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US5415661A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Implantable spinal assist device

Assignee: University of Miami
•
Filing: 1993-03-24
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Granted: 1995-05-16
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Expires: 2013-03-24
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Abstract

Abstract An implantable device for restoring normal biomechanical function to a motion segment unit of the spine which includes a curvilinear body composed of a composite material made up of a fiber material interspersed in a matrix material.

Inventors

  • 👤 David C. Holmes

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 18:54
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7001; A61B17/7002; A61B17/7019; A61B17/7026; A61B17/7031; A61B17/7062; A61L; A61L31/00; A61L31/12; A61L31/125; A61L31/126; A61L31/129; A61B17/7011; A61B17/7041; A61L2430/00; A61L2430/38; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S606/91

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 117 words
A compliant implantable device for restoring normal biomechanical function to a motion segment unit of the spine comprising a flexible body having a longitudinal axis, said body being curved along said longitudinal axis and being composed of a composite material comprising a fiber material interspersed in a matrix material, said body comprising a curved central section unattached to a motion segment unit and a pair of opposed terminal sections, each terminal section having respective end portions for attaching the implantable device to adjacent motion segment units, said central section being free to move in response to pressure applied to the motion segment unit to provide support for and restore normal biomechanical function to the motion segment unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 117 words
A compliant implantable device for restoring normal biomechanical function to a motion segment unit of the spine comprising a flexible body having a longitudinal axis, said body being curved along said longitudinal axis and being composed of a composite material comprising a fiber material interspersed in a matrix material, said body comprising a curved central section unattached to a motion segment unit and a pair of opposed terminal sections, each terminal section having respective end portions for attaching the implantable device to adjacent motion segment units, said central section being free to move in response to pressure applied to the motion segment unit to provide support for and restore normal biomechanical function to the motion segment unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 27 words
The implantable device of claim 1 wherein the matrix material is selected from the group consisting of a biocompatible thermosetting polymers, thermoplastic polymers, alloys and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
The implantable device of claim 1 wherein the fiber material is selected from biocompatible carbon fibers and polyamide fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 16 words
The implantable device of claim 2 wherein the matrix material is selected from polysulfone and polyetheretherketone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 22 words
The implantable device of claim 1 wherein the body is composed of the composite material in the form of a pre-peg tape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
The implantable device of claim 1 wherein the fiber material has an isotropic fiber orientation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 15 words
The implantable device of claim 1 wherein the fiber material has an anisotropic fiber orientation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 30 words
The implantable device of claim 1 wherein the density of the fiber material is from about 40 to 70% by volume based on the total volume of the composite material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 37 words
The implantable device of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a pair of intermediate sections between each of said terminal sections and said central section, said intermediate sections having a lower stiffness than said terminal sections.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 22 words
The implantable device of claim 9 wherein the stiffness of the device continuously decreases from the terminal sections to the central sections.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 19 words
The implantable device of claim 1 wherein the body has an arc measure exceeding 0° and less than 180°.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

EP0013862A1 Cited
US4512038A Cited
US4743260A Cited
US4834757A Cited
US4878915A Cited
WO1990013265A1 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1998-05-15 1998-11-14 1999-05-16 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2002-05-15 2002-11-14 2003-05-16 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2006-05-15 2006-11-14 2007-05-16 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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