INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT

Abstract

The intervertebral implant is in the form of a three-dimensional structure (10) comprising (a) a top side (1) and an underside (2) which are designed to rest against the end plates of two adjacent vertebras, (b) a left side face (3) and a right side face (4), (c) a front face (5) and a rear face (6), (d) a horizontal center plane situated between the top side (1) and the underside (2), (e) a vertical center plane (8) situated between the left side face (3) and the right side face (8) and (0 a plurality of boreholes (9) passing through the implant structure (10) that are designed to receive longitudinal affixation elements (20), the axes (19) of said elements intersecting the horizontal center plane (7). At least one of the boreholes (9) is designed in a manner that the affixation element (10) received in it can be rigidly connected to the intervertebral implant. Said connection is implemented using a thread or by matching conical surfaces.

Claims

1. An intervertebral implant comprising: an implant structure that defines a front face and a rear face; and a plate configured to be mounted to the front face, the plate defining a front plate surface, a rear plate surface, an upper plate surface and a lower plate surface, the plate further defining a first hole that is configured to receive a portion of a first affixation element such that the first affixation element is configured to be inserted into a first vertebral body, the plate further defining a second hole that is configured to receive a second affixation element such that the second affixation element is configured to be inserted into a second vertebral body, wherein the front plate surface defines uppermost and lowermost ends that are configured to be disposed in an intervertebral space defined between the first and second vertebral bodies when the plate is mounted to the front face, and the first and second affixation elements are inserted into the first and second vertebral bodies, respectively.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The present invention and further embodiment modes of it are elucidated below in relation to the partly schematic representation of two illustrative embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view including a partial section of the intervertebral implant with inserted bone screws,

[0031] FIG. 2 is a front view of the intervertebral implant of FIG. 1,

[0032] FIG. 3 is a side view of the intervertebral implant of FIG. 1,

[0033] FIG. 4 is a top view of the intervertebral implant of FIG. 1,

[0034] FIG. 5 is a front view of the intervertebral implant with a front insert, in partial section,

[0035] FIG. 6 is a vertical, longitudinal section of the intervertebral implant of FIG. 5, and

[0036] FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-section of the intervertebral implant of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The intervertebral implant of FIGS. 1 through 4 consists of a 3D structure 10 exhibiting both a convex top side 1 and a convex underside 2, the two sides each being designed to rest against the end plates of two adjacent vertebras. To attain improved anchoring, the top side 1 and the underside 2 may be topographically shaped and be fitted with grooves, ribs or teeth, or their surfaces may be merely roughened.

[0038] The 3D implant structure 10 moreover comprises a left side face 3 and a right side face 4, also a front face 5 and a rear face 6. The implant structure 10 also may be hollow and its outer surface may comprise perforations.

[0039] The implant structure 10 comprises a plurality of boreholes 9 passing through it and receiving longitudinal affixation elements 20. Preferably four such boreholes 9 shall be provided.

[0040] At least one of the boreholes 9 is designed in a way that the longitudinal affixation element 20 received therein may be rigidly connected to the intervertebral implant. The boreholes 9 are conical for that purpose.

[0041] Preferably the affixation elements 20 are bone screws having a head 21 and a tip 22. The head 21 conically tapers toward the shank 23, the conicity of the head 21 corresponding to the conicity of the borehole 9. Moreover the four boreholes 9 may be fitted with inner threads 11.

[0042] As regards the embodiment variation shown in FIGS. 5 through 7, the 3D structure 10 is fitted at its front face 5 with a preferably metallic insert 8 into which the affixation elements 20 may be anchored. The insert 8 is mounted in vertically displaceable manner in the 3D structure 10.

[0043] While the invention has been shown and described herein with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that the various additions, substitutions, or modifications of form, structure, arrangement, proportions, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice and which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements, may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various other modifications may be made by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and the scope thereof