US7232463B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intervertebral cage designs
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 2003-10-23
•
Granted: 2007-06-19
•
Expires: 2023-10-23
Abstract
Abstract Cage systems that improve upon the prior art in various ways. In the preferred embodiments, devices are radiolucent, with markers, thereby allowing visualization of placement without excessive obscuration. Devices according to the invention eliminate multiple steps, instruments and trays, while being capable of a custom fit. The devices according to the invention permit easier and greater access to end plate surface area, and can be used with autografts, allografts, and biologics.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark H. Falahee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/447; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B17/17; A61B17/1739; A61B17/1757; A61B90/00; A61B90/90; A61B90/92; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B17/00234; A61B17/1659; A61B17/1662; A61B17/1671; A61B17/1735; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61B17/88; A61B17/8875; A61B2017/0046; A61B2017/00464; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B2017/0256; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30744; A61F2/3094; A61F2/30965; A61F2/4601; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/3008; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30433; A61F2002/30471; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/30507; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30537; A61F2002/30556; A61F2002/30579; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/30604; A61F2002/30616; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/3071; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30904; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4629; A61F2002/4635; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0041; A61F2220/0091; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0004; A61F2250/0009; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/0085; A61F2250/0087; A61F2250/0096; A61F2250/0098
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An implant for promoting intervertebral fusion, comprising: a cage having two sidewalls, a posterior back wall, an open top, an open bottom, and an open front, such that when viewed from above the sidewalls and back wall form a U-shape; each sidewall having a convex upper edge and a substantially flat lower edge, such that when viewed from the side, the upper and lower edges conform to outwardly curved and flat planes, respectively, with no portions of the cage extending outwardly beyond either plane; the front opening allowing the cage to be packed with bone graft and/or biologic materials in situ using an anterior approach; and a physically separate, rigid gate element for closing the open front after the cage is positioned in an intervertebral disc space and packed with bone graft and/or biologic materials.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
An implant for promoting intervertebral fusion, comprising: a cage having two sidewalls, a posterior back wall, an open top, an open bottom, and an open front, such that when viewed from above the sidewalls and back wall form a U-shape; each sidewall having a convex upper edge and a substantially flat lower edge, such that when viewed from the side, the upper and lower edges conform to outwardly curved and flat planes, respectively, with no portions of the cage extending outwardly beyond either plane; the front opening allowing the cage to be packed with bone graft and/or biologic materials in situ using an anterior approach; and a physically separate, rigid gate element for closing the open front after the cage is positioned in an intervertebral disc space and packed with bone graft and/or biologic materials.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein the cage and gate are constructed of a radiolucent material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein the cage and gate are constructed of carbon fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein: the cage is constructed of a radiolucent material; and further including one or more radiopaque markers on the cage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein the backwall is indented to minimize neurocompression.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein the backwall is expandable so that the sidewalls can be closer together for insertion and spread apart after implantation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein: the sidewalls have a posterior height and an anterior height; and wherein the posterior height is less than the anterior height, thereby forming a trapezoid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The implant of claim 7 , wherein the anterior height, posterior height, or both, are sized to accommodate a particular vertebral level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The implant of claim 1 , further including one or more jigs for fixing the cage in position, including a jig for driving a screw through an upper vertebra into the cage or through the cage into a lower vertebra.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein: the backwall has opposing lateral edges; and wherein each sidewall is rigidly affixed to the backwall at the lateral edges.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The implant of claim 1 , further including: an expandable backwall with opposing lateral edges; and wherein each sidewall is rigidly affixed to the backwall at the lateral edges.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The implant of claim 1 , further including: an expandable backwall; and wherein the sidewalls are generally parallel to one another before and after the expansion of the backwall.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein: the sidewalls terminate in anterior edges; and wherein the gate element extends to each anterior edge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls are generally parallel to one another.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3867728A
Cited
US4834757A
Cited
US5609635A
Cited
US4961740A
Cited
US4961740B1
Cited
US5458638A
Cited
US5489308A
Cited
US5055104A
Cited
US5192327A
Cited
US5397364A
Cited
US5980522A
Cited
US5702451A
Cited
US6613091B1
Cited
US5984967A
Cited
US6302914B1
Cited
US5683394A
Cited
US5782832A
Cited
US6039761A
Cited
US6086613A
Cited
US6926737B2
Cited
US6607530B1
Cited
WO2001003615A1
Cited
US6964687B1
Cited
US6159244A
Cited
US20020052656A1
Cited
US7018416B2
Cited
US6719794B2
Cited
US6447548B1
Cited
US20040054412A1
Cited
US6852129B2
Cited
US20050143819A1
Cited
US20040034430A1
Cited
US7044971B2
Cited
US6712852B1
Cited
US20040126407A1
Cited
US6953477B2
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2010-06-18 | 2010-12-18 | 2011-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-06-18 | 2014-12-18 | 2015-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-06-18 | 2018-12-18 | 2019-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |