Patent US6332894B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6332894B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Polymer filled spinal fusion cage
Assignee: Zimmer Technology Inc
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Filing: 2000-03-07
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Granted: 2001-12-25
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Expires: 2020-03-07
Abstract
Abstract An orthopaedic implant for implanting between adjacent vertebrae and a spine, includes a generally annular bag; and a hardened polymer with the bag. The method of fusing adjacent vertebrae in a spine includes the steps of forming an access hole in an annulus of a disc between the adjacent vertebrae; removing the nucleus within the disc to form a cavity surrounded by the annulus; placing a generally annular bag within the cavity; filling the bag with a polymer; injecting bone particles into the cavity surrounded by the annular bag; and hardening the polymer.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory C Stalcup
- 👤 Antony J. Lozier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7097; A61B17/7098; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/4455; A61F2/4465; A61F2/46; A61F2/4601; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/14; A61L27/16; A61B17/32; A61B17/3209; A61B17/3211; A61B17/7094; A61B17/7095; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30744; A61F2/442; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30133; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/302; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30581; A61F2002/30583; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4635; A61F2002/465; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2210/0085; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0015; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0065; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00353; A61L2430/00; A61L2430/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of fusing adjacent vertebrae in a spine, comprising the steps of: forming an access hole in an annulus of a disc between the adjacent vertebrae; removing the nucleus within the disc to form a cavity surrounded by said annulus; placing a generally annular bag within said cavity; filling said bag with a polymer; injecting bone particles into a portion of said cavity surrounded by said annular bag; and hardening said polymer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of fusing adjacent vertebrae in a spine, comprising the steps of: forming an access hole in an annulus of a disc between the adjacent vertebrae; removing the nucleus within the disc to form a cavity surrounded by said annulus; placing a generally annular bag within said cavity; filling said bag with a polymer; injecting bone particles into a portion of said cavity surrounded by said annular bag; and hardening said polymer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said filling step comprises filling said bag with said polymer to a first predetermined amount, and comprising the further step of filling said bag with said polymer to a second predetermined amount, said second filling step occurring after said injecting step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said second filling step compresses said bone particles in a radially inward direction into a column, and expands said column in an axial direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein said expansion of said bone particles in said axial direction loads said bone particles against an end plate of each respective said adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein said second filling step provides height adjustment of said disc between said adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said bone particles comprise bone chips.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said bone particles are suspended within a matrix.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said forming step comprises forming said access hole in a side of said disc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said removing step comprises evacuating said nucleus from said disc.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said placing step comprises the sub-steps of: folding said bag; inserting said folded bag within a pre-load tube; inserting at least an end of said pre-load tube into said cavity; and pushing said folded bag from said pre-load tube into said cavity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said filling step comprises injecting said polymer under pressure into said bag.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein said bag is expandable under said pressure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said polymer comprises a curable polymer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said polymer is curable with one of thermal energy, light energy, X-ray energy and a chemical catalyst.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said hardening step comprises hardening said polymer with a chemical catalyst.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said bag comprises a porous bag allowing some of said polymer to pass therethrough.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
An orthopaedic implant for implanting between adjacent vertebrae in a spine, comprising: a generally annular bag; and a hardened polymer within said bag.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
An orthopaedic implant for implanting between adjacent vertebrae in a spine, comprising: a generally annular bag; and a hardened polymer within said bag.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The orthopaedic implant of claim 17 , further comprising a fill tube connected with said bag for injecting said polymer into said bag.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The orthopaedic implant of claim 17 , wherein said polymer comprises a curable polymer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The orthopaedic implant of claim 19 , wherein said polymer is curable with one of thermal energy, light energy, X-ray energy and a chemical catalyst.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The orthopaedic implant of claim 20 , wherein said polymer comprises polymethylmethacrylate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The orthopaedic implant of claim 17 , wherein said bag comprises a porous bag allowing some of said polymer to pass therethrough.
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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) | 2004-12-24 | 2005-06-25 | 2005-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-24 | 2009-06-25 | 2009-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-24 | 2013-06-25 | 2013-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |