US 12,447,024 B2
Motion preserving system and apparatus
Jeffrey C. Felt, Duluth, MN (US); Mark A. Rydell, Bella Vista, AR (US); James B. Easley, Orono, MN (US); Matthew D. Hajicek, Maple Grove, MN (US); and Andrew N. Smith, Maple Grove, MN (US)
Assigned to Greenwood Medical L.L.C., Duluth, MN (US)
Filed by Greenwood Medical L.L.C., Duluth, MN (US)
Filed on Dec. 18, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/986,552.
Application 18/986,552 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2024/034344, filed on Jun. 17, 2024.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/521,495, filed on Jun. 16, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0114212 A1, Apr. 10, 2025
Int. Cl. A61F 2/44 (2006.01); A61F 2/30 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 2/442 (2013.01) [A61F 2002/30004 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30107 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30112 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30182 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30387 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30565 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30604 (2013.01); A61F 2002/444 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A disc nucleus replacement assemblage for insertion and for assembly in a row extending across a space defined by and within an annulus fibrosis of a human spine after removal of the nucleus pulposus, the assemblage comprising:
a plurality of modular disc implant segments, wherein at least one of the plurality of implant segments comprises:
a central base portion having two opposing lateral sides, a posterior side, an anterior side, a superior side, and an inferior side, formed of a rigid polymer,
a superior compressible spring lobe unitary with and extending upwardly from the central base portion, the superior compressible spring lobe comprising a superior C-shaped exterior wall portion connecting to the central base portion at an anterior-superior corner and extending in an anterior direction therefrom, and the superior C-shaped exterior wall portion connecting to the central base portion at a posterior-superior corner and extending in a posterior direction therefrom, an outer surface of the superior C-shaped exterior wall defining the outermost margin of the implant segment above the central base portion, the superior C-shaped exterior wall portion and superior side of the central base portion defining an open interior of the superior compressible spring lobe with a plurality of spring arms therein;
an inferior compressible spring lobe unitary with and extending downwardly from the central base portion, the inferior compressible spring lobe comprising a C-shaped exterior wall portion connecting to the central base portion at an anterior-inferior corner and extending in an anterior direction therefrom, and the inferior C-shaped exterior wall portion connecting to the central base portion at a posterior-inferior corner and extending in a posterior direction therefrom, an outer surface of the C-shaped exterior wall defining the outermost margin of the implant segment below the central base portion, the inferior C-shaped exterior wall portion and inferior side of the central base portion defining an open interior of the inferior compressible spring lobe with a plurality of spring arms therein;
wherein the superior compressible spring lobe is connected to the inferior compressible spring lobe only by way of the central base portion; and
wherein the central base portion having an insertion facilitating portion at a posterior side of the central base portion and with an access space open posteriorly to the insertion facilitating portion between a posteriorly projecting portion of the superior lobe and a posteriorly projecting portion of the inferior lobe.