Patent US2527207A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US2502837A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3867728A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Prosthesis for spinal repair
Assignee: Bayer Corp
•
Filing: 1973-04-05
•
Granted: 1975-02-25
•
Expires: 1993-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A shaped article comprising at least a core element having generally flat top and bottom surfaces, the core element being made of elastic polymer and preferably reinforced. Presently preferred forms of the article are those in which the core element has a covering element secured to one or, in some cases, to both flat surfaces and providing an outer surface of an openpore tissue-ingrowth-receptive material. Another preferred form of the prosthesis comprises a curved, flat, bar-like element shaped into a spiral configuration, so that the overall appearance approximates a flat disc. Still another version includes a plurality of flexible, curved, bar-like elements with configurations which allow them to lie side by side so as to occupy the interior space of a natural disc from which the nucleus pulposus has been removed. When any form of the prosthesis is used to replace a diseased or damaged spinal disc, proper spacing of the adjacent vertebrae is maintained and the prosthesis provides resistance to compressive forces imposed on the spine, as well as preserves the natural flexibility of the spine.
Inventors
- 👤 James A Stubstad
- 👤 James R Urbaniak
- 👤 Paul Kahn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30907; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/442; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30724; A61F2/3094; A61F2/30965; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30069; A61F2002/3007; A61F2002/30092; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30133; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30291; A61F2002/30293; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30451; A61F2002/30461; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30563; A61F2002/30604; A61F2002/30909; A61F2002/30915; A61F2002/3092; A61F2002/30929; A61F2002/30971; A61F2002/444; A61F2002/4495; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0058; A61F2220/0075; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0015; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0091; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/006; A61F2250/0063; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
A resilient shaped prosthesis for replacement of a damaged or degenerated spinal disc, comprising: a spinal-disc-shaped element having two generally flat faces, and wherein said element is a laminated sandwich of horizontal shaped sheets of elastomer and horizontal shaped sheets of fabric-reinforced elastomer, all outer surfaces consisting of elastomer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
A resilient shaped prosthesis for replacement of a damaged or degenerated spinal disc, comprising: a spinal-disc-shaped element having two generally flat faces, and wherein said element is a laminated sandwich of horizontal shaped sheets of elastomer and horizontal shaped sheets of fabric-reinforced elastomer, all outer surfaces consisting of elastomer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A resilient shaped prosthesis for replacement of a damaged or degenerated spinal disc, comprising: a spinal-disc-shaped element having two generally flat faces, and wherein said element comprises a spirally-wound strip of fabric coated with and bonded by elastomer, all outer surfaces consisting of said elastomer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A resilient shaped prosthesis for replacement of a damaged or degenerated spinal disc, comprising: a spinal-disc-shaped element having two generally flat faces, and wherein said element comprises a spirally-wound strip of fabric coated with and bonded by elastomer, all outer surfaces consisting of said elastomer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
A resilient shaped prosthesis for replacement of a damaged or degenerated spinal disc, comprising: a spinal-disc-shaped element having two generally flat faces, wherein said element is a laminated sandwich of horizontal shaped sheets of elastomer and horizontal shaped sheets of fabric, and said spinal-disc-shaped element has, affixed to one said face of said element, an outward-facing covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive, open-pore material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
A resilient shaped prosthesis for replacement of a damaged or degenerated spinal disc, comprising: a spinal-disc-shaped element having two generally flat faces, wherein said element is a laminated sandwich of horizontal shaped sheets of elastomer and horizontal shaped sheets of fabric, and said spinal-disc-shaped element has, affixed to one said face of said element, an outward-facing covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive, open-pore material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The prosthesis of claim 3 wherein said material is on both said faces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The prosthesis of claim 4 wherein said element has a concave side wall surface coterminous with an outer edge of said element at said faces and indented in between them.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
A resilient, biocompatible, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc including in combination: a spinal-disc-shaped core element having a central portion of viscoelastic fluid polymer encased in a protecting and confining sac with two generally flat faces, a spinal-disc-shaped first closure element affiXed to one said face of said core element, and a spinal-disc-shaped second closure element affixed to the other said face of said core element, each of said closure elements having a flat elastomeric portion resting against one said face, and an outward-facing covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive, open-pore fabric, all of said elements being firmly affixed together.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
A resilient, biocompatible, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc including in combination: a spinal-disc-shaped core element having a central portion of viscoelastic fluid polymer encased in a protecting and confining sac with two generally flat faces, a spinal-disc-shaped first closure element affiXed to one said face of said core element, and a spinal-disc-shaped second closure element affixed to the other said face of said core element, each of said closure elements having a flat elastomeric portion resting against one said face, and an outward-facing covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive, open-pore fabric, all of said elements being firmly affixed together.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
A resilient, bicompatible, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc including in combination: a spinal-disc-shaped core element having a central portion of unreinforced elastic polymer with two generally flat faces and a surrounding wall of reinforced polymer affixed to said central portion, a spinal-disc-shaped first outer element affixed to one said face of said core element, and a spinal-disc-shaped second outer element affixed to the other said face of said core element, each of said outer elements having a flat elastomeric portion resting against one said face, and an outward-facing covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive, open-pore fabric, all of said elements being firmly affixed together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
A resilient, bicompatible, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc including in combination: a spinal-disc-shaped core element having a central portion of unreinforced elastic polymer with two generally flat faces and a surrounding wall of reinforced polymer affixed to said central portion, a spinal-disc-shaped first outer element affixed to one said face of said core element, and a spinal-disc-shaped second outer element affixed to the other said face of said core element, each of said outer elements having a flat elastomeric portion resting against one said face, and an outward-facing covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive, open-pore fabric, all of said elements being firmly affixed together.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The prosthesis of claim 7 wherein said reinforced surrounding wall is silicone elastomer reinforced with a mesh of fabric filaments.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The prosthesis of claim 8 wherein said surrounding wall has a posterior portion and additional means for rigidifying said posterior portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The prosthesis of claim 9 wherein said additional means comprises box sutures linking said posterior portion to opposite portions of said wall.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The prosthesis of claim 9 wherein said additional means comprises a rigid strip lying against the interior surface of said posterior portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The prosthesis of claim 7 wherein said surrounding wall is plurality of layers of silicone rubber, each layer being reinforced with Dacron mesh.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
105 words
A resilient, bicompatible, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc including in combination: a spinal-disc-shaped core element having a central portion of elastic polymer with two generally flat faces, a spinal-disc-shaped first outer element affixed to one said face of said core element, and a spinal-disc-shaped second outer element affixed to the other said face of said core element, each of said outer elements having a flat elastomeric portion resting against one said face and comprising a plurality of silicone rubber layers in stacked arrangement, and an outward-facing covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive, open-pore fabric, all of said elements being firmly affixed together.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
105 words
A resilient, bicompatible, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc including in combination: a spinal-disc-shaped core element having a central portion of elastic polymer with two generally flat faces, a spinal-disc-shaped first outer element affixed to one said face of said core element, and a spinal-disc-shaped second outer element affixed to the other said face of said core element, each of said outer elements having a flat elastomeric portion resting against one said face and comprising a plurality of silicone rubber layers in stacked arrangement, and an outward-facing covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive, open-pore fabric, all of said elements being firmly affixed together.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The prosthesis of claim 13 wherein a reinforcing metal screen is incorporated into one of said silicone rubber layers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The prosthesis of claim 13 wherein the outermost said silicone rubber layer is provided with an outer surface of Dacron velour.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc, comprising: a spinal-disc-shaped element having two generally flat faces and having a central portion consisting of elastic polymer compatible with body fluids and tissues, and a surrounding wall of reinforced elastomer affixed to said central portion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc, comprising: a spinal-disc-shaped element having two generally flat faces and having a central portion consisting of elastic polymer compatible with body fluids and tissues, and a surrounding wall of reinforced elastomer affixed to said central portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The prosthesis of claim 16 wherein said polymer is a solid elastomer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The prosthesis of claim 16 wherein said reinforced surrounding wall is of silicone elastomer reinforced with a mesh of fabric filaments.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
64 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc, comprising: a spinal-disc-shaped element having two generally flat faces and having a central portion consisting of elastic polymer compatible with body fluids and tissues, and a surrounding wall of reinforced elastomer affixed to said central portion, and wherein said polymer is a visco-elastic fluid encased in a protecting and confining sac.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
64 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc, comprising: a spinal-disc-shaped element having two generally flat faces and having a central portion consisting of elastic polymer compatible with body fluids and tissues, and a surrounding wall of reinforced elastomer affixed to said central portion, and wherein said polymer is a visco-elastic fluid encased in a protecting and confining sac.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
79 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc, comprising: a spinal-disc-shaped element having two generally flat faces and having a central portion consisting of elastic polymer compatible with body fluids and tissues, and a surrounding wall of reinforced elastomer affixed to said central portion, and said reinforced surrounding wall being made of silicone elastomer reinforced with a mesh of fabric filaments, and having a posterior portion and additional means for rigidifying said posterior portion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
79 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc, comprising: a spinal-disc-shaped element having two generally flat faces and having a central portion consisting of elastic polymer compatible with body fluids and tissues, and a surrounding wall of reinforced elastomer affixed to said central portion, and said reinforced surrounding wall being made of silicone elastomer reinforced with a mesh of fabric filaments, and having a posterior portion and additional means for rigidifying said posterior portion.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The prosthesis of claim 20 wherein said additional means comprises box sutures linking said posterior portion to opposite portions of said wall.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The prosthesis of claim 21 wherein said additional means comprises a rigid strip lying against the interior surface of said posterior portion.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
69 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc, comprising: a spinal-disc-shaped element having two generally flat faces and having a central portion consisting of elastic polymer compatible with body fluids and tissues, and a surrounding wall of reinforced elastomer affixed to said central portion, and wherein said surrounding wall is a plurality of layers of silicone rubber, each layer being reinforced with Dacron mesh.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
69 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc, comprising: a spinal-disc-shaped element having two generally flat faces and having a central portion consisting of elastic polymer compatible with body fluids and tissues, and a surrounding wall of reinforced elastomer affixed to said central portion, and wherein said surrounding wall is a plurality of layers of silicone rubber, each layer being reinforced with Dacron mesh.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
129 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a damaged or a degenerated spinal disc including in combination: a spinal-disc-shaped core element having two generally flat faces, a central portion of silicone elastomer, initially unvulcanized, a spinal-disc-shaped first outer covering element affixed to one said face of said core element, and a spinal-disc-shaped second outer covering element affixed to the other said face of said core element, each of said covering elements having a stack of flat elastomeric layers, with an inner initially unvulcanized layer resting against one side face and an initially vulcanized outer layer, and an outward-facing covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive, open-pore fabric, secured to said outer layer, all of said elements being firmly affixed together by vulcanization together after assembly of said initially unvulcanized elastomeric layers and portions.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
129 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a damaged or a degenerated spinal disc including in combination: a spinal-disc-shaped core element having two generally flat faces, a central portion of silicone elastomer, initially unvulcanized, a spinal-disc-shaped first outer covering element affixed to one said face of said core element, and a spinal-disc-shaped second outer covering element affixed to the other said face of said core element, each of said covering elements having a stack of flat elastomeric layers, with an inner initially unvulcanized layer resting against one side face and an initially vulcanized outer layer, and an outward-facing covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive, open-pore fabric, secured to said outer layer, all of said elements being firmly affixed together by vulcanization together after assembly of said initially unvulcanized elastomeric layers and portions.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The prosthesis of claim 24 wherein said core element has a surrounding wall of silicone elastomer reinforced with fabric and initially vulcanized.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The prosthesis of claim 25 wherein said surrounding wall has a posterior portion and additional means for rigidifying said posterior portion.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The prosthesis of claim 26 wherein said additional means comprises Dacron box sutures spanning said surrounding wall.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
The prosthesis of claim 26 wherein said additional means comprises a rigid strip lying against the interior surface of said posterior portion.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The prosthesis of claim 25 wherein said surrounding wall is a spirally-wound plurality of layers of silicone rubber, each layer being reinforced with Dacron mesh.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The prosthesis of claim 24 wherein a reinforcing metal screen is incorporated into a central, initially unvulcanized elastomeric layer between said outer layer and said inner layer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
The prosthesis of claim 24 wherein said outer elastomeric layer is provided with an outer surface of Dacron velour.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
76 words
A resilient, biocompatible, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc including in combination: a spinal-disc-shaped core element having a central portion of fabric-reinforced elastic polymer with two generally flat faces of said polymer, a spinal-disc shaped outer element coterminous in area with said core element affixed to one said face only of said core element and having an outward-facing covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive, open-pore fabric, all of said elements being firmly affixed together.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
76 words
A resilient, biocompatible, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc including in combination: a spinal-disc-shaped core element having a central portion of fabric-reinforced elastic polymer with two generally flat faces of said polymer, a spinal-disc shaped outer element coterminous in area with said core element affixed to one said face only of said core element and having an outward-facing covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive, open-pore fabric, all of said elements being firmly affixed together.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
109 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a damaged or a degenerated spinal disc including in combination: a spinal-disc-shaped core element having first and second generally flat faCes and comprising fabric-reinforced elastomer, said faces having outer surfaces of said elastomer, a spinal-disc-shaped first outer covering element coterminous in area with and affixed to said first face of said core element, and a much smaller spinal-disc-shaped second outer covering element affixed to the central portion only of said second face of said core element, each of said covering elements having an outwardfacing covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive, open-pore fabric, secured to said outer layer, all of said elements being firmly affixed together.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
109 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a damaged or a degenerated spinal disc including in combination: a spinal-disc-shaped core element having first and second generally flat faCes and comprising fabric-reinforced elastomer, said faces having outer surfaces of said elastomer, a spinal-disc-shaped first outer covering element coterminous in area with and affixed to said first face of said core element, and a much smaller spinal-disc-shaped second outer covering element affixed to the central portion only of said second face of said core element, each of said covering elements having an outwardfacing covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive, open-pore fabric, secured to said outer layer, all of said elements being firmly affixed together.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
59 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for repair of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc, comprising: a spiral sppinal-disc-shaped member having two generally flat faces and comprising a specially-covered bar-like elastomeric element compatible with body fluids and tissues, capable of being unwound into a long generally straight form and inherently tending to recoil itself, upon release, into its spiral spinal-disc shape.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
59 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for repair of a degenerated or damaged spinal disc, comprising: a spiral sppinal-disc-shaped member having two generally flat faces and comprising a specially-covered bar-like elastomeric element compatible with body fluids and tissues, capable of being unwound into a long generally straight form and inherently tending to recoil itself, upon release, into its spiral spinal-disc shape.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
12 words
The prosthesis of claim 34 wherein said elastomeric member comprises fabric-reinforced elastomer.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
18 words
The prosthesis of claim 34 having an outer covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive material on at least one said face.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
The prosthesis of claim 34 having a core-stiffening yielding member embedded in at least its outermost terminal portion to aid in preventing bulging.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
62 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for repair of a damaged or a degenerated spinal disc including in combination: a generally spinal-disc-shaped assembly having two generally flat faces and comprising a plurality of curved segments arranged to nest in a horizontal manner when in place so as to provide said flat faces, each said segment being sufficiently narrow for installation through a narrow opening.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
62 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for repair of a damaged or a degenerated spinal disc including in combination: a generally spinal-disc-shaped assembly having two generally flat faces and comprising a plurality of curved segments arranged to nest in a horizontal manner when in place so as to provide said flat faces, each said segment being sufficiently narrow for installation through a narrow opening.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
22 words
The prosthesis of claim 38 having an outward-facing covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive, open-pore fabric, secured to one said face on each said segment.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
54 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a damaged or degenerated spinal disc, comprising: a spinal-disc-shaped element having two generally flat faces, wherein said element comprises a spirally-wound strip of fabric coated with and bonded by elastomer and said element has, affixed to one said flat face, an outward-facing covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive open-pore fabric.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
54 words
A resilient, shaped prosthesis for replacement of a damaged or degenerated spinal disc, comprising: a spinal-disc-shaped element having two generally flat faces, wherein said element comprises a spirally-wound strip of fabric coated with and bonded by elastomer and said element has, affixed to one said flat face, an outward-facing covering of tissue-ingrowth-receptive open-pore fabric.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3462765A
Cited
US3593342A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-24 | 1978-08-26 | 1979-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-24 | 1982-08-26 | 1983-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-24 | 1986-08-26 | 1987-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |