Spine cage

Abstract

A spine cage (1) comprising a pair of opposite functional sides (2,3) and at least another pair of opposite functional sides (4,5), such that the cage can be positioned in at least two different positions providing at least two different configurations.

Claims

1. A method of inserting a spine cage between two or more vertebrae for spinal fusion, the method comprising the steps of: providing a spine cage including a first pair of opposite functional sides having a first bone fixation structure, and a second pair of opposite functional sides having a second bone fixation structure, a cross-sectional shape of the spine cage being rectangular, both the first and second bone fixation structures configured to engage directly with the two or more vertebra for fusion; determining whether the spine cage fits into an intervertebral space of a given patient in a first position for fusion with the two or more vertebrae or in a second position for fusion with the two or more vertebrae that is a 90 rotation of the spine cage with respect to the first position; inserting the spine cage into the intervertebral space either in the first position or in the second position based on the determining; and fusioning the spine cage in either the first position or in the second position based on the inserting.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: fusioning the spine cage to the intervertebral space by transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), lateral lumbar interbody fusion (XLIF) and anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF).

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: inserting a second spine cage into the intervertebral space in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be described by reference to the appended drawings, which show

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the spine cage of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the spine cage of the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrate a cut view along cut plane B-B of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrate a cut view along cut plane A-A of FIG. 2.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the spine cage of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) The figures illustrate an embodiment of the spine cage 1 of the invention.

(8) The cage comprises an elongate body with two side faces 2-3 and a top face 4 and a bottom face 5.

(9) Each of said faces 2-5 comprises an opening 12, 13, 14 and 15. Each of said faces also comprises a structure or pattern of regular or irregular shapes for example serrations or any other equivalent surfaces or shapes (for example teeth, pyramids etc) to maintain the cage in position. (Primary fixation)

(10) In addition, the width of each pair of sides 2/3 and 4/5 is different, as can be understood from FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, thus forming a rectangular shape and not a square shape (see FIG. 3). This dimension is illustrated by d1 and d2 in FIGS. 2 and 5. Typically, the width d1 of sides 2/3 is larger than the width d2 of sides 4/5.

(11) The idea here is therefore to provide a spinal cage that can be positioned at least in two different positions having two different sizes by a 90 rotation of the cage. A same cage is thus able to change its size in a very easy way, avoiding for example the complex expansion systems of the prior art.

(12) The increment of cage width d1, d2 between each pair of sides 2/3, 4/5 might be of 0.5 mm, 1 mm or more. Alternatively, the width d1 and d2 may have a fixed proportional size or not.

(13) As illustrated, the cage has an open structure presenting more or less the same pattern/serrated structure on every side of the cage to get a better primary fixation into the vertebral endplate.

(14) In another embodiment (not illustrated) according to the invention the shape of a pair of sides is different from the shape of the other pair of sides.

(15) The two pair of sides may also differ with respect to other parameters such as the structuration.

(16) The cage according to the invention may also contain more than two pair of sides.

(17) Hence, a same cage may be used to provide at least two different configurations depending on which position is chosen for its insertion. Since more than two faces are functional, the only choice it to find the appropriate configuration that fits the best for a given patient.

(18) Typically, the cages according to the present invention may be provided in kits with several configurations, for instance with variable relative sizes or proportional sides, shapes or structurations.

(19) The present invention also concerns a method of using a spine cage as described herein. According to the method, at least one of said cage is placed in an intervertebral space.

(20) Two cages are normally placed in said intervertebral space in case of PLIF approach. Usually only one cage in case of TLIF, XLIF and ALIF.

(21) The examples given in the present specification are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed in a limiting manner. Other constructions are possible using equivalent means and within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein may also be combined as desired.

(22) As mentioned previously a spine cage may comprise more than four sides, for example six or eight, wherein different sizes, shapes or angles are provided by each facing pair of sides in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

(23) The cage of the present invention may be made in any suitable material such a metal, alloys or synthetic materials. The cage may for example be made of a material which is homogeneous or in trabecular type structure or also a combination of both.