US4874389A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Replacement disc
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1987-12-07
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Granted: 1989-10-17
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Expires: 2007-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A replacement disc for use between adjacent vertebrae comprising: a body portion having substantially opposing first and second surfaces and being adapted to fit and be held between the adjacent vertebrae; first securement means extending out from the first surface and acting to secure the replacement disc to the first adjacent vertebra; and second securement means extending out from the second surface and acting to secure the replacement disc to the second adjacent vertebra.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest L. Downey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61F2/4455; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/30004; A61F2002/30016; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30069; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30448; A61F2002/30474; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30563; A61F2002/30621; A61F2002/30647; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30795; A61F2002/3085; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30886; A61F2/3094; A61F2002/30975; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2220/005; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0014; A61F2250/0019
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A replacement disc for use between adjacent vertebrae comprising: a unitary body portion having substantially opposing first and second surfaces and being adapted to fit and be held between said adjacent vertebrae; first threaded means having a first proximal end substantially level with said first surface and a first distal end distally therefrom, said first threaded means being tapered in a direction from said first proximal end to said first distal end wherein said first distal end is about 30% to about 60% of the cross sectional area of said first proximal end; and second threaded means having a second proximal end substantially level with said second surface and a second distal end distally therefrom, said second threaded means being tapered in a direction from said second proximal end to said second distal end wherein said second distal end is about 30% to about 60% of the cross-sectional area of said second proximal end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A replacement disc for use between adjacent vertebrae comprising: a unitary body portion having substantially opposing first and second surfaces and being adapted to fit and be held between said adjacent vertebrae; first threaded means having a first proximal end substantially level with said first surface and a first distal end distally therefrom, said first threaded means being tapered in a direction from said first proximal end to said first distal end wherein said first distal end is about 30% to about 60% of the cross sectional area of said first proximal end; and second threaded means having a second proximal end substantially level with said second surface and a second distal end distally therefrom, said second threaded means being tapered in a direction from said second proximal end to said second distal end wherein said second distal end is about 30% to about 60% of the cross-sectional area of said second proximal end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The replacement disc of claim 1 wherein said unitary body portion comprises a polymeric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The replacement disc of claim 1 wherein said unitary body portion comprises a silicone elastomer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The replacement disc of claim 1 wherein said unitary body portion comprises a silastic elastomer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The replacement disc of claim 1 wherein said first threaded means is threaded in the opposite direction relative to said second threaded means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The replacement disc of claim 1 wherein said first threaded means includes a first base extending from said first proximal end, and which is located in said unitary body portion and said second threaded means includes a second base extending from said second proximal end, and which is located in said unitary body portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The replacement disc of claim 6 wherein said first base and said second base are joined together in said unitary body portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The replacement disc of claim 1 wherein said first and second threaded means each further comprise loops extending from said first and second proximal ends, respectively and which are linked together within said unitary body portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The replacement disc of claim 6 wherein said first base and said second base each extend in said unitary body portion radially from said first and second threaded means, respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The replacement disc of claim 1 wherein each of said first and second threaded means is made of metal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
167 words
A replacement disc for use between adjacent vertebrae comprising: a unitary body portion having substantially opposing first and second surfaces and being adapted to fit and be held between said adjacent vertebrae; first securement means comprising a first member having a first proximal end in said unitary body portion, a first distal end extending distally from said first proximal end, and a first base located substantially entirely within said unitary body portion, secured to said first member and extending radially from said first member, said first securement means acting to secure said replacement disc to said first adjacent vertebra; and second securement means comprising a second member having a second proximal end in said unitary body portion, a second distal end extending distally from said second proximal end, and a second base located substantially entirely within said unitary body portion, secured to said second member and extending radially from said second member, said second securement means acting to secure said replacement disc to said second adjacent vertebra.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
167 words
A replacement disc for use between adjacent vertebrae comprising: a unitary body portion having substantially opposing first and second surfaces and being adapted to fit and be held between said adjacent vertebrae; first securement means comprising a first member having a first proximal end in said unitary body portion, a first distal end extending distally from said first proximal end, and a first base located substantially entirely within said unitary body portion, secured to said first member and extending radially from said first member, said first securement means acting to secure said replacement disc to said first adjacent vertebra; and second securement means comprising a second member having a second proximal end in said unitary body portion, a second distal end extending distally from said second proximal end, and a second base located substantially entirely within said unitary body portion, secured to said second member and extending radially from said second member, said second securement means acting to secure said replacement disc to said second adjacent vertebra.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The replacement disc of claim 11 wherein said unitary body portion comprises a polymeric material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The replacement disc of claim 11 wherein said unitary body portion comprises a silicone elastomer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The replacement disc of claim 11 wherein said body portion comprises a silastic elastomer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The replacement disc of claim 11 wherein each of said first and second members is threaded in mutually opposite directions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The replacement disc of claim 11 wherein said first base and said second base are joined together in said unitary body portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
168 words
A replacement disc for use between adjacent vertebrae comprising: a unitary body portion having substantially opposing first and second surfaces and being adapted to fit and be held between said adjacent vertebrae; first securement means comprising a first member having a first proximal end in said unitary body portion, a first distal end extending distally from said first proximal end and a first loop located in said unitary body portion, secured to said first member and extending from said first proximal end, said first securement means acting to secure said replacement disc to said first adjacent vertebra; and second securement means comprising a second member having a second proximal end in said unitary body portion, a second distal end extending distally from said second distal end and a second loop located in said unitary body portion, secured to said second member, extending from said second proximal end and linked to said first loop, said second securement means acting to secure said replacement disc to said second adjacent vertebra.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
168 words
A replacement disc for use between adjacent vertebrae comprising: a unitary body portion having substantially opposing first and second surfaces and being adapted to fit and be held between said adjacent vertebrae; first securement means comprising a first member having a first proximal end in said unitary body portion, a first distal end extending distally from said first proximal end and a first loop located in said unitary body portion, secured to said first member and extending from said first proximal end, said first securement means acting to secure said replacement disc to said first adjacent vertebra; and second securement means comprising a second member having a second proximal end in said unitary body portion, a second distal end extending distally from said second distal end and a second loop located in said unitary body portion, secured to said second member, extending from said second proximal end and linked to said first loop, said second securement means acting to secure said replacement disc to said second adjacent vertebra.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The replacement disc of claim 17 wherein said unitary body portion comprises a polymeric material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The replacement disc of claim 17 wherein said unitary body portion comprises a silastic elastomer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The replacement disc of claim 17 wherein each of said first and second members is threaded in mutually opposite directions.
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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) | 1992-10-16 | 1993-04-17 | 1993-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-16 | 1997-04-17 | 1997-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-16 | 2001-04-17 | 2001-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |