Patent US20070066977A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6210412B1
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Method for inserting frusto-conical interbody spinal fusion implants
Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc
•
Filing: 1995-06-07
•
Granted: 2001-04-03
•
Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is directed to a method of inserting a variety of interbody spinal fusion implants having at least a partially frusto-conical configuration and the instrumentation and methods by which the implants.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary Karlin Michelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30744; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/446; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B17/16; A61B17/17; A61B17/1739; A61B17/1757; A61B17/32; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/88; A61B17/8875; A61B17/8886; A61B17/8888; A61B2017/0256; A61B17/92; A61B2017/922; A61B90/00; A61B90/03; A61B2090/033; A61B2090/036; A61F2/442; A61F2/4657; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/3013; A61F2002/30131; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30143; A61F2002/30148; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30235; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30405; A61F2002/30426; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/30604; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30774; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/30787; A61F2002/30795; A61F2002/30797; A61F2002/30836; A61F2002/3085; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30879; A61F2002/30904; A61F2002/30906; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/449; A61F2002/4619; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4629; A61F2/4644; A61F2002/4649; A61F2002/4681; A61F2002/4687; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/001; A61F2230/0013; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/006; A61F2250/0063; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00179; A61F2310/00293; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/00592; A61F2310/00796
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 96
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for inserting at least one frusto-conical spinal fusion implant made of a material appropriate for human implantation, said implant having bone engaging means for engaging the adjacent vertebrae in a segment of the spinal column, comprising the steps of: distracting said adjacent vertebrae and placing said adjacent vertebrae in an angular relationship; forming a frusto-conical bore from the anterior or posterior aspect of the spinal column across the distracted disc space between said adjacent vertebrae and into the adjacent vertebrae, said bore being at least in part greater in diameter than the distracted disc space such that some bone is removed from each of the adjacent vertebrae; and inserting a frusto-conical spinal fusion implant into said bore.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for inserting at least one frusto-conical spinal fusion implant made of a material appropriate for human implantation, said implant having bone engaging means for engaging the adjacent vertebrae in a segment of the spinal column, comprising the steps of: distracting said adjacent vertebrae and placing said adjacent vertebrae in an angular relationship; forming a frusto-conical bore from the anterior or posterior aspect of the spinal column across the distracted disc space between said adjacent vertebrae and into the adjacent vertebrae, said bore being at least in part greater in diameter than the distracted disc space such that some bone is removed from each of the adjacent vertebrae; and inserting a frusto-conical spinal fusion implant into said bore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 in which said bore is greatest in diameter anteriorly and tapering to a lesser diameter posteriorly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 in which said bore is substantially cylindrical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 in which said step of forming includes the steps of using a drill having a substantially frusto-conical shaped bone removing portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of inserting a second spinal fusion implant across the disc space so as to engage each of the adjacent vertebrae, said second implant being side by side and adjacent to said first implant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of forming a second bore across the disc space partially overlapping said first bore, the combined width of said first and second bores being less than the sum of the individual diameters of said first and second bores; and inserting said second implant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 in which the step of forming said bore includes the substep of removing a portion of bone parallel to the vertebral endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the distracting step includes the step of inserting a spinal distractor into the disc space between the adjacent vertebrae to induce angulation to the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 , further comprising the step of positioning a sleeve over said spinal distractor and into contact with the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of removing said spinal distractor prior to the step of forming.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the positioning step includes the step of positioning a sleeve having an extension for insertion into the disc space and for bearing against end plates of the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the positioning step includes the sub-step of inducing angulation to the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the inducing angulation step includes the step of restoring lordosis to the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the inducing angulation step includes the step of restoring kyphosis to the asdjacent vertebrae.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the forming step includes the sub-step of drilling the bore.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the forming step further comprises the sub-step of placing a drill having a diameter greater than the disc space through said sleeve prior to the sub-step of drilling.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of inserting includes the sub-step of inserting said implant through said sleeve and into the bore.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of placing an inner sleeve within said sleeve prior to the step of forming the bore.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 18 , further comprising the step of removing said inner sleeve prior to the step of inserting said implant.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the forming step includes the sub-step of milling the bore.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of loading said implant with fusion promoting material prior to the step of inserting.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of loading said implant with osteogenic material prior to the step of inserting.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of coating said implant with bone morphogenic proteins prior to the step of inserting.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of inserting includes inserting an implant containing a fusion promoting substance.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of inserting includes inserting an implant comprising a fusion promoting substance.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of inserting includes inserting an implant comprising a bone ingrowth surface.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for inserting at least one frusto-conical spinal fusion implant made of a material appropriate for human implantation, said implant having bone engaging means for engaging the adjacent vertebrae in a segment of the spinal column, comprising the steps of: distracting the adjacent vertebrae; forming a bore from the anterior or posterior aspect of the spinal column across the disc space and into the adjacent vertebrae, said bore being at least in part greater in diameter than the disc space between the distracted vertebrae such that some bone is removed from each of the adjacent vertebrae; and inserting a frusto-conical spinal fusion implant into said bore.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for inserting at least one frusto-conical spinal fusion implant made of a material appropriate for human implantation, said implant having bone engaging means for engaging the adjacent vertebrae in a segment of the spinal column, comprising the steps of: distracting the adjacent vertebrae; forming a bore from the anterior or posterior aspect of the spinal column across the disc space and into the adjacent vertebrae, said bore being at least in part greater in diameter than the disc space between the distracted vertebrae such that some bone is removed from each of the adjacent vertebrae; and inserting a frusto-conical spinal fusion implant into said bore.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 27 in which said bore is generally cylindrical in shape.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 22 in which said step of forming the step of includes using a drill having a substantially cylindrical shaped bone removing portion.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of inserting a second spinal fusion implant across the disc space so as to engage each of the adjacent vertebrae, said second implant being side by side and adjacent to said first implant.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 30 further comprising the steps of forming a second bore across the disc space partially overlapping said first bore, the combined width of said first and second bores being less than the sum of the individual diameters of said first and second bores; and inserting said second spinal fusion implant into said second bore.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 27 in which the step of forming said bore includes the substep of removing a portion of bone parallel to the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein the distracting step includes the step of inserting a spinal distractor into the disc space between the adjacent vertebrae to induce angulation to the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 33 , further comprising the step of positioning a sleeve over said spinal distractor and into contact with the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 34 , further comprising the step of removing said spinal distractor prior to the step of forming.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 41 , wherein the positioning step includes the step of positioning a sleeve having an extension for insertion into the disc space and for bearing against end plates of the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein the positioning step includes the sub-step of inducing angulation to the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 37 , wherein the inducing angulation step includes the step of restoring lordosis to the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 37 , wherein the inducing angulation step includes the step of restoring kyphosis to the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein the forming step includes the sub-step of drilling the bore.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 40 , wherein the forming step further comprises the sub-step of placing a drill having a diameter greater than the disc space through said sleeve prior to the sub-step of drilling.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 41 , further comprising the step of placing an inner sleeve within said sleeve prior to the step of forming the bore.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 42 , further comprising the step of removing said inner sleeve prior to the step of inserting said implant.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein the step of inserting includes the sub-step of inserting said implant through said sleeve and into the bore.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein the forming step includes the sub-step of milling the bore.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 22 , further comprising the step of loading said implant with fusion promoting material prior to the step of inserting.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 27 , further comprising the step of loading said implant with osteogenic material prior to the step of inserting.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 27 , further comprising the step of coating said implant with bone morphogenic proteins prior to the step of inserting.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein the step of inserting includes inserting an implant containing a fusion promoting substance.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein the step of inserting includes inserting an implant comprising a fusion promoting substance.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein the step of inserting includes inserting an implant comprising a bone ingrowth surface.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for inserting a spinal implant across a disc space between adjacent vertebrae of a human spine, comprising the steps of: distracting said adjacent vertebrae to induce angulation to the adjacent vertebrae; forming a bore from the anterior or posterior aspect of the spinal column across the distracted disc space between said adjacent vertebrae and into the adjacent vertebrae, said bore having opposed arcuate portions in an angular relationship to one another along at least a portion of each of the adjacent vertebrae; and inserting into said bore said spinal implant having opposed arcuate portions in an angular relationship to one another along the length of said implant and oriented toward the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for inserting a spinal implant across a disc space between adjacent vertebrae of a human spine, comprising the steps of: distracting said adjacent vertebrae to induce angulation to the adjacent vertebrae; forming a bore from the anterior or posterior aspect of the spinal column across the distracted disc space between said adjacent vertebrae and into the adjacent vertebrae, said bore having opposed arcuate portions in an angular relationship to one another along at least a portion of each of the adjacent vertebrae; and inserting into said bore said spinal implant having opposed arcuate portions in an angular relationship to one another along the length of said implant and oriented toward the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 52 , wherein the distracting step includes the step of inserting a spinal distractor into the disc space between the adjacent vertebrae to induce angulation to the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 53 , further comprising the step of positioning a sleeve over said spinal distractor and into contact with the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 52 , further comprising the step of removing said spinal distractor prior to the step of forming.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 54 , wherein the positioning step includes the step of positioning a sleeve having an extension for insertion into the disc space and for bearing against end plates of the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 56 , wherein the positioning step includes the sub-step of inducing angulation to the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 57 , wherein the inducing angulation step includes the step of restoring lordosis to the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 57 , wherein the inducing angulation step includes the step of restoring kyphosis.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 54 , wherein the forming step includes the sub-step of drilling the bore.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 60 , wherein the forming step further comprises the sub-step of placing a drill having a diameter greater than the disc space through said sleeve prior to the sub-step of drilling.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 54 , wherein the step of inserting includes the sub-step of inserting said implant through said sleeve and into the bore.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 54 , further comprising the step of placing an inner sleeve within said sleeve prior to the step of forming the bore.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 63 , further comprising the step of removing said inner sleeve prior to the step of inserting said implant.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 52 , wherein the forming step includes the sub-step of milling the bore.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 52 , further comprising the step of loading said implant with fusion promoting material prior to the step of inserting.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 54 , further comprising the step of loading said implant with osteogenic material prior to the step of inserting.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 52 , further comprising the step of coating said implant with bone morphogenic proteins prior to the step of inserting.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 52 , wherein the step of inserting includes inserting an implant containing a fusion promoting substance.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 52 , wherein the step of inserting includes inserting an implant comprising a fusion promoting substance.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 52 , wherein the step of inserting includes inserting an implant comprising a bone ingrowth surface.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for inserting a spinal implant across a disc space between adjacent vertebrae of a human spine, comprising the steps of: forming a bore from the anterior or posterior aspect of the spinal column across the disc space and into the adjacent vertebrae, said bore being at least in part greater in diameter than the distracted disc space such that some bone is removed from each of the adjacent vertebrae; and inserting into said bore said spinal implant having opposed arcuate portions oriented toward the adjacent vertebrae, said arcuate portions being in a diverging relationship to one another along the length of said implant sufficient to induce angulation of the vertebrae.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for inserting a spinal implant across a disc space between adjacent vertebrae of a human spine, comprising the steps of: forming a bore from the anterior or posterior aspect of the spinal column across the disc space and into the adjacent vertebrae, said bore being at least in part greater in diameter than the distracted disc space such that some bone is removed from each of the adjacent vertebrae; and inserting into said bore said spinal implant having opposed arcuate portions oriented toward the adjacent vertebrae, said arcuate portions being in a diverging relationship to one another along the length of said implant sufficient to induce angulation of the vertebrae.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 72 , further comprising the step of distracting the adjacent vertebrae prior to the forming step.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 73 , wherein the distracting step includes the step of inserting a spinal distractor into the disc space between the adjacent vertebrae to induce angulation to the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 74 , further comprising the step of positioning a sleeve over said spinal distractor and into contact with the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 75 , further comprising the step of removing said spinal distractor prior to the step of forming.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 75 , wherein the positioning step includes the step of positioning a sleeve having an extension for insertion into the disc space and for bearing against end plates of the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 77 , wherein the positioning step includes the sub-step of inducing angulation to the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 78 , wherein the inducing angulation step includes the step of restoring lordosis to the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 78 , wherein the inducing angulation step includes the step of restoring kyphosis.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 75 , wherein the forming step includes the sub-step of drilling the bore.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 81 , wherein the forming step further comprises the sub-step of placing a drill having a diameter greater than the disc space through said sleeve prior to the sub-step of drilling.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 75 , wherein the step of inserting includes the sub-step of inserting said implant through said sleeve and into the bore.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 75 , further comprising the step of placing an inner sleeve within said sleeve prior to the step of forming the bore.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 84 , further comprising the step of removing said inner sleeve prior to the step of inserting said implant.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 72 , wherein the forming step includes the sub-step of milling the bore.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 72 , further comprising the step of loading said implant with fusion promoting material prior to the step of inserting.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 72 , further comprising the step of loading said implant with osteogenic material prior to the step of inserting.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 72 , further comprising the step of coating said implant with bone morphogenic proteins prior to the step of inserting.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 72 , wherein the step of inserting includes inserting an implant containing a fusion promoting substance.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 72 , wherein the step of inserting includes inserting an implant comprising a fusion promoting substance.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 72 , wherein the step of inserting includes inserting an implant comprising a bone ingrowth 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) | 2004-04-02 | 2004-10-02 | 2005-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-04-02 | 2008-10-02 | 2009-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-04-02 | 2012-10-02 | 2013-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |