US20050143827A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expandable intervertebral spacer
Assignee: Medtronic Europe SARL
•
Filing: 2005-01-24
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2025-01-24
Abstract
Abstract An expandable spacer, comprising: an axial tube having a surface, a proximal end and a distal end and a length, wherein, said surface defines a plurality of slits, said plurality of slits defining at least two axially displaced extensions, such that when said tube is axially compressed, said extensions extend out of said surface and define a geometry of an expanded spacer. Preferably the spacer is adapted to be inserted between two spinal vertebrae of a human.
Inventors
- 👤 Oren Globerman
- 👤 Boaz Shenhav
- 👤 Ronen Shavit
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B17/1637; A61B17/1662; A61B17/1671; A61B17/22; A61B17/22031; A61B17/22032; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/72; A61B17/7233; A61B17/7258; A61B17/7266; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/4657; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B2017/0256; A61B2017/22034; A61B17/32; A61B2017/320004; A61B2017/320008; A61B2017/320044; A61B2017/320048; A61F2/28; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30724; A61F2/30744; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2/3094; A61F2/441; A61F2/442; A61F2/446; A61F2/48; A61F2/0077; A61F2002/0086; A61F2002/009; A61F2002/2817; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/30004; A61F2002/30014; A61F2002/30052; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30079; A61F2002/30082; A61F2002/30092; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30113; A61F2002/3013; A61F2002/30131; A61F2002/30136; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30153; A61F2002/30154; A61F2002/30156; A61F2002/30158; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30235; A61F2002/30291; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30317; A61F2002/30324; A61F2002/30326; A61F2002/30327; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30405; A61F2002/30451; A61F2002/30462; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/30484; A61F2002/30485; A61F2002/30495; A61F2002/305; A61F2002/30507; A61F2002/30518; A61F2002/3052; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30537; A61F2002/30545; A61F2002/30546; A61F2002/3055; A61F2002/30579; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/30594; A61F2002/30604; A61F2002/30616; A61F2002/30617; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30668; A61F2002/3067; A61F2002/30677; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30774; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/30787; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30891; A61F2002/30892; A61F2002/30906; A61F2002/3093; A61F2002/30932; A61F2002/30971; A61F2002/4415; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/4485; A61F2002/4619; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4635; A61F2/4637; A61F2002/4638; A61F2/4644; A61F2002/4649; A61F2002/4658; A61F2002/4677; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2210/0019; A61F2210/0023; A61F2210/0028; A61F2210/009; A61F2210/0095; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0058; A61F2220/0075; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0006; A61F2230/001; A61F2230/0013; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0019; A61F2230/0021; A61F2230/0023; A61F2230/0026; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2230/0091; A61F2240/00; A61F2240/001; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0001; A61F2250/0002; A61F2250/0004; A61F2250/0007; A61F2250/001; A61F2250/0012; A61F2250/0014; A61F2250/0018; A61F2250/0036; A61F2250/0037; A61F2250/0039; A61F2250/0043; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/006; A61F2250/0063; A61F2250/0096; A61F2250/0097; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S606/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 121
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
1 . An expandable spacer, comprising: an axial tube having a surface, a proximal end, a distal end and a length, wherein, said surface defines a plurality of slits, said plurality of slits defining at least two axially displaced extensions, such that when said tube is axially compressed, said extensions extend out of said surface and define a geometry of an expanded spacer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
1 . An expandable spacer, comprising: an axial tube having a surface, a proximal end, a distal end and a length, wherein, said surface defines a plurality of slits, said plurality of slits defining at least two axially displaced extensions, such that when said tube is axially compressed, said extensions extend out of said surface and define a geometry of an expanded spacer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
2 . A spacer according to claim 1 , wherein said at least two axially displaced extensions comprises at least three extensions, which three extensions extend in at least three different directions from said tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
3 . A spacer according to claim 1 , wherein said at least two axially displaced extensions comprises at least four extensions, which four extensions extend in at least four different directions from said tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
4 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 3 , wherein said slits are straight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
5 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 3 , wherein said slits are curved.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
6 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 5 , wherein said slits are narrow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
7 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 5 , wherein said slits have a non-trivial width for at least part of their length.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
8 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 7 , wherein said slits are substantially parallel to said tube axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
9 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 7 , wherein said slits are not parallel to said tube axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
10 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 9 , wherein said slits are arranged in pairs of same length.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
11 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 9 , wherein said slits are arranged in pairs of different lengths.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
12 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 11 , wherein slits associated with one extension axially overlap slits associated with a second, axially displaced, extension.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
13 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 12 , wherein said proximal end of said tube defines a proximal end-cap, which end-cap extends outside of a volume defined by the geometry of said extended extensions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
14 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 13 , wherein said distal end of said tube defines a distal end-cap, which end-cap extends outside of a volume defined by the geometry of said extended extensions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
15 . A spacer according to claim 13 , wherein at least one of said extensions is flush with said proximal end of said tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
16 . A spacer according to claim 13 , wherein at least one of said extensions is flush with said distal end of said tube.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
17 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 16 , comprising at least one spur axially extending from said spacer, to engage tissue adjacent said spacer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
18 . A spacer according to claim 17 , wherein said at least one spur comprises at least two spurs axially extending from said spacer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
19 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 18 , comprising an inner bolt.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
20 . A spacer according to claim 19 , wherein said inner bolt has a smooth exterior.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
21 . A spacer according to claim 19 , wherein said inner bolt has a threaded exterior.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
22 . A spacer according to any of claims 19 - 21 , wherein said bolt has a base, which base as an external diameter greater than an inner diameter of said tube, such that said base restricts axial motion of tube in one direction relative to the bolt.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
23 . A spacer according to any of claims 19 - 22 , wherein said bolt has a head, which head locks against at least one end of said tube, to prevent axial expansion of said tube.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
24 . A spacer according to claim 23 , wherein said head is adapted to engage at least one protrusions extending from said tube toward said bolt head.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
25 . A spacer according to claim 23 , wherein said head comprises at least one protrusions extending from said head toward said tube, to engage said tube.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
26 . A spacer according to claim 23 , wherein said head comprises a flange, flared to have an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of said tube.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
27 . A spacer according to any of claims 19 - 26 , wherein said bolt is adapted to engage a pole element for holding said bolt during deployment of said spacer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
28 . A spacer according to claim 27 , wherein said bolt has an inner thread for engaging said pole element.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
29 . A spacer according to claim 27 , wherein said bolt mechanically engages said pole element as long as a head of said bolt is constrained by said tube.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
30 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 29 , wherein said spacer comprises a plurality of segments, each segment defining one or more extensions that extend from said spacer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
31 . A spacer according to claim 30 , wherein said segments comprises at least two segment types, each segment type defining extensions that extend in different directions relative to said tube.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
32 . A spacer according to claim 31 , wherein said two segment types comprises a horizontal segment defining two extensions that extend along a line and a segment defining four extensions that extend at about ±45° to said two extensions.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
33 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 32 , wherein an extension direction of at least one of said at least two extensions is normal to said tube.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
42 words
34 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 32 , wherein an extension direction of at least one of said at least two extensions defines a sharp angle with said tube axis, in a plane containing said tube axis.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
35 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 32 or 34 , wherein at least one of said at least two extensions does not extend along a direction perpendicular to said tube.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
44 words
36 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 35 , wherein at least one of said at least two extensions has, in a plane containing said tube axis, a profile of a triangle, with the tip pointed away from said tube.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
37 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 35 , wherein at least one of said at least two extensions has, in a plane containing said tube axis, a curved profile.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
45 words
38 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 35 , wherein at least one of said at least two extensions has, in a plane containing said tube axis, a profile that narrows and then widens, along a direction away from the tube.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
43 words
39 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 38 , wherein at least one of said at least two extensions has, in a plane perpendicular to said tube axis, a profile that narrows, along a direction away from the tube.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
46 words
40 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 38 , wherein at least one of said at least two extensions has, in a plane perpendicular to said tube axis, a profile that narrows and then widens, along a direction away from the tube.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
41 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 38 , wherein at least one of said at least two extensions has, in a plane perpendicular to said tube axis, a uniform profile.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
42 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 41 , wherein at least one of said at least two extensions has, a pointed top profile.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
37 words
43 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 41 , wherein at least one of said at least two extensions has, a top profile substantially the same size as a base of said extension.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
36 words
44 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 41 , wherein at least one of said at least two extensions has, a top profile substantially the larger that a base of said extension.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
45 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 44 , wherein said extensions are unevenly distributed along said axis.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
46 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 44 , wherein said extensions are evenly distributed along said axis.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
47 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 46 , wherein said extensions are unevenly distributed along a circumference of said tube.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
25 words
48 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 46 , wherein said extensions are evenly distributed along a circumference of said tube.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
49 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 48 , wherein said different ones of said extensions have different geometries.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
22 words
50 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 49 , wherein said extensions are distributed in a spiral pattern.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
26 words
51 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 50 , wherein said tube axis is coaxial with an axis of said expanded geometry.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
26 words
52 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 49 , wherein said tube axis is parallel to an axis of said expanded geometry.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
26 words
53 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 49 , wherein said tube axis is not-parallel to an axis of said expanded geometry.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
35 words
54 . A spacer according to claim 53 , wherein said tube axis and said expanded geometry axis are designed for oblique insertion of a spacer to be aligned, in its expanded state with vertebra.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
24 words
55 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 54 , wherein said spacer has an expanded geometry cross-section of a circle.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
24 words
56 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 54 , wherein said spacer has an expanded geometry cross-section of a rectangle.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
28 words
57 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 56 , wherein a cross-section of said expanded geometry varies along an axis of said expanded geometry.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
29 words
58 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 56 , wherein a cross-section diameter of said expanded geometry varies along an axis of said expanded geometry.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
25 words
59 . A spacer according to claim 58 , wherein said cross-section is rectangular and wherein said cross-sectional diameter increases along said expanded geometry axis.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
27 words
60 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 59 , wherein a cross-section diameter of said tube varies along an axis of said tube.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
26 words
61 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 60 , wherein a cross-section of said tube varies along an axis of said tube.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
20 words
62 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 59 , wherein said tube has a circular cross-section.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
20 words
63 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 59 , wherein said tube has an elliptical cross-section.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
20 words
64 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 59 , wherein said tube has a rectangular cross-section.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
24 words
65 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 64 , wherein said tube axis is bent, when the spacer is unexpanded.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
24 words
66 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 61 , wherein said tube axis is straight when the spacer is unexpanded.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
24 words
67 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 66 , wherein said tube axis is bent when the spacer is expanded.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
24 words
68 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 66 , wherein said tube axis is straight when the spacer is expanded.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
25 words
69 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 68 , comprising a ratchet mechanism to maintain said spacer in an expanded configuration.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
28 words
70 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 69 , comprising at least one portion of said spacer that prevents axial contraction of said spacer.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
28 words
71 . A spacer according to claim 70 , wherein said at least one portion comprises a pair of tabs that abut when the spacer is axially contracted.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
37 words
72 . A spacer according to claim 70 , wherein said at least one portion comprises a strip that folds and forms a thickness between two opposing sides of said spacer, preventing the opposing sides from meeting.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
30 words
73 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 72 , comprising at least protrusion on at least on of said extensions, to prevent collapsing of said extension.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
29 words
74 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 72 , comprising at least protrusion on at least on of said extensions, to interlock said two extensions.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
28 words
75 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 74 , comprising at least one interconnecting element for interconnecting said extensions when the extensions are expanded.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
17 words
76 . A spacer according to claim 75 , wherein said interconnecting element comprises a flexible wire.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
18 words
77 . A spacer according to claim 75 , wherein said interconnecting element comprises a substantially rigid strut.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
24 words
78 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 77 , wherein at least one of said extensions comprises only bending joints.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
26 words
79 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 77 , wherein at least one of said extensions comprises at least one twisting joint.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
43 words
80 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 77 , wherein at least one of said extensions comprises a lift-up-extension in which a significant axial section of the tube is lifted away from said tube to form said expanded geometry.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
32 words
81 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 80 , wherein at least one of said extensions comprises at least two legs that are coupled by a extension top.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
32 words
82 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 80 , wherein at least one of said extensions comprises at least three legs that are coupled by a extension top.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
32 words
83 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 80 , wherein at least one of said extensions comprises at least four legs that are coupled by a extension top.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
33 words
84 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 83 , wherein at least one of said extensions comprises at least two legs, which legs are aligned with the tube axis.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
31 words
85 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 84 , wherein a plurality of annealed locations are provided on said spacer to assist in expansion of said spacer.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
31 words
86 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 85 , wherein a plurality of etched locations are provided on said spacer to assist in expansion of said spacer.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
30 words
87 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 86 , wherein a plurality of holes are provided on said spacer to assist in expansion of said spacer.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
17 words
88 . A spacer according to claim 87 , wherein said holes distribute stress in said spacer.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
21 words
89 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 84 , wherein said spacer is annealed as a unit.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
33 words
90 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 89 , wherein said spacer comprises means for changing the axial length of the spacer over time, after the spacer is implanted.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
20 words
91 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 90 , wherein said spacer is formed of metal.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
20 words
92 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 90 , wherein said spacer is formed of plastic.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
27 words
93 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 90 , wherein said spacer is formed of a combination of distinct zones of different materials.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
28 words
94 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 93 , wherein said spacer comprises an elastic material, which is elastically deformed by the extension deformation.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
28 words
95 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 94 , wherein said spacer comprises a plastic material, which is plastically deformed by the extension deformation.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
28 words
96 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 95 , wherein said spacer comprises a super-elastic material, which is super-elastically deformed by the extension deformation.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
20 words
97 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 96 , wherein said spacer comprises a shape-memory material.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
29 words
98 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 97 , wherein said spacer is adapted to be axially deformed under axial pressures of over 20 Kg.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
29 words
99 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 97 , wherein said spacer is adapted to be axially deformed under axial pressures of over 30 Kg.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
29 words
100 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 97 , wherein said spacer is adapted to be axially deformed under axial pressures of over 50 Kg.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
29 words
101 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 97 , wherein said spacer is adapted to be axially deformed under axial pressures of over 70 Kg.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
29 words
102 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 97 , wherein said spacer is adapted to be axially deformed under axial pressures of over 90 Kg.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
41 words
103 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 102 , wherein said spacer is adapted to remain expanded in a vertebra of an active human, when placed with the tube axis perpendicular o a spine of said human.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
32 words
104 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 103 , wherein said tube has a cross-sectional diameter smaller than 2 times the maximal cross-sectional diameter of said expanded geometry.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
32 words
105 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 103 , wherein said tube has a cross-sectional diameter smaller than 4 times the maximal cross-sectional diameter of said expanded geometry.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
25 words
106 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 105 , wherein said expanded geometry is sized to fit between two human vertebrae.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
44 words
107 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 106 , wherein said extensions have tips and wherein said tips has a surface fill factor of at least 20% relative to the contact surface of a target vertebra with the spacer geometry.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
44 words
108 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 106 , wherein said extensions have tips and wherein said tips has a surface fill factor of at least 40% relative to the contact surface of a target vertebra with the spacer geometry.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
51 words
109 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 106 , wherein said extensions have tips that contact a surface of target vertebra and wherein said tips has a surface fill factor of at least 60% relative to the contact surface of the target vertebra with the spacer geometry.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
32 words
110 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 109 , wherein said expanded geometry covers at least 40% of the surface of a target vertebra, previously contacting a disc.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
32 words
111 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 109 , wherein said expanded geometry covers at least 60% of the surface of a target vertebra, previously contacting a disc.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
32 words
112 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 109 , wherein said expanded geometry covers at least 80% of the surface of a target vertebra, previously contacting a disc.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
90 words
113 . A spacer, comprising: an elongate body having a surface and having a maximum cross-section at a portion thereof; and a plurality of extensions radially extending from said body, wherein, said extensions are dense on at least 40% of said body, including said portion, such that at least 50% of a surface area of said body is covered by extensions, wherein said dense extensions define a cross-section having a diameter at least three times a diameter of said body cross-section and wherein said extensions are formed of said surface.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
90 words
113 . A spacer, comprising: an elongate body having a surface and having a maximum cross-section at a portion thereof; and a plurality of extensions radially extending from said body, wherein, said extensions are dense on at least 40% of said body, including said portion, such that at least 50% of a surface area of said body is covered by extensions, wherein said dense extensions define a cross-section having a diameter at least three times a diameter of said body cross-section and wherein said extensions are formed of said surface.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
21 words
114 . A spacer according to claim 113 , wherein said extensions are dense on at least 50% of said body.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
21 words
115 . A spacer according to claim 113 , wherein said extensions are dense on at least 70% of said body.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
22 words
116 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 115 , wherein said spacer is coated with a bio-active coating.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
16 words
117 . A spacer according to claim 116 , wherein said bio-active coating retards bone ingrowth.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
16 words
118 . A spacer according to claim 116 , wherein said bio-active coating promotes bone ingrowth.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
18 words
119 . A spacer according to any of claims 1 - 118 , wherein said extensions comprises spikes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US817973A
Cited
US1175530A
Cited
US2067458A
Cited
US3397699A
Cited
US3381566A
Cited
US3426364A
Cited
DE1810799A1
Cited
US3942407A
Cited
US3867728A
Cited
US3789727A
Cited
US3896504A
Cited
US4079917A
Cited
US3976060A
Cited
US3875595A
Cited
US4185072A
Cited
US4204531A
Cited
US4268639A
Cited
US4274163A
Cited
US5704895A
Cited
US4313434A
Cited
US4309777A
Cited
US4562598A
Cited
US4494535A
Cited
US4453539A
Cited
USD279499S
Cited
US4653489A
Cited
US4686973A
Cited
US4636217A
Cited
US4758096A
Cited
US4892550A
Cited
US4653487A
Cited
US4932969A
Cited
US4759769A
Cited
US4935029A
Cited
US5122400A
Cited
US5522899A
Cited
US5131382A
Cited
US5018919A
Cited
US5012066A
Cited
US5116335A
Cited
US5209753A
Cited
US5112333A
Cited
US5707390A
Cited
US5888196A
Cited
US5078919A
Cited
US5236445A
Cited
US5725529A
Cited
US5911721A
Cited
US5102413A
Cited
US5303718A
Cited
US5480403A
Cited
US5720753A
Cited
US5415474A
Cited
US5203773A
Cited
US5167614A
Cited
US5494349A
Cited
US5593434A
Cited
US5302020A
Cited
US5501695A
Cited
US5334184A
Cited
US5333951A
Cited
US5534028A
Cited
US5514137A
Cited
US6235043B1
Cited
US5522816A
Cited
US6383214B1
Cited
US5591197A
Cited
US5520690A
Cited
US6025537A
Cited
US5782830A
Cited
US5645598A
Cited
US5782917A
Cited
US6168597B1
Cited
US5893850A
Cited
US6068630A
Cited
US6719761B1
Cited
US6383190B1
Cited
US6241734B1
Cited
US20020068939A1
Cited
US20060084998A1
Cited
US6261289B1
Cited
US7052498B2
Cited
US20060064094A1
Cited
US7621950B1
Cited
US6264659B1
Cited
US6348055B1
Cited
US6350271B1
Cited
US6383188B2
Cited
US20020068974A1
Cited
US20020099385A1
Cited
US6375682B1
Cited
US20030040718A1
Cited
US20030109883A1
Cited
US6733534B2
Cited
US6994465B2
Cited
US20040054377A1
Cited
US20040059283A1
Cited
US7029163B2
Cited
US6875219B2
Cited
US20060079905A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.