Magnetic intervertebral disc replacement devices and methods thereof

Abstract

An intervertebral disc replacement device comprising a superior plate and an inferior plate, in which each plate contains one or more embedded magnets. The one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnet in the inferior plate are oriented such that a magnetic force exists between the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnet in the inferior plate. In addition, an intervertebral disc replacement device comprising a superior plate and an inferior plate, in which each plate contains one or more embedded magnets, and the plates are designed to form an articulating surface. Further, an intervertebral disc replacement device comprising a superior plate, an inferior plate, and a spacer, in which each plate contains one or more embedded magnets, and the superior and inferior plates are designed to form articulating surfaces with the spacer.

1 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . An intervertebral disc replacement device comprising a superior plate, an inferior plate, and a spacer therebetween, wherein:
 each plate comprises a fixation surface and an articulating surface and the spacer comprises a superior articulating surface and an inferior articulating surface, wherein the articulating surface of the superior plate is configured to articulate against the superior articulating surface of the spacer, and the articulating surface of the inferior plate is configured to articulate against the inferior articulating surface of the spacer; and   each plate comprises one or more magnets embedded therein.   
     
     
         45 . The intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 44 , wherein the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnets in the inferior plate are oriented such that a magnetic force exists between the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnets in the inferior plate. 
     
     
         46 . The intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 45 , wherein a repulsive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnets in the inferior plate. 
     
     
         47 . The intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 45 , wherein an attractive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnets in the inferior plate. 
     
     
         48 . The intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 44 , wherein the spacer comprises one or more magnets that are not in association with either the superior articulating surface or the inferior articulating surface. 
     
     
         49 . The intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 48 , wherein:
 (i) the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnets in the spacer are oriented such that a magnetic force exists between the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnets in the spacer, or   (ii) the one or more magnets in the inferior plate and the one or more magnets in the spacer are oriented such that a magnetic force exists between the one or more magnets in the inferior plate and the one or more magnets in the spacer, or   (iii) a combination thereof.   
     
     
         50 . The intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 49 , wherein:
 (i) a repulsive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnets in the spacer, or   (ii) a repulsive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the inferior plate and the one or more magnets in the spacer, or   (iii) a combination thereof.   
     
     
         51 . The intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 49 , wherein:
 (i) an attractive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnets in the spacer, or   (ii) an attractive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the inferior plate and the one or more magnets in the spacer, or   (iii) a combination thereof.   
     
     
         52 . The intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 49 , wherein:
 (i) a repulsive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnets in the spacer, and an attractive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the inferior plate and the one or more magnets in the spacer; or   (ii) an attractive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnets in the spacer, and a repulsive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the inferior plate and the one or more magnets in the spacer.   
     
     
         53 . The intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 44 , wherein the spacer comprises one or more magnets that are in association with the superior articulating surface of the spacer, and one or more magnets that are in association with the inferior articulating surface of the spacer. 
     
     
         54 . The intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 53 , wherein:
 (i) the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnets in association with the superior articulating surface of the spacer are oriented such that a magnetic force exists between the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnets in association with the superior articulating surface of the spacer, or   (ii) the one or more magnets in the inferior plate and the one or more magnets in association with the inferior articulating surface of the spacer are oriented such that a magnetic force exists between the one or more magnets in the inferior plate and the one or more magnets in association with the inferior articulating surface of the spacer, or   (iii) a combination thereof.   
     
     
         55 . The intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 54 , wherein:
 (i) a repulsive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnets in association with the superior articulating surface of the spacer, or   (ii) a repulsive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the inferior plate and the one or more magnets in association with the inferior articulating surface of the spacer, or   (iii) a combination thereof.   
     
     
         56 . The intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 54 , wherein:
 (i) an attractive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnets in association with the superior articulating surface of the spacer, or   (ii) an attractive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the inferior plate and the one or more magnets in association with the inferior articulating surface of the spacer, or   (iii) a combination thereof.   
     
     
         57 . The intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 54 , wherein:
 (i) a repulsive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnets in association with the superior articulating surface of the spacer, and an attractive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the inferior plate and the one or more magnets in association with the inferior articulating surface of the spacer; or   (ii) an attractive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the superior plate and the one or more magnets in association with the superior articulating surface of the spacer, and a repulsive magnetic force is generated between the one or more magnets in the inferior plate and the one or more magnets in association with the inferior articulating surface of the spacer.   
     
     
         58 . The intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 44 , wherein the fixation surface of the superior plate and the fixation surface of the inferior plate comprises a surface geometry, a surface feature, or a combination thereof;
 wherein the surface geometry is selected from the group consisting of a texture, porous coating, bioactive coating, and a combination thereof; and   wherein the surface feature is selected from the group consisting of one or more keels, one or more pegs, one or more screws, and a combination thereof.   
     
     
         59 . The intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 44 , wherein the spacer comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         60 . The intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 44 , wherein the one or more magnets in the superior plate, the one or more magnets in the inferior plate, and the one or more magnets in the spacer comprises a material that is iron-based, nickel-based, cobalt-based, or an alloy of rare-earth metals. 
     
     
         61 . The intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 44 , wherein each of the superior plate and the inferior plate comprises a fixation extension, wherein the fixation extension of the superior plate is configured to adhere to the outer surface of the vertebral body of the superior vertebra, and the fixation extension of the inferior plate is configured to adhere to the outer surface of the vertebral body of the inferior vertebra. 
     
     
         62 . A method of treating a degenerative disc disease in an intervertebral disc, comprising removing the intervertebral disc, and implanting the intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 44 . 
     
     
         63 . A method of reducing pain caused by degenerative disc disease in an intervertebral disc, comprising removing the intervertebral disc, and implanting the intervertebral disc replacement device of  claim 44 .