EP2779953A2

EP2779953A2 - Spinal intervertebral implant

Info

Publication number: EP2779953A2
Application number: EP12816484.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thierry Marnay; Jean-François LIMITO; Eric ZAMBIASI
Original assignee: Prosteel SAS
Current assignee: Prosteel SAS
Priority date: 2011-11-17
Filing date: 2012-11-19
Publication date: 2014-09-24
Also published as: US9655742B2; WO2013072582A3; FR2982764B1; FR2982764A1; US20140336771A1; WO2013072582A2

Abstract

A spinal intervertebral implant, intended to be inserted between two successive vertebral bodies, comprising: - a volume (1) defining a lower face (2) and an upper face (3), a front face (4), and a rear face (5), and two side faces (6, 7) linking the two lower (2) and upper (3) faces, - first (8) and second (9) angled through-holes formed in the volume (1) in such a way as to open, at the two respective ends thereof, on the front face (4) and the lower (2) and upper (3) faces of the volume (1), respectively, - a first oblong attachment body (10) for attaching the volume (1), greater in length than the first angled hole (8), capable of engaging by front longitudinal insertion into the latter for implantation in the vertebral body adjacent to the lower face (2) of the volume (1), - a second oblong attachment body (11) for attaching the volume (1), greater in length than the second angled hole (9), capable of engaging by front longitudinal insertion into the latter for implantation in the vertebral body adjacent to the upper face (3) of the volume (1), - the first (8) and second (9) angled through-holes intersecting in such a way that one (11) of said first (10) and second (11) oblong attachment bodies forms a means for locking the other (10) of the first (10) and second (11) oblong attachment bodies, once the first (10) and second (11) oblong attachment bodies are in position in the first (8) and second (9) angled holes, respectively.

Description

Intervertebral spinal implant

The present invention relates to an intervertebral spinal implant, intended to be inserted between two successive vertebral bodies, comprising:

- a volume defining at least:

a lower face, an upper face, in opposition to one another so as to be respectively brought into contact with the two successive vertebral bodies,

an anterior face, a posterior face, and two lateral faces, connecting the two lower and upper faces,

a first inclined and through hole formed in the volume so as to open at its two ends respectively on the anterior face and the lower face of the volume,

a second inclined and through hole formed in the volume so as to open at its two ends respectively on the anterior face and the upper face of the volume,

a first oblong body for fixing the volume, of greater length than that of the first inclined hole, capable of cooperating by longitudinal insertion before in the latter with a view to its implantation in the vertebral body adjacent to the lower face of the volume,

- A second oblong body for fixing the volume, of greater length than the second inclined hole, adapted to cooperate by longitudinal insertion before in the latter for its implantation in the vertebral body adjacent to the upper face of the volume.

The prior art teaches such implants generally called intervertebral cages: Such implants are essentially intended to allow the arthrodesis of the two vertebrae between which is placed the implant. The cage generally comprises a central housing which communicates the upper and lower faces of the cage and in which is housed a graft intended to ensure an interbody fusion. In particular, cervical and lumbar intervertebral cages are available. The intervertebral cage is intended to be housed in place of the intervertebral disc.

Such implants are for example known from documents FR 2 727 003, EP 2

368,528.

A problem posed by these implants is the maintenance in place of the bodies of fixation once they have been inserted into the vertebral bodies. In general, these fastening bodies may be of the screw type that is implanted by screwing, or of the rod, ankle or the like type having a penetrating end, which is implanted by the fiches in the vertebral bodies through their housing in the cage. The advantage of a fastening body of the screw type lies in its great ability to remain in its housing once implanted, but a disadvantage exists in the installation time which is relatively long because of the rotational movement required by the screwing all the fixing bodies. The advantage of a fastening body of the rod, ankle or the like type resides in its speed of implementation by a simple rapid movement of translation, but a disadvantage is that the fixing body can be driven out of its position. housing by a reverse movement after its introduction, especially before the two vertebrae are welded to each other under the effect of the graft.

The applicant has made a cage for intercervical implantation, securing by means of rods stuck in the vertebral bodies, which are locked in their housing in the cage by means of an anterior plate which is set up by clipping on the cage and covers the heads of the fixation rods to prevent any backward movement of these rods once they have been implanted. However, the introduction of this anterior plate locking rods can be problematic in some applications, particularly lumbar intervertebral applications whose previous access is not easy, particularly because of the presence of blood conduits in this area anterior lumbar vertebrae.

The present invention essentially makes it possible to overcome these disadvantages. More specifically, it consists of an intervertebral spinal implant as defined above, which is characterized in that said first and second inclined holes therethrough intersect so that one of said first and second elongate fastening bodies constitutes a first means locking the other of said first and second elongated fastening bodies, once said first and second fastening bodies in place in the first and second inclined holes, respectively.

Thus, according to the invention, one of the fastening body at least locks the other so that the fastening body which is locked by the other can be a body that does not plug, the rod type, so quick to implant, all enjoying a lock automatic by the implantation of the other fixing body, thus proposing a speed of implementation while providing locking efficiency for at least one of the fasteners without additional time, and while avoiding the need for an additional locking member. The first and second inclined holes may result in an antero-frontal portion of the anterior surface of the volume for antero-frontal implantation of the fixation bodies, or on an anterolateral portion thereof for anterolateral implantation. fixing bodies.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the intervertebral spinal implant according to the invention also comprises:

a third inclined and through hole formed in the volume so as to open at its two ends respectively on an anterolateral part of said front face and on said lower face of the volume,

a fourth inclined and through hole formed in the volume so as to open at its two ends respectively on said anterolateral part of said anterior face and on said upper face of the volume,

said third and fourth inclined through holes intersecting each other so that said one of said first and second elongated fastening bodies constitutes a first means of locking the other of said first and second elongated fastening bodies, once said first and second oblong fixing bodies in place in said third and fourth inclined holes, respectively.

This feature offers an additional possibility of anterolateral implantation of the fixation bodies into two additional holes arranged anterolaterally on the volume, when the antero-frontal implantation of the fixation bodies in first and second antero-frontal holes is not possible or is less easy.

According to an advantageous characteristic, said one of the first and second elongate fastening bodies constitutes a first locking means of the other of said first and second elongated fastening bodies, once said first and second elongated bodies in place in the first and second holes. inclined through, respectively, or in the third and fourth inclined holes traversing, respectively, via a first obstacle connection, said one of said first and second elongated fastening bodies constituting a rear stop for the other of said first and second oblong bodies of fixing, preventing its longitudinal displacement back.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the intervertebral spinal implant according to the invention further comprises a second blocking means for blocking, in the volume, said one of the first and second elongated fastening bodies constituting said first locking means of the other of said first and second oblong fixing bodies, once said first and second oblong bodies in place in the first and second inclined holes, respectively, or in the third and fourth inclined holes therethrough, respectively.

According to an advantageous characteristic, said second locking means comprises a frictional connection of one of the first and second elongated fastening bodies to the other of said first and second elongated fastening bodies.

According to an advantageous characteristic, which is an alternative to the preceding one, said second locking means comprises a clipping connection of one of the first and second elongate fastening bodies to the volume or the other of said first and second elongated fastening bodies.

According to an advantageous characteristic, which is an alternative to the preceding one, said second blocking means comprises an obstacle connection obtained by a ½ turn rotation about its longitudinal axis of said one of the first and second oblong fixing bodies after having been longitudinally depressed in its inclined hole through, locking in this position said one of the first and second oblong body fixing in the volume.

According to an advantageous characteristic relating to the second locking means based on a frictional connection, said second locking means comprises a through hole made in said one of the first and second elongated fastening bodies, which is aligned with the inclined through hole in which the Another of said first and second elongated fastener bodies is inserted when said one of the first and second elongated fastener bodies is abutted in its through slanted hole.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the preceding, said second locking means comprises a conical assembly consisting of:

said through-hole, of conical shape, made in said one of the first and second oblong fixing bodies, and

- a conical head made at one end of the other of said first and second body oblong fixing.

According to an advantageous characteristic, at least one of said first and second oblong fixing body consists of a screw.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the preceding one, one of said first and second elongated fastening body consists of a longitudinally seated anchor, and the other of said first and second elongated fastening bodies consists of a screw, said hole passing through being made in the oblong fixing body in the form of ankle.

The anchor to be driven is here an oblong fastening body which comprises a penetrating end of known type, for example, suitable for penetration into a vertebral bone body, for example a tapered, V-shaped, tapered end, or the like, which substantially terminates. on an edge, a point, or the like.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the preceding, said peg comprises a radial slot opening into said through hole of the peg, so that when the screw is inserted into its inclined hole, the portion of the peg forming the through hole is deviates at the end of screwing outward under the pressure of the conical assembly between the conical head of the screw and the conical hole of the ankle, to come flat against the volume.

According to an advantageous characteristic relative to the second locking means based on a clipping connection, said first and second elongated fastening bodies consist of a first and a second anchor to be driven, said clipping connection being made by means of a retention member formed in relief on the second peg to be driven and which extends transversely beyond the free passage section in the volume of the second dowel to be driven when the first dowel is in end depression position , so as to constitute a slight resistance to penetration, said retention member being made so that it is able:

elastically deforming with the volume assembly and first and second anchors to be driven during the driving of the second anchor, so that the retention member and the second anchor carrying it pass through said free passage section, and

- To cooperate at the end of driving with a stop formed on the volume, the entire volume and first and second pins to drive having in this position of end depression recaptured by elastic return, its original shape undeformed.

At the end of depression, said abutment formed on the volume cooperates with said retention member in order to prevent inadvertent longitudinal displacement of the second peg corresponding to a reverse displacement of that for the establishment of the fixing peg by depressing. By first and second anchors to be driven, here means the order of insertion of the anchors in the cage, it being understood that the first anchor to be driven may correspond to the first or second fastening body, as required; it's the same with the second peg to push.

According to an advantageous characteristic relating to the second blocking means based on an obstacle connection, one of said first and second oblong fixing body consists of a first peg to be driven, and the other of said first and second oblong fastening bodies. consists of a second anchor to be driven, the latter being provided with a head constituting the obstacle connection in cooperation with a housing of the volume in which it is pivoted at the end of driving, said head being provided with gripping means in rotation.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the preceding one, said head of the second peg comprises an elliptical-type cross section.

According to an advantageous characteristic, said one of the first and second elongated fastening bodies rotating ¼ of a turn about its longitudinal axis comprises an outer part which extends outside the volume when it is in position. depression adapted to pivot in its inclined through hole, said outer portion being adapted to be driven into the adjacent vertebral body and comprising:

a longitudinal central core,

a plurality of peripheral ribs each extending in a plane transverse to said longitudinal central core and whose periphery forms an ellipse, a plurality of cylindrical grooves, each separating two successive peripheral ribs.

This feature offers an oblong specific binding body, which, regardless of the application in the volume of the implant according to the invention, can offer improved fixation in any bone, the final quarter turn of the fixation body after being pressed into a bone body, coming to offer a synergy of compression of the bone material, in an area thereof not directly affected by the longitudinal depression of the fixing body. As a result, the retention force of the fixation body in the bone material is increased, particularly in the longitudinal direction of the elongated fixation body, which corresponds to the direction of depression. Such an oblong fixation body according to this characteristic can be applied in a conventional intervertebral spinal implant, as defined in the field of application of the present invention which is established at the beginning of the memory, to one and / or the other first and second fixing body, the volume may comprise for example separate and independent holes for each of the fastening bodies. In this case of application, the rotation of type ½ of a turn about the longitudinal axis of the first or second elongated fastening body is made after having longitudinally pressed said elongated body into its inclined through hole, locking in this position said first or second body oblong fixing in the volume. Such an oblong fastening body according to this feature is for example constituted by a peg to be driven, the latter being provided with a head constituting an obstacle connection in cooperation with a housing of the volume in which it is pi passed in the end depressing, said head being provided with rotating means.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the volume takes the form of an intervertebral cage having a central housing opening on the lower and upper faces, adapted to accommodate a graft in contact with the two successive vertebral bodies between which said intervertebral spinal implant is intended to be inserted.

The graft makes it possible, in known manner, to obtain the interbody fusion between the two successive vertebrae between which the cage is implanted.

Other features will appear on reading the following several examples of embodiment of an intervertebral spinal implant according to the invention, accompanied by the accompanying drawings, examples given by way of non-limiting illustration.

FIG. 1 represents a left, partial and exploded anterolateral perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a spinal implant. intervertebral according to the invention, the view being described as partial in that only one of the fasteners has been shown.

Figure 2 shows the perspective view of the example of Figure 1, in which the two fastening bodies have been shown, the fastener body shown in Figure 1 being in place in the volume in its antero-frontal housing.

FIG. 3 represents the perspective view according to FIG. 2, in which the two fastening bodies have been represented in place in the volume in their respective antero-frontal housings.

FIG. 4 represents a right anterolateral perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment of an implant according to the invention, in which the two fixation bodies have been represented in place in the anterolateral fixation holes of the volume.

Figure 5 shows a sagittal sectional view of Figure 3 along the longitudinal axis of the fasteners.

Figure 6 shows a front sectional view of Figure 3, taken at the heads of the fasteners.

FIG. 7 represents a perspective view from below in the axis of the second fixing hole, of the single volume according to the first example of an implant represented in FIGS. 1 to 6.

FIG. 8 represents a perspective view from above in the axis of the first fixing hole, of the volume alone according to the first example of an implant represented in FIGS. 1 to 6.

FIG. 9 represents a left, partial and exploded anterolateral perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of an intervertebral spinal implant according to the invention, the view being qualified as partial in that only one of the fixation has been shown.

Figure 10 shows the perspective view of the example of Figure 9, in which the two fastening bodies have been shown, the fastener shown in Figure 9 being in place in the volume in its antero-frontal housing.

Figure 11 shows the perspective view according to Figure 10, in which the two fastening bodies have been shown in place in the volume in their respective antero-frontal housings. FIG. 12 represents a right anterolateral perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment of an implant according to the invention, in which the two fixation bodies have been represented in place in the anterolateral fixation holes of the volume.

Figure 13 shows a sagittal sectional view of Figure 11 along the longitudinal axis of the fasteners.

Figure 14 shows a front sectional view of Figure 11, taken at the heads of the fasteners.

FIG. 15 represents a perspective view from below in the axis of the second fixing hole, of the single volume according to the second example of implant represented in FIGS. 9 to 14.

FIG. 16 represents a perspective view from above in the axis of the first fixing hole, of the single volume according to the second example of implant represented in FIGS. 9 to 14.

FIG. 17 represents a left, partial and exploded anterolateral perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of an intervertebral spinal implant according to the invention, the view being qualified as partial in that only one of the fixation has been shown.

Figure 18 shows the perspective view of the example of Figure 17, in which the two fastening bodies have been shown, the fastener shown in Figure 17 being in place in the volume in its antero-frontal housing.

FIG. 19 represents the perspective view according to FIG. 18, in which the two fastening bodies have been represented in place in the volume in their respective front-to-front housings, the first fastening body being shown after driving without having been Locked.

Fig. 20 shows a right anterolateral perspective view of the example according to Fig. 19, in which the first fastener body has been shown in the locked position in the volume.

FIG. 21 represents a right anterolateral perspective view of the third exemplary embodiment of an implant according to the invention, on which the two fastening bodies have been represented in place in the anterolateral fixation holes of the volume, the first body being locked. Figure 22 shows a sagittal sectional view of Figure 19 along the longitudinal axis of the fasteners.

Figure 23 shows a front sectional view of Figure 19, taken at the heads of the fasteners.

FIG. 24 represents a perspective view from below in the axis of the second fixing hole, of the single volume according to the third example of an implant represented in FIGS. 17 to 23.

FIG. 25 represents a perspective view from above in the axis of the first fixing hole, of the single volume according to the third example of an implant represented in FIGS. 17 to 23.

The intervertebral spinal implant shown in Figures 1 to 8 is intended to be inserted between two successive vertebral bodies (not shown), more particularly at the lumbar level, between two lumbar vertebrae. The represented implant comprises:

a volume 1 or intervertebral cage defining at least:

a lower face 2 and an upper face 3 in opposition to one another so as to be respectively brought into contact with the two successive vertebral bodies,

an anterior face 4, a posterior face 5, and two lateral faces 6 and 7, connecting the two lower 2 and upper 3 faces,

a first inclined and through hole formed in the volume 1 so as to open at its two ends respectively on the anterior face 4 and the lower face 2 of the volume 1,

a second inclined and through hole formed in the volume 1 so as to open at its two ends respectively on the front face 4 and the upper face 3 of the volume 1,

a first oblong body for fixing the volume 1, of greater length than that of the first inclined hole, able to cooperate by longitudinal insertion before in the latter so as to be implanted in the vertebral body adjacent to the lower face 2 of the volume 1

a second oblong body for fixing the volume 1, of greater length than the second inclined hole, capable of cooperating by longitudinal insertion before in the latter so as to be implanted in the vertebral body adjacent to the upper face; 3 of volume 1.

Three perpendicular planes are defined with respect to volume 1: a frontal plane Pf, a transverse plane Pt, and a sagittal plane Ps, for example as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Planes parallel to those shown also enter of course. in the definition above.

According to the invention, the first 8 and second 9 inclined through holes intersect so that one 11 of the first 10 and second 11 elongated fastening bodies constitutes a first locking means of the other 10 of the first 10 and second 11 oblong fixing bodies, once the first 10 and second 11 oblong fastening bodies in place in the first 8 and second 9 inclined holes, respectively, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The upper 3 and lower 2 surfaces each comprise in a known manner serrations substantially parallel to each other and parallel to the front and rear faces 4 of the volume 1, the sagittal section of which is designed so as to prevent in a known manner a movement of the cage opposite to that of its insertion between the vertebrae; either in the example shown with an outlet holes on the front face of the volume, inclined teeth 31 whose inclination is directed towards the front face thereof, as more particularly shown in Figure 5. The volume 1 adopts all known shapes and external dimensions according to the intervertebral implantation according to the needs, in the lumbar example. Upper 3 and lower 2 surfaces may be slightly convex, as shown.

According to FIGS. 1 to 8, the volume 1 adopts the shape of an intervertebral cage preferably having, in known manner, a central housing opening on the lower 2 and upper 3 faces, capable of housing a graft in contact with the two bodies. vertebrae (not shown) between which the intervertebral spinal implant is intended to be inserted.

In the example and as shown more particularly in FIG. 5, the first 8 and second 9 holes respectively form an angle of preference between 25 ° and 50 °, preferably around 35 ° with a transverse plane Pt of the volume. 1. This angle represents the angle of penetration of the fastening body 10, 11 corresponding in the vertebra.

The first 8 and second 9 holes open on the antero-frontal portion 38 of the anterior face 4 of volume 1.

The first 8 and second 9 holes advantageously have respectively a first 32 and a second 33 main longitudinal axes of orientation and guiding of the fixing bodies, which are arranged in the same plane Ps, as shown more particularly in FIG. 6, and which form between them an angle preferably between 50 ° and 100 °, preferably around 70 °.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the inclined holes 8 and 9, and more particularly their constituent walls, intersect in an area of volume 1 close to the front face 4 thereof, the first 32 and second 33 major longitudinal axes of the holes 8, 9 intersecting a little ahead of the front face 4, as shown in Figure 5.

The oblong fixing bodies 10, 11 penetrate into the inclined holes 8 and 9 respectively, by the opening of these holes on the front face 4 of the volume 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which the first oblong body is shown in the input position in the first hole 8 (Figure 1), and the second body 11 oblong and is shown in the input position in the second hole 9.

As will be explained in more detail below, in the example of FIGS. 1 to 8, the first elongate body 10 is placed in its hole before the second oblong body 11, the latter blocking the first elongate body 10 in its housing.

In the example of FIGS. 1 to 8, it is the second oblong fastening body 11 which constitutes a first locking means for the first oblong fastening body 10, once the first 10 and second 11 oblong fastening bodies have been in place in the first 8 and second 9 inclined holes traversing, respectively, via a first connection by. obstacle, the second oblong fastening body 11 constituting a rear stop for the first oblong fastening body 10, preventing its rear longitudinal displacement. FIG. 5 illustrates well this situation, on which it can be seen that the presence of the second fastening body 11 prevents the rearward withdrawal of the first fastening body from its hole 8 along the longitudinal axis 32, since the head of the second oblong body 11 fastening prevents such a rearward movement of the body 10.

As shown in FIG. 5 more particularly, the central housing 15 opening on the bottom 2 and upper faces 3 will be made in such a way that there remains enough material constituting the volume 1 for the formation of the holes 8 and 9 in the front part of the volume.

The intervertebral spinal implant shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 advantageously furthermore comprises a second locking means 12 for locking, in the volume 1, the second oblong attachment body 11 constituting the first locking means of the first oblong fastening body. , once the first 10 and second 1 1 oblong bodies in place in the first 8 and second 9 inclined holes, respectively.

This second blocking means 12 comprises in the example of FIGS. 1 to 8, a friction connection 30, of the second oblong attachment body on the first oblong fastening body, as explained in detail below as an example. of this second blocking means.

The second blocking means 12 comprises, for example, a through-hole 13 formed in the first elongate fastener body, which is aligned with the second inclined-through hole 9 in which the second elongated fastener body is inserted when the first body oblong fixing is inserted in abutment in its inclined hole 8 through, as shown in Figure 5. This hole 13 and its coaxial arrangement to the second hole 9 inclined, provides a rear locking means of the first body 10 of attachment.

In addition, the second locking means advantageously comprises a conical assembly consisting of:

the through-hole 13, of conical shape, made in the first oblong fastening body, and

a conical head 14 made at one end of the second oblong fastening body 11 is inserted.

In the example of FIGS. 1 to 8, the second oblong fastening body is advantageously constituted by a screw 11.

Preferably, in this first embodiment of the implant, the first oblong fastening body consists of an anchor 10 to be inserted longitudinally, whereas the second elongated fastening body 11 consists of the screw 11, the hole 13 thus being able to operate the second means 12 for locking by rotation of the screw 11 in the vertebra, this screw 11 coming into longitudinal abutment in said assembly. conical and thus determining the end of screwing, self- locking with one another the two bodies 10, 11 of attachment.

The pin 10 to be depressed preferably comprises a radial slot 16 opening into the hole 13 passing through the pin 10, as shown in the figures and more particularly in FIG. 6, so that when the screw 11 is inserted into its inclined hole 9, the part of the pin 10 forming the through hole 13 deviates at the end of screwing outward under the pressure of the conical assembly between the conical head 14 of the screw 11 and the conical hole 13 of the pin 10, for The radial slot 16 can extend longitudinally over a large part of the peg 10 and over its entire thickness, as represented for example in FIG. 6, in order to increase the plating effect of the pegs. two longitudinal branches thus formed of the ankle 10 against the volume 1.

In order to obtain good results of compactness and efficiency of the self-locking system of the two fixing bodies 10, 11, as well as good stability of the implant once in place, the first body Anchor-shaped fastening strap 10 preferably adopts a rectangular-type cross-section whose length is large in front of the width, as shown. This rectangular section of pin 10 is preferably oriented so that the great length of the section is perpendicular to the plane Ps formed by the longitudinal axes 32, 33 of the inclined holes 8 and 9. The pin 10 is tapered at its distal end 34 to provide better impact penetration into the bone body. The sides of the ankle which are defined by the width of the rectangular section thereof preferably respectively bear serrations, in order to improve the retention of the ankle 10 in the bone body. The peg 10 has for example a head 35 of rectangular cross-section extending from the main peg body, but forming an angle therewith, so that the head 35 of the peg 10 forms an angle of 0 ° at 20 °, preferably about 10 °, with the front face of the volume 1 or a frontal plane Pf of the latter, as shown more particularly in FIG. 5. The volume 1 comprises a housing 36 formed on the anterior face 4, which allows to embed the head 35 of the pin 10 in the volume 1 at the end of depression thereof, and thus achieve the desired plating effect against the side walls of the housing 36, the head 35 split into two by the slot 16, at the end of screwing screw 11. In the example shown in Figures 1 to 8, the housing 36 is both part of the housing hole 8 of the fixing body 10, and a portion of the housing hole 9 of the second body 11 of attachment. In the example shown, and as shown in Figure 5 more particularly, only a small portion of the head 14 of the screw 11 and the head 35 of the pin 10 protrudes outside the housing 36 in the front face 4 of the volume 1.

The head of the screw 11 is provided with a known type of gripping means for a screwing tool (not shown), for example a hollow recess 37 for gripping and rotating the screw 11. The screw 11 has a thread of known type and an end tip preferably self-tapping, both also of known type for this type of application.

The implant shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, further advantageously comprises: a third inclined and through hole formed in the volume 1 so as to open at its two ends respectively on an anterolateral part 26 of the anterior surface 4 and on the lower face 2 of the volume 1,

a fourth inclined and through hole formed in the volume 1 so as to open at its two ends respectively on the anterolateral part 26 of the anterior face 4 and on the upper face 3 of the volume 1.

The third 25 and fourth 27 intersecting sloping holes intersect such that the second elongate fastening body constitutes a first locking means of the first fastening elongated body once the first and second oblong fastening bodies are in place. in the third 25 and fourth 27 inclined holes, respectively.

The third 25 and fourth 27 inclined holes are identical respectively to the first 8 and second 9 inclined holes, and arranged between them in the same manner as the latter. These third 25 and fourth angled holes provide a second possibility of attachment of the implant with the first and second elongate fixation bodies, additionally or alternatively, from anterolateral access, the first 8 and second 9 inclined holes with antero-frontal access. It should be noted that FIG. 5 is suitable for a representation of a sagittal section along the longitudinal axis of the fastening bodies 10, 11 of FIG. 4 on which these fastening bodies are located in the third 25 and fourth 27 inclined holes. . The outlets of the first 8 and second 9 holes tilted in part 38 anteroom- front of the anterior face 4 on the one hand, and the outlets of the third 25 and fourth 27 holes inclined at anterolateral part of the anterior face 4 on the other hand, are distinct and do not interfere. The anterolateral portion 26 of the anterior surface 4 forms an angle with respect to the anteroprontal portion 38 of the anterior surface 4, for example a value preferably between 15 ° and 35 °, preferably 25 °.

In FIG. 7, the right circular cross section, in the open, smooth example, of the second inclined hole 9, in which the screw 10 can slide to its conical head 14, and in FIG. rectangular closed and smooth rectangular section of the first inclined hole 8 in which the pin 10 can slide until its head 35 abuts in the housing 36. The rectangular hole 8 with its housing portion 36 of the head of the ankle 10, also of rectangular cross-section, forms with the ankle a very compact assembly which securely holds the cage relative to the lower vertebra. The hole 9 is partially open longitudinally for dimensional reasons of space and given the secant nature of the holes 8 and 9 inclined. This longitudinal opening towards the top of the inclined hole 9 is compensated by the fact that the screw 11 passes through the peg 10 which thus contributes to the strength of the screw connection 11 and volume L. Of course, as indicated above, and as shown in FIGS. Figures 7 and 8, the holes 25 and 27 have the same configuration.

The implant according to FIGS. 1 to 8 operates in the following way:

the operator inserts between two vertebrae the volume 1, this in known manner, by an earlier access, by means of an insertion instrument (not shown) of the intersomatic cage carrier type, in engagement with the volume 1, for example after filling the housing with a graft,

- The operator then places the pin 10 by a longitudinal depression of the front to the rear thereof, by means of an insertion instrument (not shown) of the impactor type via the opening in the front face 4 of the hole 8 or 25 of the ankle 10, in the lower vertebral bone body (not shown), until the pin 10 abuts in the housing 36 of the hole 8 or 25 formed in the volume 1; at this stage of implantation of the implant, the hole 13 passing through the pin 10 disposed at a proximal end thereof is in alignment with the hole 9 or 27 of the screw 11 formed in volume 1,

- The operator then places the screw 11 by helical depression thereof from the front to the back, by screwing it by means of an insertion instrument (not shown) of known type, via the conical hole 13 of the ankle 10 and via its hole 9 or 27 in the volume 1, until the conical head 14 of the screw 11 abuts in the corresponding conical hole 13 of the ankle 10 in which it bears at the end of stroke after tightening, the screw 11 and the pin 10 are thus self-locked one part another in the volume 1.

The second exemplary embodiment of the spinal implant intervertebral according to the invention will now be described with the help of Figures 9 to 16.

The second example implant shown in FIGS. 9 to 16 differs essentially from the first example shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 by the shape of the two oblong fixing bodies and their respective cooperation portions with the implant volume, essentially their holes. inclined. In this second example, the same reference numerals as those of the first example of FIGS. 1 to 8, added with the number 100, were used for the same elements assuming the same functions. We can therefore refer, for the second example of Figures 9 to 16, to what has been said for these elements throughout the description above made with the help of Figures 1 to 8.

In this second example, the second locking means 112 as defined above comprises a clipping connection 140 of the second 111 elongated fastening body on the volume 101. The two oblong fixing bodies 110 and 111 consist of two anchors to be driven in. , respectively.

The first 110 and second 111 oblong fastening bodies thus advantageously consist of a first 110 and a second 111 pins to be driven, the clipping connection 140 being made by means of a retention member 141 formed in relief on the second 111 pin to push and extending transversely beyond the free passage section in the volume of the second 111 pin to push when the first 110 peg is in the end position of depression, so to constitute a slight resistance to depression, the retention member 141 being constructed so that it is able to:

- To deform elastically with the set volume 101 and first 110 and second 111 pins to be driven during the depression of the second 111 ankle, so that the retention member 141 and the second 111 ankle bearing it cross said free passage section, and

- To cooperate at the end of depression with a stop 142 formed on the volume 101, the entire volume 101 and first 110 and second 11 11 pegs to be driven in this position end depression recoil by elastic return, its shape initial undeformed, as shown in Figure 13 more particularly.

The pegs 110 and 111 have for example rounded or substantially rounded cross-sections, the first peg 110 having straight side faces, as shown in the figures, connecting along its length an equally flat upper face and a rounded lower face. The second pin 111 has a substantially circular cross section having a longitudinal flat along its length. The outer surface of the pins 110 and 111 preferably has external retention grooves in the bone body, on their respective parts which are projecting from the volume 101 at the end of depression. The pins 110 and 111 have respective penetrating distal ends, for example pointed or substantially pointed.

As for the first example, the first 108 and second 109 holes advantageously have respectively a first 132 and a second 133 main longitudinal axes of orientation and guidance of the fastening bodies, which are arranged in the same plane Ps, as shown in FIG. particularly in Figure 14, and which form between them an angle preferably between 50 ° and 100 °, preferably around 70 °.

The holes 108 and 109 intersect in the anterior zone of the volume 101, close to the anterior face 104. The longitudinal axes 132, 133 of the holes 108 and 109 intersect a little in front of the anterior face 104, as FIGS. 15 and 16 show more particularly the respective straight transverse sections of the second hole 109 and first hole 108.

The proximal faces of the pins 110 and 111 are for example flat and inclined so as to be aligned or substantially aligned with the front face 104 of the volume 101 at the end of depression, as shown in Figure 13 more particularly. The end of depression of the pegs 110 and 111 is determined respectively for example by aligning the proximal faces of said pins 110 and 111 with the part of the anterior face concerned, that is to say the antero-frontal portion 104 or the anterolateral portion 126 of the volume 101. This alignment is obtained for example by means of the tool of the type of impactor setting up pegs.

The retention member 141 of the second pin 111 may, for example, consist of an inclined ramp whose start directed towards the distal end of the pin 111 coincides with the lower flat of the pin 111, and whose end directed towards the proximal end of the ankle 111 forms by connecting this flat an abrupt pan adapted to bear a longitudinal rear against the stop 142 formed on the volume 101, as shown in Figure 13.

A similar retention member 145 may be advantageously arranged on the first pin 110, more particularly on the upper flat face thereof, cooperating with a stop 146 formed in correspondence on the volume 101, as shown in FIG. retention member 145 can serve to maintain the first peg 110 the placement time of the second pin 111 which locks the first peg 110 when the proximal portion of the second peg 111 is placed at the end of depression in rear abutment of the first pin 110 as shown in Figures 1 1 to 14. After the placement of the second pin 111, the retention member 145 strengthens the connection between the first pin 110 and the volume 101.

The pins 110 and 111 are placed by longitudinal insertion, for example by means of an impactor type tool (not shown), the first pin 110 being placed before the second pin 111 which closes the entrance of the first hole 108 and thus prevent any return back of the first pin 110 once it depressed. Generally, the impactor type tool is used to intrinsically define the abutment abutment of the two pins, respectively.

The end of depression of the pins 110 and 111 can be obtained when the proximal face of the pins comes flush in turn the front surface 104 of the volume 101. At this moment, a click occurs for each peg, corresponding to the reset position initial of the set volume 101 and pins 110, 111 having in this end depression position taken up this initial position by elastic return when each retention member 141 and 145 passes in turn the stop 142 and 146, respectively, formed on volume 101.

As for the first example, the volume 101 has two additional inclined holes 125 and 127 disposed on an anterolateral portion of the anterior surface 104 of the volume 101, for anterolateral access of the ankles.

The third exemplary embodiment of the intervertebral spinal implant according to the invention will now be described with the help of FIGS. 17 to 25.

The third example of an implant shown in FIGS. 17 to 25 differs essentially from the first example shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 by the shape and arrangement of the two oblong fixing bodies and their respective cooperation portions with the volume of FIG. implant, basically their inclined holes. In this third example, the same reference numerals as those of the first example of FIGS. 1 to 8, plus the number 200, have been used for the same elements assuming the same functions. Therefore, for this third example of FIGS. 9 to 16, it will be possible to refer to what has been said for these elements throughout the description made above, using FIGS. 1 to 8.

According to this third example, the first 210 and second 211 oblong fastening bodies adopt the shape of a first and a second anchor to be driven, respectively. However, it differs from the first and second examples in that the second pin 211 which opens on the upper face 203 of the volume 201, is the first to be put in place, the first pin 210 which opens on the underside 202 of the volume 201 being the second peg to be depressed.

In addition, this third example differs from the second example in that the second locking means 212 comprises an obstacle connection 250 obtained by a ¼ turn rotation about its longitudinal axis of the first oblong fastening body 210 after having been depressed. longitudinally in its inclined hole 208 through, locking in this position the second oblong body 211 for fixing in the volume 201.

Thus, according to this third example, the second oblong 211 fastening body consists of a first anchor 211 to be driven in, and the first oblong fastening body 210 consists of a second anchor 210 to be driven, the latter being provided with a head 253 constituting the obstacle connection 250 in cooperation with a housing of the volume 201 in which it is pivoted at the end of depression, said head 253 being provided with means 251 for rotating.

Preferably, the head 253 of the second ankle 210 has a cross section of elliptical type.

The first peg 211 to adopt for example adopts a cylindrical shape having a circular cross section with a distal recess in the bone body having circular grooves 260 retention, and a distal end substantially shaped tip. The proximal end of the first peg 211 to be adopted adopts, for example, a cylindrical concave shape with a circular or elliptical cross-section, complementary to that opposite the second peg 210 to be pushed in at the end of the insertion thereof. FIG. 24 shows the circular cross-section of the hole 209 which receives the anchor 211.

The second peg 210, for example, adopts an elliptical straight cross-section at its proximal end, then extending towards the distal end, a straight cross section which widens while remaining of elliptical cross-section and having peripheral ribs 256 and cylindrical grooves 257 interposed, as indicated below.

At the end of depression of the pin 210, the head 253 is fully embedded in the volume 201. In order to allow the locking of the head 253 in the volume 201 by rotation, the hole 208 adopts an inlet section via the anterior face 204 of elliptical shape which allows the passage of the hole through the head 253, as shown in FIG. 25, to be crossed. The hole 208 has a circular recess towards the rear whose diameter is at least equal to the length of the ellipse, which allows the rotation of the elliptical head in this housing when the head has crossed the elliptical entrance. The remainder of the rearward hole 208 adopts a section adapted to allow the rotation of the ankle according to the chosen section of the ankle under the head.

Preferably, as shown more particularly in FIG. 22, the first elongate fastening body 210 rotating ¼ of a turn about its longitudinal axis has an outer distal portion 255 which extends out of the volume. 201 when in a driving position pivotable in its inclined through hole 208, said distal outer portion 255 being adapted to be driven into the adjacent vertebral body and comprising: a longitudinal central core 258, for example a core with a circular right cross-section,

a plurality of peripheral ribs 256 each extending in a plane transverse to said longitudinal central core 258 and whose periphery forms an ellipse,

a plurality of cylindrical grooves 257, each separating two successive peripheral ribs 256.

It should be noted that this shape of the distal portion of the pivoting pin 210 may be used in other embodiments of intervertebral implants in which an oblong fixation body is used, including in implants whose housing holes fixing bodies do not intersect, that is to say autonomous and independent housing holes of the fastening bodies.

As for the first and second exemplary embodiments, the first 208 and second 209 holes advantageously have respectively a first 232 and a second 233 longitudinal main axes of orientation and guidance of the fastening bodies, which are arranged in the same direction. plane Ps, as shown more particularly in Figure 23, and which form between them an angle preferably between 50 ° and 100 °, preferably around 70 °.

The holes 208 and 209 intersect in the anterior zone of the volume 201, close to the anterior face 204. The longitudinal axes 232, 233 of the holes 208 and 209 intersect themselves substantially at the front face 204, as shown in Fig. 22. Figs. 24 and 25 show more particularly the respective straight cross-sections of the second hole 209 and the first hole 208.

The pins 210 and 211 are placed by longitudinal insertion, for example by means of an impactor type tool (not shown), the second pin 211 being placed before the first pin 210 which closes the inlet of the second hole 209 and thus prevent any return back of the second pin 211 once it depressed. The peg 210 after being pressed into its housing, for example by means of its head 253, is rotated a quarter of a turn in order to lock it in the volume and to prevent any return back of this peg. The ankle 210 forms a rear stop for the ankle 211 and prevents the latter from coming out of its housing by a displacement that is the opposite of that of the insertion, by means of a obstacle link. Generally, the impactor type tool is used to intrinsically define the abutment abutment of the two pins, respectively.

As for the first and second examples, the volume 201 has two additional inclined holes 225 and 227 disposed on an anterolateral portion of the anterior surface 204 of the volume 201, for anterolateral access of the ankles.

The implant shown in the figures, volume and fixing body, can be made of a transparent radio material, for example a thermoplastic such as PEEK (polyetheretherketone), or in a radiopaque material, for example a metallic material such as a biocompatible alloy based on titanium.

Claims

An intervertebral spinal implant intended to be inserted between two successive vertebral bodies, comprising:

a volume (1, 101, 201) defining at least:

- a lower face (2, 102, 202) and an upper face (3, 103, 203) in opposition to each other so as to be respectively in contact with the two successive vertebral bodies,

an anterior face (4, 104, 204), a posterior face (5, 105, 205), and two lateral faces (6, 106, 206, 7, 107, 207), connecting the two lower faces (2, 102 , 202) and upper (3, 103, 203),

- a first (8, 108, 208) inclined and through hole formed in the volume (1, 101, 201) so as to open at its two ends respectively on the front face (4, 104, 204) and the lower face ( 2, 102, 202) of the volume (1, 101, 201),

- a second (9, 109, 209) inclined and through hole formed in the volume (1, 101, 201) so as to open at its two ends respectively on the front face (4, 104, 204) and the upper face ( 3, 103, 203) of the volume (1, 101, 201),

a first (10, 110, 210) oblong body for fixing the volume (1, 101, 201), of greater length than that of the first (8, 108, 208) inclined hole, able to cooperate by longitudinal insertion before in this last for implantation in the vertebral body adjacent to the lower face (2, 102, 202) of the volume (1, 101, 201),

- a second (11, 11, 211) oblong body for fixing the volume (1, 101, 201), of greater length than the second (9, 109, 209) inclined hole, adapted to cooperate by longitudinal insertion before in the latter for implantation in the vertebral body adjacent to the upper face (3, 103, 203) of the volume (1, 101, 201),

characterized in that said first (8, 108, 208) and second (9, 109, 209) through-angled holes intersect such that one (11, 111, 210) of said first (10, 110, 210) and second (11, 111, 211) elongate fastening means is a first locking means of the other (10, 110, 211) of said first (10, 110, 210) and second (11, 111, 211) oblong body fastening, once said first (10, 110, 210) and second (11, 111, 211) elongated fastening bodies in place in the first (8, 108, 208) and second (9, 109, 209) inclined holes , respectively.

The intervertebral spinal implant of claim 1, further comprising:

- a third (25, 125, 225) inclined and through hole formed in the volume (1, 101, 201) so as to open at its two ends respectively on an anterolateral part (26, 126, 226) of said anterior face ( 4, 104, 204) and on said lower face (2, 102, 202) of the volume (1, 101, 201),

a fourth (27, 127, 227) inclined and traversing hole formed in the volume (1, 101, 201) so as to open at its two ends respectively on said anterolateral part (26, 126, 226) of said anterior face ( 4, 104, 204) and on said upper face (3, 103, 203) of the volume (1, 101, 201),

said third (25, 125, 225) and fourth (27, 127, 227) intersecting sloping holes so that said one (11, 111, 210) of said first (10, 110, 210) and second (11, 111, 210) , 111, 211) oblong fixing body constitutes a first means of locking the other (10, 110, 211) of said first (10, 110, 210) and second (11, 111, 211) oblong fixing body, a said first (10, 110, 210) and second (11, 111, 211) oblong fastening bodies in place in said third (25, 125, 225) and fourth (27, 127, 227) inclined holes, respectively.

The intervertebral spinal implant according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said one (11, 111, 210) of the first (10, 110, 210) and second (11, 11 1, 211) oblong attachment bodies constitutes a first means. for blocking the other (10, 110, 211) of said first (10, 110, 210) and second (11, 111, 211) oblong fixing bodies, once said first (10, 110, 210) and second ( 11, 111, 211) oblong bodies in place in the first (8, 108, 208) and second (9, 109, 209) inclined through holes, respectively, or in the third (25, 125, 225) and fourth (27, , 127, 227) inclined holes traversing, respectively, via a first obstacle connection, said one (11, 111, 210) of said first (10, 110, 210) and second (11, 111, 211) oblong fastening bodies constituting a rear stop for the other (10, 110, 211) of said first (10, 110, 210) and second (11, 111, 211) oblong fixing body, preventing its rear longitudinal displacement.

The intervertebral spinal implant according to claim 3, further comprising a second blocking means (12, 112, 212) for locking, in the volume (1, 101, 201), said one (11, 111, 210) of the first (10, 110, 210) and second (11, 111, 211) oblong fixing body constituting said first blocking means of the other (10, 110, 211) of said first (10, 110, 210) and second (11, 110, 210) , 111, 211) oblong fixing bodies, once said first (10, 110, 210) and second (11, 111, 211) oblong body in place in the first (8, 108, 208) and second (9, 109 , 209) inclined holes, respectively, or in the third (25, 125, 225) and fourth (27, 127, 227) through-inclined holes, respectively.

An intervertebral spinal implant according to claim 4, wherein said second locking means (12) comprises a frictional connection (30) of said one

(I I) first (10) and second (11) oblong body attachment to the other (10) of said first (10) and second (11) oblong fastening bodies.

The intervertebral spinal implant according to claim 4, wherein said second blocking means (112) comprises a clip-on connection (140) of said one

(I I I) first (110) and second (111) oblong bodies for attachment to the volume (101) or the other (110) of said first (110) and second (111) oblong fastening bodies.

The intervertebral spinal implant according to claim 4, wherein said second locking means (212) comprises an obstacle connection (250) obtained by ¼ turn rotation about its longitudinal axis of said one (210) of the first one (210). 210) and second (211) oblong fastening body after being depressed longitudinally in its inclined hole (208, 225) therethrough, locking in this position said one (210) of the first (210) and second (211) oblong fastening bodies in the volume (201).

The intervertebral spinal implant according to claim 5, wherein said second locking means (12) comprises a through hole (13) formed in said one (10) of the first (10) and second (11) oblong attachment bodies, which is aligned with the inclined hole (9, 27) through which the other (11) of said first (10) and second (11) oblong fastening bodies is inserted, when said one (10) of the first (10) and second (11) body oblong fixing is inserted in abutment in its inclined hole (8, 25) through.

The intervertebral spinal implant according to claim 8, wherein said second locking means (12) comprises a conical assembly consisting of:

- said hole (13) through, conically shaped, made in said one (10) of the first (10) and second (1 1) oblong body attachment, and

- a conical head (14) made at one end of the other (1 1) of said first

(10) and second (11) oblong fixing bodies.

An intervertebral spinal implant according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one (11) of said first (10) and second (11) oblong fixation bodies is constituted by a screw.

The intervertebral spinal implant according to claim 10 and one of claims 8 and 9, taken together, wherein one (10) of said first (10) and second (11) oblong fixation bodies comprises an ankle. (10) to be depressed longitudinally, and the other (11) of said first (10) and second (11) oblong fixing body consists of a screw (11), said hole (13) passing through being formed in the oblong body ankle-shaped fixation device (10).

12. intervertebral spinal implant according to claim 1 1 when dependent on claim 9, wherein said peg (10) to be driven comprises a radial slot (16) opening into said hole (13) passing through the peg (10), such that when the screw (11) is inserted into its inclined hole (9, 27), the part of the pin (10) forming the through hole (13) deviates at the end of screwing outwards under the pressure of the conical assembly between the conical head (14) of the screw (11) and the conical hole (13) of the pin (10) to be pressed against the volume (1).

The intervertebral spinal implant of claim 6 wherein said first (110) and second (111) oblong fixing bodies consist of a first (110) and a second (111) anchor to be driven, said clipping link (140) being made by means of a retention (141) formed in relief on the second (11 1) anchor to be driven and extending transversely beyond the free passage section in the volume of the second (111) anchor to be driven when the first (110) ankle is in a position of end of depression, so as to constitute a slight resistance to the depression, said retention member (141) being made so that it is capable of:

to deform elastically with the volume assembly (101) and first (110) and second (111) pins to be driven during the driving of the second

(111) ankle, so that the retention member (141) and the second (111) ankle carrying it pass through said free passage section, and

- To cooperate at the end of depression with an abutment (142) formed on the volume (101), the volume assembly (101) and first (110) and second (111) anchors to be driven in this end position of depression recaptured, by elastic return, its initial form undistorted.

An intervertebral spinal implant according to claim 7, wherein one (211) of said first (210) and second (211) oblong fixation bodies is comprised of a first (211) peg, and the other (211) 210) of said first (210) and second (211) oblong fixing body consists of a second (210) pin to be driven, the latter being provided with a head (253) constituting the obstacle connection (250) in cooperation with a housing of the volume (201) in which it is pivoted at the end of depression, said head (253) being provided with means (251) for rotating.

The intervertebral spinal implant of claim 14, wherein said head (253) of the second (210) peg has an elliptical-like cross-section.

The intervertebral spinal implant according to any one of claims 7, 14 or 15, wherein said one (210) of the first (210) and second (211) body fastening oblongs rotating about ½ of a turn about its longitudinal axis has an outer portion (255) which extends out of the volume (201) when it is in the driving position pivotable in its inclined hole (208, 225) therethrough, said outer portion (255) being adapted to be sunk into the adjacent vertebral body and comprising:

a longitudinal central core (258),

a plurality of peripheral ribs (256) each extending in a plane transverse to said longitudinal central core (258) and whose periphery forms an ellipse,

a plurality of cylindrical grooves (257), each separating two successive peripheral ribs (256).

Intervertebral spinal implant according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the volume (1, 101, 201) adopts the shape of an intervertebral cage having a central housing (15, 115, 215) opening on the faces. lower (2, 102, 202) and upper (3, 103, 203), adapted to accommodate a graft in contact with the two successive vertebral bodies between which said intervertebral spinal implant is intended to be inserted.