Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A vertebral disk stabilizer comprising: an elongate implant having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the elongate length thereof, comprised of first, second, third, and forth sides providing a minimal height defined by the first and second sides and maximal width defined by the third and forth sides, the third and forth sides being arched from one end of said implant to the other end of said implant to provide the middle portion of said implant with a bi-convex shape having a width larger than the width of the ends of said implant, the height being less than the width; a lock having a bearing surface formed thereon, and means detachably mounting said lock to one end of said implant to prevent rotation of said lock relative said implant with the bearing surface oriented at approximately 90° with respect to the height of said implant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A vertebral disk stabilizer comprising: an elongate implant having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the elongate length thereof, comprised of first, second, third, and forth sides providing a minimal height defined by the first and second sides and maximal width defined by the third and forth sides, the third and forth sides being arched from one end of said implant to the other end of said implant to provide the middle portion of said implant with a bi-convex shape having a width larger than the width of the ends of said implant, the height being less than the width; a lock having a bearing surface formed thereon, and means detachably mounting said lock to one end of said implant to prevent rotation of said lock relative said implant with the bearing surface oriented at approximately 90° with respect to the height of said implant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The stabilizer of claim 1 wherein the third and fourth sides of said implant are provided with teeth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The stabilizer of claim 1 wherein said lock is provided With a substantially flat surface for contacting either the first or the second side of said implant to prevent rotation of said lock relative to said implant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stabilizer of claim 1 wherein the corners of said implant between the first, second, third, and fourth sides are rounded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The stabilizer of claim 1 wherein the end of said implant opposite the end to which said lock is mounted is rounded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stabilizer of claim 1 additionally comprising an applicator for detachably mounting to said implant after removing said lock therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
208 words
Apparatus for inserting between adjacent vertebrae after removal of a portion of the intervertebral disk from therebetween with an elongate applicator comprising: an elongate implant having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the elongate length thereof, comprised of first and second substantially flat sides defining the height of said implant and third and fourth sides defining the width of said implant, the third and fourth sides being arched to provide said implant with a bi-convex shape having a width greater in the middle portion than at the ends thereof, the height of said implant being less in dimension than the width of said implant; means formed in one end of said implant for detachably mounting an applicator to said implant; and a lock detachably secured to said implant to prevent rotation of said implant in the space between the adjacent vertebrae after (a) inserting said implant when mounted to said applicator into the space between the adjacent vertebrae with the first and second sides of said implant contacting the adjacent vertebrae, (b) rotating said applicator having said implant mounted to the applicator approximately 90° to cause the third and fourth sides of said implant to contact the adjacent vertebrae, and (c) detaching said applicator from said implant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
208 words
Apparatus for inserting between adjacent vertebrae after removal of a portion of the intervertebral disk from therebetween with an elongate applicator comprising: an elongate implant having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the elongate length thereof, comprised of first and second substantially flat sides defining the height of said implant and third and fourth sides defining the width of said implant, the third and fourth sides being arched to provide said implant with a bi-convex shape having a width greater in the middle portion than at the ends thereof, the height of said implant being less in dimension than the width of said implant; means formed in one end of said implant for detachably mounting an applicator to said implant; and a lock detachably secured to said implant to prevent rotation of said implant in the space between the adjacent vertebrae after (a) inserting said implant when mounted to said applicator into the space between the adjacent vertebrae with the first and second sides of said implant contacting the adjacent vertebrae, (b) rotating said applicator having said implant mounted to the applicator approximately 90° to cause the third and fourth sides of said implant to contact the adjacent vertebrae, and (c) detaching said applicator from said implant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said lock is provided with a surface for bearing against the adjacent vertebrae to prevent rotation of said lock relative to the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said bearing surface is oriented at an angle of approximately 90° to the first and second sides of said implant when secured thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said lock is provided with a flat surface for contacting either the first or second surface of said implant when secured thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the third and fourth sides of said implant are provided with teeth for biting into the adjacent vertebrae when said implant is rotated.