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US6174334B1
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US
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Expandable intervertebral fusion implant and applicator
Assignee: Zimmer Spine Inc
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Filing: 1999-03-31
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Granted: 2001-01-16
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Expires: 2019-03-31
Abstract
Abstract An expandable intervertebral implant includes two separate components having corrugated mating surfaces which resist compression and shifting when the parts are distracted by a special installation tool.
Inventors
- 👤 Loubert Suddaby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30724; A61F2/30744; A61F2/3094; A61F2/30965; A61F2/442; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30125; A61F2002/30182; A61F2002/30197; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30228; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30383; A61F2002/3039; A61F2002/30398; A61F2002/30401; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/30487; A61F2002/305; A61F2002/30518; A61F2002/3052; A61F2002/30522; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30537; A61F2002/3055; A61F2002/30556; A61F2002/30574; A61F2002/30579; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/30599; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/30789; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30891; A61F2002/30892; A61F2002/30894; A61F2002/30975; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4628; A61F2002/4635; A61F2/4637; A61F2002/4641; A61F2002/4688; A61F2002/4689; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0008; A61F2230/0028; A61F2230/0045; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0004; A61F2250/0009; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/006; A61F2250/0063; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00161; A61F2310/00173; A61F2310/00179
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
An expandable intervertebral fusion implant comprising a pair of shells which when joined form substantially a hollow tube, each of said shells having a pair of corrugated skirts forming interengaging toothed structures for permitting unidirectional expansion of the tube from a retracted initial height to an expanded installed height.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
An expandable intervertebral fusion implant comprising a pair of shells which when joined form substantially a hollow tube, each of said shells having a pair of corrugated skirts forming interengaging toothed structures for permitting unidirectional expansion of the tube from a retracted initial height to an expanded installed height.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1 , wherein each shell is a single piece.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 2 , wherein each shell is made of sheet metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 3 , wherein the metal is stainless steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 3 , wherein the metal is a titanium alloy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 3 , wherein the metal has a thickness in the range of 0.01 to 0.1 inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 2 , wherein each shell is made of a material comprising carbon fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention of claim 1 , wherein the skirts of one of said shells nest within those of the other of said shells, and the inner skirts each have an inwardly protruding element, whereby the inner skirts may be grasped and pulled toward one another in order to disengage the skirts when it is desired to remove the implant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 1 , wherein each shell has a plurality of windows through which bone may grow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 1 , wherein each shell has a plurality of outwardly directed points for digging into bones between which the implant is placed, to resist longitudinal movement of the implant.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of inserting an implant between vertebral elements to maintain spacing between the elements while promoting osseous union between them, said method comprising steps of assembling a pair of semicylindrical shells having ratcheting means thereon to form an implant having unidirectional adjustable height, placing the implant on an expansible portion of an installation tool, inserting the implant between said vertebral elements, expanding the expansible portion of the installation tool, to expand the implant to a desired final height, and removing the installation tool.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of inserting an implant between vertebral elements to maintain spacing between the elements while promoting osseous union between them, said method comprising steps of assembling a pair of semicylindrical shells having ratcheting means thereon to form an implant having unidirectional adjustable height, placing the implant on an expansible portion of an installation tool, inserting the implant between said vertebral elements, expanding the expansible portion of the installation tool, to expand the implant to a desired final height, and removing the installation tool.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-16 | 2004-07-17 | 2005-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-16 | 2008-07-17 | 2009-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-16 | 2012-07-17 | 2013-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |