Spinal Kinetics, Inc.

Frank Fellenz

Janine C Robinson

Michael Lawrence Reo

Darin Charles Gittings

Thomas A Afzal

Daren Stewart

Jeffrey J Dolin

Elizabeth V Wistrom

Spinal implants are described that may be surgically implanted into the spine to replace damaged or diseased discs using a posterior approach. The implants are prosthetic devices that can approach or mimic the physiological motion and reaction of the natural disc. The implants are adapted to be used in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Prosthetic intervertebral discs implantable by minimally invasive, posterior approach, surgical techniques

Described are tools&#x2014;including distractor, trial, chisel, and inserter&#x2014;that may be used as a system for implanting a prosthetic intervertebral disc in a spine. The distractor moves vertebrae and may have angled forks optionally offset for visibility with removable jaws optionally matching desired lordotic angles. The trial tool(s) may fit within the distractor forks, include a lordotic angle, and may include a disc portion, an adjustable stop, and a feature to control movement of the disc portion relative to the adjustable stop. The chisel tool cuts grooves in the vertebral bodies, which grooves affix the disc to the vertebrae. The chisel(s) may fit within openings in the trial, where those openings also serve as a guide during the groove-cutting step. The inserter tool, optionally with a movable pusher, is used for inserting the prosthetic disc into the prepared intervertebral disc space.

Tool systems for implanting prosthetic intervertebral discs

This description deals with a medical device, specifically a prosthetic intervertebral disc having a compressible core bounded by a fiber-containing or fiber-reinforced membrane.

Prosthetic intervertebral discs having compressible core elements bounded by fiber-containing membranes

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Los Gatos, CA, United States of America

Frank Fellenz