Intervertebral disc prosthesis, surgical methods, and fitting tools

摘要

An intervertebral disc prosthesis designed to be substituted for fibrocartilaginous discs ensures a connection between the vertebra of the vertebra column or the end of the latter. The prosthesis includes a pair of plates spaced from each other by a nucleus. The prosthesis has increased stability by providing the nucleus with a translation or rotation stop, or by inducing an angular correction between its plates contacting vertebra, or a combination of these characteristics. The stop includes parts external to the nucleus and contact surfaces perpendicular to their contact directions. Surgical methods and instrumentation for implanting the prosthesis are also described.

主权项

1. Instrumentation for surgically inserting an intervertebral prosthesis in a gap between a first vertebra and a second vertebra, the instrumentation comprising an insertion guide having a longitudinal axis and comprising:
a first end having an opening through which the intervertebral prosthesis may pass and through which a distraction tool may be received; a second end having an opening through which the intervertebral prosthesis may pass and through which a distraction tool may be received; a channel extending from the first end to the second end arranged and configured with a passage permitting transit of the intervertebral prosthesis and the distraction tool along the longitudinal axis through the first end and through the second end, the channel comprising
a first wall having an exterior surface orientable toward the first vertebra,a second wall disposed on an opposite side of the insertion guide from the first wall and having an exterior surface orientable toward the second vertebra,first and second opposing side walls each extending from the first wall to the second wall,a groove in the first wall or the second wall, the groove extending along the entire length of the passage and opening at the first and second ends, the groove being configured and arranged for passage of an anchor projecting from a surface of the intervertebral prosthesis completely through the guide, andedges protruding from at least one of the opposing side walls at the second end along the longitudinal axis, the edges configured and arranged to maintain separation of the first and second vertebrae during insertion of the intervertebral prosthesis.