US6395034B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intervertebral disc prosthesis
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1999-11-24
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Granted: 2002-05-28
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Expires: 2019-11-24
Abstract
Abstract An intervertebral disc is replaced with a construct including an expandable stent having convex heads and a hardenable material, such as a resin, which is injected into the intervertebral space around the stent and allowed to harden in situ.
Inventors
- 👤 Loubert Suddaby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30299; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30518; A61F2002/3052; A61F2002/30522; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30537; A61F2002/3055; A61F2002/30601; A61F2002/444; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0093
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of replacing a damaged intervertebral disc, comprising steps of removing a damaged disc nucleus from its intervertebral space, inserting an expandable stent having opposed convex heads and structure extending between the heads which is expandable lengthwise, but not retractable, into the intervertebral space, placing the stent so that its convex ends face the endplates of the respective vertebral bodies on either side of the intervertebral space, expanding said structure so that the heads bear against the endplates, injecting a hardenable material into the intervertebral space between the convex heads, and allowing the hardenable material to harden around the stent so as to form a permanent disc prosthesis.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of replacing a damaged intervertebral disc, comprising steps of removing a damaged disc nucleus from its intervertebral space, inserting an expandable stent having opposed convex heads and structure extending between the heads which is expandable lengthwise, but not retractable, into the intervertebral space, placing the stent so that its convex ends face the endplates of the respective vertebral bodies on either side of the intervertebral space, expanding said structure so that the heads bear against the endplates, injecting a hardenable material into the intervertebral space between the convex heads, and allowing the hardenable material to harden around the stent so as to form a permanent disc prosthesis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the stent has points on each of said convex ends, and the expanding step includes pressing the points against the endplates of the respective vertebral bodies on either side of the intervertebral space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
An intervertebral disc prosthesis, comprising a stent having at least two telescoping elements, each of said elements having a head adapted to engage an endplate of a respective one of said vertebral bodies, a structure extending between said heads, said structure be expandable lengthwise, but not retractable, and a mass of hardenable material for filling the space between said heads.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
An intervertebral disc prosthesis, comprising a stent having at least two telescoping elements, each of said elements having a head adapted to engage an endplate of a respective one of said vertebral bodies, a structure extending between said heads, said structure be expandable lengthwise, but not retractable, and a mass of hardenable material for filling the space between said heads.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The stent of claim 3 , wherein each of said heads has a convex surface for engaging the endplate of a respective one of said vertebral bodies.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The stent of claim 3 , wherein each of said heads has a point for digging into the endplate of a respective one of said vertebral bodies, to keep the stent in place.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The prosthesis of claim 3 , wherein each of said heads has a convex surface for engaging the endplate of a respective one of said vertebral bodies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The prosthesis of claim 3 , wherein each of said heads has a point for digging into the endplate of a respective one of said vertebral bodies, to keep the stent in place.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The prosthesis of claim 3 , wherein said hardenable material is a plastic polymeric material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The prosthesis of claim 8 , wherein said material is a resin.
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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) | 2005-05-27 | 2005-11-26 | 2006-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-05-27 | 2009-11-26 | 2010-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-05-27 | 2013-11-26 | 2014-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |