Compliant Interbody Fusion Device with Deployable Bone Anchors

Abstract

An interbody fusion implant with deployable bone anchors includes a support member, a monolithic body that accommodates the support member, and a longitudinal hole along a vertical length of the support member. The support member includes a first end and a second end. The second end includes two flanges. The flanges are configured to dig into an endplate of a vertebral body. The flanges of the support member provide a location fixation on an implantation of the interbody fusion implant into the vertebral body. The support member may also include at least one of a clip shaped support member and an I-shaped support member. The I-shaped support member may allow a rigidity and a support in flexion-extension through a living-hinge positioned in a middle of the I-shaped support member. The longitudinal hole sustains loads imported on the interbody fusion implant and allows the interbody fusion implant to flex freely.

1 . An interbody fusion implant with deployable bone anchors comprising:
 a support member having a first end and a second end, said second end comprising two flanges, said flanges configured to dig into an endplate of a vertebral body, wherein said support member comprises at least one of a clip shaped support member and an I-shaped support member;   a monolithic body that accommodates said support member; and   a longitudinal hole along a vertical length of said support member, wherein said longitudinal hole sustains loads imported on said interbody fusion implant and allows said interbody fusion implant to flex freely.   
     
     
         2 . The interbody fusion implant of  claim 1 , wherein said flanges of said support member provide a location fixation on an implantation of said interbody fusion implant into said vertebral body. 
     
     
         3 . The interbody fusion implant of  claim 1 , wherein said I-shaped support member allows a rigidity and a support in flexion-extension through a living-hinge positioned in a middle of said I-shaped support member. 
     
     
         4 . The interbody fusion implant of  claim 1 , wherein said I-shaped support member is cut in a front and a side plane to enable two degrees of freedom and to bend in at least one of a sagital and a transverse plane. 
     
     
         5 . The interbody fusion implant of  claim 1 , wherein said interbody fusion implant is inserted in at least one of anteriorly, posteriorly, or transforaminal in said vertebral body. 
     
     
         6 . The interbody fusion implant of  claim 1 , wherein a cephalad and a caudal surface of said interbody fusion implant is molded with surface finishes to provide an additional fixation with said endplate of said vertebral body, and wherein said surface finishes comprises at least one of teeth, geometry, and serrations. 
     
     
         7 . The interbody fusion implant of  claim 6 , wherein said geometry provides an ease of attachment and flexibility in said vertebral body. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus to stabilize a human spine, said apparatus comprising:
 a compliant monolithic interbody fusion implant comprising:
 at least one support member comprising at least one rod that is rotated with a driving instrument; 
 a plurality of spikes attached to said rod, wherein said plurality of spikes are symmetric and perpendicular to a main axis of said rod; 
 a monolithic complaint body that accommodates said rod and said spikes; 
 at least one window molded in said monolithic complaint body, wherein said window rotates said rod from a horizontal to a vertical configuration; and 
   an inserter tool that inserts said compliant monolithic interbody fusion implant into said human spine.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said plurality of spikes penetrate endplates of vertebral bodies in said human spine to fix said monolithic compliant body in place in a vertical configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of rods, wherein each rod comprises at least two spikes, said spikes being positioned perpendicular to the main axis of said rod, and wherein said rod rotates from a vertical to a horizontal configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of rods are positioned within said monolithic compliant body to form a cephalad and caudal set. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of rods comprises at least one gear at a proximal end of each rod to drive and rotate said rod from a horizontal to vertical position. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claims 12 , wherein said plurality of rods and said at least one gear are positioned and timed to each other with a corresponding female beveled gear to deploy said plurality of rods and said at least one gear with a one turn motion. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said inserter tool comprises a protrusion that accommodates said at least one gear.