US6562074B2 — Adjustable bone fusion implant and method

Claim 1

Independent Claim 102 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant comprising: a first plate having an interior face and an opposing exterior face; a second plate having an interior face and an opposing exterior face; means for connecting the first plate to the second plate such that the first plate and the second plate can be selectively manually separated to one or more predefined positions and such that the first plate and the second plate are mechanically stopped from collapsing toward each other once separated to the one or more predefined positions; and a discrete reinforcing member removably positioned between the first plate and the second plate.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 102 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant comprising: a first plate having an interior face and an opposing exterior face; a second plate having an interior face and an opposing exterior face; means for connecting the first plate to the second plate such that the first plate and the second plate can be selectively manually separated to one or more predefined positions and such that the first plate and the second plate are mechanically stopped from collapsing toward each other once separated to the one or more predefined positions; and a discrete reinforcing member removably positioned between the first plate and the second plate.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 27 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 1 , wherein the discrete reinforcing member is removably slid between the first plate and the second plate.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 54 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member is removably positioned between the first plate and the second plate such that the reinforcing member biases against the first plate and the second plate when a compressive force is applied on the first plate and the second plate.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 97 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 1 , wherein the means for connecting comprises: a pair of spaced apart first support members projecting from the first plate, at least one of the first support members having a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom; and a pair of spaced apart second support members projecting from the second plate, at least one of the second support members having at least one hole formed thereon, at least one of the plurality of teeth of the first support member being disposed within the hole of the second support member.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 92 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 4 , wherein the at least one tooth on the first support member comprises: a top surface intersecting with the first support member so as to form a first inside angle relative to the first support member that is less than 90°; and a bottom surface intersecting with the first support member so as to form a second inside angle relative to the first support member that is less than 90°, the top surface intersecting with the bottom surface at an outer edge.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 23 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 5 , wherein the second inside angle is greater than the first inside angle.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 38 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 1 , wherein the exterior face of the first plate is angled relative to the exterior face of the second plate so as to form a wedged shape configuration.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 53 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: an attachment wall projecting from the first plate or the second plate toward the other of the first plate or the second plate; and means formed on the attachment wall for removably connecting an insertion tool to the attachment wall.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 35 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 8 , wherein the means for removably connecting an insertion tool the attachment wall comprises a threaded opening extending at least partially through the attachment wall.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 29 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 1 , further comprising at least one grafting port extending through at least the first plate or the second plate.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 32 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member comprises a block having a front face and an opposing back face with a passageway extending therebetween.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 24 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member comprises a block, the block being comprised of bone.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 30 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member comprises a pair of spaced apart walls with a substantially open channel longitudinally extending therebetween.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 38 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 1 , wherein a compartment is at least partially bounded between the first plate and the second plate, the reinforcing member being at least partially disposed within the compartment.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member has a substantially U-shaped configuration.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 94 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant comprising: a housing comprising a top surface, a bottom surface and a pair of spaced apart expandable sidewalls extending therebetween, the top surface, bottom surface, and pair of expandable sidewalls at least partially bounding a compartment therebetween the expandable sidewalls including at least one mechanical stop that prevents collapsing of the sidewalls once expanded; and a discrete reinforcing member of a predetermined shape positioned in the compartment such that a compressive force applied on the top surface and bottom surface of the housing is transferred through the reinforcing member.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 94 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant comprising: a housing comprising a top surface, a bottom surface and a pair of spaced apart expandable sidewalls extending therebetween, the top surface, bottom surface, and pair of expandable sidewalls at least partially bounding a compartment therebetween the expandable sidewalls including at least one mechanical stop that prevents collapsing of the sidewalls once expanded; and a discrete reinforcing member of a predetermined shape positioned in the compartment such that a compressive force applied on the top surface and bottom surface of the housing is transferred through the reinforcing member.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 24 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 16 , wherein the reinforcing member is removably positioned within the compartment of the housing.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 24 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 17 , wherein the reinforcing member is removably slid within the compartment of the housing.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 32 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 16 , wherein the reinforcing member comprises a block having a front face and an opposing back face with a passageway extending therebetween.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 24 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 16 , wherein the reinforcing member comprises a block, the block being comprised of bone.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 30 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 16 , wherein the reinforcing member comprises a pair of spaced apart walls with a substantially open channel longitudinally extending therebetween.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 21 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 16 , wherein the reinforcing member is comprised of plastic or metal.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 79 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 16 , wherein the expandable sidewalls comprise: a pair of spaced apart first support members each having a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom; and a pair of spaced apart second support members each having a plurality of holes formed thereon, at least one of the plurality of teeth of each of the first support members being disposed within one of the plurality of holes of a corresponding second support member.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 48 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 23 , wherein the housing further comprises: an attachment wall projecting into the compartment at least partially between the first support members; and means formed on the attachment wall for removably connecting an insertion tool to the attachment wall.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 38 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 16 , wherein the top surface of the housing is angled relative to the bottom surface of the housing so that the housing has a substantially wedged shaped configuration.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 29 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 16 , further comprising means formed on the reinforcing member for removably connecting an insertion tool to the reinforcing member.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 152 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant comprising: a first plate having an interior face and an opposing exterior face; a pair of spaced apart first support members projecting from the first plate, at least one of the first support members having a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom; a second plate having an interior face and an opposing exterior face, the interior face of the first plate facing the interior face of the second plate such that a compartment is at least partially bound therebetween; a pair of spaced apart second support members projecting from the second plate, at least one of the second support members having at least one hole formed thereon, at least one of the plurality of teeth of the first support member being disposed within the hole of the second support member; and a discrete reinforcing member of a predetermined shape disposed between the first plate and the second plate.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 152 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant comprising: a first plate having an interior face and an opposing exterior face; a pair of spaced apart first support members projecting from the first plate, at least one of the first support members having a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom; a second plate having an interior face and an opposing exterior face, the interior face of the first plate facing the interior face of the second plate such that a compartment is at least partially bound therebetween; a pair of spaced apart second support members projecting from the second plate, at least one of the second support members having at least one hole formed thereon, at least one of the plurality of teeth of the first support member being disposed within the hole of the second support member; and a discrete reinforcing member of a predetermined shape disposed between the first plate and the second plate.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 21 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 27 , wherein the discrete reinforcing member is disposed within the compartment.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 27 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 27 , wherein the discrete reinforcing member is removably disposed between the first plate and the second plate.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 38 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 27 , wherein the exterior face of the first plate is angled relative to the exterior face of the second plate so as to form a wedged shape configuration.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 35 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 27 , wherein at least one of the plurality of teeth of the first support member comprises a sloping surface and an intersecting horizontally disposed surface.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 32 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 27 , further comprising at least one grafting port extending through at least the first plate or the second plate to the compartment.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 33 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant as recited in claim 27 , further comprising a plurality of retention barbs projecting from the exterior face of at least the first plate or the second plate.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 128 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant kit comprising: a housing comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a pair of spaced apart expandable sidewalls extending therebetween, the top surface and the bottom surface at least partially bounding a compartment therebetween, the expandable sidewalls being selectively expandable so that the compartment is correspondingly expandable between a plurality of predefined sizes, the expandable sidewalls including at least one mechanical stop that prevents collapsing of the sidewalls once expanded; and a plurality of discrete reinforcing members, each reinforcing member having a different size corresponding to one of the plurality of predefined sizes of the compartment, each of the reinforcing members being configured to be inserted into the compartment when the compartment is adjusted to the size of the corresponding reinforcing insert.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 128 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant kit comprising: a housing comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a pair of spaced apart expandable sidewalls extending therebetween, the top surface and the bottom surface at least partially bounding a compartment therebetween, the expandable sidewalls being selectively expandable so that the compartment is correspondingly expandable between a plurality of predefined sizes, the expandable sidewalls including at least one mechanical stop that prevents collapsing of the sidewalls once expanded; and a plurality of discrete reinforcing members, each reinforcing member having a different size corresponding to one of the plurality of predefined sizes of the compartment, each of the reinforcing members being configured to be inserted into the compartment when the compartment is adjusted to the size of the corresponding reinforcing insert.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 23 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant kit as recited in claim 34 , wherein the expandable sidewalls are configured to expand in predefined increments.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 37 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant kit as recited in claim 34 , wherein at least one of the reinforcing members comprises a block having a front face and an opposing back face with a passageway extending therebetween.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 35 words

An adjustable bone fusion implant kit as recited in claim 34 , wherein at least one of the reinforcing members comprises a pair of spaced apart walls with a substantially open channel longitudinally extending therebetween.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2006-05-12	2006-11-11	2007-05-13	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2010-05-12	2010-11-11	2011-05-13	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2014-05-12	2014-11-11	2015-05-13	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Adjustable bone fusion implant and method

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