Sulzer Medizinaltechnik Ag

Sulzer Orthopaedie Ag

Sulzer Brothers Limited

Protek Ag

Sulzer Orthopadie Ag

Walter Baumgartner

Stefan Freudiger

Jean-Louis Husson

An implant, in particular an intervertebral prosthesis, which consists of an elongated elastic body which is form-elastic and takes on the form of a spiral S in the force free state. The spiral can be drawn by a reverse winding up into an insertion instrument which is only insubstantially larger in the insertion region than the cross-section of the elongated elastic body in order to reach the inner space of an intervertebral disc through a small opening in the annulus fibrosus and to push in and sever off the self winding spiral when the interior is filled. This has the advantage that inner spaces of differing sizes can be filled with the same spiral.

Intervertebral prosthesis

An implant, in particular an intervertebral prosthesis, which consists of an elongated elastic body which is form-elastic and takes on the form of a spiral S in the force-free state. The spiral can be drawn by a reverse winding up into an insertion instrument which is only insubstantially larger in the insertion region than the cross-section of the elongated elastic body in order to reach the inner space of an intervertebral disc through a small opening in the annulus fibrosus and to push in and sever off the self-winding spiral when the interior is filled. This has the advantage that inner spaces of differing sizes can be filled with the same spiral.

An implant consisting of several support members (7), which are produced from an elastic plastic, is provided as a replacement for a part, which is no longer capable of bearing loads, of the core region of an intervertebral disk (3). The support members (7) are inserted one after the other into a central cavity (5) constructed in the core region by means of a tube (6) passing through an outer annular region (4) of the intervertebral disk (3) until said cavity is filled. When the cavity (5) becomes clogged with the filling members (7), they become deposited on the boundary walls of the annular region (4) and against one another and are elastically deformed under stress. Accordingly a universal implant which can be adapted to cavities (5) of any shape, and which forms a relatively compact, elastic support structure, can be achieved.

Intervertebral prosthesis and a process for implanting such a prosthesis

The invention discloses a fastening system for pedicel screws anchorable in different vertebrae. The spherical screw heads lie in spherical shells of apertured counter-bodies. The counter-bodies have planar support surfaces which lie on a supporting link in the region of elongate holes. A screw element is provided in the axial direction of each pedicel screw and is pivotably journalled at the supporting link with a spherical support surface arranged in the region of the elongate hole. The pedicel screws are generally skewed relative to one another and can, when account is taken of the nature of the bone, be rigidly connected to the supporting links via the screw elements due to the fact that the support surfaces can be clamped against one another in a self-locking manner on pedicel screws which are positioned inclined relative to the support surfaces.

Fastening system for pedicel screws

Process for implanting an invertebral prosthesis

The artificial intervertebral disk member (1) consists of an upper (2) and a lower (3) support, which are attached in the adjacent vertebrae (32, 33), and of an elastic separator (4). The separator is constructed as a separate insert part (5), which can be inserted from outside into the final position (E) and can be fixed there. The upper support (2) is securely connected to the lower support (3) via the elastic separator (4). This produces a 'patient-friendly' implant which can be optimally adapted and revised to suit the patients.

Artificial intervertebral disk member

An intervertebral disk prosthesis is described which with respect to its external dimensions imitates a natural intervertebral disk and connects two adjacent vertebrae to their upper and lower attachment surfaces. The intervertebral disk member is made of one piece from a strong, elastically deformable material and comprises parallel slits at a right angle to the connecting axis which partially overlap. In overlapping regions adjacent slits form parts of leaf springs for the transmission of forces from one attachment surface of the prosthesis to the other attachment surface.

Intervertebral disk prosthesis

The prosthesis has a valve at one end formed of a fixed base and a coiler body which is able to rotate on the base. A flexible elastic body defining a hollow chamber extends from the coiler body and is able to receive filling medium via the valve. A compact strand extends from the free end of the elastic body. An instrument is provided for implanting the prosthesis between two vertebrae along with a drive belt for rotating the coiler body about the fixed base and, thus the elastic body about the coiler body. Filling of the elastic body takes place after coiling.

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Wil, Switzerland

Walter Baumgartner