US5984922A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Spinal fixation device and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-12-16
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Granted: 1999-11-16
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Expires: 2016-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A spinal fixation device comprises an intervertebral body wedge which is inserted between vertebral bodies by sequentially expanding the inter-discal space using a spacer. With this sequential expansion, no posterior fixation devices are needed for stabilization of the spinal diseased vertebrae.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas William McKay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7001; A61B17/7035; A61B17/7037; A61B17/7002; A61B17/7004; A61B17/7005; A61B17/7055; A61B17/7074; A61B17/7076; A61B17/7077; A61B17/7041; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A posterior lumbar intervertebral fusion wedge comprising: a) a wedge body having a rectangular cross section, a distal leading end with a rounded edge and a proximal end, opposing sides and opposing faces, the body opposing sides tapering in width from the distal leading end to the proximal end; and b) a means for inserting the distal leading end of the wedge body between spinal diseased vertebrae.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A posterior lumbar intervertebral fusion wedge comprising: a) a wedge body having a rectangular cross section, a distal leading end with a rounded edge and a proximal end, opposing sides and opposing faces, the body opposing sides tapering in width from the distal leading end to the proximal end; and b) a means for inserting the distal leading end of the wedge body between spinal diseased vertebrae.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The wedge according to claim 1, wherein the edges of the opposing sides have serrations, the serrations angled toward the proximal end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A posterior lumbar intervertebral fusion wedge comprising: a) a wedge body having a distal leading end with a rounded edge and a proximal end, opposing sides and opposing faces, the body opposing sides tapering in width from the distal leading end to the proximal end; and b) a means for inserting the wedge body between spinal diseased vertebrae, wherein the wedge body has a fenestration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A posterior lumbar intervertebral fusion wedge comprising: a) a wedge body having a distal leading end with a rounded edge and a proximal end, opposing sides and opposing faces, the body opposing sides tapering in width from the distal leading end to the proximal end; and b) a means for inserting the wedge body between spinal diseased vertebrae, wherein the wedge body has a fenestration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The wedge according to claim 1, wherein the inserting means comprises a shaft-like device secured to the proximal end of the wedge body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The wedge according to claim 4, wherein the shaft-like device has a distal end which is threaded and the wedge body has a complementary threaded opening in the proximal end thereof to receive the distal end of the shaft-like device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
A posterior lumbar intervertebral fusion wedge system comprising: a) a wedge body having a distal leading end with a rounded edge and a proximal end, opposing sides and opposing faces, the body opposing sides tapering in width from the distal leading end to the proximal end; b) a means for inserting the wedge body between spinal diseased vertebrae; and c) at least one spacer for expanding spinal diseased vertebrae for wedge body implantation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
A posterior lumbar intervertebral fusion wedge system comprising: a) a wedge body having a distal leading end with a rounded edge and a proximal end, opposing sides and opposing faces, the body opposing sides tapering in width from the distal leading end to the proximal end; b) a means for inserting the wedge body between spinal diseased vertebrae; and c) at least one spacer for expanding spinal diseased vertebrae for wedge body implantation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system according to claim 6, wherein the spacer comprises a shaft-like device having a spacer end, the spacer end having a rounded distal edge, a proximal end and opposing sides, the opposing sides tapering in width from the rounded distal edge to the proximal end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 7, wherein the spacer end is integrally attached to the shaft-like device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 7, comprising a plurality of said spacers, each having a different width at its rounded distal edge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The wedge according to claim 1, wherein the material of the wedge body comprising stainless steel, titanium or fiberglass.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The wedge according to claim 1, wherein the wedge body is continuously tapered from said distal leading end to said proximal end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The wedge according to claim 1, wherein the wedge body has a taper in the range of from about 4 to about 20 degrees.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
94 words
A posterior lumbar intervertebral fusion wedge comprising: a wedge body having a distal leading end and a proximal end, opposing sides and opposing faces, the opposing sides comprising a first portion tapering in width toward said distal leading end and a second portion tapering in width toward said proximal end, said first and second tapered portions meeting at an apex defining a maximal width of said wedge body, said apex being positioned closer to said distal end than to said proximal end; and means for inserting the wedge body between a spinal diseased vertebrae.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
94 words
A posterior lumbar intervertebral fusion wedge comprising: a wedge body having a distal leading end and a proximal end, opposing sides and opposing faces, the opposing sides comprising a first portion tapering in width toward said distal leading end and a second portion tapering in width toward said proximal end, said first and second tapered portions meeting at an apex defining a maximal width of said wedge body, said apex being positioned closer to said distal end than to said proximal end; and means for inserting the wedge body between a spinal diseased vertebrae.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The wedge according to claim 13, wherein the second portion has a taper in the range of about 4° to about 20°.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 words
A posterior lumbar intervertebral fusion wedge, said wedge containing: a first end having a tapered end increasing in size; a second end having a tapered end increasing in size; wherein, said first end taper and said second end taper meet at a point which forms the greatest width of said wedge.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
A posterior lumbar intervertebral fusion wedge, said wedge containing: a first end having a tapered end increasing in size; a second end having a tapered end increasing in size; wherein, said first end taper and said second end taper meet at a point which forms the greatest width of said wedge.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The wedge according to claim 15, further containing an opening therein for placement of a bone so that a bone graph may be performed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The wedge according to claim 16, wherein said second end contains a threaded aperture for placement of an insertion means for inserting the wedge between involved vertebrae.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The wedge according to claim 17, wherein the first end is rounded.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The wedge according to claim 13, wherein the distal end is rounded.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The wedge according to claim 15, wherein the second side has a taper of about 4 to about 20°.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The wedge according to claim 20, wherein the inserting means comprises a shaft-like device secured to the proximal end of the wedge body.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-15 | 2003-05-17 | 2003-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-15 | 2007-05-17 | 2007-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-15 | 2011-05-17 | 2011-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |