Method and apparatus for fixation of intervertebral disc prosthesis

Abstract

An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises a superior endplate and an inferior endplate. The superior and inferior endplates include vertebra fixation surfaces designed to engage vertebral bodies. A composite material is provided on the vertebra fixation surfaces. The composite material includes an osteoconductive component and an osteoinductive component. The osteoconductive component provides a porous matrix or base that facilitates bone growth. The osteoinductive component provides a stimulant material that encourages growth of the bone cells between the osteoconductive component of the endplate and the vertebral body facing the endplate. In one embodiment, the osteoconductive component is permeated by an osteoinductive material to provide the composite material. In another embodiment, the composite material includes a non-resorbable portion that includes osteoconductive substances and a resorbable portion that is doped with osteoinductive substances.

1 . An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising: 
 a) a first endplate including a first vertebra fixation surface;    b) a second endplate including a second vertebra fixation surface, wherein the first endplate is operable to pivot relative to the second endplate; and    c) a composite material provided on the first vertebra fixation surface, the composite material comprising an osteoconductive material and an osteoinductive material.    
   
   
       2 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis of  claim 1  wherein the osteoconductive material is permeated with the osteoinductive material.  
   
   
       3 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis of  claim 1  wherein the composite material includes a resorbable portion doped with the osteoinductive material and a non-resorbable portion comprising the osteoconductive material.  
   
   
       4 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis of  claim 3  wherein the resorbable portion comprises a resorbable carrier selected from the group consisting of calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, collagen, biodegradable polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid or a hydrogel.  
   
   
       5 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis of  claim 1  wherein the osteoconductive material is selected from the group consisting of titanium, metal matrix composite, ceramic, calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite or a matrix of cross-linked collagen fibers coated with hydroxyapatite.  
   
   
       6 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis of  claim 1  wherein the osteoinductive material is selected from the group consisting of bone morphogenetic protein, bone marrow or stem cells.  
   
   
       7 . A method of fixing an intervertebral disc prosthesis in an intervertebral space, the method comprising: 
 a) providing an intervertebral disc prosthesis including at least one vertebra fixation surface; and    b) applying a composite material to the vertebra fixation surface, the composite material comprising an osteoconductive component and an osteoinductive component.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of inserting the intervertebral disc prosthesis in an intervertebral space with the vertebra fixation surface in contact with a vertebral body.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the at least one vertebra fixation surface includes a first vertebra fixation surface and a second vertebra fixation surface, wherein the first vertebra fixation surface is operable to pivot relative to the second vertebra fixation surface.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the osteoconductive component comprises a first material and the osteoinductive component comprises a second material, and wherein the first material is permeated with the second material.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of soaking the first material in the second material in order to permeate the first material with the second material.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the vertebra fixation surface comprises a textured surface.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the step of applying the composite material to the vertebra fixation surface comprises the step of packing the composite material on the textured surface.  
   
   
       14 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis of  claim 7  wherein the osteoinductive component includes a resorbable portion and the osteoconductive component includes a non-resorbable portion.  
   
   
       15 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis of  claim 14  wherein the resorbable portion is doped with an osteoinductive material, and the osteoinductive material includes bone morphogenetic protein or bone marrow.  
   
   
       16 . An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising: 
 a) a first vertebra fixation surface; and    b) a composite material provided on the first vertebra fixation surface, the composite material comprising an osteoconductive material and an osteoinductive material.    
   
   
       17 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis of  claim 16  further comprising a second vertebra fixation surface, wherein the first vertebra fixation surface is operable to pivot relative to the second vertebra fixation surface.  
   
   
       18 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis of  claim 17  further comprising a bearing surface positioned between the first vertebra fixation surface and the second vertebra fixation surface, wherein the first vertebra fixation surface is operable to pivot upon the bearing surface.  
   
   
       19 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis of  claim 16  wherein the osteoconductive material is permeated with the osteoinductive material.  
   
   
       20 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis of  claim 19  wherein the first vertebra fixation surface comprises a textured surface, and the composite material is applied to the textured surface.  
   
   
       21 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis of  claim 16  wherein the composite material includes a resorbable portion and a non-resorbable portion.  
   
   
       22 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis of  claim 21  wherein the resorbable portion is doped with the osteoinductive material and the non-resorbable portion comprises the osteoconductive material.  
   
   
       23 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis of  claim 16  further comprising an endplate including a face, wherein the first vertebra fixation surface is provided on the face of the endplate.  
   
   
       24 . The intervertebral disc prosthesis of  claim 23  wherein at least one tooth is included on the face of the endplate and the first vertebra fixation surface is provided on the at least one tooth.