BE1024357A1 - Modular implant for corporectomy - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an implant (1) for corporectomy. The implant (1) comprises a plurality of modules (10; 20; 30) arranged to fit in a left-right direction. The upper module (10) can be attached to the upper vertebra with a screw (61) passing through an attachment hole (15) from its front surface (13) to its upper surface (11). The lower module (20) can be attached to the lower vertebrae by a screw (62) passing through an attachment hole (25) from its front surface (23) to its lower surface (22).

Description

BE2016 / 5573

Modular implant for corporectomy

Technical area

According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a corporectomy implant. According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method of assembling a corporectomy implant.

Prior art

Degeneration of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs may result in the need for resection of the body of one or more vertebra (s) called a corporectomy. During this corporectomy, bone walls are preferably left on the left and right sides. In the case of cervical vertebrae, the corporectomy is done by approaching the spine by the anterior route.

It is known to place an implant in the space left by the corporectomy, so as to mechanically support the remaining vertebrae. Once the implant is in place, bone growth can occur and a bone bridge can be created between the remaining vertebrae.

Document WO2011 / 060071 A1 discloses an implant making it possible to space the vertebrae. The implant includes an upper module, an intermediate module and a lower module. When placing the implant, the upper and lower modules are first placed in the patient and then the intermediate module is inserted between the lower and upper modules inside the patient.

A first problem with this known implant is that the lower and upper modules are movable relative to the intermediate module forwards and backwards of the patient.

Another problem with this implant is that the lower and upper modules are movable relative to the remaining vertebrae.

BE2016 / 5573

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect, one of the aims of the invention is to provide an implant more stable than the implant known from the prior art.

To this end, the invention provides an implant intended to be placed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra of a patient and comprising:

• a first implant module having:

o a first surface, o a second surface essentially opposite the first surface, o a front surface intended to be oriented essentially towards a front direction when the implant is placed in the patient, o a rear surface intended to be oriented essentially towards a rear direction when the implant is placed in the patient, the rear direction being opposite to the front direction;

• a second implant module having:

o a first surface, o a second surface essentially opposite the first surface, o a front surface intended to be oriented essentially towards the front direction when the implant is placed in the patient, o a rear surface intended to be oriented essentially towards the rear direction when the implant is placed in the patient; and

BE2016 / 5573 • assembly means provided for mechanically coupling the second surface of the first implant module and the first surface of the second implant module;

characterized in that • the first implant module comprises a first fixing hole:

o arranged to receive at least part of a first fixing means, the first fixing means being able to fix the first implant module to the first vertebra, o crossing between the front surface of the first implant module and the first surface of the first implant module, and o arranged to allow access to the first attachment means from the front surface of the first implant module; and in that the implant includes first blocking means for blocking a relative movement between the first implant module and the second implant module in the front direction and the rear direction.

The implant according to the invention is a modular implant intended to be placed between two remaining vertebrae following a corporectomy. The implant is designed so that the modules are assembled before being placed in the patient.

Preferably, the corporectomy is performed, then the space created by it is measured and the implant modules are selected to correspond to the space to be filled. They are then assembled to form the implant. The implant is then placed in the released intervertebral space. The implant is fixed to the first vertebra by the fixing means, with the first surface of the first implant module which is

BE2016 / 5573 preferably arranged to be adjacent to the first vertebra. Access to this fixing means is easy for the surgeon thanks to the fixing fixing hole between the front surface and the surface adjacent to the first vertebra. For example, if the fixing means is a screw, the screw head is oriented towards the surgeon and the tip of the screw is oriented towards the first vertebra, which allows the surgeon to permanently fix the implant by screwing it on the first vertebra. In one embodiment of the invention where the implant comprises a second fixing means, the implant is also fixed to the second vertebra by the second fixing means.

Following the operation, when the patient moves, for example bends the head forward or back in the case of a cervical corporectomy, the forces that apply to the implant are mainly oriented forward or the back. The first locking means allow the first and second modules not to move relative to each other due to these forces towards the front and the rear. In particular, the first and second modules do not move towards their front surface and their rear surface.

Thanks to the bony walls left on the left and right sides during the corporectomy, the first and second modules hardly move to the left and right anyway.

The implant according to the invention is therefore particularly stable because its different modules are not likely to be disassembled and because it is not likely to move relative to the first vertebra thanks to the first fixing means. In one embodiment of the invention where the implant comprises a second fixing means, the second fixing means reduces the risk that the implant moves relative to the second vertebra.

Preferably, in the implant according to the invention, the modules are assembled laterally while the implant is fixed to the vertebrae in a front-back direction. In other words,

BE2016 / 5573 the assembly of the modules is done by surfaces of the modules having a component perpendicular to the front surface of the module, that is to say to the surface through which the fixing means are accessed.

The first implant module can also be referred to as the upper implant module. The second implant module can also be called the lower implant module, or, if the implant comprises more than two implant modules, the second implant module can be called the intermediate implant module. The implant according to the invention can optionally be called a corporectomy cage.

The first surfaces of the first and second implant modules can be called upper surfaces. The second surfaces of the first and second implant modules can be called lower surfaces.

The front and back surfaces of the implant modules can be one or more surface part (s). For example, if the implant has a circular section, the front surface of an implant module can be a part of this implant module oriented essentially in the forward direction when the implant is in place in the patient and the patient is standing upright. In addition, the front and back surfaces of the implant modules can be tilted up or down relative to the front and back directions. In addition, the front and back surfaces of the implant modules can be curved or angled.

The rear surface of an implant is preferably essentially parallel to the front surface of this implant.

The fixing means can for example be a screw. If this is the case, each fixing hole may possibly have a thread.

The fixing hole and the fixing means are preferably arranged so that the fixing means do not protrude from the implant on the front surface, in order to prevent it from injuring the trachea or the esophagus.

BE2016 / 5573

The mounting hole can make an angle of about 45 ° with the front surface.

If the second module is intended to be fixed to the second vertebra, it preferably also includes a fixing hole.

In this document, the directions forward, backward, left, right, up and down relate to a patient in which the implant is placed, the patient being considered to be standing, straight, facing the body in an arrangement. facing forward. For example, a front-back line can be a horizontal line passing through the spinal cord and the glottis. A lateral direction is a left-right or right-left direction. The directions forward, backward, left, right, up and down could be referred to as forward, backward, left, right, up and down, respectively.

The assembly of the first and second implant modules also preferably blocks the relative upward and downward movement between these two implant modules. For example, the first and second assembly parts may include vertical blocking means, which may be different, combined or share elements with the first blocking means.

The assembly of the first and second implant modules preferably does not require a screw or a pin.

The assembly means preferably comprise a first assembly part included in the first implant module and a second assembly part included in the second implant module. The first assembly part is preferably located on the second surface of the first implant module. The second assembly part is preferably located on the first surface of the second implant module.

The assembly means preferably comprise the first locking means. For example, the first ways to

BE2016 / 5573 blocking can be part of the first assembly part included in the first implant module and / or the second assembly part included in the second implant module.

Preferably, the first locking means extend to the maximum between the front and rear surfaces of the first and second implant modules once the first and second implant modules are mechanically coupled.

In other words, do not have a projecting part relative to the implant once the first and second implant modules are mechanically coupled. The first blocking means are preferably only at the interface between the implant modules. The first blocking means are preferably only inside the implant once the first and second implant modules are mechanically coupled, for example assembled together. This makes it possible to prevent the first blocking means from injuring neighboring tissues.

In addition, preferably, the assembly means do not have a projecting part relative to the implant once the first and second implant modules are mechanically coupled.

In one embodiment of the invention, the assembly means comprise a protrusion on one of the first and second implant modules and a recess on the other of the first and second implant modules, the recess opening onto a first lateral surface of the implant module in which it is included, and the first lateral surface being intended to be oriented towards a left direction or towards a right direction when the implant is placed in the patient, so that the protuberance can be inserted into the recess via the first side surface.

In one embodiment of the invention, the second implant module includes the protrusion on its first surface and the first module

BE2016 / 5573 of implant includes the recess on its second surface. The recess opens onto the second surface of the first implant module and onto the first lateral surface of the first implant module. In another embodiment of the invention, the first implant module comprises the protuberance on its second surface and the second implant module comprises the recess on its first surface. The recess opens onto the first surface of the second implant module and onto the first lateral surface of the second implant module.

The protrusion preferably comprises an element, for example a rail, extending essentially in a lateral direction, which is intended to slide in a left-right or right-left direction in the recess. The protuberance is preferably arranged to prevent rotation of one module relative to the other.

In particular, the protuberance is preferably non-circular.

The lateral opening of the recess allows insertion without passing through the front or rear surfaces. This facilitates front-rear and rear-front locking. The recess is delimited towards the front by a part of the front surface and towards the rear by a part of the rear surface. It is one of the first means of blocking.

The first lateral surface is preferably perpendicular to the front surface and to the rear surface. The first side surface may be one or more surface part (s). For example, if the implant has a circular section, the lateral surface of an implant module can be a part of this implant module oriented essentially in the left or the right when the implant is in place in the patient. and the patient is standing straight, that is to say from the front.

The protrusion can be slid laterally into the recess via the first lateral surface. The protuberance is preferably

BE2016 / 5573 designed to slide essentially to the right or to the left in the recess.

The assembly of the first and second implant modules preferably requires only the insertion of the protuberance into the recess. There is then no need for additional action or additional element. This assembly is particularly easy and can be carried out entirely outside the patient.

In one embodiment of the invention, the protuberance and the recess have dimensions such that once assembled, it is no longer possible to disassemble them without risking breaking the implant. For example, a depth extent of the protrusion may be equal to a depth extent of the recess. This results in front-to-rear compression of the walls of the recess on the protuberance which can block the protuberance in the recess. This assembly can function like a Morse cone.

Preferably, the implant is such that:

The recess comprises a constricted part and an extended part more extended in the front-rear direction than the constricted part, the constricted part and the extended part opening onto the first lateral surface, and in that the protuberance comprises a constricted part and an extended part more extended in the front-rear direction than the constricted part, the constricted part connecting the extended part to the rest of the implant module, the constricted part of the protuberance being intended to be inserted into the constricted part of the recess and the the extended portion of the protrusion being adapted to be inserted into the extended portion of the recess, so that the extended portion of the protrusion can be blocked in the extended portion of the recess due to the constricted portion of the recess.

BE2016 / 5573

Such a protuberance can be seen as having a T shape whose horizontal bar locks in the extended part of the recess. Such a recess can also be seen as having a T shape, the horizontal bar of which forms the extended part of the recess.

The extended portion of the protrusion includes portions projecting from the constricted portion of the protrusion.

The insertion of the constricted portion of the protrusion into the constricted portion of the recess and the extended portion of the protrusion into the extended portion of the recess is preferably done by lateral sliding. Such an arrangement allows both top-down locking and front-back locking of the implant modules.

If the recess is on the first implant module, the constricted part of the recess opens on the one hand on the second surface of the first implant module and on the other hand on the extended part of the recess. If the recess is on the second implant module, the constricted part of the recess opens on the one hand on the first surface of the second implant module and on the other hand on the extended part of the recess.

In one embodiment of the invention, the recess and the protuberance have essentially the shape of a trapezium whose large base corresponds to the extended part and the small base corresponds to the constricted part.

In one embodiment of the invention, that of the implant modules which comprises the recess also comprises a stop intended to limit a displacement of the protuberance in the recess in order to prevent the protuberance from emerging from the recess by a surface other than the first lateral surface through which the protuberance was inserted into the recess

BE2016 / 5573

The stop allows the only possible exit from the protuberance of the recess to be the first lateral surface. It therefore further increases the stability of the implant and facilitates its assembly.

Preferably, the implant comprises a conduit between the first surface of the first implant module and the second surface of the second implant module.

The conduit helps promote the growth of a bone bridge between the first and second vertebrae. There may be several parallel conduits next to each other.

In one embodiment of the invention, the conduit has a common part with the first fixing hole.

In particular, the common part between the conduit and the first fixing hole may include or be included in their part opening onto the first surface of the first implant module. The common part can be seen as a part of light common to the conduit and the fixing hole. In addition, if the second implant module includes a second fixing hole, the conduit may have a common part with this second fixing hole.

This allows for a larger cross-section for the conduit and a larger cross-section for the fixing hole than if the conduit and the fixing hole were separated. A large section for the duct is interesting because it allows a better bone bridge. A large section for the fixing hole is advantageous because it allows the fixing means also to have a large section, which promotes good reliability. In addition, such a common part allows the fixing means to be included in the bone bridge, which also promotes good reliability.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first surface of the first implant module comprises first lugs.

Preferably, the first pins are two in number. The pins allow an initial anchoring of the implant on the vertebra

BE2016 / 5573 adjacent during installation, before the fixing means is put in place for long-term anchoring. They also have an anti-rotation function.

Preferably, the first pins are located near the front surface of the first implant module.

The pins are preferably located closer to the front surface than to the rear surface of their module. If they are present on the first implant module, they can for example be located near the corners between the first surface, the front surface and the lateral surfaces. If they are present on the second implant module, they can for example be located near the corners between the second surface, the front surface and the lateral surfaces.

It is particularly interesting that the pins are distant from the rear surface. Indeed, when a corporectomy implant mobilizes, that is to say moves inside the body compared to its initial position, it performs in most cases a rocking movement forward. This means that the upper part "falls" towards the front and the lower part "goes up" towards the rear. In this case, pins close to the back surface would be exposed to the cord and could damage it.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first surface of the first implant module is more extended in a left-right direction than the second surface of the first implant module.

For example, the first surface of the first implant module can be more extended to the left and / or to the right than the second surface of the first implant module. Preferably, the first surface of the first implant module is as extended to the left as to the right, so as to be symmetrical with respect to that the second surface of the first implant module. However, it is preferably not more extended forwards or backwards than the

BE2016 / 5573 second surface of the first implant module. The first implant module can for example have parts projecting to the left and to the right at its first surface. This lateral extension makes it possible to increase the bearing surface on the adjacent vertebra.

For the purposes of this document, a left-right extent of an element, which is equal to the right-left extent of said element, can be called the width of said element.

For the purposes of this document, a front-rear extent of an element, which is equal to the rear-front extent of said element, may be called the depth of said element.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first surface of the first implant module is inclined relative to the front surface and / or to the rear surface of the first implant module, preferably so as to have an angle of more than 90 ° from the back surface and an angle of less than 90 ° from the front surface

This inclination allows the implant to follow the vertebral lordosis more. In particular, the angle of more than 90 ° relative to the rear surface and the angle of less than 90 ° relative to the front surface make it possible to respect physiological cervical lordosis.

In addition, if the second surface of the second implant module is intended to be fixed to the second vertebra, it is inclined relative to the front surface and / or to the rear surface of the second implant module, preferably so as to have an angle of more than 90 ° to the rear surface and an angle of less than 90 ° to the front surface.

Preferably, the second implant module comprises a second fixing hole:

• arranged to receive at least part of a second fixing means, the second fixing means being able to fix the second implant module to the second vertebra,

BE2016 / 5573 • crossing between the front surface of the second implant module and the second surface of the second implant module, and • arranged to allow access to the second fixing means from the front surface of the second implant module.

Preferably, the second surface of the second implant module comprises second lugs.

More preferably, the second pins are two in number. The pins allow an initial anchoring of the implant on the adjacent vertebra during implantation, before the fixing means is put in place for long-term anchoring. They also have an anti-rotation function.

More preferably, the second pins are located near the front surface of the second implant module.

In one embodiment of the invention, the second surface of the second implant module is more extended in a left-to-right direction than the first surface of the second implant module.

For example, if the second surface of the second implant module is intended to be fixed to the second vertebra, it may be more extended to the left and / or to the right than the first surface of the second implant module. Preferably, the second surface of the second implant module is as extended to the left as to the right, so as to be symmetrical with respect to that the first surface of the second implant module. However, it is preferably not more extended forward or backward than the first surface of the second implant module. The second implant module can for example have parts projecting to the left and to the right at its second surface.

In one embodiment of the invention, the implant comprises a third implant module having:

BE2016 / 5573 • a first surface, • a second surface essentially opposite the first surface, • a front surface intended to be oriented essentially towards the front direction when the implant is placed in the patient, • a rear surface intended to be oriented essentially towards the rear direction when the implant is placed in the patient, • a first assembly part provided to be assembled with a second assembly part of the second implant module, and • a second assembly part provided to be assembled with a first assembly part of the first implant module.

The first assembly part of the first implant module and the second assembly part of the second implant module are preferably provided to be fixed together if the third implant module is not present.

The third implant module is an intermediate module between the first and second implant modules. The first assembly part of the third implant module is preferably located on the second surface of the third implant module and the second assembly part of the third implant module is preferably located on the first surface of the third implant module. implant. The assembly between the first, third and second implant modules is preferably a mechanical coupling.

There may be more than one intermediate module. All of the implant modules are preferably, but not necessarily, designed to fit into one another, so as to obtain great flexibility in

BE2016 / 5573 at the total height of the implant while having only a limited number of parts of different sizes. For example, it is possible, while remaining within the scope of the invention, that the upper implant module be slid into the intermediate implant module in a left-right direction and that the intermediate implant module is slid in the lower implant module in a right-left direction. It is also possible that the intermediate implant module has two recesses and that each of the lower and upper implant modules has a protrusion. It is also possible that the intermediate implant module has two protrusions and that each of the lower and upper implant modules has a recess.

Preferably, blocking means are provided on the first assembly part of the third implant module and / or on the second assembly part of the second implant module to block relative movement between the third implant module. implant and the second implant module in the front direction and the rear direction.

These blocking means can be called second blocking means.

In one embodiment of the invention, blocking means are provided on the first assembly part of the third implant module and / or on the second assembly part of the second implant module to block relative movement between the third implant module and the second implant module to the front direction and the rear direction.

These blocking means can be called third blocking means. The blocking means making it possible to block the third implant module forwards and backwards relative to the first and / or to the second implant module can potentially comprise the first blocking means.

Preferably, the front surface and / or the rear surface of at least one of the implant modules has a curvature or an angle of

BE2016 / 5573 so that the front surface of the implant has a convex part and the rear surface of the implant has a concave part.

This allows the front surface of the implant to be generally convex and the rear surface to be generally concave, in order to follow the cervical or lumbar lordosis. The front surface of the implant includes the front surfaces of the implant modules. The back surface of the implant includes the back surfaces of the implant modules. In particular, the angle of the front surface and the rear surface can be close to 3.5 ° to follow cervical lordosis.

In an embodiment of the invention more particularly adapted to a thoracic corporectomy, the front surface and / or the rear surface of at least one of the implant modules has a curvature or an angle so that the front surface of the implant has a concave part and the rear surface of the implant has a convex part.

Preferably, a lateral surface of at least one of the implant modules is porous or has a mesh.

Preferably, the two lateral surfaces of each of the implant modules are porous or have a mesh. More preferably, the lateral surfaces of all the implant modules are porous or have a mesh.

The openings due to porosity or mesh allow better bone attachment in the implant from the bone walls left on the left and right sides during the corporectomy. The mesh makes it possible to have a high surface density of holes relative to the surface density of material separating the holes. The openings of the mesh preferably have an extent of the order of 1 mm or less.

The surface and volume density of the mesh can vary depending on the location on the implant. For example, the implant may include parts with a higher density mesh

BE2016 / 5573 surface or volume close to its edges and parts with a mesh of lower surface or volume density far from its edges. This gives good mechanical strength to the implant because there are fewer holes at the edges, and allows good bone colonization because there are more holes towards the middle of the surfaces.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first surface of the first implant module is porous or has a mesh.

In one embodiment of the invention, if the second surface of the second implant module is intended to be fixed to the first vertebra, the second surface of the second implant module is porous or has a mesh.

The openings linked to porosity or mesh allow better bone growth in the implant from the first vertebra.

In addition, the front surface and the rear surface of the implant modules are preferably not porous and preferably do not include a mesh. More preferably, the rear surface of the implant modules is full: it has no holes. Indeed, the back surface is close to the cord and a porosity, a mesh or a hole, which could create a certain roughness, could damage the cord.

In addition, more preferably, the front surface of an implant module does not have a hole if this module is not intended to be fixed to a vertebra and only has the fixing hole if this module is intended to be attached to a vertebra. The front surface is close to the esophagus and trachea; to avoid damaging these structures, the front surface is preferably smooth around the fixing hole.

In addition, the surfaces arranged for assembling the modules to form the implant, that is to say the second surface of the first implant module, the first surface of the second implant module, the first

BE2016 / 5573 and second surfaces of the third implant module, preferably does not include a mesh in order to be as smooth as possible to promote assembly, for example during the sliding of the parts.

Preferably, the porosity or the mesh extends in the volume of the implant.

The mesh or the porous part of the implant may for example extend to the conduit. It is also possible that a mesh or porous part extends outward from the conduit. This promotes colonization of the implant by bone growth. Indeed, the implant can then be colonized from the bone part present in the conduit.

Preferably, at least one of the implant modules comprises only one piece, preferably each of the implant modules comprises only one piece.

This makes it possible to have solid, robust modules, without the risk of wear by friction between the parts, without the risk of losing small parts during the placement of the implant. This also simplifies the mounting of the implant.

According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a method of assembling an implant, comprising the steps of:

• provide an implant comprising o a first implant module having:

a first surface, a second surface essentially opposite the first surface, a front surface intended to be oriented essentially towards a front direction when the implant is placed in the patient, a rear surface intended to be oriented essentially towards a rear direction when

BE2016 / 5573 placement of the implant in the patient, the rear direction being opposite to the front direction, o a second implant module having:

a first surface, a second surface essentially opposite the first surface, a front surface intended to be oriented essentially towards the front direction when the implant is placed in the patient, a rear surface intended to be oriented essentially towards the rearward direction when the implant is placed in the patient, o assembly means provided for mechanically coupling the second surface of the first implant module and the first surface of the second implant module;

• assemble the first and second implant modules using the assembly means;

characterized in that • the first implant module comprises a first fixing hole;

o arranged to receive part of a first fixing means, the first fixing means being able to fix the first implant module to the first vertebra, o crossing between the front surface of the first implant module and the first surface the first implant module, and o arranged to allow access to the first attachment means from the front surface of the first implant module;

BE2016 / 5573 • the implant comprises first blocking means for blocking a relative movement between the first implant module and the second implant module towards the front direction and the rear direction; and in that the step of assembling the first and second implant modules involves a relative sliding of the first and second implant modules in a direction different from the front-back direction.

The advantages mentioned for the device apply mutatis mutandis to the method.

Preferably, the relative sliding of the first and second implant modules takes place in a direction having a lateral component, more preferably in a lateral direction. The assembly step of the first and second implant modules is done outside the patient's body.

Brief description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended figures among which:

FIG. 1 illustrates part of an implant in an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 illustrates an implant in one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 is a side view of implant modules in one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 4 illustrates an implant in an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 5 illustrates an implant in one embodiment of the invention, and

- Figure 6 illustrates an implant in one embodiment of the invention.

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Modes of Carrying Out the Invention

The present invention is described with particular embodiments and references to figures, but the invention is not limited by these. The drawings or figures described are only schematic and are not limiting.

In the context of this document, the terms "first" and "second" serve only to differentiate between the different elements and do not imply an order between them.

In the figures, identical or similar elements may bear the same references.

The present invention relates to a modular implant intended to be left in a space cleared by a corporectomy. The implant is placed between two remaining vertebrae called first and second vertebrae in this document. Laterally, the implant is placed between the bony walls left on the left and right sides. In the case of a cervical implant, towards the back of the implant is the marrow and towards the front of the implant are the trachea and the esophagus.

The implant modules are preferably assembled so as to form the implant before it is placed in the patient's body.

Figure 1 illustrates part of an implant 1 in one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 also illustrates directions front 101, rear 102, left 103 and right 104 as understood in this document. These directions are taken with reference to a patient in which the implant 1 is implanted. The rear direction 102 is opposite to the front direction 101. The left direction 103 is opposite to the right direction 104.

The implant 1 comprises a first implant module 10 and a second implant module 20. The first implant module 10 has a first surface 11 and a second surface 12 essentially opposite the first surface 11. The first module 'implant 10

BE2016 / 5573 also has a front surface 13 intended to be oriented essentially towards the front 101 and a rear surface 14 intended to be oriented essentially towards the rear 102. The first implant module 10 also has a first lateral surface 16 provided to be oriented essentially to the right and a second lateral surface 17 provided to be oriented essentially to the left. The first implant module 10 also has a first assembly part 41 on its second surface 12.

The first implant module 10 also preferably comprises a first part of a conduit 70 provided for passing through the implant 1 from top to bottom.

The first implant module 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is designed to be fixed to the first vertebra so that its first surface 11 is adjacent to it. To this end, the first implant module 10 comprises a first fixing hole 15 passing through between its front surface 13 and its first surface 11. A surgeon placing the implant can thus easily put there a first fixing means 61 (FIG. 4 ), for example a screw. It then has access to the fixing means from the front to push it into the first vertebra via the first surface 11.

The conduit 70 and the first fixing hole 15 preferentially open at least partially into the same opening in the first surface 11 of the first implant module 10. There is then a common part shared by the conduit 70 and the first fixing hole 15.

The first implant module 10 preferably has projecting parts 19 at its first surface 11. These are such that the first surface 11 has an extent 76 in a left-right direction greater than the left-right extent of the second surface 12 of the first implant module 10. In other words, the width of the

BE2016 / 5573 first surface 11 is larger than the width of the second surface 12 of the first implant module 10.

In addition, the first implant module 10 preferably has lugs 18, that is to say studs projecting from its first surface 11.

The second implant module 20 is only partially illustrated in FIG. 1. One sees there in particular its first surface 21, its front surface 23 intended to be oriented essentially forward and the second assembly part 42. The second implant module 20 also preferably comprises a second part of the conduit 70.

The first assembly part 41 and the second assembly part 42 are assembly means which mechanically couple the second surface 12 of the first implant module 10 and the first surface 21 of the second implant module 20.

FIG. 2 illustrates an implant 1 in an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 illustrates modules 10, 20 of an implant 1 in this embodiment of the invention. The first implant module 10 and the second implant module 20 can be seen there. The second implant module 20 has a first surface 21 and a second surface 22 essentially opposite the first surface 21. The second implant module 20 also has a front surface 23 intended to be oriented essentially towards the front 101 and a rear surface 24 provided to be oriented essentially towards the rear 102. The second implant module 20 also has a first lateral surface 26 intended to be oriented essentially to the right and a second lateral surface 27 intended to be oriented essentially to the left.

The second implant module 20 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 is designed to be fixed to the second vertebra so that its second surface 22 is adjacent to it. To this end, the second implant module 20 comprises a second fixing hole 25 passing through between its front surface 23 and its second surface 22. A surgeon

BE2016 / 5573 placing the implant can thus easily put a second fixing means 62 there (FIG. 4), for example a screw. It then has access to the fixing means from the front to push it into the second vertebra via the second surface 22.

The conduit 70 and the second fixing hole 25 preferably open at least partially into the same opening in the second surface 22 of the second implant module 20. There is then a common part shared by the conduit 70 and the second fixing hole 25.

The second implant module 20 preferably has projecting parts 29 at its second surface 22. These are such that the second surface 22 has an extension in a left-right direction greater than the left-right extension of the first surface 21 of the second implant module 20.

In addition, the second implant module 20 preferably has lugs 28, that is to say studs projecting from its second surface 22.

The first assembly part 41 preferably comprises a recess 44 and the second assembly part 42 preferably comprises a protuberance 45 which can fit into the recess 44.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the recess 44 comprises a constricted part 44a and an extended part 44b more extended in the front-rear direction than the constricted part 44a, that is to say that the extended part 44b has a greater depth than the constricted portion 44a. The constricted part 44a opens on the one hand on the second surface 12 of the first implant module 10 and on the other hand on the extended part 44b. The constricted part 44a and the extended part 44b also open out onto the first lateral surface 16 of the first implant module 10, so that the protuberance 45 can be inserted laterally into the recess 44. The protuberance 45

BE2016 / 5573 comprises a constricted part 45a and an extended part 45b more extended in the front-rear direction than the constricted part 45a, that is to say that the extended part 45b has a greater depth than the constricted part 45a. The constricted portion 45a connects the extended portion 45b to the rest of the second implant module 20. The constricted portion 45a of the protrusion 45 is intended to be inserted laterally into the constricted portion 44a of the recess 44 and the extended portion 45b of the protrusion 45 being intended to be inserted laterally in the extended part 44b of the recess 44.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the recess 44 is part of first locking means arranged to block a relative movement forward and backward between the first implant module 10 and the second implant module 20. In addition, the recess 44 also makes it possible to block a relative upward and downward movement between the first implant module 10 and the second implant module 20.

The arrangement between the recess 44 and the protuberance is preferably such that there is no projecting part relative to the implant 1 once the first 10 and the second implant module are assembled.

In addition, the first implant module 10 comprises a stop 80 intended to limit a displacement of the protuberance 45 in the recess 44. This makes it possible to prevent the protuberance 45 from coming out of the recess 44 by another surface of the first module d implant 10 that the first lateral surface 16 by which the protrusion 45 has been inserted into the recess 44. The shape of the protrusion 45 is preferably adapted to the shape of the stop 80. For example, the protrusion 45 may not be extend to the second lateral surface 27 so that the second lateral surface 17 of the first implant module 10 is in line with the second

BE2016 / 5573 lateral surface 27 of the second implant module 20 when the protuberance 45 is against the stop 80.

Preferably, the first fixing hole 15 has, on its opening in the front surface 13, a flat side 151 oriented in the direction of the second implant module 20. Preferably, the second fixing hole 25 a, on its opening in the surface before 23, a flat side 251 oriented in the direction of the first implant module 10. These flat sides 151, 251 allow the implant 1 to be easily taken by a clamp when a branch of the clamp is inserted into the first hole of fixing 15 and the other branch of the clamp is inserted into the second fixing hole 25. The implant 1 can then be easily manipulated by its front surface to be placed between the first and second vertebrae.

FIG. 3 also illustrates a depth 75 of the first implant module 10.

Although the first 10 and second 20 implant modules are illustrated with a recess 44 in the first implant module 10 and a protrusion 45 in the second implant module 20, it is possible that the protrusion 45 is in the first implant module 10 and the recess 44 in the second implant module 20 while remaining within the scope of the invention.

In addition, although the opening of the recess 44 is on the right side surface 16, it is possible that this opening is on the left side surface 17, or that the recess 44 has openings on both sides while remaining in the part of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the implant 1 in one embodiment of the invention, in which the implant 1 comprises a third implant module 30, between the first 10 and the second implant modules. The third implant module 30 comprises a first assembly part 51 intended to be assembled with the second assembly part 42 of the second implant module 20 and a second assembly part 52 intended to be

BE2016 / 5573 assembled with the first assembly part 41 of the first implant module 10.

The first assembly part 51 of the third implant module 30 is preferably identical to the second assembly part 42 of the second implant module 20. The second assembly part 52 of the third implant module 30 is preferably identical to the first assembly part 41 of the first implant module 10. It is possible to choose either to directly assemble the first 10 and second 20 implant modules, or to place the third implant module 30 between the first 10 and second 20 implant modules. A fourth implant module could be placed, for example between the third 30 and second 20 implant modules. The fourth implant module could be identical to the third 30, or, for example, lower than the third 30.

FIG. 4 illustrates that the first 10 and second 20 implant modules can have their surface 11, 22 designed to be adjacent to a remaining vertebra inclined relative to their front surface 13, 23 and / or rear 14, 24. In particular , the first surface 11 of the first implant module 10 may have an angle 66a of more than 90 ° relative to the rear surface 14 and an angle 65a of less than 90 ° relative to the front surface 13 and / or the second surface 22 of the second implant module 20 may have an angle 66b of more than 90 ° relative to the rear surface 24 and an angle 65b of less than 90 ° relative to the front surface 23.

In one embodiment of the invention, the angle 66a between the first surface 11 and the rear surface 14 of the first implant module 10 can be close to 93.5 ° and the angle 65a between the first surface 11 and the surface before 13 of the first implant module 10 can be close to 86.5 °.

BE2016 / 5573

In one embodiment of the invention, the angle 66b between the second surface 22 and the rear surface 24 of the second implant module 20 can be close to 93.5 ° and the angle 65b between the second surface 22 and the surface before 13 of the second implant module 20 can be close to 86.5 °.

Of course, such inclined surfaces are possible regardless of the number of modules of the implant 1.

FIG. 4 also illustrates a height 77 of the implant 1.

FIG. 4 also illustrates means for fixing 61, 62 of the implant 1 in the adjacent vertebrae.

FIG. 5 illustrates an implant 1 in one embodiment of the invention. The third implant module 30 has an angle 67a on its front surface 33 and an angle 67b on its rear surface 34. The third implant module 30 could also be curved instead of or in addition to being angled.

The first implant module 10 could be curved or angled. The second implant module 20 could be curved or angled.

The curvature and / or the angulation of one or more implant modules allows the implant 1 to follow the lordosis of the column.

Curved or angled surfaces are possible regardless of the number of modules.

FIG. 6 illustrates part of an implant 1 in an embodiment of the invention. The implant 1 has the same characteristics as in Figure 1, and further comprises porous parts. The lateral surfaces 16, 17, 26, 27 of the implant modules 10, 20 are porous. If the implant 1 comprises a third implant module 30, its lateral surfaces are also preferably porous. In addition, the first surface 11 of the first implant module 10 is also preferably porous.

The porosity can for example be achieved by a mesh 71.

BE2016 / 5573

By cons, preferably, the assembly parts 41, 42 do not have a mesh or pores on the surfaces provided to slide over each other. In addition, the front 13, 23 and rear 14, 24 surfaces preferably do not have any mesh or pores.

Preferably, the surface 11 of the first implant module 10 is porous, more preferably comprises a mesh 71.

The implant 1 is preferably porous in its volume, for example between the porous surfaces and the conduit 70. Preferably, the mesh 71 extends in the volume of the implant.

The porosity and the mesh are possible in all the embodiments of the invention illustrated in this document.

Preferably, each of the implant modules 10, 20, 30 comprises only one piece. The implant modules are preferably produced by 3D printing. The implant modules are preferably made of a biocompatible material. The implant modules are preferably made of medical grade titanium. The implant modules are preferably made of medical grade titanium. The implant modules can also be partially or completely made of ceramic material.

Preferably, the implant 1 does not include a projecting part on its front and rear surfaces. The front surfaces of the different modules are preferably designed to be in continuity with one another. The rear surfaces of the various modules are preferably designed to be in continuity with one another. The left surfaces of the different modules are preferably designed to be in continuity with one another. The straight surfaces of the different modules are preferably designed to be in continuity with one another.

BE2016 / 5573

Preferably, the implant 1 has a rectangular or square section. The implant 1 could however have another section, for example circular, while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

The implant modules can have different heights. A surgeon may have modules of different heights at his disposal in order to best adapt the total height of the implant 1 to the corporectomy performed. For example, the third implant module 30, which can serve as an intermediate module, may be available with a height of 4 mm, 5 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm and 20 mm. This allows the implant to be adapted in steps of 1 mm.

The implant modules preferably have the same depth, for example 13 mm or 15 mm.

The implant modules preferably have the same extent in a left-right direction, that is to say the same width, for example 13 mm or 15 mm.

In other words, the invention relates to an implant 1 for corporectomy. The implant 1 comprises a plurality of modules 10; 20; 30 arranged to fit in a left-right direction. The upper module 10 can be fixed to the upper vertebra by a screw 61 passing through a fixing hole 15 going from its front surface 13 to its upper surface 11. The lower module 20 can be fixed to the lower vertebra by a screw 62 passing by a fixing hole 25 going from its front surface 23 to its lower surface 22.

Although the implant has been described in this document as part of a cervical corporectomy, it is also possible, while remaining within the scope of the invention, that it is used within the framework of a dorsal corporectomy or lumbar.

The present invention has been described in relation to specific embodiments, which have a purely illustrative value and should not be considered as limiting. Generally speaking, the

BE2016 / 5573 present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated and / or described above. The use of the verbs "to understand", "to include", "to include", or any other variant, as well as their conjugations, cannot in any way exclude the presence of elements other than those mentioned.

The use of the indefinite article "a", "an", or of the definite article "the", "the" or "I", to introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of these elements. Reference numbers in the claims do not limit their scope.

BE2016 / 5573

Claims (10)

Claims 1. Implant (1) intended to be placed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra of a patient and comprising: • a first implant module (10) having: o a first surface (11), o a second surface (12) essentially opposite to the first surface (11), o a front surface (13) intended to be oriented essentially towards a front direction (101) during installation of the implant (1) in the patient, o a rear surface (14) intended to be oriented essentially towards a rear direction (102) when the implant (1) is placed in the patient, the rear direction (102) being opposite to the front direction (101); • a second implant module (20) having: o a first surface (21), o a second surface (22) essentially opposite to the first surface (21), o a front surface (23) intended to be oriented essentially towards the front direction (101) during installation of the implant (1) in the patient, o a rear surface (24) intended to be oriented essentially towards the rear direction (102) when the implant (1) is placed in the patient; and • assembly means (41; 42) provided for mechanically coupling the second surface (12) of the first implant module (10) and the first surface (21) of the second implant module (20); BE2016 / 5573 characterized in that • the first implant module (10) comprises a first fixing hole (15): o arranged to receive at least part of a first fixing means (61), the first fixing means (61) being able to fix the first implant module (10) to the first vertebra, o crossing between the surface front (13) of the first implant module (10) and the first surface (11) of the first implant module (10), and o arranged to allow access to the first fixing means (61) from the front surface ( 13) of the first implant module (10); and in that • the implant (1) comprises first blocking means for blocking a relative movement between the first implant module (10) and the second implant module (20) in the front direction (101) and the rear steering (102). 2. Implant (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first locking means extend at most between the front (13; 23) and rear (14; 24) surfaces of the first (10) and second (20 ) implant modules once the first (10) and second (20) implant modules are mechanically coupled. 3. Implant (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the assembly means (41; 42) comprise a protuberance (45) on one of the first and second implant modules (10; 20) and a recess (44) on the other of the first and second implant modules (10; 20), the recess (44) opening onto a first lateral surface (16; 26) of the implant module in which it is included, and the first surface BE2016 / 5573 lateral being intended to be oriented towards a left direction (103) or towards a right direction (104) when the implant (1) is placed in the patient, so that the protuberance (45) can be inserted into the recess (44) via the first lateral surface (16; 20). 4. Implant (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the recess (44) comprises a constricted part (44a) and an extended part (44b) more extended in the front-rear direction than the constricted part (44a), the constricted part (44a) and the extended part (44b) opening onto the first lateral surface (16; 26), and in that • the protuberance (45) comprises a constricted part (45a) and an extended part (45b) more extended in the front-rear direction as the constricted part (45a), the constricted part (45a) connecting the extended part (45b) to the rest of the implant module (10; 20), the constricted part (45a) of the protuberance (45) being provided to be inserted into the constricted portion (44a) of the recess (44) and the extended portion (45b) of the protrusion (45) being provided to be inserted into the extended portion (44b) of the recess (44) , so that the extended part (45b) of the protuberance (45) can be blocked in the extended portion (44b) of the recess (44) due to the constricted portion (44a) of the recess (44). The present invention relates to an implant (1) for corporectomy. The implant (1) comprises a plurality of modules (10; 20; 30) arranged to fit together in a left-right direction. The upper module (10) can be fixed to the upper vertebra by a screw (61) passing through a fixing hole (15) going from its front surface (13) to its upper surface 5. Implant (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that that of the implant modules (10; 20) which comprises the recess (44) also comprises a stop (80) provided to limit a displacement of the protuberance (45) in the recess (44) in order to prevent the protuberance (45) from coming out of the recess (44) by a surface other than the first lateral surface (16; 26) by which the protuberance (45) has been inserted in the recess (44). BE2016 / 5573 6. Implant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a conduit (70) between the first surface (11) of the first implant module (10) and the second surface (22) of the second implant module (20). 7. Implant (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the conduit (70) has a common part with the first fixing hole (15). 8. Implant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first surface (11) of the first implant module (10) comprises first lugs (18). 9. Implant (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the first lugs (18) are located near the front surface (13) of the first implant module (10). 10. Implant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first surface (11) of the first implant module (10) is more extended in a left-right direction than the second surface (12) of the first implant module (10). 11. Implant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first surface (11) of the first implant module (10) is inclined relative to the front surface (13) and / or to the rear surface (14) of the first implant module (10), preferably so as to have an angle (66a) of more than 90 ° relative to the rear surface (14) and an angle (65a) of less than 90 ° relative to the front surface (13). BE2016 / 5573 12. Implant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second implant module (20) comprises a second fixing hole (25): • arranged to receive at least part of a second fixing means (62), the second fixing means (62) being able to fix the second implant module (20) to the second vertebra, • crossing between the surface front (23) of the second implant module (20) and the second surface (22) of the second implant module (20), and • arranged to allow access to the second fixing means (62) from the front surface ( 23) of the second implant module (20). 13. Implant (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the second surface (22) of the second implant module (20) comprises second lugs (28). 14. Implant (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the second lugs (28) are located near the front surface (23) of the second implant module (20). 15. Implant (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the second surface (22) of the second implant module (20) is more extended in a left-right direction than the first surface ( 21) of the second implant module (20). 16. Implant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a third implant module (30) having: • a first surface (31), BE2016 / 5573 • a second surface (32) essentially opposite to the first surface (31), • a front surface (33) intended to be oriented essentially towards the front direction (101) when the implant is placed ( 1) in the patient, • a rear surface (34) intended to be oriented essentially towards the rear direction (102) when the implant (1) is placed in the patient, • a first assembly part ( 51) provided to be assembled with a second assembly part (42) of the second implant module (20), and • a second assembly part (52) provided to be assembled with a first assembly part (41) of the first implant module (10). 17. Implant (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that blocking means are provided on the first assembly part (51) of the third implant module (30) and / or on the second assembly part (42) of the second implant module (20) to block relative movement between the third implant module (30) and the second implant module (20) in the front direction (101) and the rear direction (102 ). 18. Implant (1) according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that blocking means are provided on the first assembly part (51) of the third implant module (30) and / or on the second part d assembly (42) of the second implant module (20) to block relative movement between the third implant module (30) and the second BE2016 / 5573 implant module (20) to the front direction (101) and the rear direction (102). 19. Implant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front surface (13; 23; 33) and / or the rear surface (14; 24; 34) of at least one of the modules d implant (10; 20; 30) has a curvature or an angle (67a, 67b) so that the front surface of the implant (1) has a convex part and the rear surface of the implant (1) has a concave part. 20. Implant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a lateral surface (16; 17; 26; 27) of at least one of the implant modules (10; 20; 30) is porous or has a mesh (71), preferably all the lateral surfaces (16; 17; 26; 27) of all the implant modules (10; 20; 30) are porous or have a mesh (71). 21. Implant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first surface (11) of the first implant module (10) is porous or has a mesh (71). 22. Implant (1) according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the porosity or the mesh (71) extends in the volume of the implant (1). 23. Implant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the implant modules (10; 20; 30) comprises only one piece, preferably each of the implant modules (10; 20; 30) has only one piece. 24. Method of assembling an implant (1), comprising the steps of: BE2016 / 5573 • provide an implant comprising o a first implant module (10) having: a first surface (11), a second surface (12) essentially opposite the first surface (11), a front surface (13) intended to be oriented essentially towards a front direction (101) when the positioning of the implant (1) in the patient, a rear surface (14) intended to be oriented essentially towards a rear direction (102) when the implant (1) is placed in the patient, the rear direction (102) being opposite to the front direction (101), o a second implant module (20) having: a first surface (21), a second surface (22) essentially opposite the first surface (21), a front surface (23) intended to be oriented essentially towards the front direction (101) when the positioning of the implant (1) in the patient, a rear surface (24) intended to be oriented essentially towards the rear direction (102) when the implant (1) is placed in the patient, o assembly means ( 41; 42) provided for mechanically coupling the second surface (12) of the first implant module (10) and the first surface (21) of the second implant module (20); • assemble the first (10) and second (20) implant modules using the assembly means (41; 42); characterized in that BE2016 / 5573 • the first implant module (10) comprises a first fixing hole (15); o arranged to receive part of a first fixing means (61), the first fixing means (61) being able to fix the first implant module (10) to the first vertebra, o crossing between the front surface ( 13) of the first implant module (10) and the first surface (11) of the first implant module (10), and o arranged to allow access to the first fixing means (61) from the front surface (13) the first implant module (10); The implant (1) comprises first blocking means for blocking a relative movement between the first implant module (10) and the second implant module (20) towards the front direction (101) and the rear direction ( 102); and in that the step of assembling the first (10) and the second (20) implant modules involves a relative sliding of the first (10) and second (20) implant modules in a direction different from the forward-backward direction. BE2016 / 5573 SHORT Modular implant for corporectomy 10 (11). The lower module (20) can be fixed to the lower vertebra by a screw (62) passing through a fixing hole (25) going from its front surface (23) to its lower surface (22).