US6576016B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable height fusion device
Assignee: Zimmer Spine Inc
•
Filing: 2000-06-27
•
Granted: 2003-06-10
•
Expires: 2020-06-27
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for promoting a spinal fusion between neighboring vertebrae. Apparatus may be located within the intervertebral disc space and preferably includes a pair of engaging plates for contacting the vertebrae. An alignment device may be used to alter the vertical distance between the engaging plates to customize the apparatus to fit a given patient. In one embodiment, the alignment device includes a pair of struts having a predetermined height and extending between the engaging plates from an anterior end to a posterior end of the apparatus. In another embodiment, the alignment device includes a rotatable connector and cam pins for adjusting the distance between the engaging plates. The alignment device is preferably adapted to vary the distance between the engaging plates such that the height of the apparatus proximate the anterior end is greater than that proximate the posterior end whereby the natural lordosis of the spine is maintained after the apparatus is installed. The apparatus may further include a load-sharing member to allow stress to be imparted to bone in the vicinity of the apparatus to promote bone growth in accordance with Wolff's law.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen H. Hochshuler
- 👤 Erik J. Wagner
- 👤 Ralph F. Rashbaum
- 👤 Richard D. Guyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/88; A61B17/8875; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30724; A61F2/30744; A61F2/3094; A61F2/30965; A61F2/442; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30131; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30143; A61F2002/30158; A61F2002/30159; A61F2002/30166; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30261; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30317; A61F2002/30324; A61F2002/30326; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30354; A61F2002/30362; A61F2002/3037; A61F2002/30383; A61F2002/30387; A61F2002/30405; A61F2002/30411; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/30495; A61F2002/30507; A61F2002/30515; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30537; A61F2002/30538; A61F2002/3055; A61F2002/30556; A61F2002/30579; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/30594; A61F2002/30604; A61F2002/30616; A61F2002/30621; A61F2002/30624; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30774; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/448; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0013; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0026; A61F2230/0028; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2230/0082; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0004; A61F2250/0006; A61F2250/0009; A61F2250/0014; A61F2250/0036; A61F2250/0037; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00179; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S606/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising: a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disc space between the vertebrae during use; and an alignment device configured to be positioned between the engaging plates, wherein the alignment device is adapted to separate anterior and posterior ends of the engaging plates during use such that a cavity is formed, and wherein the alignment device is configured to compress during use; and wherein a height between outer surfaces of the pair of engaging plates proximate anterior ends of the engaging plates differs from a height between outer surfaces of the pair of engaging plates proximate posterior ends of the engaging plates when the alignment device is positioned between the engaging plates during use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A spinal implant for facilitating a fusion between neighboring vertebrae of a human spine, comprising: a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage the vertebrae to maintain a disc space between the vertebrae during use; and an alignment device configured to be positioned between the engaging plates, wherein the alignment device is adapted to separate anterior and posterior ends of the engaging plates during use such that a cavity is formed, and wherein the alignment device is configured to compress during use; and wherein a height between outer surfaces of the pair of engaging plates proximate anterior ends of the engaging plates differs from a height between outer surfaces of the pair of engaging plates proximate posterior ends of the engaging plates when the alignment device is positioned between the engaging plates during use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 , wherein differing height between outer surfaces of the pair of engaging. plates proximate anterior ends of the engaging plates and outer surfaces of the pair of engaging plates proximate posterior ends of the engaging plates is configured to align the pair of engaging plates such that the engaging plates have a lordotic alignment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 , wherein the height between the outer surfaces of the pair of engaging plates proximate the anterior ends of the engaging plates is greater than the height between the outer surfaces of the pair of engaging plates proximate the posterior ends of the engaging plates when the alignment device is positioned between the engaging plates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 , wherein a first engaging plate of the pair of engaging plates further comprises a protrusion, and wherein the protrusion is configured to extend into a vertebra of the neighboring vertebrae.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 , wherein a first engaging plate of the pair of engaging plates further comprises a tapered slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The spinal implant of claim 5 , wherein the alignment device comprises a tapered surface configured to form a locking engagement with the tapered slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 , wherein a surface of a first engaging plate of the pair of engaging plates is substantially planar to inhibit subsidence of a vertebra of the neighboring vertebrae.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 , wherein a first engaging plate of the pair of engaging plates comprises a plurality of openings configured to allow bone growth to occur that fuses the implant and the neighboring vertebrae during use.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The spinal implant of claim 8 , wherein an area of the plurality of openings is greater than about 50 percent of a total outer surface area of the first engaging plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 , wherein a first engaging plate of the pair of engaging plates comprises an opening configured to allow bone growth to occur that fuses the implant and the neighboring vertebrae.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 , wherein the alignment device comprises a first strut and a second strut.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spinal implant of claim 1 , further comprising a substantially planar retaining plate configured to be positioned between the engaging plates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
178 words
A spinal implant for facilitating fusion of vertebrae, comprising: a first engaging plate, the first engaging plate having a surface configured to couple to a first vertebra, wherein the first engaging plate comprises a plurality of openings configured to allow bone growth to occur that fuses the spinal implant and the first vertebrae; an alignment device coupled to the first engaging plate, wherein the alignment device is configured to compress; a second engaging plate, the second engaging plate having a surface configured to couple to a second vertebra, and wherein the second engaging plate is configured to be coupled to the alignment device; and wherein the alignment device is adapted to separate anterior and posterior ends of the engaging plates during use, and wherein a height between the surface of the first engaging plate and the surface of the second engaging plate proximate an anterior end of the spinal implant differs from a height between the surface of the first engaging plate and the surface of the second engaging plate proximate a posterior end of the spinal implant.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
178 words
A spinal implant for facilitating fusion of vertebrae, comprising: a first engaging plate, the first engaging plate having a surface configured to couple to a first vertebra, wherein the first engaging plate comprises a plurality of openings configured to allow bone growth to occur that fuses the spinal implant and the first vertebrae; an alignment device coupled to the first engaging plate, wherein the alignment device is configured to compress; a second engaging plate, the second engaging plate having a surface configured to couple to a second vertebra, and wherein the second engaging plate is configured to be coupled to the alignment device; and wherein the alignment device is adapted to separate anterior and posterior ends of the engaging plates during use, and wherein a height between the surface of the first engaging plate and the surface of the second engaging plate proximate an anterior end of the spinal implant differs from a height between the surface of the first engaging plate and the surface of the second engaging plate proximate a posterior end of the spinal implant.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
The spinal implant of claim 13 , wherein a difference in height between the surface of the first engaging plate and the surface of the second engaging plate proximate an anterior end of the spinal implant differs from a height between the surface of the first engaging plate and the surface of the second engaging plate proximate a posterior end of the spinal implant is adapted to provide lordotic adjustment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The spinal implant of claim 13 , wherein the height proximate the anterior end of the spinal implant is greater than the height proximate the posterior end of the spinal implant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The spinal implant of claim 13 , wherein the first engaging plate comprises a protrusion, and wherein the protrusion is configured to extend into a vertebra of the neighboring vertebrae.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The spinal implant of claim 13 , wherein the first engaging plate further comprises a tapered slot.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The spinal implant of claim 17 , wherein the alignment device comprises a tapered surface configured to form a locking engagement with the tapered slot.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The spinal implant of claim 13 , wherein the surface of the first engaging plate is substantially planar to inhibit subsidence of the first vertebra.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The spinal implant of claim 13 , wherein an area of the plurality of openings is greater than about 50 percent of a total surface area of the surface of the first engaging plate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The spinal implant of claim 13 , wherein the first engaging plate comprises an opening configured to allow bone growth to occur that fuses the spinal implant and first vertebra.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The spinal implant of claim 13 , wherein the alignment device comprises a first strut and a second strut.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spinal implant of claim 22 , wherein the first strut forms a locking engagement with the first engaging plate during use.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spinal implant of claim 22 , wherein the second strut forms a locking engagement with the second engaging plate during use.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The spinal implant of claim 13 , further comprising a substantially planar retaining plate configured to be positioned between the first engaging plate and the second engaging plate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
84 words
A fusion implant, comprising: a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage a pair of vertebrae during use, wherein a first engaging plate comprises a plurality of openings configured to allow bone growth to occur that fuses the spinal implant and the first vertebrae; and an alignment device configured to be positioned between the engaging plates, the alignment device adapted to separate anterior and posterior ends of the engaging plates during use, and wherein the alignment device is configured to compress.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
84 words
A fusion implant, comprising: a pair of engaging plates adapted to fit between and engage a pair of vertebrae during use, wherein a first engaging plate comprises a plurality of openings configured to allow bone growth to occur that fuses the spinal implant and the first vertebrae; and an alignment device configured to be positioned between the engaging plates, the alignment device adapted to separate anterior and posterior ends of the engaging plates during use, and wherein the alignment device is configured to compress.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
46 words
The fusion implant of claim 26 , wherein a height between outer surfaces of the pair of engaging plates proximate an anterior end of the fusion implant differs from a height between outer surfaces of the engaging plates proximate a posterior end of the fusion implant.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
The fusion implant of claim 26 , wherein a difference in the height between outer surfaces of the pair of engaging plates proximate an anterior end of the fusion implant and the height between outer surfaces of the engaging plates proximate a posterior end of the fusion implant provide lordotic adjustment.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
The fusion implant of claim 27 , wherein the height between outer surfaces of the pair of engaging plates proximate the anterior end is greater than the height between outer surfaces of the pair of engaging plates proximate the posterior end.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
The fusion implant of claim 26 , wherein a first engaging plate of the pair of engaging plates comprises a protrusion configured to couple the first engaging plate to a vertebra of the pair of vertebrae.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The fusion implant of claim 26 , wherein a first engaging plate of the pair of engaging plates comprises an opening configured to allow bone growth that fuses the fusion implant and the vertebrae.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fusion implant of claim 26 , wherein an area of the openings is greater than about 50 percent of an upper surface area of the first engaging plate.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fusion implant of claim 26 , wherein a first engaging plate of the pair of engaging plates further comprises a tapered slot.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fusion implant of claim 26 , wherein the alignment device comprises a tapered surface configured to form a locking engagement with the tapered slot.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
The fusion implant of claim 26 , wherein a surface of a first engaging plate of the pair of engaging plates is substantially planar to inhibit subsidence of a vertebra of the neighboring vertebrae.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fusion implant of claim 26 , wherein the alignment device comprises a first strut and a second strut.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
52 words
The fusion implant of claim 36 , wherein a height of the first strut differs from a height of the second strut so that a height of a first side of the fusion implant differs from a height of a second side of the fusion implant when the fusion implant is assembled.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fusion implant of claim 36 , wherein the first strut and the second strut form locking engagements with the engaging plates.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fusion implant of claim 26 , further comprising a substantially planar retaining plate configured to be positioned between the engaging plates.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spinal implant of claim 11 , wherein the first strut and the second strut form locking engagements with the engaging plates.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4492226A
Cited
US4401112A
Cited
US4503848A
Cited
US4433677A
Cited
US4501269A
Cited
US4641636A
Cited
US4570618A
Cited
US4763644A
Cited
US4604995A
Cited
US4643178A
Cited
US4743256A
Cited
US4946458A
Cited
SU1424826A1
Cited
US5129904A
Cited
US4863476A
Cited
EP0260044B1
Cited
US4805602A
Cited
US4878915A
Cited
US4834757A
Cited
US5480437A
Cited
US4887596A
Cited
US5047029A
Cited
US5484437A
Cited
US5505732A
Cited
US4950269A
Cited
US5785710A
Cited
US5593409A
Cited
US5005562A
Cited
US5522899A
Cited
US5609635A
Cited
US5108399A
Cited
US4961740B1
Cited
US5026373A
Cited
US4961740A
Cited
US5201734A
Cited
US5074864A
Cited
US5147359A
Cited
US5154718A
Cited
US4966600A
Cited
US5116340A
Cited
US5129388A
Cited
US5192321A
Cited
US4987892A
Cited
US5489308A
Cited
US5344422A
Cited
US5055104A
Cited
US5176680A
Cited
US5290494A
Cited
US5651789A
Cited
US5360431A
Cited
US5474555A
Cited
US5181917A
Cited
US5102412A
Cited
US5127912A
Cited
US5108446A
Cited
US5303718A
Cited
US5171278A
Cited
US5390683A
Cited
US5693100A
Cited
US5123926A
Cited
US5336240A
Cited
US5176678A
Cited
US5713903A
Cited
US5192327A
Cited
US5563124A
Cited
US5527341A
Cited
US5658516A
Cited
US5306307A
Cited
US5242448A
Cited
US5385583A
Cited
US5290312A
Cited
US5603713A
Cited
US5242445A
Cited
US5246442A
Cited
US5263953A
Cited
US5261909A
Cited
US5360429A
Cited
US5569248A
Cited
US5357983A
Cited
US5704936A
Cited
US5370697A
Cited
US5403315A
Cited
US5306309A
Cited
US5423825A
Cited
US5318566A
Cited
US5281222A
Cited
US5312405A
Cited
EP0578320B1
Cited
US5688279A
Cited
US5348026A
Cited
US5545165A
Cited
US5667506A
Cited
US5380325A
Cited
US5700292A
Cited
US5702395A
Cited
US5549612A
Cited
US5616144A
Cited
US5653709A
Cited
US5312410A
Cited
US5653708A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-06-09 | 2006-12-09 | 2007-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-09 | 2010-12-09 | 2011-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-09 | 2014-12-09 | 2015-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |