US6652585B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Flexible spine stabilization system
Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc
•
Filing: 2002-02-19
•
Granted: 2003-11-25
•
Expires: 2022-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A spine stabilization system includes a flexible member attachable to a portion of the spinal column. The member includes components that are oriented and function similar to the natural fiber orientation of the anterior longitudinal ligament and annulus tissue. The use of components resist loading applied by extension and rotation of the spine, while the flexibility of the member does not subject it to the compressive loading of the spinal column segment to which it is attached.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric C. Lange
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/08; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7059; A61B17/80; A61B17/8085; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61F2/0077; A61F2/30; A61F2/30767; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/4455; A61F2/446; A61F2/0063; A61F2002/0068; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30092; A61F2/30907; A61F2002/30909; A61F2002/30914; A61F2002/448; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00029; A61F2310/00035; A61F2310/00071; A61F2310/00179; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S606/908; Y10S606/91; Y10S606/914
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A stabilization system for a spinal column segment with an anterior longitudinal ligament having a first fiber orientation extending in the direction of a central spinal column axis, the spinal column segment having annulus tissue with a second fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and a third fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and transverse to the second fiber orientation, the system comprising: a flexible member attachable to the bodies of at least first and second vertebrae of the spinal column segment, said member including at least one first component extending in the direction of the first fiber orientation, at least one second component extending generally in a direction corresponding to the second fiber orientation, and at least one third component extending generally in a direction corresponding to the third fiber orientation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A stabilization system for a spinal column segment with an anterior longitudinal ligament having a first fiber orientation extending in the direction of a central spinal column axis, the spinal column segment having annulus tissue with a second fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and a third fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and transverse to the second fiber orientation, the system comprising: a flexible member attachable to the bodies of at least first and second vertebrae of the spinal column segment, said member including at least one first component extending in the direction of the first fiber orientation, at least one second component extending generally in a direction corresponding to the second fiber orientation, and at least one third component extending generally in a direction corresponding to the third fiber orientation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one first component includes a number of first components forming a first mesh layer with a number of fourth components extending transverse to said number of first components.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 2 , wherein said at least one second component includes a number of second components and said at least one third component includes a number of third components, said number of second and third components forming a second mesh layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 3 , wherein said first mesh layer and said second mesh are place one on top of the other for attachment to the bodies of the first and second vertebrae.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 3 , wherein said first mesh layer is interwoven with said second mesh layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising fasteners for attaching the member to each of the first and second vertebrae.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one first component, said at least one second component, and said at least one third component are inelastic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one first component, said at least one second component, and said at least one third component include a tissue anti-adhesion material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said member defines a plurality of openings therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one second component forms a first angle in the range of +30 to +75 degrees with said at least one first component and said at least one third component forms a second angle in the range of −30 to −75 degrees with said at least one first component.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said first angle is in the range of +45 to +60 degrees and said second angle is in the range of −45 to −60 degrees.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said first angle is about +60 degrees and said second angle is about −60 degrees.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said member is attachable to an anterior face of said first and second vertebrae.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one spinal fusion implant between the first and second vertebrae.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
148 words
A stabilization system for a spinal column segment with an anterior longitudinal ligament having a first fiber orientation extending in the direction of a central spinal column axis, the spinal column segment having annulus tissue with a second fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and a third fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and transverse to the second fiber orientation, the system comprising: a flexible member attachable to the bodies of first and second vertebrae of the spinal column segment, said member including at least one layer formed by a number of first components extending in the direction of the first fiber orientation, a number of second components extending generally in a direction corresponding to the second fiber orientation, and a number of third components extending generally in a direction corresponding to the third fiber orientation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
148 words
A stabilization system for a spinal column segment with an anterior longitudinal ligament having a first fiber orientation extending in the direction of a central spinal column axis, the spinal column segment having annulus tissue with a second fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and a third fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and transverse to the second fiber orientation, the system comprising: a flexible member attachable to the bodies of first and second vertebrae of the spinal column segment, said member including at least one layer formed by a number of first components extending in the direction of the first fiber orientation, a number of second components extending generally in a direction corresponding to the second fiber orientation, and a number of third components extending generally in a direction corresponding to the third fiber orientation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 15 , wherein said layer further comprises a number of fourth components extending transverse to said number of first components.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 15 , wherein said first components, said second components and said third components are interwoven with one another.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 15 , further comprising fasteners for securing the member to each of the first and second vertebrae.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 15 , wherein said first components, said second components, and said third components are inelastic.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 15 , wherein said member defines a plurality of apertures therethrough.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 15 , wherein said second components form a first angle in the range of +30 to +75 degrees with said first components and said third components form a second angle in the range of −30 to −75 degrees with said first components.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 15 , wherein said first angle is in the range of +45 to +60 degrees and said second angle is in the range of −45 to −60 degrees.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 15 , wherein said first angle is about +60 degrees and said second angle is about −60 degrees.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 15 , wherein said at least one layer is a wire mesh made from a material selected from the group consisting of: stainless steel, cobalt-chrome alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, nickel-titanium, and shape memory metal alloy.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 15 , wherein said at least one layer is a mesh made from a material selected from the group consisting of: polymers and metal polymers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
157 words
A stabilization system for a spinal column segment with an anterior longitudinal ligament having a first fiber orientation extending in the direction of a central spinal column axis, the spinal column segment having annulus tissue with a second fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and a third fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and transverse to the second fiber orientation, the system comprising: a flexible member attachable to the bodies of first and second vertebrae of the spinal column segment, said member including: at least one first layer formed by a number of first components extending in the direction of the first fiber orientation; and at least one second layer formed by a number of second components extending generally in a direction corresponding to the second fiber orientation, and a number of third components extending generally in a direction corresponding to the third fiber orientation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
157 words
A stabilization system for a spinal column segment with an anterior longitudinal ligament having a first fiber orientation extending in the direction of a central spinal column axis, the spinal column segment having annulus tissue with a second fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and a third fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and transverse to the second fiber orientation, the system comprising: a flexible member attachable to the bodies of first and second vertebrae of the spinal column segment, said member including: at least one first layer formed by a number of first components extending in the direction of the first fiber orientation; and at least one second layer formed by a number of second components extending generally in a direction corresponding to the second fiber orientation, and a number of third components extending generally in a direction corresponding to the third fiber orientation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein said first layer and said second layer are secured to one another.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein said at least one first layer further includes a number of fourth components extending transversely to said number of first components.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein said member has a number of holes formed through said first and second layers sized to receive fasteners for attaching said member to the first and second vertebrae.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein each of said holes includes a grommet extending therearound.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein said grommets secure said first layer to said second layer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein said member defines a plurality of apertures therethrough.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein said at least one second component forms a first angle in the range of +30 to +75 degrees with said at least one first component and said at least one third component forms a second angle in the range of −30 to −75 degrees with said at least one first component.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 33 , wherein said first angle is in the range of +45 to +60 degrees and said second angle is in the range of −45 to −60 degrees.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 33 , wherein said first angle is about +60 degrees and said second angle is about −60 degrees.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein each of said first layer and said second layer is a wire mesh made from a material selected from the group consisting essentially of: stainless steel, cobalt-chrome alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, nickel-titanium, and shape memory metal alloy.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for stabilizing a portion of a spinal column including an anterior longitudinal ligament and an annulus having a first portion of fibers oriented in a first direction transverse to the anterior longitudinal ligament and a second portion of fibers oriented in a second direction transverse to the anterior longitudinal ligament and transverse to the first portion of fibers, the method comprising: providing at least one first component oriented in the direction of the anterior longitudinal ligament; providing at least one second component oriented in the direction of the first portion of the annulus fibers; providing at least one third component oriented in the direction of the second portion of the annulus fibers; and securing the at least one first component, the at least one second component and the at least one third component to first and second vertebrae of the spinal column.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for stabilizing a portion of a spinal column including an anterior longitudinal ligament and an annulus having a first portion of fibers oriented in a first direction transverse to the anterior longitudinal ligament and a second portion of fibers oriented in a second direction transverse to the anterior longitudinal ligament and transverse to the first portion of fibers, the method comprising: providing at least one first component oriented in the direction of the anterior longitudinal ligament; providing at least one second component oriented in the direction of the first portion of the annulus fibers; providing at least one third component oriented in the direction of the second portion of the annulus fibers; and securing the at least one first component, the at least one second component and the at least one third component to first and second vertebrae of the spinal column.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 37 , further comprising applying a tissue non-adhesive coating to the at least one first component, the at least one second component and the at least one third component.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 37 , wherein the at least one first component, the at least one second component and the at least one third component are interwoven in a mesh layer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 37 , further comprising providing at least one fourth component oriented transversely to the at least one first component.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 40 , further comprising: providing the at least one first component and the at least one fourth component in a first mesh layer; providing the at least one second component and the at least one third component in a second mesh layer; and placing the first mesh layer and the second mesh layer one on top of the other.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 37 , further comprising inserting an implant between the first and second vertebrae before securing the at least one first component, the at least one second component and the at least one third component to the first and second vertebrae.
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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) | 2006-11-24 | 2007-05-26 | 2007-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-11-24 | 2011-05-26 | 2011-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-11-24 | 2015-05-26 | 2015-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |