Bone fusion device

Abstract

A bone fusion device provides stability to bones during a bone fusion period. The bones include, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable tabs attached to the bone fusion device by associated rotating means. The bone fusion device is preferably inserted by using an arthroscopic surgical procedure. During arthroscopic insertion of the device, the tabs are pre-configured for compactness. In this compact configuration, the tabs are preferably deposed along and/or within an exterior surface of the bone fusion device. After the bone fusion device has been positioned between the bones, one or more tab(s) are extended. In some embodiments, the position of each tab relative to the bone fusion device is adjustable. Typically, the tabs advantageously position and brace the bone fusion device in the confined space between the bones until the bones have fused.

1 . A bone fusion device for insertion between bones comprising: 
 first and second ends;    an interior cavity deposed between the first and second ends;    an exterior surface;    a conduit providing a pathway from the interior cavity to the exterior surface; and    one or more tabs for bracing the bone fusion device in a space between the bones, wherein the one or more tabs comprise an adjustable element.    
   
   
       2 . The bone fusion device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable element is collapsible to a compact position deposed within the exterior surface such that the bone fusion device has a minimized form factor.  
   
   
       3 . The bone fusion device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable element is configured for a plurality of positions.  
   
   
       4 . The bond fusion device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable element has a range of motion that is greater than 90 degrees with respect to the exterior surface of the bone fusion device.  
   
   
       5 . The bone fusion device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable element is configured for a position slightly more than 90 degrees with respect to the exterior surface.  
   
   
       6 . The bone fusion device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable element comprises an independent extendable tab, wherein the independent extendable tab is separately configured.  
   
   
       7 . The bone fusion device of  claim 1 , further comprising a bone graft material pre-deposited into the interior cavity before insertion of the bone fusion device between the bones.  
   
   
       8 . The bone fusion device of  claim 1 , further comprising a lead screw driven into the interior cavity, wherein driving the lead screw into the interior cavity relocates a bone growth material from the interior cavity to the exterior surface.  
   
   
       9 . The bone fusion device of  claim 1 , further comprising a worm screw drive mechanism such that driving a lead screw into the interior cavity modifies the configuration for a tab among the one or more tabs.  
   
   
       10 . The bone fusion device of  claim 1 , further comprising a bone graft material that is applied after placement of the bone fusion device between the bones.  
   
   
       11 . The bone fusion device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more protrusions configured for engaging the bones.  
   
   
       12 . The bone fusion device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cylinder.  
   
   
       13 . The bone fusion device of  claim 1 , further comprising a rectangular shape.  
   
   
       14 . The bone fusion device of  claim 1 , wherein a material of the bone fusion device is biocompatible.  
   
   
       15 . The bone fusion device of  claim 1 , wherein the bone fusion device is configured for insertion by using an arthroscopic procedure.  
   
   
       16 . The bone fusion device of  claim 1 , wherein the bones comprise vertebral bones.  
   
   
       17 . A bone fusion device for insertion between adjacent bones, comprising: 
 a. a hollow body having one or more holes along a length of the body; and    b. one or more extendable tabs each attached to the hollow body by a screw,    wherein the one or more extendable tabs are aligned along a surface of the hollow body in a compact position during insertion into a patient.    
   
   
       18 . The bone fusion device of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more tabs are individually adjustable to a desired position after insertion for bracing the bone fusion device between the adjacent bones.  
   
   
       19 . The bone fusion device of  claim 18 , wherein the tabs are adjusted by a rotation of the screw.  
   
   
       20 . The bone fusion device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein an extendable tab is deposed to lie within the exterior surface of the bone fusion device such that the bone fusion device has a small form factor.  
   
   
       21 . The bone fusion device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein an extendable tab is attached to the hollow body on an end face.  
   
   
       22 . The bone fusion device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the bones comprise vertebrae, wherein a material of the bone fusion device is biocompatible.  
   
   
       23 . The bone fusion device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein bone graft material is present within the hollow body before insertion between the bones.  
   
   
       24 . The bone fusion device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein bone graft material is applied after insertion and placement between the bones.  
   
   
       25 . The bone fusion device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein an extendable tab has a sharp protrusion configured to engage the adjacent bones.  
   
   
       26 . The bone fusion device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein an extendable tab has threading configured to engage the adjacent bones.  
   
   
       27 . The bone fusion device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein an extendable tab has a textured surface.  
   
   
       28 . The bone fusion device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein an extendable tab is coated with a porous material.  
   
   
       29 . A method of implanting a bone fusion device between bones, the method comprising: 
 inserting the bone fusion device between the bones, wherein the bone fusion device comprises an internal cavity, an exterior surface, and an extendable tab, wherein the extendable tab comprises an associated rotating element;    pre-configuring the extendable tab to lie within the exterior surface by using the rotating element such that the bone fusion device has a minimized form factor;    driving a lead screw into the cavity; and    extending the tab to a desired position by using the rotating element.    
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising selecting the tab.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein extending the tab comprises turning the rotating element associated with the tab to elevate the tab.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the bone fusion device comprises a worm screw drive mechanism such that driving the lead screw into the cavity past a predetermine point elevates the tab by using the rotating element.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the desired position comprises an angle of slightly greater than approximately 90 degrees with respect to an exterior surface of the bone fusion device.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising before implantation, depositing a bone graft material into the cavity.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising applying bone growth material to the tab after extension, wherein the bone growth material stimulates regeneration of bone cells in the bones.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein driving the lead screw relocates a bone graft material from the interior to the exterior of the bone fusion device.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the bones comprise vertebrae.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein inserting the bone fusion device comprises an arthroscopic procedure.