System and method for blocking and/or retaining a prosthetic spinal implant

Abstract

Devices for anchoring and/or blocking spinal implants in an intervertebral disc space are disclosed. In one aspect of the invention the device includes a rigid blocking member having one end unconnected and free to block a spinal implant, and another end attached to a securing member to secure the blocking member to the spine. Methods for using the inventive anchoring/blocking implants are also provided.

1 . A device for maintaining separation between naturally adjacent vertebrae in a human while cushioning the intervertebral space, the device comprising:
 a first L-shaped blocking member having an anchoring arm and a blocking arm, the L-shaped blocking member being sized and adapted to be coupled to a human vertebra;   a securing member for coupling the anchoring arm to a human vertebra; and   an intervertebral disc implant sized and adapted to be positioned between two, naturally adjacent vertebrae in a human;   wherein the blocking arm of the L-shaped blocking member is sized and adapted to block the intervertebral disc implant from being expelled from an intervertebral disc space while remaining free and unconnected to the intervertebral disc implant.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the intervertebral disc implant is formed from an elastic material. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the intervertebral disc implant member comprises a prosthetic disc nucleus. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the intervertebral disc implant member comprises an annular plug. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the intervertebral disc implant comprises a polymeric material. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the polymeric material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, silicones, polyaryletherketones, polyarylacrylates, polyacrylamidesacrylates, polyolefins, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylonitriles, polyesters. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the intervertebral disc implant comprises a natural, collagen-source material. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the natural, collagen-source material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of disc annulus material, fascia lata material, planar fascia material, anterior or posterior cruciate ligament material, patella tendons, hamstring tendons, quadriceps tendons, Achilles tendons, skins, and connective tissues. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the intervertebral disc implant comprises a synthetic, collagen-type material. 
   
   
       10 . A device for maintaining separation between naturally adjacent human vertebrae, the device comprising an L-shaped blocking member having an anchoring arm and a blocking arm; and
 a spinal implant sized and adapted to be positioned between two, naturally adjacent human vertebrae in a disc nucleus space;   wherein the anchoring arm is sized and adapted to be anchored to a human vertebra; and   wherein the blocking arm is sized and adapted to extend into an opening in a disc annulus without extending into the disc nucleus space, and is thereby to be positioned to block the spinal implant in the disc nucleus space while remaining unconnected to the spinal implant.   
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a securing member for coupling the anchoring arm to a human vertebra. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the spinal implant is formed from an elastic material. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the spinal implant comprises a polymeric material. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the polymeric material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, silicones, polyaryletherketones, polyarylacrylates, polyacrylamidesacrylates, polyolefins, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylonitriles, polyesters. 
   
   
       15 . A device for maintaining separation between naturally adjacent human vertebrae, the device comprising a pair of L-shaped blocking members, wherein each blocking member has an anchoring arm and a blocking arm; and
 a spinal implant sized and adapted to be positioned between naturally adjacent human vertebrae in a disc nucleus space;   wherein each of the anchoring arms is sized and adapted to be anchored to a respective one of the naturally adjacent human vertebra; and   wherein each of the blocking arms is sized and adapted to extend into an opening in a disc annulus without extending into the disc nucleus space, and are thereby to be positioned to block the spinal implant in the disc nucleus space while remaining unconnected to the spinal implant.   
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , further comprising a first securing member for coupling a first of the pair of anchoring arms to a first of the to a human vertebrae. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a second securing member for coupling a second of the pair of anchoring arms to a second of the human vertebrae. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the spinal implant is formed from an elastic material. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the spinal implant comprises a polymeric material. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 19  wherein the polymeric material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, silicones, polyaryletherketones, polyarylacrylates, polyacrylamidesacrylates, polyolefins, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylonitriles, polyesters.