Patent US2775727A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US6332895B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6332895B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Expandable intervertebral fusion implant having improved stability
Assignee: Zimmer Spine Inc
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Filing: 2000-03-08
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Granted: 2001-12-25
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Expires: 2020-03-08
Abstract
Abstract An expandable intervertebral implant includes two separate shells having corrugated mating surfaces which resist compression and shifting when the parts are distracted by a special installation tool. The shells include two planar wings which provide a large bearing area against adjacent vertebral endplates to prevent the implant from sinking into cancellous bone.
Inventors
- 👤 Loubert Suddaby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/3094; A61F2/30965; A61F2/442; A61F2/447; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/30487; A61F2002/305; A61F2002/30518; A61F2002/3052; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30537; A61F2002/30556; A61F2002/30593; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/30789; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30891; A61F2002/30892; A61F2002/30975; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4628; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0004; A61F2250/0009; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00161; A61F2310/00179
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
An expandable intervertebral fusion implant comprising a pair of shells adapted to be assembled to form a hollow body, each of said shells comprising an arcuate central portion, a pair of wings extending in opposite directions from opposite edges of said central portion, and a pair of parallel side walls extending in a common direction from respective outer edges of the wings, and means on the shells for permitting unidirectional expansion of the implant from a retracted initial height to an expanded installed height, wherein each of said wings has a width equal to at least 20% of that of the implant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
An expandable intervertebral fusion implant comprising a pair of shells adapted to be assembled to form a hollow body, each of said shells comprising an arcuate central portion, a pair of wings extending in opposite directions from opposite edges of said central portion, and a pair of parallel side walls extending in a common direction from respective outer edges of the wings, and means on the shells for permitting unidirectional expansion of the implant from a retracted initial height to an expanded installed height, wherein each of said wings has a width equal to at least 20% of that of the implant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 1 , wherein said means comprises interengaging teeth formed in said side walls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 2 , wherein said teeth are corrugations in said side walls, said side walls of one shell being substantially aligned with those of the other shell so that said teeth engage one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 3 , wherein the teeth are raked in one direction so as to permit unidirectional expansion during placement of the implant, but to prevent unintended retraction after placement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention of claim 4 , wherein the skirts of one of said shells nest within those of the other of said shells, and the inner skirts each have an inwardly protruding element, whereby the inner skirts may be grasped and pulled toward one another in order to disengage the skirts when it is desired to remove the implant.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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 |