Space holder for vertebrae or intervertebral discs

Abstract

The present invention concerns a space holder, especially for vertebrae or intervertebral discs for implantation into human or animal organisms, having a cylinder-like body ( 1 ) and, at the ends of the cylinder-like body, means ( 2 ) provided for connecting to adjacent body parts, said cylinder-like body ( 1 ) essentially being formed as a solid cylinder from at least one material that is elastically deformable under the conditions of use, such that the space holder is compressible and extensible in the axial direction and, with reference to means ( 2 ) provided at the ends for connecting the space holder to adjacent body parts, can bend about a radial axis of rotation ( 13 ).

1 . Space holder especially for vertebrae or intervertebral discs for implantation into human or animal organisms, having a cylinder-like body ( 1 ) and, means ( 2 ) for connection to adjacent body parts provided at the ends of the cylinder-like body,
 characterised by the fact that   cylinder-like body ( 1 ) is essentially formed as a solid cylinder from at least one material that is elastically deformable under the intended conditions of use, such that the space holder is compressible and extensible in the axial direction and, with reference to the means ( 2 ) of connecting the space holder with adjacent body parts located at the ends, can bend about a radial axis of rotation ( 13 ).   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . Space holder of  claim 1 ,
 characterised by the fact that   the means ( 2 ) for connecting the space holder to adjacent body parts have protrusions ( 3 ), especially spikes ( 3 ) that project in the axial direction of the solid cylinder and have especially a triangular and/or trapezoidal shape for penetrating into adjacent body parts, especially bones, cartilage and the like, and/or recesses, apertures and/or cavities ( 4 ), especially on, the radial side face for growing into flesh.   
     
     
         4 . Space holder of  claim 1 ,
 characterised by the fact that   the means ( 2 ) of connecting the space holder to adjacent body parts are formed by lattice-like or network-like pipes or rings ( 2 ) perforated by cavities, especially diamond-shaped cavities, and having spikes ( 3 ) located at one end.   
     
     
         5 . Space holder of  claim 4 ,
 characterised by the fact that   the lattice-like or network-like pipes or rings ( 2 ) are formed by a large number of fillets that are connected in diamond-like form or arranged in wave-like form.   
     
     
         6 . Space holder of  claim 1 ,
 characterised by the fact that   the means ( 2 ) for connecting to adjacent body parts are connected non-positively, especially frictionally, by form fit or union of the materials to cylinder-like body ( 1 ).   
     
     
         7 . Space holder of  claim 1 ,
 characterised by the fact that   cylinder-like body ( 1 ), expressed in terms of its longitudinal direction, can be elastically extended or compressed by 0.5 to 20%, especially 1 to 15%.   
     
     
         8 . Space holder of  claim 1 ,
 characterised by the fact that   cylinder-like body ( 1 ) can bend elastically about a radial axis ( 3 ), such that the means ( 2 ) provided at the ends for connecting to adjacent body parts can be swivelled by approximately 0.5 to 10°, especially 1 to 6° out of the longitudinal axis ( 12 ) of the space holder.   
     
     
         9 . Space holder of  claim 1 ,
 characterised by the fact that   the cylinder-like body ( 1 ) is formed from elastic material, which comprises a bio-compatible polymer, especially high molecular polyethylene and medical grade silicone rubber.   
     
     
         10 . Space holder of  claim 1 ,
 characterised by the fact that   cylinder-like body ( 1 ) is realized from composite material and/or as a multi-component part.   
     
     
         11 . Space holder of  claim 1 ,
 characterised by the fact that   the solid cylinder body comprises a cylinder-like core ( 8 ) and a co-axial cylinder pipe-like sleeve ( 7 ), with sleeve ( 7 ) and core ( 8 ) being formed especially from different materials with especially different mechanical properties, especially different elasticity.   
     
     
         12 . Space holder of  claim 1 ,
 characterised by the fact that   cylinder-like body ( 1 ) and means ( 2 ) of connecting the space holder to adjacent body parts has holding means ( 15 ) for mutual connection.   
     
     
         13 . Space holder of  claim 12 ,
 characterised by the fact that   provision is made for the holding means such that it has at least one inwardly, especially radially inwardly, protruding fillet ( 15 ) on the cylinder pipe-like element ( 2 ).   
     
     
         14 . Space holder of  claim 12 ,
 characterised by the fact that   the holding means comprises an anti-twist stop.   
     
     
         15 . Space holder of  claim 1 ,
 characterised by the fact that   means ( 2 ) for connecting the space holder to adjacent body parts is moulded into or onto cylinder-like body ( 1 ).   
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . Space holder of  claim 1 ,
 characterised by the fact that   cylinder-like body ( 1 ) has a shoulder ( 9 ) on each of its ends for accommodating cylinder pipe-like element ( 2 ), such that cylinder-like body ( 1 ) and cylinder pipe-like element ( 2 ) are formed flush as regards the outer diameter.   
     
     
         18 . Space holder of  claim 1 ,
 characterised by the fact that   cylinder pipe-like element ( 2 ) at least partially protrudes over the ends of cylinder-like body ( 1 ).