Patent US6953477B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6953477B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laterally expandable cage
Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc
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Filing: 2004-03-03
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Granted: 2005-10-11
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Expires: 2024-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A laterally expandable spinal implant includes a central body and two wings that are adapted to be received within an inner chamber formed within the central body. The wings have guide rails that fit into grooves defined in the central body. To ensure that the implant is properly secured, each guide rail has an outer end with a cutting surface that cuts into vertebral end plates when the wings are extended. The two wings are connected together through a central turnbuckle shaft that has geared teeth and threading on both ends that engage threaded cavities in the wings. Through the gear teeth, the turnbuckle shaft is able to be rotated so as to laterally extend the wings from the central member. A locking mechanism locks the turnbuckle shaft to prevent the wings from retracting.
Inventors
- 👤 Bret Berry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/442; A61F2/447; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30383; A61F2002/30387; A61F2002/3039; A61F2002/30405; A61F2002/30411; A61F2002/30518; A61F2002/30523; A61F2002/30525; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30537; A61F2002/30556; A61F2002/30565; A61F2002/30571; A61F2002/30579; A61F2002/30593; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30845; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30879; A61F2002/30883; A61F2002/30904; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0004; A61F2250/0009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A spinal implant, comprising: at least two lateral members, said lateral members each being shaped to engage apophyseal rings of opposing vertebrae when said lateral members are in an extended configuration, said lateral members each having a lateral side with a curved shape that coincides in shape to the apophyseal rings; and a expansion mechanism coupled to said lateral members to extend said lateral members away from one another into said extended configuration at which said lateral members engage the apophyseal rings of the opposing vertebrae.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A spinal implant, comprising: at least two lateral members, said lateral members each being shaped to engage apophyseal rings of opposing vertebrae when said lateral members are in an extended configuration, said lateral members each having a lateral side with a curved shape that coincides in shape to the apophyseal rings; and a expansion mechanism coupled to said lateral members to extend said lateral members away from one another into said extended configuration at which said lateral members engage the apophyseal rings of the opposing vertebrae.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein said expansion mechanism includes a shaft having threaded portions on opposite ends that threadedly engages said lateral members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The implant of claim 2 , wherein said threaded portions are oppositely threaded and have equal thread pitch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The implant of claim 1 , further comprising a lock mechanism operable to lock said lateral members in said extended configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The implant of claim 4 , wherein said lock mechanism included lock cavities constructed and arranged to lock said lateral members in said extended configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The implant of claim 4 , wherein said lock mechanism includes a leaf spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said lateral members has a guide rail.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The implant of claim 7 , wherein said guide rail has a dovetail cross-sectional shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The implant of claim 7 , wherein said guide rail has an outer cutting edge constructed and arranged to cut the vertebrae during extension of said wings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The implant of claim 1 , further comprising a cage in which said lateral members are received.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
A spinal implant, comprising: at least two lateral members, said lateral members each being shaped to engage apophyseal seal rings of opposing vertebrae when said lateral member are in an extended configuration; a expansion mechanism coupled to said lateral members to extend said lateral members away from one another into said extended configuration at which said lateral members engage the apophyseal rings of the opposing vertebrae; wherein said expansion mechanism includes a shaft having threaded portions on opposite ends that threadedly enagaes said lateral members; and wherein said shaft includes a gear positioned between said threaded portions for rotating said shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
101 words
A spinal implant, comprising: at least two lateral members, said lateral members each being shaped to engage apophyseal seal rings of opposing vertebrae when said lateral member are in an extended configuration; a expansion mechanism coupled to said lateral members to extend said lateral members away from one another into said extended configuration at which said lateral members engage the apophyseal rings of the opposing vertebrae; wherein said expansion mechanism includes a shaft having threaded portions on opposite ends that threadedly enagaes said lateral members; and wherein said shaft includes a gear positioned between said threaded portions for rotating said shaft.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
67 words
A method, comprising: inserting a spinal implant in a compact configuration between opposing vertebrae that have apophyseal rings, wherein the implant has an expansion mechanism coupled between at least two wings; and expanding the wings from one another in a lateral direction between the opposing vertebrae with the expansion mechanism to an expanded configuration at which the wings each engage the apophyseal rings of both the vertebrae.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
67 words
A method, comprising: inserting a spinal implant in a compact configuration between opposing vertebrae that have apophyseal rings, wherein the implant has an expansion mechanism coupled between at least two wings; and expanding the wings from one another in a lateral direction between the opposing vertebrae with the expansion mechanism to an expanded configuration at which the wings each engage the apophyseal rings of both the vertebrae.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein: the expansion member includes a threaded shaft; and said expanding includes rotating the threaded shaft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising locking the wings in the expanded configuration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein: the expansion member includes a shaft with a gear; the implant includes a leaf spring; and said locking includes engaging the leaf spring with the gear.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein: the expansion member includes a shaft; the lateral members have lock cavities; and said locking includes sliding the shaft into the lock cavities.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising: securing the spinal implant to a spinal inserter prior to said inserting.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said expanding includes expanding the wings with the inserter.
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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) | 2008-10-10 | 2009-04-11 | 2009-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-10-10 | 2013-04-11 | 2013-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-10-10 | 2017-04-11 | 2017-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |