US6350283B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bone hemi-lumbar interbody spinal implant having an asymmetrical leading end and method of installation thereof
Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc
•
Filing: 2000-04-19
•
Granted: 2002-02-26
•
Expires: 2020-04-19
Abstract
Abstract An interbody spinal implant is formed of cortical bone adapted for placement across an intervertebral space formed across the height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies. An asymmetrical leading end on the implant is adapted to sit upon the peripheral areas, such as the apophyseal rim and the apophyseal rim area, of the vertebral end plate region of the vertebral bodies without protruding therefrom. The asymmetrical leading end allows for the safe use of an implant of maximum length for the implantation space into which it is installed. The implant can also include an asymmetric trailing end adapted to sit upon the more peripheral areas of the vertebral end plate region of the vertebral bodies.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary K. Michelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/446; C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/002; C10G1/08; C10G1/083; C10G47/00; C10G47/02; C10G47/04; C10G47/10; C10G47/12; C10G65/00; C10G65/02; C10G65/10; A61F2/28; A61F2/442; A61F2002/2817; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30593; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/30904; A61F2002/448; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00029; A61F2310/00035; A61F2310/00131; A61F2310/00179; A61F2310/00359
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 92
Claim 1
Independent Claim
344 words
An interbody spinal implant for insertion at least in part across a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the vertebral bodies having an anterior aspect and a posterior aspect, said implant comprising: a leading end for insertion first into the disc space, a trailing end opposite said leading end, and therebetween a length along a mid-longitudinal axis of said implant, said leading end being asymmetrical; opposed portions between said leading and trailing ends adapted to be placed within the disc space to contact and support the adjacent vertebral bodies, said opposed portions being non-arcuate along at least a portion of the length of said implant, said implant being formed of bone; an interior facing side wall, an exterior facing side wall opposite said interior side wall, and a width therebetween, said width of said implant being less than approximately one-half of the maximum width of the adjacent vertebral bodies into which said implant is adapted to be inserted, said interior and exterior side walls connecting said opposed portions and said leading and trailing ends, said interior side wall adapted to be oriented toward another implant when inserted within the disc space; at least one through-hole having a maximum cross-sectional dimension greater than 0.5 mm between said interior facing and said exterior facing side walls passing completely through said implant from opposed portion to opposed portion and adapted to hold bone growth promoting material for permitting for the growth of bone from vertebral body to vertebral body through said implant; a first distance as measured from said leading end to a plane perpendicular to and bisecting the length along the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant that is greater than a second distance as measured from said perpendicular plane to the junction of said leading end and said exterior side wall; and a third distance as measured from the junction of said leading end and said interior side wall to a plane perpendicular to and bisecting the length along the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant that is greater than said second distance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
344 words
An interbody spinal implant for insertion at least in part across a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the vertebral bodies having an anterior aspect and a posterior aspect, said implant comprising: a leading end for insertion first into the disc space, a trailing end opposite said leading end, and therebetween a length along a mid-longitudinal axis of said implant, said leading end being asymmetrical; opposed portions between said leading and trailing ends adapted to be placed within the disc space to contact and support the adjacent vertebral bodies, said opposed portions being non-arcuate along at least a portion of the length of said implant, said implant being formed of bone; an interior facing side wall, an exterior facing side wall opposite said interior side wall, and a width therebetween, said width of said implant being less than approximately one-half of the maximum width of the adjacent vertebral bodies into which said implant is adapted to be inserted, said interior and exterior side walls connecting said opposed portions and said leading and trailing ends, said interior side wall adapted to be oriented toward another implant when inserted within the disc space; at least one through-hole having a maximum cross-sectional dimension greater than 0.5 mm between said interior facing and said exterior facing side walls passing completely through said implant from opposed portion to opposed portion and adapted to hold bone growth promoting material for permitting for the growth of bone from vertebral body to vertebral body through said implant; a first distance as measured from said leading end to a plane perpendicular to and bisecting the length along the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant that is greater than a second distance as measured from said perpendicular plane to the junction of said leading end and said exterior side wall; and a third distance as measured from the junction of said leading end and said interior side wall to a plane perpendicular to and bisecting the length along the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant that is greater than said second distance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein said first distance is greater than said third distance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein said first distance is less than said third distance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein said first distance and said third distance are approximately equal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein said third distance is substantially greater than said first distance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein said leading end is at least in part non-linear.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein more than half of said leading end is a contour that goes from the exterior side wall toward the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant in a plane dividing said implant into an upper half and a lower half.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein said leading end includes a curve that extends from said exterior side wall beyond the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein less than half of said leading end is along a line perpendicular to the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant in a plane dividing said implant into an upper half and a lower half.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said leading end is tapered for facilitating insertion of the implant between the two adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 , wherein said implant is adapted for insertion from the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies and said leading end is configured to conform to the anatomic contour of at least a portion of the anterior aspect of the vertebral bodies.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein said implant is adapted for insertion from the anterior aspect of the vertebral bodies and said leading end is configured to conform to the anatomic contour of at least a portion of the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein said implant is adapted for insertion from a first lateral aspect of the vertebral bodies and said leading end is configured to conform to the anatomic contour of at least a portion of a second lateral aspect of the vertebral bodies opposite the first lateral aspect.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The implant of claim 1 , further comprising at least one protrusion extending from at least one of said opposed portions for engaging at least one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to maintain said implant within the disc space.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The implant of claim 14 , wherein said protrusion comprises a ridge.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The implant of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of surface roughenings for engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and for maintaining said implant in place, said surface roughenings being present on at least a portion of said opposed portions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein said opposed portions have a porous surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein said opposed portions have a bone in growth surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein said implant material is selected from the group including cortical fibers, bone filaments, and bone particles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 1 , in combination with a fusion promoting material other than bone.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein said implant comprises a bone in growth material other than bone.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The implant of claim 1 , further comprising a material, other than the bone from which said implant is formed, that intrinsically participates in the growth of bone from one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein said implant is treated with a fusion promoting substance.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The implant of claim 23 , wherein said fusion promoting substance is bone morphogenetic protein.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said implant is bioresorbable.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The implant of claim 1 , further in combination with bone morphogenetic protein.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The implant of claim 1 , further in combination with an osteogenic material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 27 , wherein said osteogenic material is a material other than bone.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The implant of claim 27 , wherein said material is genetic material coding for the production of bone.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The implant of claim 27 , wherein said material is bone morphogenetic protein.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The implant of claim 1 , further in combination with genetic material coding for production of bone.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The implant of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of openings and passages for retaining fusion promoting substance.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein said implant has a maximum length less than and approximating the posterior to anterior depth of the vertebral body.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
51 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein said trailing end is adapted to conform from side to side to at least a portion of the peripheral contour of at least one of the anterior and posterior aspects of the vertebral bodies adjacent a disc space into which said implant is inserted.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said opposed portions are in a diverging relationship to each other from trailing end to leading end for allowing angulation of the adjacent vertebral bodies relative to each other.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
42 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said opposed portions re generally in a converging relationship to each other from trailing end to leading end or allowing angulation of the adjacent vertebral bodies relative to each other.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
340 words
An interbody spinal implant for linear insertion at least in part across a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the vertebral bodies having an anterior aspect and a posterior aspect, said implant comprising: a leading end for insertion first into the disc space, a trailing end opposite said leading end, and therebetween a length along a mid-longitudinal axis of said implant, said implant being non-threaded and adapted for linear insertion in a direction along the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant, said leading end being asymmetrical, less than half of said asymmetric leading end being along a line perpendicular to the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant in a plane dividing said implant into an upper half and a lower half; opposed portions between said leading and trailing ends adapted to be placed within the disc space to contact and support the adjacent vertebral bodies, said opposed portions being arcuate along at least a portion of the length of said implant, said implant being formed of bone; an interior facing side wall, an exterior facing side wall opposite said interior side wall, and a width therebetween, said width of said implant being less than approximately one-half of the maximum width of the adjacent vertebral bodies into which said implant is adapted to be inserted, said interior and exterior side walls connecting said opposed portions and said leading and trailing ends, said interior side wall adapted to be oriented toward another implant when inserted within the disc space; a first distance as measured from said leading end to a plane perpendicular to and bisecting the length along the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant that is greater than a second distance as measured from said perpendicular plane to the junction of said leading end and said exterior side wall; and a third distance as measured from the junction of said leading end and said interior side wall to a plane perpendicular to and bisecting the length along the midlongitudinal axis of said implant that is greater than said second distance.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
340 words
An interbody spinal implant for linear insertion at least in part across a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine, the vertebral bodies having an anterior aspect and a posterior aspect, said implant comprising: a leading end for insertion first into the disc space, a trailing end opposite said leading end, and therebetween a length along a mid-longitudinal axis of said implant, said implant being non-threaded and adapted for linear insertion in a direction along the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant, said leading end being asymmetrical, less than half of said asymmetric leading end being along a line perpendicular to the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant in a plane dividing said implant into an upper half and a lower half; opposed portions between said leading and trailing ends adapted to be placed within the disc space to contact and support the adjacent vertebral bodies, said opposed portions being arcuate along at least a portion of the length of said implant, said implant being formed of bone; an interior facing side wall, an exterior facing side wall opposite said interior side wall, and a width therebetween, said width of said implant being less than approximately one-half of the maximum width of the adjacent vertebral bodies into which said implant is adapted to be inserted, said interior and exterior side walls connecting said opposed portions and said leading and trailing ends, said interior side wall adapted to be oriented toward another implant when inserted within the disc space; a first distance as measured from said leading end to a plane perpendicular to and bisecting the length along the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant that is greater than a second distance as measured from said perpendicular plane to the junction of said leading end and said exterior side wall; and a third distance as measured from the junction of said leading end and said interior side wall to a plane perpendicular to and bisecting the length along the midlongitudinal axis of said implant that is greater than said second distance.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein said first distance is greater than said third distance.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein said first distance is less than said third distance.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein said first distance and said third distance are approximately equal.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein said third distance is substantially greater than said first distance.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein said leading end is at least in part nonlinear.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
45 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein more than half of said leading end is a contour that goes from the exterior side wall toward the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant in a plane dividing said implant into an upper half and a lower half.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein said leading end includes a curve that extends from said exterior side wall beyond the mid-longitudinal axis of said implant.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
29 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein at least a portion of said leading end is tapered for facilitating insertion of the implant between the two adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
46 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein said implant is adapted for insertion from the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies and said leading end is configured to conform to the anatomic contour of at least a portion of the anterior aspect of the vertebral bodies.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
47 words
The spinal implant of claim 37 , wherein said implant is adapted for insertion from the anterior aspect of the vertebral bodies and said leading end is configured to conform to the anatomic contour of at least a portion of the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
54 words
The spinal implant of claim 37 , wherein said implant is adapted for insertion from a first lateral aspect of the vertebral bodies and said leading end is configured to conform to the anatomic contour of at least a portion of a second lateral aspect of the vertebral bodies opposite the first lateral aspect.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
39 words
The implant of claim 37 , further comprising at least one protrusion extending from at least one of said opposed portions for engaging at least one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to maintain said implant within the disc space.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
11 words
The implant of claim 49 wherein said protrusion comprises a ridge.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
40 words
The implant of claim 37 , further comprising a plurality of surface roughenings for engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies and for maintaining said implant in place, said surface roughenings being present on at least a portion of said opposed portions.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
14 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein said opposed portions have a porous surface.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
24 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein said implant comprises a material selected from the group including cortical fibers, bone filaments, and bone particles.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 37 , in combination with a fusion promoting material other than bone.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein said implant comprises a bone in growth material other than bone.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
43 words
The implant of claim 37 , further comprising a material, other than the bone from which said implant is formed, that intrinsically participates in the growth of bone from one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein said implant is treated with a fusion promoting substance.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
15 words
The implant of claim 57 , wherein said fusion promoting substance is bone morphogenetic protein.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein said opposed portions have a bone in growth surface.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein at least a portion of said implant is bioresorbable.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
13 words
The implant of claim 37 , further in combination with bone morphogenetic protein.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
13 words
The implant of claim 37 , further in combination with an osteogenic material.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 62 , wherein said osteogenic material is a material other than bone.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
18 words
The implant of claim 62 , wherein said material is genetic material coding or the production of bone.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
13 words
The implant of claim 62 , wherein said material is bone morphogenetic protein.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
17 words
The implant of claim 37 , further in combination with genetic material coding for production of bone.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
26 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein said implant has a maximum length less than and approximating the posterior to anterior depth of the vertebral body.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
51 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein the trailing end is adapted to conform from side to side to at least a portion of the peripheral contour of at least one of the anterior and posterior aspects of the vertebral bodies adjacent a disc space into which said implant is inserted.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
42 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein said opposed portions have at least one opening therein, said openings being in communication with one another to permit for the growth of bone from adjacent vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through said implant.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
32 words
The implant of claim 69 , wherein each of said opposed portions comprises an interior surface, said interior surfaces being spaced apart to define a hollow interior in communication with said openings.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
41 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein at least a portion of said opposed portions are in a diverging relationship to each other from trailing end to leading end for allowing angulation of the adjacent vertebral bodies relative to each other.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
42 words
The implant of claim 37 , wherein at least a portion of said opposed portions are generally in a converging relationship to each other from trailing end to leading end for allowing angulation of the adjacent vertebral bodies relative to each other.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
19 words
The implant of claim 37 , further comprising a plurality of openings and passages for retaining fusion promoting substance.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
249 words
A method for installing an interbody spinal implant into a disc space formed across a spinal disc and into vertebral bodies adjacent the spinal disc and installing an implant therein, said method comprising the steps of: providing an implant having a leading end for insertion first into the disc space, the leading end being adapted to allow for the seating of the implant on at least one of the anterior and posterior portions of the apophyseal rim bone area without at least a portion of the implant proximate the leading end substantially extending beyond the outer dimensions of the vertebral bodies, a trailing end opposite the leading end, and therebetween a length along a mid-longitudinal axis of the implant, opposed portions between the leading and trailing ends adapted to be placed within the disc space to contact and support the adjacent vertebral bodies, the implant being formed of bone, and having at least one through-hole having a maximum cross-sectional dimension greater than 0.5 mm between said interior facing and said exterior facing side walls passing completely through said implant from opposed portion to opposed portion and adapted to hold bone growth promoting material for permitting for the growth of bone from vertebral body to vertebral body through said implant; and installing the implant with at least the leading end of the implant positioned in contact with the bone proximate and including at least one of the anterior and posterior portions of the apophyseal rim area of the vertebral bodies.
Claim 77
Independent Claim
249 words
A method for installing an interbody spinal implant into a disc space formed across a spinal disc and into vertebral bodies adjacent the spinal disc and installing an implant therein, said method comprising the steps of: providing an implant having a leading end for insertion first into the disc space, the leading end being adapted to allow for the seating of the implant on at least one of the anterior and posterior portions of the apophyseal rim bone area without at least a portion of the implant proximate the leading end substantially extending beyond the outer dimensions of the vertebral bodies, a trailing end opposite the leading end, and therebetween a length along a mid-longitudinal axis of the implant, opposed portions between the leading and trailing ends adapted to be placed within the disc space to contact and support the adjacent vertebral bodies, the implant being formed of bone, and having at least one through-hole having a maximum cross-sectional dimension greater than 0.5 mm between said interior facing and said exterior facing side walls passing completely through said implant from opposed portion to opposed portion and adapted to hold bone growth promoting material for permitting for the growth of bone from vertebral body to vertebral body through said implant; and installing the implant with at least the leading end of the implant positioned in contact with the bone proximate and including at least one of the anterior and posterior portions of the apophyseal rim area of the vertebral bodies.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
133 words
The method of claim 74 , wherein the providing step includes the sub-step of providing the implant having an interior facing side wall, an exterior facing side wall opposite the interior side wall, and a width therebetween, the width of the implant being less than approximately one-half of the maximum width of the adjacent vertebral bodies into which the implant is adapted to be inserted, the interior and exterior side walls being between the opposed portions and the leading and trailing ends, the interior side wall being adapted to be oriented toward another implant when inserted within the disc space, the junction of the exterior side wall and the leading end being adapted so as not to substantially extend beyond the outer dimensions of the vertebral bodies when inserted within the disc space.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
109 words
The method of claim 75 , wherein the providing step includes the sub-step of providing the implant having a first distance as measured from the leading end to a plane perpendicular to and bisecting the length along the mid-longitudinal axis of the implant that is greater than a second distance as measured from the perpendicular plane to the junction of the leading end and the exterior side wall, and a third distance as measured from the junction of the leading end and the interior side wall to a plane perpendicular to and bisecting the length along the mid-longitudinal axis of the implant that is greater than the second distance.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 76 , wherein the providing step includes the sub-step of providing the implant with the first distance being greater than the third distance.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 76 , wherein the providing step includes the sub-step of providing the implant with the first distance being less than the third distance.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 76 , wherein the providing step includes the sub-step of providing the implant with the first distance and the third distance being approximately equal.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 76 , wherein the providing step includes the sub-step of providing the implant with the third distance being substantially greater than the first distance.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 74 , wherein the providing step includes the sub-step of providing the implant with the leading end being at least in part non-linear.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 74 , wherein the providing step includes the sub-step of providing the implant with less than half of the leading end being along a line perpendicular to the mid-longitudinal axis of the implant in a plane dividing the implant into an upper half and a lower half.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 76 , wherein the providing step includes the sub-step of providing the implant with more than half of the leading end being a contour that goes from the exterior side wall toward the mid-longitudinal axis of the implant in a plane dividing the implant into an upper half and a lower half.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 76 , wherein the providing step includes the sub-step of providing the implant with the leading end having a curve that extends from the exterior side wall beyond the mid-longitudinal axis of the implant.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 74 , wherein the providing step includes the sub-step of providing the implant with the trailing end being adapted to conform from side to side to at least a portion of the peripheral contour of at least one of the anterior and posterior aspects of the vertebral bodies adjacent a disc space into which the implant is inserted.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 74 , wherein the installing step includes the sub-step of inserting the implant from the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies and the leading end of the implant being configured to conform to the anatomic contour of at least a portion of the anterior aspect of the vertebral bodies.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 74 , wherein the installing step includes the sub-step of inserting the implant from the anterior aspect of the vertebral bodies and the leading end of the implant being configured to conform to the anatomic contour of at least a portion of the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 74 , wherein the providing step includes the sub-step of providing the implant with the opposed portions being arcuate.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 74 , wherein the providing step includes the sub-step of providing the implant with an overall length sufficient to contact both the area adjacent and including the anterior and posterior portions of the apophyseal rim area.
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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) | 2005-02-25 | 2005-08-27 | 2006-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-02-25 | 2009-08-27 | 2010-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-02-25 | 2013-08-27 | 2014-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |