US6440168B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Articulating spinal implant
Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc
•
Filing: 1999-09-02
•
Granted: 2002-08-27
•
Expires: 2019-09-02
Abstract
Abstract A spinal implant for intervertebral disc replacement. The implant is formed from two hemicylindrical elements, each engaging one of an adjacent pair of vertebrae. An articulating ball-and-socket joint and/or rocker and channel between the two elements resists compression and lateral movement between the vertebra, but allows pivotal movement, thereby preserving mobility. Fusion chambers are provided for allowing bone ingrowth to fuse the elements to the vertebrae. Biocompatible, bioreabsorbable struts, shims, fillers and/or end caps are provided for temporary stabilization of the first and second hemicylindrical elements. Bone chips removed from the vertebrae during implantation or bone growth stimulators can be inserted into the fusion chamber or otherwise applied to the implant to enhance bone ingrowth.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph C. Cauthen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B17/1662; A61B17/1671; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/4425; A61F2/4455; A61F2/446; A61B17/1604; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30724; A61F2/30744; A61F2/30767; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2817; A61F2002/2821; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30232; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30383; A61F2002/30385; A61F2002/30387; A61F2002/3039; A61F2002/30392; A61F2002/30393; A61F2002/30397; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/30515; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/30621; A61F2002/30649; A61F2002/30662; A61F2002/30663; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30672; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/30787; A61F2002/30795; A61F2002/30807; A61F2002/3081; A61F2002/3082; A61F2002/30827; A61F2002/3085; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30879; A61F2002/30934; A61F2/3094; A61F2002/30975; A61F2002/443; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00029; A61F2310/00035; A61F2310/00059; A61F2310/00179; A61F2310/00185; A61F2310/00239; A61F2310/00293; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/00395; A61F2310/00401; A61F2310/00407; A61F2310/00413; A61F2310/00419; A61F2310/00449; A61F2310/00592; A61F2310/00598; A61F2310/00634
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A spinal implant, comprising: a first element comprising a first articulating surface and a first threaded outer surface; a second element comprising a second articulating surface and a second threaded outer surface, said first and second threaded outer surfaces cooperating to form a substantially continuous threaded outer surface to facilitate threading advancement of the implant between adjacent vertebrae; and wherein said first and second articulating surfaces cooperate to allow relative movement between said first element and said second element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A spinal implant, comprising: a first element comprising a first articulating surface and a first threaded outer surface; a second element comprising a second articulating surface and a second threaded outer surface, said first and second threaded outer surfaces cooperating to form a substantially continuous threaded outer surface to facilitate threading advancement of the implant between adjacent vertebrae; and wherein said first and second articulating surfaces cooperate to allow relative movement between said first element and said second element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 , wherein said first articlating surface abuts said second articulating surface to form an articulation means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The spinal implant of claim 2 , wherein said articulation means comprises a concave surface in said first element and a convex surface from said second element, wherein at least a portion of said convex surface is engaged within said concave surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The spinal implant of claim 2 , wherein said articulation means comprises a channel along a length of said second element and a rocker along the length of said first element, wherein at least a portion of said rocker is engaged within said channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The spinal implant of claim 4 , wherein said channel along the length of said second element has a width at a top and bottom of said channel which is greater than the width at some point between said top and said bottom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The spinal implant of claim 4 , wherein said channel along the length of said second element has a channel width at each end which is greater than the channel width at some point between each end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The spinal implant of claim 4 , wherein said channel along the length of said second element has a channel width at each end which is less than the channel width at some point between each end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The spinal implant of claim 7 , wherein said rocker along the length of said first element has a rocker width at each end which is less than the rocker width at some point between each end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 , wherein said first element comprises a first fusion chamber located between said first articulation surface and said first outer surface, and said first outer surface comprises at least one opening for facilitating bone ingrowth into said first fusion chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 , wherein said second element comprises a second fusion chamber located between said second articulation surface and said second outer surface, and said second outer surface comprises at least one opening for facilitating bone ingrowth into said second fusion chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 , wherein said first outer surface comprises a first radiused outer wall, and said second outer surface comprises a second radiused outer wall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The spinal implant of claim 11 , wherein said first radiused outer wall and said second radiused outer wall comprise a securing means for securing said spinal implant within a cavity between said first vertebra and said second vertebra.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The spinal implant of claim 12 , wherein said securing means comprises said first and second threaded outer surfaces.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The spinal implant of claim 11 , wherein said first radiused outer wall and said second radiused outer wall comprise a hemicylindrical outer surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The spinal implant of claim 11 , wherein said first radiused outer wall and said second radiused outer wall comprise a hemielliptical outer surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 , further comprising a tail end and a leading end; and wherein a first radius of said tail end is greater than a second radius of said leading end.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 , further comprising a stabilizing means for temporarily rigidly coupling said first element to said second element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The spinal implant of claim 17 , wherein said stabilizing means comprises an endcap adapted to releasably engage a portion of said first element and a portion of said second element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The spinal implant of claim 17 , wherein said stabilizing means comprises at least one bioreabsorbable element adapted to be absorbed after implantation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 , wherein an intermediate articulation element is positioned between said first and second articulation surfaces.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The spinal implant of claim 20 , wherein said first articulation surface comprises a concave surface, and said second articulation surface comprises a convex surface, and said intermediate articulation element comprises a generally hemispherical cap.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of maintaining an intervertebral space between a first vertebra and a second vertebra, comprising: removing a section of the first vertebra to form a cavity therein having a concave surface extending along and facing the invertervertebral space; providing a first element of a spinal implant comprising a first articulation surface and a first convex outer surface; providing a second element of the spinal implant comprising a second articulation surface and a second convex outer surface; engaging the first convex outer surface of the first element against the concave surface of the cavity formed in the first vertebra; engaging the second convex outer surface of the second element against a portion of the second vertebra; adjoining the first and second articulation surfaces to form a joint allowing relative pivotal movement between the first and second elements; and temporarily rigidly coupling the first element to the second element with at least one bioreabsorbable stabilizing means prior to engaging the first convex outer surface of the first element within the cavity in the first vertebra.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of maintaining an intervertebral space between a first vertebra and a second vertebra, comprising: removing a section of the first vertebra to form a cavity therein having a concave surface extending along and facing the invertervertebral space; providing a first element of a spinal implant comprising a first articulation surface and a first convex outer surface; providing a second element of the spinal implant comprising a second articulation surface and a second convex outer surface; engaging the first convex outer surface of the first element against the concave surface of the cavity formed in the first vertebra; engaging the second convex outer surface of the second element against a portion of the second vertebra; adjoining the first and second articulation surfaces to form a joint allowing relative pivotal movement between the first and second elements; and temporarily rigidly coupling the first element to the second element with at least one bioreabsorbable stabilizing means prior to engaging the first convex outer surface of the first element within the cavity in the first vertebra.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the first element further comprises a first fusion chamber and at least one opening extending through the first convex outer surface and in communication with the first fusion chamber; and the method further comprising inserting a portion of the removed section of the first vertebra into the first fusion chamber to facilitate bone ingrowth.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 23 , further comprising removing a section of the second vertebra to form a cavity therein having a concave surface, and engaging the second convex outer surface of the second element against the concave surface of the cavity formed in the second vertebra.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 22 , further comprising applying means for stimulating bone growth to each of the first and second elements.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
118 words
A spinal implant, comprising: a first element comprising a first articulation surface and a first threaded outer surface defining a first convex lateral curvature adapted to engage a first vertebra; a second element comprising a second articulation surface and a second threaded outer surface defining a second convex lateral curvature adapted to engage a second vertebra, said first and second threaded outer surfaces cooperating to form a substantially continuous threaded outer surface to facilitate threading advancement of the implant between adjacent vertebrae; and wherein said first and second articulation surfaces cooperate to allow relative movement between said first and second elements; and wherein said first and second convex lateral curvatures cooperate to form a generally cylindrical implant body.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
118 words
A spinal implant, comprising: a first element comprising a first articulation surface and a first threaded outer surface defining a first convex lateral curvature adapted to engage a first vertebra; a second element comprising a second articulation surface and a second threaded outer surface defining a second convex lateral curvature adapted to engage a second vertebra, said first and second threaded outer surfaces cooperating to form a substantially continuous threaded outer surface to facilitate threading advancement of the implant between adjacent vertebrae; and wherein said first and second articulation surfaces cooperate to allow relative movement between said first and second elements; and wherein said first and second convex lateral curvatures cooperate to form a generally cylindrical implant body.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spinal implant of claim 26 , wherein said substantially continuous thread is self-cutting.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The spinal implant of claim 26 , wherein each of said first and second convex lateral curvatures is circular.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The spinal implant of claim 26 , wherein each of said first and second convex lateral curvatures is elliptical.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The spinal implant of claim 26 , further comprising a leading end and a trailing end, said first and second outer surfaces defining a taper between said leading and trailing ends.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
46 words
The spinal implant of claim 26 , wherein at least one of said first and second elements includes: a fusion chamber; and at least one opening extending through said outer surface and in communication with said fusion chamber to allow bone ingrowth into said fusion chamber.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
The spinal implant of claim 26 , further comprising first means for connecting said first element to the first vertebra and second means for connecting said second element to the second vertebra.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
60 words
The spinal implant of claim 26 , wherein one of said first and second articulation surfaces defines a convex portion and the other of said first and second articulation surfaces defines a concave portion, at least a portion of said convex portion being engaged within said concave portion to allow said relative movement between said first and said second elements.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
56 words
The spinal implant of claim 26 , wherein one of said first and second articulation surfaces defines a rocker and the other of said first and second articulation surfaces defines a channel, at least a portion of said rocker being engaged within said channel to allow said relative movement between said first and said second elements.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spinal implant of claim 34 , wherein said channel has a varying width.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The spinal implant of claim 35 , wherein said width varies along a depth of said channel.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The spinal implant of claim 35 , wherein said width varies along a length of said channel.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spinal implant of claim 26 , wherein said relative movement is pivotal movement.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
124 words
A spinal implant, comprising: a first element comprising a first articulation surface and a first outer surface defining a first convex lateral curvature adapted to engage a first vertebra; a second element comprising a second articulation surface and a second outer surface defining a second convex lateral curvature adapted to engage a second vertebra; and wherein one of said first and second articulation surfaces defines a rocker and the other of said first and second articulation surfaces defines a channel having an hour-glass shape, at least a portion of said rocker being engaged within said channel to allow relative movement between said first and said second elements; and wherein said first and second convex lateral curvatures cooperate to form a generally cylindrical implant body.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
124 words
A spinal implant, comprising: a first element comprising a first articulation surface and a first outer surface defining a first convex lateral curvature adapted to engage a first vertebra; a second element comprising a second articulation surface and a second outer surface defining a second convex lateral curvature adapted to engage a second vertebra; and wherein one of said first and second articulation surfaces defines a rocker and the other of said first and second articulation surfaces defines a channel having an hour-glass shape, at least a portion of said rocker being engaged within said channel to allow relative movement between said first and said second elements; and wherein said first and second convex lateral curvatures cooperate to form a generally cylindrical implant body.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spinal implant of claim 39 , wherein said rocker has an hour-glass shape.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
124 words
A spinal implant, comprising: a first element comprising a first articulation surface and a first outer surface defining a first convex lateral curvature adapted to engage a first vertebra; a second element comprising a second articulation surface and a second outer surface defining a second convex lateral curvature adapted to engage a second vertebra; and wherein one of said first and second articulation surfaces defines a rocker and the other of said first and second articulation surfaces defines a channel having a diamond shape, at least a portion of said rocker being engaged within said channel to allow relative movement between said first and said second elements; and wherein said first and second convex lateral curvatures cooperate to form a generally cylindrical implant body.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
124 words
A spinal implant, comprising: a first element comprising a first articulation surface and a first outer surface defining a first convex lateral curvature adapted to engage a first vertebra; a second element comprising a second articulation surface and a second outer surface defining a second convex lateral curvature adapted to engage a second vertebra; and wherein one of said first and second articulation surfaces defines a rocker and the other of said first and second articulation surfaces defines a channel having a diamond shape, at least a portion of said rocker being engaged within said channel to allow relative movement between said first and said second elements; and wherein said first and second convex lateral curvatures cooperate to form a generally cylindrical implant body.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spinal implant of claim 41 , wherein said rocker has a diamond shape.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
73 words
A spinal implant, comprising: a first element including a first convex outer surface defining a first series of threads; a second element including a second convex outer surface defining a second series of threads, said first and second series of threads cooperating to form a substantially continuous thread to facilitate threading advancement of the implant between two adjacent vertebrae; and articulation means for allowing relative movement between said first and said second elements.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
73 words
A spinal implant, comprising: a first element including a first convex outer surface defining a first series of threads; a second element including a second convex outer surface defining a second series of threads, said first and second series of threads cooperating to form a substantially continuous thread to facilitate threading advancement of the implant between two adjacent vertebrae; and articulation means for allowing relative movement between said first and said second elements.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
32 words
The spinal implant of claim 43 , further comprising first means for connecting said first element to the first vertebra and second means for connecting said second element to the second vertebra.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
24 words
The spinal implant of claim 43 , further comprising means for temporarily preventing said relative movement between the first element and the second element.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of maintaining an intervertebral space between a first vertebra and a second vertebra, comprising: providing a spinal implant having a first element and a second element, the first element having a first articulation surface and a first threaded outer surface, the second element having a second articulation surface and a second threaded outer surface; adjoining the first and second articulation surfaces to permit relative movement between the first and second elements, said first and second threaded outer surfaces cooperating to form a substantially continuous threaded outer surface; and threadingly advancing the spinal implant between the first vertebra and the second vertebra.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of maintaining an intervertebral space between a first vertebra and a second vertebra, comprising: providing a spinal implant having a first element and a second element, the first element having a first articulation surface and a first threaded outer surface, the second element having a second articulation surface and a second threaded outer surface; adjoining the first and second articulation surfaces to permit relative movement between the first and second elements, said first and second threaded outer surfaces cooperating to form a substantially continuous threaded outer surface; and threadingly advancing the spinal implant between the first vertebra and the second vertebra.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 46 , further comprising temporarily coupling the first element to the second element prior to the engaging.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4011602A
Cited
US4484570A
Cited
US4595663A
Cited
EP0042271A1
Cited
US4349921A
Cited
US4309777A
Cited
US4501269A
Cited
USRE32449E
Cited
US4553273A
Cited
US4863476A
Cited
US4932969A
Cited
US4759769A
Cited
US4714469A
Cited
US4772287A
Cited
US4946378A
Cited
US4997432A
Cited
US5002576A
Cited
US5015247A
Cited
US5545229A
Cited
US4961740A
Cited
US4961740B1
Cited
US5489308A
Cited
US5037438A
Cited
US4936848A
Cited
US4932975A
Cited
US5306308A
Cited
US5236460A
Cited
US5314477A
Cited
WO1992014423A1
Cited
US5306307A
Cited
WO1993010725A2
Cited
US5562738A
Cited
US5425773A
Cited
US5258031A
Cited
US5401269A
Cited
WO1994007441A1
Cited
EP0640326A1
Cited
US5725590A
Cited
US5735901A
Cited
EP0716840A2
Cited
US5593445A
Cited
WO1998014142A1
Cited
US5782832A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-08-26 | 2006-02-25 | 2006-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-26 | 2010-02-25 | 2010-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-26 | 2014-02-25 | 2014-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |