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Method and apparatus for spinal fixation

Assignee: HighRidge Medical LLC
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Filing: 2000-03-20
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Granted: 2001-10-02
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Expires: 2020-03-20
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Abstract

Abstract An apparatus for spinal fixation has a longitudinally extending core which provides structural integrity and allows for bone growth along the center column of the spine. The apparatus for spinal fixation further includes upper and lower platform members radially extending from upper and lower ends, respectively, of the core. The platform members each include a plurality of radially extending arms which define substantially triangular openings therebetween. The openings permit bone ingrowth therethrough to the space between the upper and lower platform members which is interrupted only by the core.

Inventors

  • 👤 Lee A. Strnad
  • 👤 Kirk J. Bailey

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 10:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/28; A61F2/2846; A61F2/442; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30235; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/30485; A61F2002/30495; A61F2002/30507; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30537; A61F2002/3055; A61F2002/30576; A61F2002/30578; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/30601; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30891; A61F2002/30892; A61F2002/448; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00023

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim 56 words
An apparatus for spinal fixation comprising: a core longitudinally extending along an axis; an upper platform member radially extending about the axis; and a lower platform member radially extending about the axis; at least one of the upper and lower platform members including a plurality of radially extending arms defining openings therebetween for permitting bone ingrowth.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 56 words
An apparatus for spinal fixation comprising: a core longitudinally extending along an axis; an upper platform member radially extending about the axis; and a lower platform member radially extending about the axis; at least one of the upper and lower platform members including a plurality of radially extending arms defining openings therebetween for permitting bone ingrowth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus for spinal fixation of claim 1 , wherein both the upper and lower platform members include a plurality of radially extending arms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 40 words
The apparatus for spinal fixation of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of radially extending arms includes at least a first arm extending in a generally posterior direction and at least a second arm extending in a generally anterior direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus for spinal fixation of claim 3 , wherein the second arm is substantially longer than the first arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 41 words
The apparatus for spinal fixation of claim 1 , wherein the platform member of the at least one of the upper and lower platform members includes an outer rim interconnecting an end of each of the plurality of radially extending arms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus for spinal fixation of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the upper and lower platform members is substantially kidney-shaped.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 25 words
The apparatus for spinal fixation of claim 1 , wherein a space between the upper and lower platform members is interrupted only by the core.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus for spinal fixation of claim 1 , wherein the core is extendable along the axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus for spinal fixation of claim 8 , wherein the core includes first and second telescopically related portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 42 words
The apparatus for spinal fixation of claim 8 , wherein a first portion of the core telescopically receives a second portion of the core, the first portion including an inwardly extending locking ring engaging a locking groove formed on the second platform.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 78 words
An apparatus for spinal fixation comprising: a core longitudinally extending along an axis; and an upper platform member and a lower platform member, the upper and lower platform members radially extending from an upper end and a lower end of the core, the platform members both radially extending about the core and including a plurality of radially extending arms, both the platform members further including a rim connecting an end of each arm of the plurality of arms.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 78 words
An apparatus for spinal fixation comprising: a core longitudinally extending along an axis; and an upper platform member and a lower platform member, the upper and lower platform members radially extending from an upper end and a lower end of the core, the platform members both radially extending about the core and including a plurality of radially extending arms, both the platform members further including a rim connecting an end of each arm of the plurality of arms.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus for spinal fixation of claim 11 , wherein the rims of both the upper and lower platform members have a kidney shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 40 words
The apparatus for spinal fixation of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of radially extending arms includes at least a first arm extending in a generally posterior direction and at least a second arm extending in a generally anterior direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus for spinal fixation of claim 13 , wherein the second arm is substantially longer than the first arm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 25 words
The apparatus for spinal fixation of claim 11 , wherein a space between the upper and lower platform members is interrupted only by the core.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus for spinal fixation of claim 11 , wherein the core is extendable along the axis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus for spinal fixation of claim 16 , wherein the core includes first and second telescopically related portions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 42 words
The apparatus for spinal fixation of claim 16 , wherein a first portion of the core telescopically receives a second portion of the core, the first portion including an inwardly extending locking ring engaging a locking groove formed on the second platform.
Claim 21
Independent Claim 106 words
A method of stabilizing a spinal column comprising the steps of: selecting an apparatus including a core extending along a longitudinal axis and upper and lower platforms members radially extending from an upper end and a lower end of the longitudinal axis, respectively, both of the upper and lower platforms including a plurality of radially extending arms, adjacent arms defining openings; implanting the apparatus into a spinal column; and opposing flexion of the spinal column with at least a first of the plurality of radially extending arms; and opposing extension of the spinal column with at least a second of the plurality of radially extending arms.
Claim 22
Independent Claim 106 words
A method of stabilizing a spinal column comprising the steps of: selecting an apparatus including a core extending along a longitudinal axis and upper and lower platforms members radially extending from an upper end and a lower end of the longitudinal axis, respectively, both of the upper and lower platforms including a plurality of radially extending arms, adjacent arms defining openings; implanting the apparatus into a spinal column; and opposing flexion of the spinal column with at least a first of the plurality of radially extending arms; and opposing extension of the spinal column with at least a second of the plurality of radially extending arms.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of stabilizing a spinal column of claim 19 , further comprising the step of permitting bone ingrowth through the openings.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of stabilizing a spinal column of claim 19 , further comprising the step of expanding the core along the longitudinal axis.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 34 words
The method of stabilizing a spinal column of claim 19 , wherein the first of the plurality of radially extending arms is substantially longer than the second of the plurality of radially extending arms.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2004-10-01 2005-04-02 2005-10-02 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2008-10-01 2009-04-02 2009-10-02 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2012-10-01 2013-04-02 2013-10-02 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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