US6039763A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Articulating spinal disc prosthesis
Assignee: Disc Replacement Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1998-10-27
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Granted: 2000-03-21
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Expires: 2018-10-27
Abstract
Abstract The artificial spinal disc of the invention is intended to articulate in a manner resembling a human knee articulation. The artificial spinal disc includes two plates each having a planar outer surface and an articulating inner surface. The planar outer surfaces contact adjacent inferior and superior surfaces of two adjacent vertebrae having the spinal disc implanted therebetween. The planar surfaces of the plates are affixed to the adjacent vertebrae. The articulating surfaces of the artificial spinal disc will be generally bimodal-shaped such that a first articulating surface will have two convex shaped articulating portions and the second articulating surface will have two concave shaped articulating portions. The concave and convex shaped portions of the respective plates will be generally complementary. The articulation of the artificial spinal disc will generally resemble that of a human knee.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexis P. Shelokov
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/4425; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30113; A61F2002/30118; A61F2002/30133; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/3079; A61F2002/3082; A61F2002/30827; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30891; A61F2002/30892; A61F2002/30904; A61F2/3094; A61F2/30942; A61F2002/30943; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0006; A61F2230/0015; B; B33; B33Y; B33Y80/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
An artificial spinal disc which articulates, said disc comprising: a first plate having a first outer periphery, a substantially flat first superior surface, a first inferior articulating surface, a first anterior end, a first posterior end, a first lateral side and a second lateral side; and a second plate having a second outer periphery, a substantially flat second inferior surface, a second superior articulating surface, a second anterior end, a second posterior end, a third lateral side and a fourth lateral side; wherein: said first and second plates can articulate in an anteroposterior fashion when said first inferior surface, said first anterior end and said first posterior end are juxtaposed said second superior surface, said second anterior end and said second posterior end, respectively; at least one of said first inferior articulating surface and said second superior articulating surface comprises a changing anteroposterior arc of radius; and said disc has an instant center of rotation in flexion which moves in an anteroposterior direction during anteroposterior articulation of said disc.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
An artificial spinal disc which articulates, said disc comprising: a first plate having a first outer periphery, a substantially flat first superior surface, a first inferior articulating surface, a first anterior end, a first posterior end, a first lateral side and a second lateral side; and a second plate having a second outer periphery, a substantially flat second inferior surface, a second superior articulating surface, a second anterior end, a second posterior end, a third lateral side and a fourth lateral side; wherein: said first and second plates can articulate in an anteroposterior fashion when said first inferior surface, said first anterior end and said first posterior end are juxtaposed said second superior surface, said second anterior end and said second posterior end, respectively; at least one of said first inferior articulating surface and said second superior articulating surface comprises a changing anteroposterior arc of radius; and said disc has an instant center of rotation in flexion which moves in an anteroposterior direction during anteroposterior articulation of said disc.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein said articulating first inferior and second superior surfaces have major portions which are substantially complementary.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein said first and second outer peripheries are substantially kidney shaped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein at least one of said flat first superior and said flat second inferior surfaces comprises attachment means for securing said spinal disc to a vertebra.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein said first plate is superior to said second plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein said second plate is superior to said first plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second plates includes a hole therethrough for use in securing said at least one plate to a vertebra.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein a first mode of said bimodal convex-shaped first inferior surface is a substantial mirror image of a second mode of said bimodal convex-shaped first inferior surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein a first mode of said bimodal concave-shaped second superior surface is a substantial mirror image of a second mode of said bimodal concave-shaped second superior surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein the spinal disc has bilateral symmetry.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second plates comprises at least one attachment means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second plates comprises two different attachment means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein each mode of said bimodal convex-shaped first inferior surface is disposed along a midline between said first anterior and said first posterior ends.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein said first and second plates can translate in a lateral to lateral direction with respect to one another.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein said first and second plates can rotate with respect to one another about a vertical axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 15, wherein said rotation is limited to being within a normal physiological range.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein the instant center of rotation moves in an anterior direction during anteroposterior articulation of said disc.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 1, wherein the first inferior articulating surface is bimodal convex-shaped and the second superior articulating surface is bimodal concave-shaped.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 18, wherein the bimodal convex-shaped first inferior articulating surface comprises a bicondylar structure wherein each condyle has a changing anteroposterior arc of radius defined by a Fibonacci mathematical series.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 18, wherein: said bimodal convex-shaped first inferior articulating surface comprises a bicondylar structure wherein each condyle comprises the same changing arc of radius.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 20, wherein said arc of radius describes a Fibonacci mathematical series.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
The artificial spinal disc of claim 18, wherein each of said convex-shaped first inferior surface and said concave-shaped second superior surface are defined by variable coronal and sagittal arcs that permit said first and second plates to rotate relative to one another about a vertical axis in a limited fashion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method for replacing a spinal disc in a human spine comprising the steps of: (a) removing a spinal disc from a human spine to provide an intervertebral space defined by a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra; (b) inserting an articulating artificial spinal disc according to claim 1 in said intervertebral space; and (c) attaching said artificial spinal disc to said superior and inferior vertebrae.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said artificial spinal disc is inserted into said intervertebral space from one of an anterior and anteriolateral direction.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the following step before step (b): (a') adapting a surface of each vertebra to be substantially complementary to said flat first superior and flat second inferior surface.
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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) | 2003-03-21 | 2003-09-20 | 2004-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-21 | 2007-09-20 | 2008-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-21 | 2011-09-20 | 2012-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |