US6159211A — Stackable cage system for corpectomy/vertebrectomy

Claim 1

Independent Claim 138 words

A prosthetic device to integrate with and support vertebrae in a vertebral column, comprising: a plurality of inert bodies conforming in shape and size with hard end plates of vertebrae on which the prosthetic device is to be seated, each of the bodies having ridged top and bottom faces adapted to selectively interdigitate with faces of adjacent bodies and to bite into adjoining vertebrae, the ridged top and bottom faces having anterior/posterior and medial/lateral ridges to provide stability in the medial/lateral and anterior/posterior directions respectively, each of the bodies also having side walls disposed between the ridged top and bottom faces to define an aperture which opens through the faces, and a plurality of threaded openings disposed within the side walls, said plurality of threaded openings positioned and designed to receive threaded components of additional spine stabilization devices.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 138 words

A prosthetic device to integrate with and support vertebrae in a vertebral column, comprising: a plurality of inert bodies conforming in shape and size with hard end plates of vertebrae on which the prosthetic device is to be seated, each of the bodies having ridged top and bottom faces adapted to selectively interdigitate with faces of adjacent bodies and to bite into adjoining vertebrae, the ridged top and bottom faces having anterior/posterior and medial/lateral ridges to provide stability in the medial/lateral and anterior/posterior directions respectively, each of the bodies also having side walls disposed between the ridged top and bottom faces to define an aperture which opens through the faces, and a plurality of threaded openings disposed within the side walls, said plurality of threaded openings positioned and designed to receive threaded components of additional spine stabilization devices.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 43 words

The device of claim 1, further comprising a fastener opening positioned through the top and bottom faces and extending generally in the same direction as the vertebral column, the fastener opening positioned to receive a fastener to secure a stack of the bodies.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 27 words

The device of claim 2, wherein the fastener opening is further defined by recesses in the ridged top and bottom faces and a passageway extending there between.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 26 words

The device of claim 3, wherein the fastener comprises a locking screw and is sized such that it does not protrude beyond the stack of bodies.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device of claim 1, wherein the threaded component is a connecting screw and the device further comprises a protective sleeve to cover an end of the connecting screw.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 17 words

The device of claim 1, wherein the anterior/posterior and medial/lateral ridges intersect to form a crisscross pattern.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 1, wherein the device is comprised of radiolucent material.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 15 words

The device of claim 7, wherein the radiolucent material comprises a carbon fiber reinforced polymer.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 161 words

A prosthetic device for vertebral fusion, comprising: a plurality of inert bodies conforming in shape and size with hard end plates of vertebrae on which the prosthetic device is to be seated, each of said bodies having ridged top and bottom faces adapted to selectively interdigitate with faces of adjacent bodies to form a stack and to bite into adjoining vertebrae, the ridged top and bottom faces having anterior/posterior and medial/lateral ridges to provide stability in the medial/lateral and anterior/posterior directions respectively, side walls disposed between the ridged top and bottom faces to define an aperture which opens through the faces, and a fastener opening extending from the top face to the bottom face and extending through each body generally in the same direction as the vertebral column but recessed from the top and bottom faces, the fastener opening positioned to receive a fastener therein, and the fastener is sized to secure the stack of bodies without protruding from the stack.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 161 words

A prosthetic device for vertebral fusion, comprising: a plurality of inert bodies conforming in shape and size with hard end plates of vertebrae on which the prosthetic device is to be seated, each of said bodies having ridged top and bottom faces adapted to selectively interdigitate with faces of adjacent bodies to form a stack and to bite into adjoining vertebrae, the ridged top and bottom faces having anterior/posterior and medial/lateral ridges to provide stability in the medial/lateral and anterior/posterior directions respectively, side walls disposed between the ridged top and bottom faces to define an aperture which opens through the faces, and a fastener opening extending from the top face to the bottom face and extending through each body generally in the same direction as the vertebral column but recessed from the top and bottom faces, the fastener opening positioned to receive a fastener therein, and the fastener is sized to secure the stack of bodies without protruding from the stack.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 12 words

A device of claim 9 wherein the fastener comprises a locking screw.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 101 words

A prosthetic device adapted for fusing together adjoining vertebrae, comprising: an inert body conforming in shape and size with hard end plates of vertebrae on which the prosthetic device is to be seated, the body having ridged top and bottom faces, side walls disposed between the ridged top and bottom faces, the side walls having a plurality of beveled corners defining a plurality of side faces at varying angles to each other and a plurality of threaded openings disposed within the side faces, said plurality of threaded openings positioned and designed to receive threaded components of an additional spine stabilization device.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 101 words

A prosthetic device adapted for fusing together adjoining vertebrae, comprising: an inert body conforming in shape and size with hard end plates of vertebrae on which the prosthetic device is to be seated, the body having ridged top and bottom faces, side walls disposed between the ridged top and bottom faces, the side walls having a plurality of beveled corners defining a plurality of side faces at varying angles to each other and a plurality of threaded openings disposed within the side faces, said plurality of threaded openings positioned and designed to receive threaded components of an additional spine stabilization device.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 18 words

A device of claim 11 wherein the additional spine stabilization device comprises an anterior plate or rod system.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

A device of claim 11 wherein the additional spine stabilization device comprises a posterior rod or plate system.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 211 words

A method of vertebral fusion comprising the steps of providing a plurality of inert bodies shaped to fit opposed end faces of vertebrae in a vertebral column, each of the bodies having ridged top and bottom faces adapted to selectively interdigitate with faces of adjacent bodies to form a stack and to bite into adjoining vertebrae, the ridged top and bottom faces having anterior/posterior and medial/lateral ridges to provide stability in the medial/lateral and anterior/posterior directions respectively, each of the bodies also having side walls disposed between the ridged top and bottom faces to define an aperture which opens through the faces, and each of the bodies having a fastener opening extending through each body from the top face to the bottom face and extending generally in the same direction as the vertebral column, selecting the appropriate combination of bodies for fusion within the vertebral column, stacking the appropriate combination of bodies by allowing the ridged top and bottom faces of adjacent bodies to interdigitate, providing a fastener, fastening the stacked bodies by extending the fastener through the fastener opening in each of the bodies to form a rigid prosthetic device, preparing the vertebral column to receive the rigid prosthetic device, and inserting the rigid prosthetic device into the vertebral column.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 211 words

A method of vertebral fusion comprising the steps of providing a plurality of inert bodies shaped to fit opposed end faces of vertebrae in a vertebral column, each of the bodies having ridged top and bottom faces adapted to selectively interdigitate with faces of adjacent bodies to form a stack and to bite into adjoining vertebrae, the ridged top and bottom faces having anterior/posterior and medial/lateral ridges to provide stability in the medial/lateral and anterior/posterior directions respectively, each of the bodies also having side walls disposed between the ridged top and bottom faces to define an aperture which opens through the faces, and each of the bodies having a fastener opening extending through each body from the top face to the bottom face and extending generally in the same direction as the vertebral column, selecting the appropriate combination of bodies for fusion within the vertebral column, stacking the appropriate combination of bodies by allowing the ridged top and bottom faces of adjacent bodies to interdigitate, providing a fastener, fastening the stacked bodies by extending the fastener through the fastener opening in each of the bodies to form a rigid prosthetic device, preparing the vertebral column to receive the rigid prosthetic device, and inserting the rigid prosthetic device into the vertebral column.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method of claim 14 wherein the fastener opening is further defined by recesses in the ridged top and bottom faces and extends there between, and the fastener is sized such that it does not protrude from the rigid prosthetic device.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 15 wherein the fastener comprises a locking screw.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 57 words

The method of claim 14 wherein each of the bodies further comprises a plurality of threaded openings disposed within the side walls, and the method further comprises the steps of providing an additional spine stabilization device, including a threaded component thereof, and threading the threaded component into one of the threaded openings disposed within the side walls.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of placing bone graft material in the aperture prior to inserting the rigid prosthetic device into the vertebral column.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 147 words

A method of vertebral fusion comprising the steps of providing a plurality of inert bodies shaped to fit opposed end faces of vertebrae in a vertebral column, each of the bodies having ridged top and bottom faces adapted to bite into adjoining vertebrae, the ridged top and bottom faces having anterior/posterior and medial/lateral ridges to provide stability in the medial/lateral and anterior/posterior directions respectively, each of the bodies also having side walls disposed between the ridged top and bottom faces to define an aperture which opens through the faces, and a plurality of openings disposed within the side walls, preparing a stack of at least one of the bodies, preparing the vertebral column to receive the stack, inserting the stack into the vertebral column, providing an additional spine stabilization device, and attaching the additional spine stabilization device to one of the openings disposed within the side walls.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 147 words

A method of vertebral fusion comprising the steps of providing a plurality of inert bodies shaped to fit opposed end faces of vertebrae in a vertebral column, each of the bodies having ridged top and bottom faces adapted to bite into adjoining vertebrae, the ridged top and bottom faces having anterior/posterior and medial/lateral ridges to provide stability in the medial/lateral and anterior/posterior directions respectively, each of the bodies also having side walls disposed between the ridged top and bottom faces to define an aperture which opens through the faces, and a plurality of openings disposed within the side walls, preparing a stack of at least one of the bodies, preparing the vertebral column to receive the stack, inserting the stack into the vertebral column, providing an additional spine stabilization device, and attaching the additional spine stabilization device to one of the openings disposed within the side walls.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 19 wherein the plurality of openings disposed within the side walls are threaded.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 73 words

The method of claim 20 wherein the additional spine stabilization device includes a plate and a screw, the step of preparing the vertebral column to receive the stack includes performing a corpectomy, the attaching step involves extending the screw through an opening in the plate and threading the screw into one of the openings disposed within the side walls, and the method includes the additional step of securing the plate to a vertebra.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 78 words

The method of claim 20 wherein the additional spine stabilization device includes a rod and a screw, the step of preparing the vertebral column to receive the stack includes performing a vertebrectomy, the attaching step involves securing the rod to the stack by threading the screw into one of the openings disposed within the side walls, and the method includes the additional step of securing the rod to the vertebral column in a location distinct from the stack.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 62 words

The device of claim 10 wherein the side walls further comprise a plurality of corners defining a plurality of side faces at a variety of angles to each other, the side walls further comprising a plurality of threaded openings designed to receive threaded components of an additional spine stabilization device, and positioned in a variety of angles to enable a custom fit.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 212 words

A prosthetic device to integrate with and support vertebrae in a vertebral column, comprising: a plurality of inert bodies conforming in shape and size with hard end plates of vertebrae on which the prosthetic device is to be seated, each of the bodies having ridged top and bottom faces adapted to selectively interdigitate with faces of adjacent bodies and to bite into adjoining vertebrae, the ridged top and bottom faces having anterior/posterior and medial/lateral ridges to provide stability in the medial/lateral and anterior/posterior directions respectively, each of the top and bottom faces having recesses therein, and each of the bodies having a fastener opening extending generally in the same direction as the vertebral column from the recess in the top face to the recess in the bottom face, the fastener opening positioned to receive a locking screw to secure a stack of the bodies, the locking screw sized such that it does not protrude beyond the stack of bodies, each of the bodies also having side walls disposed between the ridged top and bottom faces to define an aperture which opens through the faces, and a plurality of threaded openings disposed within the side walls, said plurality of threaded openings positioned and designed to receive threaded components of additional spine stabilization devices.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 212 words

A prosthetic device to integrate with and support vertebrae in a vertebral column, comprising: a plurality of inert bodies conforming in shape and size with hard end plates of vertebrae on which the prosthetic device is to be seated, each of the bodies having ridged top and bottom faces adapted to selectively interdigitate with faces of adjacent bodies and to bite into adjoining vertebrae, the ridged top and bottom faces having anterior/posterior and medial/lateral ridges to provide stability in the medial/lateral and anterior/posterior directions respectively, each of the top and bottom faces having recesses therein, and each of the bodies having a fastener opening extending generally in the same direction as the vertebral column from the recess in the top face to the recess in the bottom face, the fastener opening positioned to receive a locking screw to secure a stack of the bodies, the locking screw sized such that it does not protrude beyond the stack of bodies, each of the bodies also having side walls disposed between the ridged top and bottom faces to define an aperture which opens through the faces, and a plurality of threaded openings disposed within the side walls, said plurality of threaded openings positioned and designed to receive threaded components of additional spine stabilization devices.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 18 words

The device of claim 24, further comprising a protective sleeve to cover an end of the connecting screw.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 17 words

The device of claim 24, wherein the anterior/posterior and medial/lateral ridges intersect to form a crisscross pattern.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 24, wherein the device is comprised of radiolucent material.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 15 words

The device of claim 27, wherein the radiolucent material comprises a carbon fiber reinforced polymer.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 54 words

The device of claim 24 wherein the side walls further comprise a plurality of corners defining a plurality of side faces at a variety of angles to each other and the threaded openings are located on the side faces and positioned in a variety of angles to better accommodate the additional spine stabilization devices.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-12-12	2004-06-12	2004-12-12	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-12-12	2008-06-12	2008-12-12	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-12-12	2012-06-12	2012-12-12	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Stackable cage system for corpectomy/vertebrectomy

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