US6299644B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vertebral replacement implant
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1998-06-16
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Granted: 2001-10-09
•
Expires: 2018-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A vertebral replacement implant for interposition in a space left by one or more at least partially removed vertebrae between adjacent intact vertebrae. The implant has a connecting body with opposite ends sized to span at least a portion of the space between the intact vertebrae and two end pieces that are provided for attachment to the opposite ends of the connecting body. For anchoring the implant into the adjacent intact vertebrae, a cutting screw blade is provided on the end pieces so that these end pieces can be screwed into the intact vertebrae. In this way, a rigid fixation of the two adjacent intact vertebrae can be obtained thus enabling fusion thereof by bone growth without the use of an additional lateral support assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Vanderschot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61B17/8605; A61B17/861; A61B17/88; A61B17/8875; A61B17/8877; A61B2017/0046; A61F2/4455; A61F2/4465; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30156; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30235; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30362; A61F2002/3037; A61F2002/30372; A61F2002/30405; A61F2002/30411; A61F2002/30425; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/305; A61F2002/30507; A61F2002/30518; A61F2002/3052; A61F2002/30523; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/30604; A61F2002/30616; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30728; A61F2002/30729; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30774; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/30787; A61F2002/30789; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30845; A61F2002/3085; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30891; A61F2002/30892; A61F2/46; A61F2002/4635; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0023; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/006; A61F2250/0064
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A vertebral replacement implant for interposition in a space left by one or more at least partially removed vertebrae between adjacent intact vertebrae, comprising a connecting body with opposite ends sized to span at least a portion of the space between the intact vertebrae, and two end pieces provided for being fixed to the opposite ends of said connecting body and comprising means for anchoring the implant into the adjacent intact vertebrae, wherein said end pieces show a hollow cylindrical portion and said anchoring means comprise a cutting screw blade projecting laterally provided on the hollow cylindrical portions of the end pieces for screwing these end pieces by rotating them into the intact vertebrae, which cylindrical portion has an open end for penetrating into a respective one of the intact vertebrae.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A vertebral replacement implant for interposition in a space left by one or more at least partially removed vertebrae between adjacent intact vertebrae, comprising a connecting body with opposite ends sized to span at least a portion of the space between the intact vertebrae, and two end pieces provided for being fixed to the opposite ends of said connecting body and comprising means for anchoring the implant into the adjacent intact vertebrae, wherein said end pieces show a hollow cylindrical portion and said anchoring means comprise a cutting screw blade projecting laterally provided on the hollow cylindrical portions of the end pieces for screwing these end pieces by rotating them into the intact vertebrae, which cylindrical portion has an open end for penetrating into a respective one of the intact vertebrae.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said open ends of the cylindrical portions of the end pieces show a sharpened edge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said connecting body has first threads defined thereon at each of said opposite ends and said end pieces second threads configured to threadedly engage the first threads on said connecting body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said first and second threads and said cutting screw blade have a substantially equal pitch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the first threads at the opposite ends of the connecting body have an opposite direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 3 , further comprising means for locking said connecting body to each of said end pieces to prevent unthreading of said first and second threads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said locking means comprise threaded borings in the connecting body and bolts arranged to be screwed therein in engagement with the respective end piece.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 3 , comprising two stops arranged to be screwed to a respective one of the opposite ends of the connecting body and to project laterally so as to form an abutment for the respective end piece to prevent screwing the end piece off the connecting body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said stops have a substantially conical or dome-shaped top surface arranged for covering the respective end face of the connecting body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said end pieces comprise a crown wheel situated in a plane perpendicular to a symmetry axis of the second threads and the connecting body comprises borings arranged for receiving a chuck key arranged for co-operating with said crown wheel to screw the respective end piece into the adjacent vertebra.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 1 , comprising at least one retainer plate arranged for being applied onto a respective one of said end pieces, behind said screw blade.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the retainer plate forms an open ring configured such that it can be snapped laterally, behind the screw blade, over the end piece.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said retainer plate has projections directed towards the screw blade and penetrating into the adjacent vertebra when screwing the end piece therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said retainer plate is provided with locking means co-operating with the end piece for preventing unscrewing thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 14 , wherein said locking means comprise locking cams co-operating with notches in the end piece or vice versa.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said retainer plate has an edge showing at least one recess for applying a bone graft therein.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said connecting body comprises a hollow rod.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 17 , wherein said hollow rod has a wall provided with holes for enabling growth of bone within the hollow rod.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vertebral replacement implant as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said connecting body has a height substantially equal to the distance between the adjacent intact vertebrae.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
148 words
A vertebral replacement implant for interposition in a space left by one or more at least partially removed vertebrae between adjacent intact vertebrae in a spine, the implant comprising: a connecting body with opposite ends sized to span at least a portion of the space between the intact vertebrae; two end pieces provided for being fixed to the opposite ends of said connecting body, said end pieces show a hollow cylindrical portion; and anchoring means for anchoring the implant into the adjacent intact vertebrae, said anchoring means comprising a cutting screw blade projecting laterally provided on the hollow cylindrical portions of the end pieces, said cutting screw blade preventing compression and a distraction on the spine, and said cutting screw blade for screwing said end pieces into the intact vertebrae, wherein said cylindrical portion has an open end for penetrating into a respective one of the intact vertebrae.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
148 words
A vertebral replacement implant for interposition in a space left by one or more at least partially removed vertebrae between adjacent intact vertebrae in a spine, the implant comprising: a connecting body with opposite ends sized to span at least a portion of the space between the intact vertebrae; two end pieces provided for being fixed to the opposite ends of said connecting body, said end pieces show a hollow cylindrical portion; and anchoring means for anchoring the implant into the adjacent intact vertebrae, said anchoring means comprising a cutting screw blade projecting laterally provided on the hollow cylindrical portions of the end pieces, said cutting screw blade preventing compression and a distraction on the spine, and said cutting screw blade for screwing said end pieces into the intact vertebrae, wherein said cylindrical portion has an open end for penetrating into a respective one of the intact vertebrae.
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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) | 2004-10-08 | 2005-04-09 | 2005-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-10-08 | 2009-04-09 | 2009-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-10-08 | 2013-04-09 | 2013-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |