US5865848A — Dynamic intervertebral spacer and method of use

Claim 1

Independent Claim 149 words

A spinal fusion implant assembly for stabilizing vertebrae comprising: a first component having a first vertebral contact surface, a pair of side portions extending upwards from said first surface, and a first end plate portion extending upwards from said first surface; a second component having a second vertebral contact surface, a pair of side portions extending downwards from said second surface, and a second end plate portion extending downwards from said second surface; each of said side portions having a high point and a low point on respective ends of the side portion, such that a sloped edge of each side portion is defined between the high point and the low point, and wherein the slope of the first side portions is complementary to the slope of the second side portions; and a translation mechanism for providing relative movement between the first and second components in a horizontal direction.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 149 words

A spinal fusion implant assembly for stabilizing vertebrae comprising: a first component having a first vertebral contact surface, a pair of side portions extending upwards from said first surface, and a first end plate portion extending upwards from said first surface; a second component having a second vertebral contact surface, a pair of side portions extending downwards from said second surface, and a second end plate portion extending downwards from said second surface; each of said side portions having a high point and a low point on respective ends of the side portion, such that a sloped edge of each side portion is defined between the high point and the low point, and wherein the slope of the first side portions is complementary to the slope of the second side portions; and a translation mechanism for providing relative movement between the first and second components in a horizontal direction.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 15 words

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly, when assembled, has a rectangular cross section.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 15 words

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly, when assembled, has a rounded cross section.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 14 words

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second contact surfaces are perforated.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 18 words

The assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the end plates includes a threaded hole for a bolt.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 13 words

The assembly of claim 5, wherein the translation mechanism is an installation bolt.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 12 words

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly comprises a biocompatible material.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 18 words

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second components have a coating for promoting bony ingrowth.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 20 words

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second vertebral contact surfaces have textured areas for grasping the vertebrae.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 11 words

The assembly of claim 9, wherein the textured areas are ridges.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 33 words

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the sloped edges of each of said first and second side portions have complementary steps, such that the first side portions fit to the second side portions.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 23 words

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the translation mechanism also provides relative movement between the first and second components in a vertical direction.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 173 words

A spinal fusion implant assembly for stabilizing vertebrae comprising: a first component having a first vertebral contact surface, a pair of side portions extending upwards from said first surface, and a first end plate portion extending upwards from said first surface; a second component having a second vertebral contact surface, a pair of side portions extending downwards from said second surface, and a second end plate portion extending downwards from said second surface; each of said side portions having a high point and a low point, such that a sloped edge of each side portion is defined between the high point and the low point, wherein the slope of the first side portions is complementary to the slope of the second side portions, and wherein a greatest height of each side portion for each pair of side portions is located at one end of the component and the end plate of each component is located at an opposite end of the component; and a translation mechanism for providing relative motion between the components.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 173 words

A spinal fusion implant assembly for stabilizing vertebrae comprising: a first component having a first vertebral contact surface, a pair of side portions extending upwards from said first surface, and a first end plate portion extending upwards from said first surface; a second component having a second vertebral contact surface, a pair of side portions extending downwards from said second surface, and a second end plate portion extending downwards from said second surface; each of said side portions having a high point and a low point, such that a sloped edge of each side portion is defined between the high point and the low point, wherein the slope of the first side portions is complementary to the slope of the second side portions, and wherein a greatest height of each side portion for each pair of side portions is located at one end of the component and the end plate of each component is located at an opposite end of the component; and a translation mechanism for providing relative motion between the components.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 146 words

A spinal fusion implant assembly for stabilizing vertebrae comprising: a first component having a first vertebral contact surface, a pair of side portions extending upwards from said first surface, and a first end plate portion extending upwards from said first surface; a second component having a second vertebral contact surface, a pair of side portions extending downwards from said second surface, and a second end plate portion extending downwards from said second surface; each of said side portions having a high point and a low point, such that a sloped edge of each side portion is defined between the high point and the low point, the sloped edges of each of said first and second side portions having complementary slopes and complementary ridges, such that the first side portions fit to the second side portions; and a translation mechanism for providing relative motion between the components.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 146 words

A spinal fusion implant assembly for stabilizing vertebrae comprising: a first component having a first vertebral contact surface, a pair of side portions extending upwards from said first surface, and a first end plate portion extending upwards from said first surface; a second component having a second vertebral contact surface, a pair of side portions extending downwards from said second surface, and a second end plate portion extending downwards from said second surface; each of said side portions having a high point and a low point, such that a sloped edge of each side portion is defined between the high point and the low point, the sloped edges of each of said first and second side portions having complementary slopes and complementary ridges, such that the first side portions fit to the second side portions; and a translation mechanism for providing relative motion between the components.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 68 words

A fusion implant assembly comprising: first and second complementary portions, each portion having a vertebral contact surface, two sides and an end plate, said portions fitting together to form a whole, wherein the vertebral contact surface of the first portion is positioned above the vertebral contact surface of the second portion; and means for providing relative movement between the first and second complementary portions in a horizontal direction.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 68 words

A fusion implant assembly comprising: first and second complementary portions, each portion having a vertebral contact surface, two sides and an end plate, said portions fitting together to form a whole, wherein the vertebral contact surface of the first portion is positioned above the vertebral contact surface of the second portion; and means for providing relative movement between the first and second complementary portions in a horizontal direction.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 55 words

The fusion implant assembly of claim 15, wherein each of said sides includes a high point and a low point, such that a sloped edge of each side is defined between the high point and the low point, and wherein the slope of the first sides is complementary to the slope of the second sides.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 17 words

The fusion implant assembly of claim 15, wherein the assembly, when assembled, has a rectangular cross section.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 17 words

The fusion implant assembly of claim 15, wherein the assembly, when assembled, has a rounded cross section.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 17 words

The fusion implant assembly of claim 15, wherein the first and second vertebral contact surfaces are perforated.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 20 words

The fusion implant assembly of claim 15, wherein one of the end plates includes a threaded hole for a bolt.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 15 words

The fusion implant assembly of claim 20, wherein the translation mechanism is an installation bolt.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 25 words

The fusion implant assembly of claim 15, wherein the translation mechanism also provides relative movement between the first and second components in a vertical direction.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 125 words

A fusion implant assembly comprising: first and second complementary portions, each portion having a vertebral contact surface, two sides and an end plate, said portions fitting together to form a whole, each of said sides including a high point and a low point, such that a sloped edge of each side is defined between the high point and the low point, the slope of the first sides being complementary to the slope of the second sides, and wherein a greatest height of each side for each pair of sides is located at one end of the component and the end plate of each component is located at an opposite end of the component; and a translation mechanism for providing relative motion between the complementary portions.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 125 words

A fusion implant assembly comprising: first and second complementary portions, each portion having a vertebral contact surface, two sides and an end plate, said portions fitting together to form a whole, each of said sides including a high point and a low point, such that a sloped edge of each side is defined between the high point and the low point, the slope of the first sides being complementary to the slope of the second sides, and wherein a greatest height of each side for each pair of sides is located at one end of the component and the end plate of each component is located at an opposite end of the component; and a translation mechanism for providing relative motion between the complementary portions.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 89 words

A fusion implant assembly comprising: first and second complementary portions, each portion having a vertebral contact surface, two sides and an end plate, said portions fitting together to form a whole, each of said sides including a high point and a low point, such that a sloped edge of each side is defined between the high point and the low point, wherein the slope of the first sides is different from the slope of the second sides; and a translation mechanism for providing relative motion between the complementary portions.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 89 words

A fusion implant assembly comprising: first and second complementary portions, each portion having a vertebral contact surface, two sides and an end plate, said portions fitting together to form a whole, each of said sides including a high point and a low point, such that a sloped edge of each side is defined between the high point and the low point, wherein the slope of the first sides is different from the slope of the second sides; and a translation mechanism for providing relative motion between the complementary portions.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 70 words

A method of implanting a fusion assembly between adjacent vertebrae comprising: gaining exposure to the surgical site; removing disc material from between adjacent vertebrae; creating a cavity of desired dimensions for the fusion assembly; placing the fusion assembly with the cavity; providing relative horizontal movement between vertebral contact surfaces of components of the fusion assembly to adjust the size or shape of the fusion assembly; and closing the surgical site.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 70 words

A method of implanting a fusion assembly between adjacent vertebrae comprising: gaining exposure to the surgical site; removing disc material from between adjacent vertebrae; creating a cavity of desired dimensions for the fusion assembly; placing the fusion assembly with the cavity; providing relative horizontal movement between vertebral contact surfaces of components of the fusion assembly to adjust the size or shape of the fusion assembly; and closing the surgical site.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 25 wherein the providing of relative movement includes tightening a screw mechanism.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 25 wherein the method further includes removing a translation mechanism before closing the surgical site.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 25 wherein gaining exposure to the surgical site is done in either an anterior or posterior approach.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method of claim 25 wherein the method further includes: packing the fusion assembly, if it contains perforations, with a bone material prior to inserting the fusion assembly into the cavity; and displacing the bone material through the perforations by actuating a translation mechanism.

Claim 37

Independent Claim 74 words

A method of correcting spondylolisthesis, including: gaining access to the surgical site; selecting a fusion implant assembly including complementary components; locating the implant assembly between a normal vertebrae and a slipped vertebrae; providing relative horizontal and vertical movement between vertebral contact surfaces of the complementary components of the fusion implant assembly to adjust the height between the two vertebrae and to move the slipped vertebrae into its normal position; and closing the surgical site.

Claim 38

Independent Claim 74 words

A method of correcting spondylolisthesis, including: gaining access to the surgical site; selecting a fusion implant assembly including complementary components; locating the implant assembly between a normal vertebrae and a slipped vertebrae; providing relative horizontal and vertical movement between vertebral contact surfaces of the complementary components of the fusion implant assembly to adjust the height between the two vertebrae and to move the slipped vertebrae into its normal position; and closing the surgical site.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 77 words

A spinal fusion implant kit comprising: at least two spinal fusion implant devices, wherein each implant device comprises: first and second complementary portions, each portion having a vertebral contact surface, two sides and an end plate, said portions fitting together to form a whole, wherein the vertebral contact surface of the first portion is positioned above the vertebral contact surface of the second portion; and a translation mechanism for providing relative horizontal movement between the complementary portions.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 77 words

A spinal fusion implant kit comprising: at least two spinal fusion implant devices, wherein each implant device comprises: first and second complementary portions, each portion having a vertebral contact surface, two sides and an end plate, said portions fitting together to form a whole, wherein the vertebral contact surface of the first portion is positioned above the vertebral contact surface of the second portion; and a translation mechanism for providing relative horizontal movement between the complementary portions.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 21 words

The spinal fusion implant kit of claim 31, wherein the at least two spinal fusion implant devices are of different sizes.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 39 words

The spinal fusion implant kit of claim 31, wherein the first and second complementary portions of the first implant device have a different slope than the slope of the first and second complementary portions of the second implant device.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 31 words

The spinal fusion implant kit of claim 31, wherein the kit includes at least one device with a rectangular cross section and at least one device with a rounded cross section.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 41 words

The spinal fusion implant kit of claim 31, wherein the first and second components of a device having a certain size, shape, and slope are interchangeable with the first and second components of other devices having different sizes, shapes, and slopes.

Claim 45

Independent Claim 64 words

A method of surgically adjusting intervertebral spacing, comprising: gaining exposure to a surgical site; locating an intervertebral space; choosing implant components of appropriate size and shape; locating the components within the intervertebral space; and adjusting the size and shape of the intervertebral space by providing relative horizontal and vertical movement between vertebral contact surfaces of the implant components until a desired positioning is achieved.

Claim 46

Independent Claim 64 words

A method of surgically adjusting intervertebral spacing, comprising: gaining exposure to a surgical site; locating an intervertebral space; choosing implant components of appropriate size and shape; locating the components within the intervertebral space; and adjusting the size and shape of the intervertebral space by providing relative horizontal and vertical movement between vertebral contact surfaces of the implant components until a desired positioning is achieved.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-02-01	2002-08-03	2003-02-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-02-01	2006-08-03	2007-02-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-02-01	2010-08-03	2011-02-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Dynamic intervertebral spacer and method of use

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