Apparatus and method for performing spinal surgery

Abstract

An embodiment of an intervertebral prosthetic device for implantation in a spine includes a rigid fixation member and a compressible member. The fixation member is configured to be placed in a cavity of a first vertebral body and against bone of the first vertebral body. The compressible member is configured to be placed in a cavity in an intervertebral disc and to be secured to the first fixation member. Another embodiment includes two compressible members and one fixation member. In this embodiment, the first and second compressible members are sized to substantially replace the nucleus pulposus of first and a second intervertebral discs, respectively, on either side of a vertebral body. The fixation member is sized to fit within a cavity in the vertebral body between the first and second compressible members.

1 .- 57 . (canceled) 
     
     
         58 . An intervertebral prosthetic device for implantation in a spine comprising:
 a fixation member configured to be placed in a cavity of a vertebral body, the fixation member comprising:
 an outer member configured to be placed against bone of the vertebral body; 
 an inner member opposite the outer member; and 
 at least one adjustment element that extends from the outer member to the inner member and that is configured to adjust a length dimension of the fixation member between the inner and outer members along its longitudinal axis; 
   a compressible member configured to be placed in a cavity in an intervertebral disc adjacent the vertebral body, configured to replace the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc, configured to be surrounded by the annulus fibrosis of the intervertebral disc, and configured to be secured to the inner member of the fixation member; and   a spacer sized to fit between the outer and inner members of the fixation member to maintain the fixation member at a desired length dimension, wherein the spacer extends from the outer and inner members of the fixation member such that the spacer is configured to be axially unaligned with the at least one adjustment member.   
     
     
         59 . The intervertebral prosthetic device according to  claim 58 , wherein the outer and inner members of the fixation member comprise outer and inner plates, respectively. 
     
     
         60 . The intervertebral prosthetic device according to  claim 59 , wherein the inner plate of the fixation member includes a notch through which a portion of the spacer extends. 
     
     
         61 . The intervertebral prosthetic device according to  claim 60 , wherein the portion comprises a peg. 
     
     
         62 . The intervertebral prosthetic device according to  claim 58 , wherein the spacer includes a peg. 
     
     
         63 . The intervertebral prosthetic device according to  claim 62 , wherein the compressible member includes a well dimensioned to receive the peg in a snap fit. 
     
     
         64 . The intervertebral prosthetic device according to  claim 58 , wherein the compressible member has a bottom plate with a convex lowermost surface. 
     
     
         65 . The intervertebral prosthetic device according to  claim 64 , wherein the convex lowermost surface is configured to rest within a corresponding concave indentation formed in a second vertebral body adjacent thereto. 
     
     
         66 . An intervertebral prosthetic device for implantation in a spine, comprising:
 a fixation member configured to be placed in a cavity of a vertebral body, the fixation member comprising:
 an outer member configured to be placed against bone of the vertebral body; 
 an inner member opposite the outer member; and 
 a longitudinal axis extending between the outer and inner members; and 
   a compressible member configured to be placed in a cavity in an intervertebral disc and to be secured to the inner member of the fixation member,   wherein:   (A) the compressible member is constructed to remain compressible after implantation, and   (B) the outer member includes a tab extending outward along an axis different from the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         67 . The intervertebral prosthetic device according to  claim 66 , wherein the outer and inner members of the fixation member comprise outer and inner plates, respectively. 
     
     
         68 . The intervertebral prosthetic device according to  claim 66 , wherein the compressible member has a bottom plate with a convex lowermost surface. 
     
     
         69 . The intervertebral prosthetic device according to  claim 68 , wherein the convex lowermost surface is configured to rest within a corresponding concave indentation formed in a second vertebral body adjacent thereto. 
     
     
         70 . A prosthetic device comprising:
 a fixation member sized to fit within a cavity in a first vertebral body; and   a compressible member comprising:   a cup-shaped base member;   an upper member; and   one or more compressible elements provided between the base member and the upper member,   wherein the compressible member is sized to substantially replace a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc adjacent the vertebral body.   
     
     
         71 . The prosthetic device according to  claim 70 , wherein the base member of the compressible member is configured to engage the fixation member and the upper member of the compressible member is configured to engage a second vertebral body. 
     
     
         72 . A prosthetic device comprising:
 a fixation member sized to fit within a cavity in a first vertebral body; and   a compressible member comprising:
 a base member; 
 an upper member comprising a ball-and-socket joint; and 
 one or more compressible elements provided between the base member and the upper member, 
   wherein the compressible member is sized to substantially replace a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc adjacent the vertebral body.   
     
     
         73 . The prosthetic device according to  claim 72 , wherein the upper member further comprises a plate supporting the ball-and-socket joint, and wherein the ball-and-socket joint comprises a spike. 
     
     
         74 . The prosthetic device according to  claim 72 , wherein:
 (i) the base member of the compressible member is configured to engage the fixation member, and   (ii) the upper member of the compressible member is configured to engage a second vertebral body.   
     
     
         75 . The prosthetic device according to  claim 72 , wherein the ball-and-socket joint is configured to be fixed or to remain mobile upon implantation.