comprises a straight edge positioned between two curved edges or a curved edge positioned between two straight edges.

4) The implant of claim 3, wherein the arrangement comprises a combination of six erect straight edges and an erect curved edge positioned between each erect straight edge creating four distinct arcuate sections.

5) The implant of claim 4 adapted for insertion through a surgical incision, without rotation, into a surgically created cavity.

6) The implant of claim 5, adapted for insertion into the surgically created cavity of a lumbar or lumbar/sacral vertebral region, comprising: a) an opening extending through one of the erect edges; the opening adapted for receiving a surgical tool; and/or b) the planar supporting surfaces having uniform consistency.

7) An implant adapted for implantation into a spine; the implant comprising opposed and converging first and second planar load supporting surfaces, a central aperture and an arrangement of at least two opposed arcuate sections; each opposed arcuate section comprising an adjoined straight edge and curved edge facing the central aperture.

8) The implant of claim 7, wherein each of the at least two opposed arcuate sections comprises a straight edge positioned between two curved edges or a curved edge positioned between two straight edges.

9) The implant of claim 9, wherein the arrangement comprises a combination of six erect straight edges and an erect curved edge positioned between each erect straight edge creating four distinct arcuate sections.

10) The implant of claim 9 adapted for insertion through a surgical incision, without rotation, into a surgically created cavity.

11) The implant of claim 10, adapted for insertion into the surgically created cavity of a lumbar or lumbar/sacral vertebral region, comprising: a) an opening extending through one of the erect edges; the opening adapted for receiving a surgical tool; and/or b) the planar supporting surfaces having uniform consistency.

12) An implant adapted for implantation into a spine; the implant comprising a central aperture created by an arrangement of alternating erect curved and straight edges facing the central aperture.

13) The implant of claim 12, wherein the alternating erect curved and straight edges facing the central aperture create distinct sections surrounding the central aperture.

14) The implant of claim 13 comprising converging first and second planar load supporting surfaces; the aperture extending through the first and second planar load supporting surfaces.

15) The implant of claim 14, wherein the arrangement comprises at least two opposed arcuate sections.

16) The implant of claim 15, wherein the arrangement comprises a combination of six straight edges and a curved edge positioned between each erect straight edge creating four distinct arcuate sections.

17) The implant of claim 16 adapted for insertion through a surgical incision, without rotation, into a surgically created cavity.

18) The implant of claim 17, adapted for insertion into the surgically created cavity of a lumbar or lumbar/sacral vertebral region, comprising: a) an opening extending through one of the erect edges; the opening adapted for receiving a surgical tool; and/or b) the planar supporting surfaces having uniform consistency.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a top view of the implant.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a first perspective of the implant.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a second perspective of the implant.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the opening for receiving a surgical tool including portions of the first and third combinations of solid edges of the current implant.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the implant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Although the disclosure hereof is detailed to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the embodiments published herein merely exemplify the present invention.

[0023] In the most general sense, the present invention is an implant for bone where the implant can be adapted for connection with surgical tools. Examples of surgical tools adapted for connection with the implant include but are not limited to manual or robotic devices that assist with the implantation of the implant. Among other things, the current invention can be adapted for use with mammalian vertebra. It is believed that the present implant is particularly adapted for use in the lumbar or the lumbar/sacral vertebral region of the spine.

[0024] It is anticipated that the opening of the current invention can be used as a conduit for transporting biocompatible devices/substances, such as adhesives, cameras, cannulas, fiber optics, implants, pharmaceuticals, etc.

[0025] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are manufactured of titanium alloys, stainless steel, non-resorbable polymers or any other composition acceptable in the art. Manufacture of the current invention is compatible with 3D titanium printing. Within the scope of the present invention, it has advantageously been discovered apertures of the implant range in size from about 400 millimeters.sup.2 to about 1800 millimeters.sup.2; widths of the implant range from about 20 millimeters to about 36 millimeters; lengths of the implant range from about 20 millimeters to about 50 millimeters; and heights of the apex of the implant range from about 8 millimeters to about 40 millimeters.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of implant (30). As shown, superior load supporting surface (40) of implant (30) surrounds aperture (50). Preferred embodiments of superior load supporting surface (40) can be planar or linear planar.

[0027] Aperture (50) is formed by a plurality of straight erect edges (54 A-F) and curved erect edges (56 A-F). Preferred embodiments of the current implant (30) can have twelve interconnected erect edges (54 A-F, 56 A-F). Each straight edge (54 A-F) is interconnected with two opposed curved edges (56 A-F) and each curved edge (56 A-F) is interconnected with opposed straight edges (54 A-F).

[0028] FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspectives of implant (30). Aperture (50) extends through superior load supporting surface (40) and inferior load supporting surface (42) of implant (30). Preferred embodiments of inferior load supporting surface (42) can be planar or linear planar. Select preferred embodiments of implant's (30) load supporting surfaces (40, 42) are manufactured with uniform consistency causing exposed surfaces of implant (30) to have similar visual appearances and tactile sensations. At the same time, outer surfaces of implant (30) can be smooth, porous, rough, nano-coated or consist of a composite of biocompatible compositions such as hydroxyapatite or other bioactive substances. The twelve interconnected edges (54 A-F, 56 A-F) creating aperture can be isolated into regions or combinations that provide the innovative sloping structure of the present invention.

[0029] First region or combination (54F, 56A, 54A) of implant (30) has the greatest height of implant (30). Second region or combination (54C, 56D, 54D) opposite the first region or combination (54D, 56A, 54A) has the shortest height of implant (30). Third region or combination (56B, 54B, 56C) is opposite from fourth region or combination (56E, 54E, 56F). Third region or combination and forth region or combination are positioned between the first and second regions. Superior load supporting surface (40) and inferior load supporting surface (42) converge toward each other as load supporting surfaces (40, 42) traverse from the first region or combination toward the second region or combination of implant (30). Select preferred embodiments of implant (30) include first, second, third and fourth combinations of erect edges (54 A-F, 56 A-F) that create a lordotic angle that allows implant (30) to be inserted, without rotation, through a surgical incision and into a surgically created cavity. For most surgical procedures using implant (30), it is anticipated that the second combination of solid edges will be distant from the surgical incision and the first combination of solid edges will be proximate the surgical incision. It is also anticipated that for most surgical procedures the second combination is adapted to be positioned proximate a portion of the surgically created cavity most distant from the surgical incision created for passage of the implant toward the surgically created cavity.

[0030] Within the scope of the current invention, erect edges (54 A-F, 56 A-F), aperture (50) and supporting surfaces (40, 42) create polyhedronal implant (30). Depending on engineering parameters, select preferred embodiments of implant (30) can be provided with opening (90) that extends through one of twelve erect edges (54 A-F, 56 A-F). Among other things, opening (90) is adapted for receiving a surgical tool (not shown in the drawings).

[0031] FIG. 4 is a frontal view of opening (90) adapted for receiving a surgical tool biocompatible devices/substances, such as adhesives, cameras, cannulas, fiber optics, implants, pharmaceuticals, etc. Portions of the first combination's erect edge (54B) and the third combination's erect edges (56B, 54B) of implant (30) disclose that load supporting surfaces (40, 42) are sloped from a higher to a lower height of implant (30). FIG. 5 is a lateral view of implant (30) portraying a preferred embodiment of the current invention including a lordotic angle.

[0032] Applicant has enabled, described and disclosed the invention as required by Title 35 of the United States Code.