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Intervertebral implant, process for widening and instruments for implanting an intervertebral implant
Assignee: Spinal Implant Innovations LLC
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Filing: 1996-07-26
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Granted: 2001-01-30
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Expires: 2016-07-26
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an adjustable-height intravertebral implant, having an approximately cylindrical hollow body which has one or more openings ( 59, 59′, 60, 60 ′) and which is variably expandable by adjusting elements, and which has fixation elements for fixing it to vertebral bodies. The present invention also relates to a method for expanding this intravertebral implant as well as to instruments for performing the method.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernhard Zientek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/4657; A61B17/00; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B17/2909; A61B17/2812; A61B17/2841; A61B2017/2845; A61B2017/2901; A61B2017/2911; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2927; A61B2017/2932; A61B2017/2939; A61B2090/061; A61F2/442; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30131; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30143; A61F2002/30153; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30362; A61F2002/3037; A61F2002/30405; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/30507; A61F2002/30518; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30565; A61F2002/30571; A61F2002/30579; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/30594; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30774; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30845; A61F2002/4619; A61F2002/4622; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4658; A61F2002/4681; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0013; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0019; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00161
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An intravertebral implant, comprising: a body having an opening provided with an interior thread; an expansion element in the form of a screw which is screwed into said opening in engagement with said interior thread, said screw having a leading end, wherein said body has two opposed expandable areas provided with fixation elements to fix the implant to vertebral bodies, said expandable areas each having a connected end and a free end, such that said expandable areas are connected to each other at their connected ends while their free ends are expandable by said leading end of said expansion element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
An intravertebral implant, comprising: a body having an opening provided with an interior thread; an expansion element in the form of a screw which is screwed into said opening in engagement with said interior thread, said screw having a leading end, wherein said body has two opposed expandable areas provided with fixation elements to fix the implant to vertebral bodies, said expandable areas each having a connected end and a free end, such that said expandable areas are connected to each other at their connected ends while their free ends are expandable by said leading end of said expansion element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The intravertebral implant as defined in claim 1 , wherein said body comprises an essentially cylindrical, hollow shape with opposing faces, and wherein said expandable areas are provided in said opposing faces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The intravertebral implant as defined in claim 2 , wherein said body has a rearward face, and wherein said opening is provided in said rearward face.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The intravertebral implant as defined in claim 3 , wherein said body has a forward end having a dome-like member, and wherein said expandable members are connected with each other through said dome-like member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The intravertebral implant as defined in claim 4 , wherein said expandable areas comprise tongues located in said opposing faces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The intravertebral implant as defined in claim 5 , wherein said tongues are formed in said respective faces by U-shaped slots.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The intravertebral implant as defined in claim 3 , wherein each expandable area is provided with a step which are acted upon to return to their original position by a retrieval instrument inserted in said opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The intravertebral implant as defined in claim 7 , wherein said steps are provided at said free ends of said expandable areas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The intravertebral implant as defined in claim 7 , wherein said steps each have means to prevent an inserted retrieval instrument from slipping off of said step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The intravertebral implant as defined in claim 3 , wherein said screw is provided with a conically tapered end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The intravertebral implant as defined in claim 1 , wherein the implant has a convex contour.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
The intravertebral implant as defined in claim 1 , wherein said body has a dome-like member to which said expandable areas are connected at their connected ends, and from which slots extend which separate said expandable areas, wherein said opening for receiving said screw is provided in said dome-like member, and wherein said free ends of said expandable areas form a throughway in their non-expandable position through which said screw extends, when screwed into said opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The intravertebral implant as defined in claim 12 , wherein said screw is conically tapered in the longitudinal direction of said body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The intravertebral implant as defined in claim 12 , wherein the surface of said body which cooperates with said screw is conically tapered in the longitudinal direction of said body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The intravertebral implant as defined in claim 1 , wherein said opening is suited for receiving an implant holder.
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) | 2004-01-30 | 2004-07-31 | 2005-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-30 | 2008-07-31 | 2009-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-30 | 2012-07-31 | 2013-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |