Intervertebral disc spacer

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for improving the stability, flexibility, and/or proper anatomical motion of a spinal column and more particularly, spinal implant devices are provided for use between adjacent vertebral bones. Intervertebral disc spacer devices may comprise two joined surfaces formed of compressible materials. The surfaces may be convex or any variety of shapes. Certain embodiments of intervertebral disc spacer devices include apertures through which nutrients may pass. Additionally, certain embodiments include a partial enclosure or open region between the two surfaces so as to provide an environment conducive to regrowth or stimulation of natural intervertebral disc material. In certain embodiments, the two surfaces may be attached by one or more springs. Alternatively, intervertebral disc spacer embodiments may be comprised of a coiled wire. Methods of introducing intervertebral disc spacer devices into patients are also provided.

1 . An intervertebral disc spacer comprising:
 a first surface formed of a compressible material, the first surface having a first end and a second end;   a second surface formed of a compressible material, the second surface having a first end and a second end;   wherein at least a portion of the first end of the first surface is attached to at least a portion of the first end of the second surface and at least a portion of the second end of the second surface is attached to at least a portion of the second end of the second surface so as to define a region capable of at least partially enclosing an intervertebral disc; and   wherein the first surface and the second surface include a plurality of apertures through which nutrients may pass.   
     
     
         2 . The intervertebral disc spacer of  claim 1  wherein the first end of the first surface and the first end of the second surface include a port capable of being engaged by an introducer tool. 
     
     
         3 . The intervertebral disc spacer of  claim 1  wherein the first surface is substantially convex. 
     
     
         4 . The intervertebral disc spacer of  claim 2  wherein the second surface is substantially convex. 
     
     
         5 . The intervertebral disc spacer of  claim 1  wherein the first surface is substantially in the shape of a disc. 
     
     
         6 . The intervertebral disc spacer of  claim 1  wherein the first surface is formed to match the contour of a vertebrae surface. 
     
     
         7 . The intervertebral disc spacer of  claim 1  wherein the intervertebral disc comprises a synthetic disc replacement. 
     
     
         8 . The intervertebral disc spacer of  claim 1  wherein the first surface and second surface define a region capable of entirely enclosing an intervertebral disc. 
     
     
         9 . The intervertebral disc spacer of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of apertures comprise a plurality of parabolic apertures. 
     
     
         10 . The intervertebral disc spacer of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of apertures comprise apertures from about 100 microns to about 1000 microns. 
     
     
         11 . The intervertebral disc spacer of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of apertures comprise apertures from about 1 mm to about 2 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The intervertebral disc spacer of  claim 1  wherein the intervertebral disc spacer is comprised of titanium. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method for stabilizing a portion of a spinal column comprising the steps of:
 introducing an intervertebral disc spacer between two vertebrae using an introducer tool;   wherein the intervertebral disc spacer comprises a first surface formed of a compressible material, the first surface having a first end and a second end, a second surface formed of a compressible material, the second surface having a first end and a second end, wherein at least a portion of the first end of the first surface is attached to at least a portion of the first end of the second surface and at least a portion of the second end of the second surface is attached to at least a portion of the second end of the second surface so as to define a region capable of at least partially enclosing an intervertebral disc, and wherein the first surface and the second surface include a plurality of apertures through which nutrients may pass; and   placing the intervertebral disc spacer between two vertebrae.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of preloading the intervertebral disc spacer into a compressed state before the step of placing the intervertebral disc spacer between two vertebrae and unloading the intervertebral disc spacer after placement of the intervertebral disc spacer between the two vertebrae. 
     
     
         20 . An intervertebral disc spacer comprising:
 a convex shaped body defined by a first outwardly bowed elongated section having distal and proximal ends and a second outwardly bowed elongated section having distal and proximal ends, wherein the first and second sections abut one another at their respective distal and proximal ends;   a plurality of apertures in at least the first or second section.   
     
     
         21 . The intervertebral disc spacer of  claim 20  wherein the abutting distal ends form an aperture therebetween. 
     
     
         22 . The intervertebral disc spacer of  claim 20  wherein an edge is defined at each end and the respective edges abut one another. 
     
     
         23 . The intervertebral disc spacer of  claim 22  wherein each edge includes an inwardly facing flat surface and the respective flat surfaces abut one another. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the introducer and the intervertebral disc spacer are adapted to detachably mate with one another.