US6033438A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Open intervertebral spacer
Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc
•
Filing: 1997-06-03
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Granted: 2000-03-07
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Expires: 2017-06-03
Abstract
Abstract Open chambered spacers, implanting tools and methods are provided. The spacers 500' include a body 505' having a wall 506' which defines a chamber 530' and an opening 531' in communication with the chamber 530'. In one embodiment the wall 506' includes a pair of arms 520', 521' facing one another and forming a mouth 525' to the chamber 530'. Preferably, one of the arms 520' is truncated relative to the other, forming a channel 526. In one aspect the body 505' is a bone dowel comprising an off-center plug from the diaphysis of a long bone. The tools 800 include spacer engaging means for engaging a spacer and occlusion means for blocking an opening defined in the spacer. In some embodiments, the occlusion means 820 includes a plate 821 extendable from the housing 805. In one specific embodiment the plate 821 defines a groove 822 which is disposed around a fastener 830 attached to the housing 805 so that the plate 821 is slideable relative to the housing 805.
Inventors
- 👤 John R. Bianchi
- 👤 Kevin C. Carter
- 👤 Bradley T. Estes
- 👤 Larry Boyd
- 👤 John A. Pafford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4644; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B17/1662; A61B17/1671; A61F2/28; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/446; A61F2/4601; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B17/1604; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/88; A61B17/8875; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30724; A61F2/3094; A61F2/442; A61F2/468; A61F2002/2817; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/2839; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/30004; A61F2002/30057; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30131; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30143; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/30594; A61F2002/30604; A61F2002/30616; A61F2002/30617; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30795; A61F2002/30797; A61F2002/3082; A61F2002/3085; A61F2002/30871; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4635; A61F2002/4649; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0013; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/0096; A61F2250/0097; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00179; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/902; Y10S623/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A hollow intervertebral spacer, comprising: an elongated body of bone having an outer surface, a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis along a length of said body, said outer surface defining a channel therethrough positioned between the first and second end along a second axis said channel only partially encircled by bone substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; a first arm connected to said body; an opposite second arm connected to said body; and said first arm and said second arm forming a mouth to said channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A hollow intervertebral spacer, comprising: an elongated body of bone having an outer surface, a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis along a length of said body, said outer surface defining a channel therethrough positioned between the first and second end along a second axis said channel only partially encircled by bone substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; a first arm connected to said body; an opposite second arm connected to said body; and said first arm and said second arm forming a mouth to said channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The spacer of claim 1 wherein said first end further comprises: a tool engaging end defining a tool engaging hole for receiving a driving tool for implanting the spacer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The spacer of claim 2 wherein said tool engaging end further defines a slot surrounding said tool engaging hole.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spacer of claim 1 wherein said outer surface defines threaded bone engaging portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The spacer of claim 1 wherein said outer surface is curved and said chamber is substantially semi-circular.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spacer of claim 1 wherein said body is composed substantially of cortical bone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The spacer of claim 1 wherein said first arm is truncated relative to said second arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spacer of claim 3 wherein said outer surface defines threaded bone engaging portions and said body is composed of cortical bone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The spacer of claim 4 wherein said spacer is a bone dowel obtained from the diaphysis of a long bone having a medullary canal, said channel including a portion of the canal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spacer of claim 1, further comprising an osteogenic material packed within said channel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The spacer of claim 10 wherein said osteogenic material comprises autograft, allograft, xenograft, demineralized bone, a calcium phosphate material, a bioceramic, bioglass, an osteoinductive factor or mixtures of thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
An interbody fusion spacer, comprising: a body of bone having a wall defining a channel, the body defining an opening in communication with said channel, said wall having a first arm and an opposite second arm, said first arm and said second arm forming a mouth to said channel, wherein said first arm is truncated relative to said second arm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
An interbody fusion spacer, comprising: a body of bone having a wall defining a channel, the body defining an opening in communication with said channel, said wall having a first arm and an opposite second arm, said first arm and said second arm forming a mouth to said channel, wherein said first arm is truncated relative to said second arm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The spacer of claim 12 wherein said body further comprises: a tool engaging end defining a tool engaging hole for receiving a driving tool for implanting the spacer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The spacer of claim 13 wherein said tool engaging end further defines a slot surrounding said tool engaging hole.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The spacer of claim 12 wherein said body further comprises: an outer surface defining threaded bone engaging surfaces.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spacer of claim 12 wherein said wall is curved and said substantially semi-circular.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The spacer of claim 12 wherein said spacer comprises cortical bone.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spacer of claim 12 further comprising an osteogenic material packed within said chamber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
71 words
A graft comprising an elongated body consisting essentially of cortical bone, said body having an outer surface and a longitudinal axis along a length of said body and defining a channel therethrough along a second axis substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said body further comprising a first arm and a second arm substantially parallel to the first arm and wherein the first arm is truncated relative to the second arm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
71 words
A graft comprising an elongated body consisting essentially of cortical bone, said body having an outer surface and a longitudinal axis along a length of said body and defining a channel therethrough along a second axis substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said body further comprising a first arm and a second arm substantially parallel to the first arm and wherein the first arm is truncated relative to the second arm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The graft of claim 19 wherein said outer surface defines threaded bone engaging surfaces.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The graft of claim 19 further comprising an osteogenic material packed within said chamber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
54 words
A hollow intervertebral spacer, comprising: a cylindrical body of bone having a wall, said wall having an outer surface and defining a channel and an opening in communication with said channel; and wherein the body comprises a first arm and a second arm wherein the first arm is truncated relative to the second arm.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
A hollow intervertebral spacer, comprising: a cylindrical body of bone having a wall, said wall having an outer surface and defining a channel and an opening in communication with said channel; and wherein the body comprises a first arm and a second arm wherein the first arm is truncated relative to the second arm.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spacer of claim 22 wherein said outer surface defines threaded bone engaging portions.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
54 words
A hollow intervertebral spacer, comprising a generally cylindrical, elongate bone dowel having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end, and a substantially semi-circular wall defining a channel in said dowel between said first and second ends, said channel extending substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis said channel only partially encircled by bone.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
54 words
A hollow intervertebral spacer, comprising a generally cylindrical, elongate bone dowel having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end, and a substantially semi-circular wall defining a channel in said dowel between said first and second ends, said channel extending substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis said channel only partially encircled by bone.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
The spacer of claim 24 wherein said bone dowel is obtained from the diaphysis of a long bone having a medullary canal, said channel including a portion of the canal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
54 words
An intervertebral spacer, comprising a "C"-shaped dowel substantially composed of cortical bone, the dowel being elongate and having a first end, a second end, and an elongate outer surface connecting said first and second ends, and wherein the outer surface defines a channel therethrough and positioned to lie between the first and second ends.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
54 words
An intervertebral spacer, comprising a "C"-shaped dowel substantially composed of cortical bone, the dowel being elongate and having a first end, a second end, and an elongate outer surface connecting said first and second ends, and wherein the outer surface defines a channel therethrough and positioned to lie between the first and second ends.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The "C"-shaped dowel of claim 26 comprising a bone plug obtained from the diaphysis of a long bone, said dowel having a substantially semi-circular chamber.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
11 words
The "C"-shaped dowel of claim 27 having a chamfered insertion end.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The "C"-shaped dowel of claim 27 further comprising a tool engaging end defining an instrument attachment hole.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
The "C"-shaped dowel of claim 29 wherein the tool engaging end also defines a driver slot surrounding said hole.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The "C"-shaped dowel of claim 27 further comprising an external feature machined into an outer surface of the dowel.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
The "C"-shaped dowel of claim 31 wherein said feature includes a groove.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The "C"-shaped dowel of claim 31 wherein said feature includes threads formed along a portion of the length of the dowel.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The "C"-shaped dowel of claim 26 having a length of between about 8 mm to about 36 mm.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The "C"-shaped dowel of claim 34 having a diameter of between about 10 mm and about 24 mm.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
The "C"-shaped dowel of claim 27 further comprising an osteogenic composition packed within said chamber.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
The "C"-shaped dowel of claim 36 wherein said osteogenic composition comprises autogenous bone, bone morphogenetic protein, a calcium phosphate composition or a mixture of these.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The "C"-shaped dowel of claim 26 obtained as an off-center transverse plug from the shaft of a donor's fibula, radius, ulna, humerus, femur or tibia.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
75 words
The "C"-shaped dowel of claim 26 prepared by a process comprising machining an off-center transverse plug from the diaphysis of a donor's fibula, radius, ulna, humerus, femur or tibia, said plug having a diameter of between about 10 mm and about 24 mm and a length of between 8 mm and about 36 mm such that the resulting dowel has, running through it, perpendicular to the long axis of the dowel, a substantially "C"-shaped chamber.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
The "C"-shaped dowel of claim 26 having an outer surface defining a surface feature.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
12 words
The "C"-shaped dowel of claim 40 wherein said feature includes a groove.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
The "C"-shaped dowel of claim 40 wherein said feature includes threads formed along a portion of the length of the dowel.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
15 words
The "C"-shaped dowel of claim 42 wherein said thread has a pitch of about 0.1".
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
The spacer of claim 1 wherein said outer surface includes a curved portion and a flattened portion.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spacer of claim 12 wherein said body further comprises an outer surface that defines a curved portion and a flattened portion.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
30 words
The spacer of claim 1 wherein the channel has a maximum width along said longitudinal axis which is greater than the minimum width of the mouth along said longitudinal axis.
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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) | 2003-03-07 | 2003-09-06 | 2004-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-07 | 2007-09-06 | 2008-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-07 | 2011-09-06 | 2012-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |