US6447546B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for fusing opposing spinal vertebrae
Assignee: Zimmer CEP USA Holdings Inc
•
Filing: 2000-08-11
•
Granted: 2002-09-10
•
Expires: 2020-08-11
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for fusing opposing spinal vertebrae is disclosed. In an embodiment for a spinal implant of the present invention, the implant includes a body assembly and a retention member coupled to the body assembly. The retention member includes a tang where the tang is extendible from the body assembly. In a method of the present invention, the method includes the step of inserting an implant between adjacent vertebrae with a retention member of the implant in a first retracted configuration. The method also includes the step of configuring the retention member in a second extended configuration wherein when the retention member is in its second extended configuration, a portion of a tang of the retention member extends from the implant and into one of the adjacent vertebrae.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale G. Bramlet
- 👤 Peter Sterghos
- 👤 Jeffrey W. Godsted
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/446; A61F2/28; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30744; A61F2/442; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30143; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30405; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/30492; A61F2002/30507; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30579; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/30594; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30774; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30787; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0017; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00179; A61F2310/00359
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
42 words
A spinal implant, comprising: a body assembly; and a retention member coupled to the body assembly, the retention member including a body, a multi-faceted flange attached to a proximal end of the body, and a first tang extendible through the body assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
A spinal implant, comprising: a body assembly; and a retention member coupled to the body assembly, the retention member including a body, a multi-faceted flange attached to a proximal end of the body, and a first tang extendible through the body assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 wherein the retention member includes: a second tang, wherein the first tang and the second tang extend from a distal end of the body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The spinal implant of claim 2 wherein the first and second tangs are formed of a deformable material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The spinal implant of claim 3 wherein the first and second tangs are extendible though slots included in the body assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 wherein the body assembly includes: a body, the body including a cylindrical wall defining a bore and the cylindrical wall defining a plurality of apertures extending therethrough; and an end plug, the end plug coupled to the body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The spinal implant of claim 5 wherein the end plug includes an internally threaded portion and a counterbore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The spinal implant of claim 5 further comprising a pin, the pin received through the body and the end plug.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The spinal implant of claim 5 wherein the body assembly further includes a distal end cap coupled to a distal end of the body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
In combination with the spinal implant of claim 1 , a deployment device couplable to the spinal implant, the deployment device including: a body defining a bore, the retention member slidably receivable within the bore; a collar rotatable and translational about the body; a torque arm attached to a proximal end of the body and extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body; and a handle extending through the proximal end of the body and within the bore.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The deployment device of claim 9 wherein the handle includes: a hand-grip portion; an externally threaded shaft attached to the hand-grip portion; and an anvil attached to a distal end of the externally threaded shaft and disposed within the bore.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
In combination with the spinal implant of claim 1 , a retraction device couplable to the spinal implant, the retraction device including: a collar defining a bore, the retention member slidably receivable within the bore; an externally threaded shaft, the shaft threadedly engaged with the collar and including a threaded stem on a distal end thereof; and a handle rigidly attached to the externally threaded shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The retraction device of claim 11 further comprising a snap-ring disposed on the externally threaded shaft and within the bore.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein said body defines a threaded aperture therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
75 words
An implant, comprising: a body assembly; and a retention member including a body, a multi-faceted flange attached to a proximal end of the body, and a tang, the retention member receivable within the body assembly; wherein when the retention member is in a first configuration, the tang is retracted within the body assembly and wherein when the retention member is in a second configuration, a portion of the tang is extended through the body assembly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
75 words
An implant, comprising: a body assembly; and a retention member including a body, a multi-faceted flange attached to a proximal end of the body, and a tang, the retention member receivable within the body assembly; wherein when the retention member is in a first configuration, the tang is retracted within the body assembly and wherein when the retention member is in a second configuration, a portion of the tang is extended through the body assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The implant of claim 13 wherein the tang is comprised of a deformable material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
The implant of claim 13 wherein the body assembly includes: a body, the body including a cylindrical wall defining a bore and the cylindrical wall defining a plurality of apertures extending therethrough; and an end plug, the end plug coupled to the body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The implant of claim 15 further comprising a pin, the pin received through the body and the end plug.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The implant of claim 15 wherein the body includes threading on an external surface thereof.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of fusing adjacent vertebrae comprising the steps of: inserting an implant between the adjacent vertebrae with a retention member of the implant in a first retracted configuration; and configuring the retention member in a second extended configuration wherein when the retention member is in its second extended configuration, a portion of a tang of the retention member extends from the implant and into one of the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of fusing adjacent vertebrae comprising the steps of: inserting an implant between the adjacent vertebrae with a retention member of the implant in a first retracted configuration; and configuring the retention member in a second extended configuration wherein when the retention member is in its second extended configuration, a portion of a tang of the retention member extends from the implant and into one of the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 18 wherein when the retention member is in its second extended configuration, a portion of a second tang of the retention member extends from the implant and into the other of the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the step of configuring the retention member in the second extended configuration includes the step of deforming the first and second tangs.
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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) | 2005-09-09 | 2006-03-11 | 2006-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-09 | 2010-03-11 | 2010-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-09 | 2014-03-11 | 2014-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |