Anterior cervical disc replacement

Abstract

Disclosed is a cervical plate having a polyester staple fiber laminated within a polycarbonate urethane. The polyurethane provides a flexible, high resilience structure with a Dacron material providing a flexible skeleton. The result is a cervical plate that is flexible but provides the necessary rigidity. An inflatable balloon can be used to mimic the properties of the natural disc by maintaining the intervertebral disc space through a full range of natural motion.

Claims

1. A flexible cervical plate comprising: a structure formed from four polyester staple fiber border sections each adjoined at a corner to define a substantially rectangular shape with a screw hold aperture positioned at each said corner, said structure including a polyester staple fiber cross member linking each corner with a diagonally positioned corner; a polycarbonate coating said polyester staple fiber border sections and said cross member; a balloon secured centrally disposed on a lower surface of said cross member of said structure; a one way valve secured to an upper surface of said cross member, said valve fluidly coupled to said balloon for receipt of a volumetric material; wherein said cervical plate is held in position by mounting screws placed through said screw hold apertures with said balloon configured to extend into an intervertebral disc space.

2. The flexible cervical plate according to claim 1 wherein said volumetric material is selected from the group consisting of: saline, gels, latex, polymers, polyethylenes, silicones, polyurethanes, metallics, ceramics, collagen, or hydrogels.

3. The flexible cervical plate according to claim 1 wherein said volumetric material is viscous.

4. The flexible cervical plate according to claim 1 wherein said volumetric material is non-viscous.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cervical disc of the instant invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a front perspective alternative embodiment of the cervical plate that includes an inflatable balloon;

(3) FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view thereof;

(4) FIG. 4 is pictorial view of a spine with cervical plate installed; and

(5) FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the cervical plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) FIG. 1 depicts the plate 10 of the instant invention having a skeleton structure 12 formed from a Dacron polyester staple fiber constructed and arranged with a cross section 14 with border sections 16 have screw hole apertures that form around each of the mounting screws 18. The skeleton structure 12 is laminated within a polycarbonate base 20 having urethane links. The polyurethane provides a flexible, high resilience structure with the Dacron material providing a flexible skeleton.

(7) FIGS. 2-4 depicts a balloon 22 that can be filled with a fluid through a one way valve 24 to secure the fluid within the balloon. Suitable volumetric materials can be viscous and non-viscous including saline, gels, latex, polymers, polyethylenes, silicones, polyurethanes, metallics, ceramics, collagen, or hydrogels. Volumetric materials can be radio-opaque contrast agents, allowing fluoroscopic viewing during injection into the disc to a known pressure.

(8) It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.

(9) One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.