Anchoring device and system for an intervertebral implant, intervertebral implant and implantation instrument

Abstract

Anchoring devices, anchoring systems for intervertebral implants, intervertebral implants, and instruments and methods for implanting implants are disclosed. In preferred configurations, these various objects share the feature of comprising or cooperating with an anchoring device having a body comprising at least one curved plate elongated along a longitudinal axis, designed to be inserted through a passage crossing at least a part of implant, in order to penetrate into at least one vertebral endplate and attach implant onto this vertebral endplate by means of at least one stop retaining the implant, characterized in that the body comprises at least one longitudinal rib on at least a part of at least one of its faces, said rib being designed to cooperate with a groove made in passage of implant. In some preferred configurations, anchoring device comprises withdrawal stops or latches, and/or means for withdrawing the anchor from an inserted position.

1 . A device for anchoring an intervertebral implant to a vertebra comprising:
 a body comprising a rigid elongated plate extending between a first end configured to penetrate into a vertebra and a second end configured for urging the device into a vertebra; and   a connection for an anchor-extraction tool disposed along the body proximal to the posterior end.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  in which the connection is at least one recess in the plate. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  in which the connection is a bar disposed along the posterior end. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  in which the connection is comprised in a stop configured to retain the implant against a vertebra. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  in which the plate is flat. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  in which the plate comprises an elongated rib extending from a surface of the plate along at least a portion of a length of the plate between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  in which the plate comprises a first broad side, a second broad side, and two edges, and the plate is curved between the first end and the second end with the first broad side being convex and the second broad side being concave. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  in which the plate comprises an elongated rib extending from a surface of the plate along at least a portion of a length of the plate between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  further in which the body further comprises a thickened portion configured for contact with an inner wall of a passage in an intervertebral implant to stabilize the device when inserted fully in the intervertebral implant. 
     
     
         10 . An intervertebral implant configured for placement between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra comprising:
 at least one peripheral wall;   a passage in the peripheral wall configured to receive an anchor comprising a rigid plate through an exterior opening of the passage disposed along the peripheral wall and project the anchor toward the upper vertebra or the lower vertebra without deformation of the plate; and   an access disposed along the peripheral wall configured to accommodate an anchor-extraction tool for removal of an anchor inserted in the implant.   
     
     
         11 . The implant of  claim 10  in which the passage is configured to receive an anchor comprising a flat plate. 
     
     
         12 . The implant of  claim 10  in which the passage has a groove configured to receive a rib disposed along a broad surface of the plate. 
     
     
         13 . The implant of  claim 10  in which the passage is configured to receive an anchor comprising a curved plate having a convex broad side and a concave broad side. 
     
     
         14 . The implant of  claim 13  in which the passage has a groove configured to receive a rib disposed along a broad surface of the plate. 
     
     
         15 . The implant of  claim 10  further comprising a stop configured to engage a withdrawal stop of an anchor. 
     
     
         16 . A device for treatment of a spine comprising:
 an anchor comprising
 a body comprising a rigid elongated plate extending between a first end configured to penetrate into a vertebra and a second end configured for urging the anchor into a vertebra; and 
 a connection for an anchor-extraction tool disposed along the body proximal to the posterior end; and 
   an intervertebral implant comprising
 at least one peripheral wall; 
 a passage in the peripheral wall configured to receive the anchor through an exterior opening of the passage disposed along the peripheral wall and project the anchor toward the upper vertebra or the lower vertebra without deformation of the plate; and 
 an access disposed along the peripheral wall configured to allow an anchor-extraction tool to reach the connection on the anchor when the anchor is fully inserted in the implant. 
   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16  in which the passage is straight and the plate is curved. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16  in which the anchor has a rib disposed along a broad side of the anchor and the passage has a groove configured to accommodate the rib. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16  in which the anchor has a latch configured to inhibit withdrawal of the anchor from the implant after full insertion of the anchor in the implant, and the implant provides access to release the latch after full insertion of the anchor in the implant. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16  in which the anchor body comprises a thickened portion configured for contact with an inner wall of the passage to stabilize the anchor in the implant.