Patent ID: 8394142
Filing Date: 2013-03-12
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for customizing an intervertebral implant to be implanted in a series of vertebrae, the series of vertebrae including an abnormal vertebra, a vertebra superior to the abnormal vertebra, and a vertebra inferior to the abnormal vertebrae, where the series of vertebrae has a deformed curvature in comparison to a known natural curvature of the series of vertebrae, said method comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a 3D anatomy of the series of vertebrae in a computer; b) repositioning of the abnormal, superior and inferior vertebrae of the 3D anatomy of the series of vertebrae in the computer to eliminate the deformed curvature of the series of the vertebrae so as to arrange the series of vertebrae in the natural curvature; c) determining whether a superior or inferior surface of the abnormal vertebra is an abnormal surface causing the deformed curvature of the series of vertebrae; d) determining an approximate gap between the abnormal surface of the abnormal vertebra and a desired surface of the abnormal vertebra; e) custom constructing a trial implant to engage the abnormal surface and to fill the determined approximate gap, whereby implantation of the trial implant between the abnormal surface of the abnormal vertebra and adjacent surface of one of the superior and inferior vertebrae of the series vertebrae results in the series of vertebrae being arranged in the natural curvature, said custom constructing of the trial implant step including the step of providing, on surface of the trial implant which respectively engage the abnormal surface and the adjacent surface, slots therein for reception of a cutting tool used to cut keel grooves in the abnormal surface and the adjacent surface; and f) custom constructing the intervertebral implant to engage the abnormal surface and to fill the determined approximate gap, the intervertebral implant including a superior endplate and an inferior endplate, the custom constructing the intervertebral implant step including building up one of the inferior and superior endplates that abuts the abnormal vertebra, such that at least a portion of the built up endplate has a thickness greater than a corresponding portion of the other endplate, whereby implantation of the intervertebral implant between the abnormal surface and the adjacent surface likewise results in the series of vertebrae being arranged in the natural curvature, said custom constructing of the intervertebral implant step including the step of providing, on the endplates of the intervertebral implant which respectively engage the abnormal surface and the adjacent surface, keels extending therefrom which are to be received in the keel grooves.