US4946378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Artificial intervertebral disc
Assignee: Pentax Corp
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Filing: 1988-11-22
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Granted: 1990-08-07
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Expires: 2008-11-22
Abstract
Abstract An artificial intervertebral disc comprises a pair of end bodies which are provided, on their outer surfaces, with apatite layers. The disc includes a medical synthetic polymeric intermediate which is held between the end bodies through connecting members.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasuhiko Hirayama
- 👤 Haruko Ikata
- 👤 Satoshi Ojima
- 👤 Hiromi Matsuzaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/30767; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30153; A61F2002/30159; A61F2002/30164; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30261; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30405; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30563; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30879; A61F2002/30883; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0019; A61F2230/0028; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0082; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/00592; A61F2310/00796; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S606/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An artificial intervertebral disc comprising a pair of end bodies, and a medical synthetic polymeric intermediate which is held between the end bodies via connecting members, said connecting members including projections for abutting associated end bodies, and embedded portions which are embedded in said medical synthetic polymeric intermediate, the transverse dimension of each said embedded portion being larger than the transverse dimension of each said projection, whereby said connecting members are connected to said medical synthetic polymeric intermediate so that resistance and elasticity occur through said connecting members when both compression and tensile forces are applied.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
An artificial intervertebral disc comprising a pair of end bodies, and a medical synthetic polymeric intermediate which is held between the end bodies via connecting members, said connecting members including projections for abutting associated end bodies, and embedded portions which are embedded in said medical synthetic polymeric intermediate, the transverse dimension of each said embedded portion being larger than the transverse dimension of each said projection, whereby said connecting members are connected to said medical synthetic polymeric intermediate so that resistance and elasticity occur through said connecting members when both compression and tensile forces are applied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An artificial intervertebral disc according to claim 1, wherein said end bodies are made of titanium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An artificial intervertebral disc according to claim 1, wherein said end bodies are made of stainless steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An artificial intervertebral disc according to claim 1, wherein said connecting members are made of stainless steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An artificial intervertebral disc according to claim 1, wherein said connecting members are made of titanium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An artificial intervertebral disc according to claim 1, wherein said connecting members have screws for connecting said members to associated end bodies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An artificial intervertebral disc to be implanted between vertebral bodies, according to claim 1, wherein said end bodies have projections which are adapted to be engaged in associated vertebral bodies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An artificial intervertebral disc according to claim 1, wherein said medical synthetic polymeric intermediate is elastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
An artificial intervertebral disc according to claim 8, wherein said medical synthetic polymeric intermediate is made of a material selected from silicone rubber, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyurethane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An artificial intervertebral disc according to claim 1, where said end bodies include outer surfaces and said outer surfaces include apatite layers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
An artificial intervertebral disc according to claim 10, wherein said apatite layers and said end bodies are made of materials having coefficients of thermal expansion substantially identical to each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An artificial intervertebral disc according to claim 1, wherein each end body is substantially in the shape of an inverted frustrum cone.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-06 | 1994-02-05 | 1994-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-06 | 1998-02-05 | 1998-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-06 | 2002-02-05 | 2002-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |