US5674296A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Human spinal disc prosthesis
Assignee: Medtronic Sofamor Danek Inc
•
Filing: 1996-07-22
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Granted: 1997-10-07
•
Expires: 2016-07-22
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a spinal disc endoprosthesis. The endoprosthesis has a resilient body formed of one or more materials which may vary in stiffness from a relatively stiff exterior annular gasket portion to a relatively supple central nucleus portion. Concaval-convex elements at least partly surround that nucleus portion so as to retain the nucleus portion and gasket between adjacent vertebral bodies in a patient's spine. Assemblies of endoprosthetic discs, endoprosthetic vertebral bodies, and endoprosthetic longitudinal ligaments may be constructed. To implant this endoprosthesis assembly, information is obtained regarding the size, shape, and nature of a patient's damaged spine. Thereafter, one or more prosthetic vertebral bodies and disc units are constructed in conformity with that information. Finally, the completed and conformed vertebral body and disc assembly is implanted in the patient's spine.
Inventors
- 👤 Vincent Bryan
- 👤 Alex Kunzler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30742; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/686; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/4425; A61B17/70; A61B17/7059; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61B2017/00004; A61F2/08; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/30004; A61F2002/30016; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30069; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30113; A61F2002/30159; A61F2002/30168; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/302; A61F2002/30205; A61F2002/30214; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30235; A61F2002/30252; A61F2002/30253; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30405; A61F2002/30433; A61F2002/30448; A61F2002/30451; A61F2002/30461; A61F2002/30462; A61F2002/30469; A61F2002/30474; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/30487; A61F2002/30495; A61F2002/30507; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30563; A61F2002/30576; A61F2002/30578; A61F2002/30579; A61F2002/30594; A61F2002/30599; A61F2002/30621; A61F2002/30624; A61F2002/30649; A61F2002/30663; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/443; A61F2002/449; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2220/0041; A61F2220/005; A61F2220/0058; A61F2220/0075; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0006; A61F2230/0028; A61F2230/0043; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0065; A61F2230/0067; A61F2230/0069; A61F2230/0073; A61F2230/0076; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0014; A61F2250/0019; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/006; A61F2250/0063; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00029; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S606/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis, comprising a resilient body formed of materials varying in stiffness from a relatively stiff exterior portion to a relatively supple central portion; and concaval-convex elements at least partly surrounding the resilient body between adjacent vertebral bodies for retaining the resilient body between adjacent vertebral bodies in a patient's spine, and wherein said concaval-convex elements each comprise generally L-shaped supports, each support having a first concaval-convex leg, the first leg having an outer convex surface for engaging adjacent bone and a corresponding inner concave surface for retaining the resilient body, each support further having a second leg extending generally perpendicularly to the first leg and adapted for affixation to adjacent bone structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis, comprising a resilient body formed of materials varying in stiffness from a relatively stiff exterior portion to a relatively supple central portion; and concaval-convex elements at least partly surrounding the resilient body between adjacent vertebral bodies for retaining the resilient body between adjacent vertebral bodies in a patient's spine, and wherein said concaval-convex elements each comprise generally L-shaped supports, each support having a first concaval-convex leg, the first leg having an outer convex surface for engaging adjacent bone and a corresponding inner concave surface for retaining the resilient body, each support further having a second leg extending generally perpendicularly to the first leg and adapted for affixation to adjacent bone structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said resilient body comprises an annular gasket and a nuclear central portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 1 further comprising cannulated screw means for attaching the concaval-convex element supports to adjacent bone structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 3 wherein said cannulated screw means comprises a screw, and a screw anchor seatable within bone structure and adapted to threadably receive the screw.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 1 further comprising a seal member attached to the concaval-convex elements and surrounding said resilient body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 5 wherein said seal member comprises a flexible shell material having a multiplicity of pores, the pores being from about 5 microns to about 60 microns in size.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 6 further including sealing means applied to said flexible sheet material to render said flexible sheet material substantially impervious to the passage of any fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 5 wherein said concaval-convex elements and said seal member collectively surround said resilient body with a watertight seal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 2 wherein said annular gasket is relatively stiff and said nuclear central portion is relatively supple.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said concaval-convex elements are formed of a biocompatible metal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said concaval-convex elements are formed of a metal containing titanium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said concaval-convex elements are formed of a metal containing chromium cobalt.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 10 wherein said concaval-convex elements are each partly defined by exterior surfaces, and wherein the endoprosthesis further includes metal beading on at least part of the exterior concaval-convex element surfaces for encouraging bonding between bone and said exterior concaval-convex element surfaces.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said concaval-convex elements are provided with roughened outer surfaces to encourage positive bonding of bone to said concaval-convex element surfaces.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said concaval-convex elements are formed of a non-oncogenic material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 1 wherein each concaval-convex element is provided with a respective groove.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 16 further comprising a seal member including beaded edges, the seal member attached to the concaval-convex elements and surrounding said resilient body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 17 further comprising retainer means for retaining the seal member against said grooves, the retainer means cooperating with the beaded edges and the grooves to form a watertight seal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 18 wherein the retainer means can be in one of the following forms: a biocompatible monofilament metal wire, a synthetic polymer band or a braided wire cable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 19 wherein the biocompatible monofilament metal wire is formed of stainless steel or titanium.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 18 further comprising a crimping means for crimping the retainer means about the seal member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 1 wherein each support includes a groove about its circumference, the groove encircling the periphery of the first leg.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
A vertebral endoprosthesis comprising an integral disc unit, said unit including a pair of confronting L-shaped supports having concaval-convex shapes in given legs, a resilient body interposed between the supports, and a flexible seal extending from one support to the other and sealing the resilient body within the supports inside a substantially watertight compartment.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
54 words
A vertebral endoprosthesis comprising an integral disc unit, said unit including a pair of confronting L-shaped supports having concaval-convex shapes in given legs, a resilient body interposed between the supports, and a flexible seal extending from one support to the other and sealing the resilient body within the supports inside a substantially watertight compartment.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
A vertebral endoprosthesis according to claim 23 further comprising a plurality of said integral disc units.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vertebral endoprosthesis according to claim 23 wherein each support includes a groove about its periphery and wherein the seal includes beaded edges.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vertebral endoprosthesis according to claim 25 further comprising retainer means for retaining the seal against said grooves, the retainer means cooperating with the beaded edges and the grooves to form a watertight seal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vertebral endoprosthesis according to claim 26 wherein the retainer means can be in one of the following forms: a biocompatible monofilament metal wire, a synthetic polymer band or a braided wire cable.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vertebral endoprosthesis according to claim 27 wherein the biocompatible monofilament metal wire is formed of stainless steel or titanium.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vertebral endoprosthesis according to claim 26 further comprising a crimping means for crimping the retainer means about the seal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
47 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis comprising a resilient nucleus, rigid concaval-convex elements at least partly surrounding the nucleus, an annular gasket ring surrounding the nucleus, and a seal member formed of flexible material and attached to the concaval-convex elements and surrounding the nucleus and the annular gasket ring.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
47 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis comprising a resilient nucleus, rigid concaval-convex elements at least partly surrounding the nucleus, an annular gasket ring surrounding the nucleus, and a seal member formed of flexible material and attached to the concaval-convex elements and surrounding the nucleus and the annular gasket ring.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
68 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 30 wherein said concaval-convex elements each comprise generally L-shaped supports, each support having a first concaval-convex leg, the first leg having an outer convex surface for engaging adjacent bone and a corresponding inner concave surface for retaining the nucleus, each support further having a second leg extending generally perpendicularly to the first leg and adapted for affixation to adjacent bone structure.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis, according to claim 31 further including screw means adapted for connection to said legs and for affixation in a generally radial direction in adjacent generally cylindrical bone vertebrae.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 31 wherein each support includes a groove about its circumference.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 30 further including means affixed to the concaval-convex elements for encouraging bone growth partially upon and bone bonding with said concaval-convex elements.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
36 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 30 further including means for interconnecting one of said concaval-convex elements to a concaval-convex element of another vertebral disc endoprosthesis, thereby permitting the replacement of several natural vertebral discs.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 30 wherein each element includes a respective groove and wherein the seal member includes beaded edges.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 36 further comprising retainer means for retaining the seal member against said grooves, the retainer means cooperating with the beaded edges and the grooves to form a watertight seal.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 37 wherein the retainer means can be in one of the following forms: a biocompatible monofilament metal wire, a synthetic polymer band or a braided wire cable.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 38 wherein the biocompatible monofilament metal wire is formed of stainless steel or titanium.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 37 further comprising a crimping means for crimping the retainer means about the seal member.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
80 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis comprising a resilient nucleus, first and second rigid concaval-convex elements at least partly surrounding the nucleus, first and second legs formed, respectively, with the first and second rigid concaval-convex elements, first and second means for affixing the respective legs to vertebral bodies adjacent the concaval-convex elements and nucleus, and longitudinal ligament prosthesis means extending between the legs of the first and second concaval-convex elements to inhibit undesirable motion of the vertebral bodies relative to one another.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
80 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis comprising a resilient nucleus, first and second rigid concaval-convex elements at least partly surrounding the nucleus, first and second legs formed, respectively, with the first and second rigid concaval-convex elements, first and second means for affixing the respective legs to vertebral bodies adjacent the concaval-convex elements and nucleus, and longitudinal ligament prosthesis means extending between the legs of the first and second concaval-convex elements to inhibit undesirable motion of the vertebral bodies relative to one another.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
100 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis comprising a rounded, resilient nucleus body convex on all surfaces and concaval-convex elements, each concaval-convex element being of relatively constant cross-sectional thickness and having an outer convex surface for engaging adjacent bone structure which has been milled to mate with the concaval-convex element outer convex surface, and a corresponding inner concave surface for engaging the rounded resilient body, wherein said resilient nucleus body comprises a relatively resilient central body and a relatively stiff gasket surrounding a circumference of the central body, the resilient nucleus body snugly engaging the adjacent, mating concave surfaces of the concaval-convex elements.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
100 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis comprising a rounded, resilient nucleus body convex on all surfaces and concaval-convex elements, each concaval-convex element being of relatively constant cross-sectional thickness and having an outer convex surface for engaging adjacent bone structure which has been milled to mate with the concaval-convex element outer convex surface, and a corresponding inner concave surface for engaging the rounded resilient body, wherein said resilient nucleus body comprises a relatively resilient central body and a relatively stiff gasket surrounding a circumference of the central body, the resilient nucleus body snugly engaging the adjacent, mating concave surfaces of the concaval-convex elements.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vertebral disc endoprosthesis according to claim 42 wherein the concaval-convex elements do not engage one another.
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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) | 2000-10-06 | 2001-04-07 | 2001-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-06 | 2005-04-07 | 2005-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-06 | 2009-04-07 | 2009-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |