US6579321B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis
Assignee: Vanderbilt University
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Filing: 2000-05-17
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Granted: 2003-06-17
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Expires: 2020-05-17
Abstract
Abstract An implantable intervertebral disc prosthesis that comprises a disc member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a perimeter surface. The disc includes an axis at least one slit defined in the perimeter surface; the slit being of sufficient depth and thickness to provide flexure. The slit terminates in a perimeter opening larger than the slit thickness. The perimeter opening (i.e., hole) acts as a pivot point and relieves stress. The disc prosthesis optionally comprises a cavity with an upper seat defined on the lower surface, a lower disc having an upper and lower surface and a lower seat defined on the upper surface, and a support ball. The support ball engages the seat on the upper disc and the seat on the lower disc.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey D. Gordon
- 👤 John M. Dawson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30744; A61F2/30767; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30113; A61F2002/30125; A61F2002/30133; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30225; A61F2002/30227; A61F2002/30228; A61F2002/30233; A61F2002/30242; A61F2002/30289; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30405; A61F2002/30451; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/30492; A61F2002/30507; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30565; A61F2002/30571; A61F2002/30594; A61F2002/30769; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30795; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30906; A61F2/30907; A61F2002/30909; A61F2/3094; A61F2002/30968; A61F2002/30975; A61F2/4425; A61F2002/443; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0058; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0006; A61F2230/0008; A61F2230/0015; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2230/0071; A61F2230/0091; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00029; A61F2310/00179; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/00592
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis, comprising: a disc member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a perimeter surface, and having an axis, the disc member having a slit defined in the perimeter surface to provide flexibility to the disc member, the slit having a slit thickness and a first end and a second end, with each end terminating in a perimeter opening larger than the slit thickness, a cavity along the axis of the disc, and a support ball housed in the cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
An implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis, comprising: a disc member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a perimeter surface, and having an axis, the disc member having a slit defined in the perimeter surface to provide flexibility to the disc member, the slit having a slit thickness and a first end and a second end, with each end terminating in a perimeter opening larger than the slit thickness, a cavity along the axis of the disc, and a support ball housed in the cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the slit is transverse to the axis of the disc member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 2 , wherein the slit is substantially at a right angle to the axis of the disc member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the upper surface or the lower surface is convex.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the upper surface or the lower surface is substantially flat.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the prosthesis is shaped to fit a cavity between two vertebrae.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the prosthesis is kidney-shaped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the perimeter opening is circular-shaped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the perimeter opening is non-circular-shaped.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the disc permits flexion-extension and lateral bending for a wearer of the prosthesis by deformation of the disc.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the prosthesis is a surgically implantable metal or composite.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein said prosthesis is titanium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein said prosthesis is stainless steel, a composite material, or cobalt chrome.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement of claim 1 , wherein the axis is a center axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the ball is ceramic.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , whereby the support ball acts as a transferor of compression load.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
73 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein: the disc member has a cavity defined therein; the disc member has an upper seat and a lower seat defined thereon and communicated with the cavity; the prosthesis further includes a support ball received in the cavity and engaging the upper and lower seats so that compression forces are transferred from the upper seat through the support ball to the lower seat.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the disc member comprises in the range of two to five slits, including said first mentioned slit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the disc member has two slits.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , the disc member further comprises a coating to promote bone fixation on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 20 , wherein the coating is ceramic.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
59 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the disc member further comprises: a cavity defined in the disc member about the axis; a support ball; and an upper bearing cap and a lower bearing cap, wherein the cavity houses the support ball and is sealed by the upper bearing cap and the lower bearing cap.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement of claim 1 , wherein the slit is helical to the axis of the disc member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein: the prosthesis comprises bearing caps to define and seal the cavity housing the support ball.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 24 , wherein: the bearing caps seal the cavity by welding, screws, pins, or by screwing into the disc member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
83 words
An implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis, comprising: a disc member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a perimeter surface, and having an axis, the disc member having a slit defined in the perimeter surface to provide flexibility to the disc member, the slit having a slit thickness and terminating in a perimeter opening larger than the slit thickness, wherein each perimeter opening receives one slit, a cavity along the axis of the disc, and a support ball housed in the cavity.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
83 words
An implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis, comprising: a disc member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a perimeter surface, and having an axis, the disc member having a slit defined in the perimeter surface to provide flexibility to the disc member, the slit having a slit thickness and terminating in a perimeter opening larger than the slit thickness, wherein each perimeter opening receives one slit, a cavity along the axis of the disc, and a support ball housed in the cavity.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 26 , wherein the slit is transverse to the axis of the disc member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 27 , wherein the slit is substantially at a right angle to the axis of the disc member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 26 , wherein the perimeter opening is circular-shaped.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 26 , wherein: the prosthesis comprises bearing caps to define and seal the cavity housing the support ball.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The implantable intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis of claim 30 , wherein: the bearing caps seal the cavity by welding, screws, pins, or by screwing into the disc member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-06-16 | 2006-12-16 | 2007-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-16 | 2010-12-16 | 2011-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-16 | 2014-12-16 | 2015-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |