Space holder, in particular for a vertebra or an intervertebral disk

Abstract

A space holder in particular for a vertebra or an intervertebral disk is provided. The space holder comprises a jacket ( 1 ) having apertures ( 9, 10 ) and a first and second edge ( 7, 8 ). The edge has circumferentially adjacent recesses ( 9, 10; 9′, 10′ ) each extending in direction towards the other edge and a stop provided at at least one of the edges spaced from the outer edge. In order to provide for an easy manufacture and operation of the space holder the stop is formed by a member ( 11, 13, 16, 22 ) having an outer contour corresponding to the inner contour of the jacket ( 1 ) and nose-like projections ( 15 ) for engaging the recesses ( 9, 10 ) are provided at those locations of the periphery of the stop which correspond to the recesses ( 9, 10; 9′, 10′ ).

1 . Space holder, in particular for a vertebra or an intervertebral disk, comprising a jacket ( 1 ) having apertures and a first and second edge ( 7 ,  8 ) as well as adjacent recesses ( 9 ,  10 ;  9 ′,  10 ′) arranged in peripheral direction and each extending in direction towards the other edge and a stop provided at at least one of the ends at a distance from the outer edge, 
 characterized in that the stop is formed by a member ( 11 ,  13 ,  16 ,  19 ,  22 ) having an outer contour corresponding to the inner contour of the jacket ( 1 ) and comprising nose-shaped projections ( 15 ) at locations of its periphery corresponding to the recesses ( 9 ,  10 ;  9 ′,  10 ′) for engaging the recesses.  
 
     
     
         2 . Space holder according to    claim 1   , characterized in that the recesses are each formed as V-shaped recesses ( 9 ,  10 ;  9 ′,  10 ′) having equal distances from each other.  
     
     
         3 . Space holder according to    claim 1    or    2   , characterized in that the outer periphery is dimensioned so that the member ( 11 ,  13 ,  16 ,  19 ,  22 ) is held by friction fit in the jacket ( 1 ).  
     
     
         4 . Space holder according to any of the    claims 1    to    3   , characterized in that the jacket ( 1 ) is made as a grid having diamond-shaped apertures ( 3 ,  4 ).  
     
     
         5 . Space holder according to    claim 4   , characterized in that one diagonal of each diamond ( 3 ,  4 ) extends parallel to the longitudinal axis ( 2 ) of the space holder.  
     
     
         6 . Space holder according to any of the    claims 1    to    5   , characterized in that the member ( 11 ,  13 ,  16 ) is formed as a plate.  
     
     
         7 . Space holder according to    claim 6   , characterized in that the plate ( 12 ) is ring-shaped.  
     
     
         8 . Space holder according to    claim 6   , characterized in that the plate ( 13 ) comprises a plurality of adjacent holes ( 14 ).  
     
     
         9 . Space holder according to any of the    claims 6    to    8   , characterized in that the length of the noses ( 15 ) is at least equal to the wall thickness of the jacket ( 1 ).  
     
     
         10 . Space holder according to    claim 9   , characterized in that an outer ring ( 17 ) extending around the member ( 13 ) and having a contour corresponding to the outer contour of the jacket ( 1 ) is provided at the outer edges of the noses ( 15 ).  
     
     
         11 . Space holder according to    claim 10   , characterized in that the outer ring ( 17 ) is connected with the noses ( 15 ) along its center line.  
     
     
         12 . Space holder according to any of the    claims 1    to    11   , characterized in that a serrated edge ( 21 ,  21 ′) projecting beyond the free end of the jacket ( 1 ) is provided at the side of the member facing the adjacent end.  
     
     
         13 . Space holder according to    claim 12   , characterized in that the serrated edge extends parallel to the plate ( 12 ).  
     
     
         14 . Space holder according to    claim 12   , characterized in that the serrated edge extends obliquely to the plate ( 12 ).  
     
     
         15 . Space holder according to any of the    claims 1    to    14   , characterized in that the edge comprises an even number of equidistant recesses.