Vertebral implants and methods for installation thereof
Inventors
Howard, George • Himmelberger, James • Gray, Jason • McLaughlin, Colm • Hansell, Noah • Weiman, Mark
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12453641-B2
Publication Date
2025-10-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
Embodiments herein are generally directed to vertebral implants and implant trials for use with vertebral implant assemblies. In some embodiments, these implants and implant trials may be used in conjunction with corpectomy procedures.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to polyaxial vertebral endplate assemblies and installation of a vertebral implant assembly with expandable structure. A polyaxial endplate assembly is attached to at least one of an inner member and an outer member and includes an upper endplate and a mating body that enmesh endplate gear teeth with mating teeth. The upper endplate is fixed to the mating body at a desired angle by a clamp that presses the endplate relative to the mating body and includes a convex surface configured to contact a circumferential inner surface of the endplate.
The installation uses a gear that moves the inner member relative to the outer member upon rotation of the gear, and an expansion sequence that expands the vertebral implant assembly from a first height to a second height. After expansion, the upper endplate is locked in a particular angular position relative to the mating body. The clamp and clamping screw coupled to the mating body secure the polyaxial endplate assembly so the angular position is maintained when the assembly is expanded and installed.
Alternative clamping-based polyaxial endplate assemblies are also described, including opposing C-shaped clamp members and a securing element. In addition, endplate trial devices with reversible coupling and measurement of footprint, angulation, and height in one step are described. An expandable vertebral implant is described as having inner and outer members and a gear-driven expansion, coupled to a polyaxial upper endplate that can be locked in a chosen angulation, including anti-rotation stabilization and separation-restricting locking between inner and outer members.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides two independent claims. Across these, the inventive coverage centers on gear-driven relative motion for expansion combined with a polyaxial endplate clamp mechanism that enables locking the upper endplate at a selected angular position relative to a mating body, and in one family explicitly recites expanding from a first height to a second height in the installation method.
Gear-driven relative motion expansion with upper endplate angular locking
Providing a vertebral implant assembly with an inner member, an outer member, and a gear coupled to the inner and outer members and adapted to move the inner member relative to the outer member upon rotation of the gear, together with a polyaxial endplate assembly attached to at least one of the inner member and the outer member, where an upper endplate gear teeth enmesh with mating teeth and a clamp with a convex surface presses the endplate relative to the mating body to fix the endplate at a desired angle, and locking the upper endplate in a particular angular position relative to the mating body.
Gear-to-mating-teeth polyaxial endplate clamp with clamping screw
Using a polyaxial endplate assembly that includes an upper endplate with a circumferential inner surface and a curved exterior surface with a plurality of gear teeth circumferentially arranged on the curved exterior surface, a mating body with a curved inner surface and mating teeth enmeshable with the gear teeth, and a clamp disposed to press the endplate relative to the mating body to fix the endplate at a desired angle, with a clamping screw coupled to the mating body and the clamp.
First height to second height expansion in the installation method
Expanding the vertebral implant assembly from a first height to a second height as part of installing the vertebral implant assembly prior to locking the upper endplate in a particular angular position relative to the mating body.
The independent claim coverage is directed to installing a vertebral implant assembly that uses a gear to move an inner member relative to an outer member and includes a polyaxial upper endplate assembly in which gear teeth enmesh with mating teeth and a clamp with a clamping screw presses and fixes the endplate at a desired angle, followed by locking the upper endplate in a particular angular position. One family further includes expanding the assembly from a first height to a second height as part of the installation method before the angular locking.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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