US4911718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Functional and biocompatible intervertebral disc spacer
Assignee: N J, University of, Medicine and Dentistry of
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Filing: 1988-06-10
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Granted: 1990-03-27
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Expires: 2008-06-10
Abstract
Abstract The construction and manufacturing technique for a functional biocompatible intervertebral disc spacer is described. This device is useful for a replacement for a degenerated disc in certain treatments of back pain and spinal disease. The disc spacer possesses mechanical properties akin to those of the normal disc and will preserve normal functions of the spinal motion segment. The device achieves the desired properties by providing reinforcing fibers of appropriate orientation and number within an elastomeric matrix.
Inventors
- 👤 Casey K. Lee
- 👤 Noshir A. Langrana
- 👤 Harold Alexander
- 👤 Alastair J. Clemow
- 👤 Elizabeth H. Chen
- 👤 John R. Parsons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:03
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30724; A61F2/30767; A61F2/3094; A61F2/30965; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/30004; A61F2002/30009; A61F2002/30016; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30065; A61F2002/30069; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30133; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30563; A61F2002/30929; A61F2002/30968; A61F2002/4495; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0071; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0015; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0014; A61F2250/0019; A61F2250/0028; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/00395; A61F2310/00407; A61F2310/00592; A61F2310/00796; A61F2310/00952
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A biocompatible intervertebral spacer comprising: a central core having upper, lower and side surfaces and formed of a biocompatible elastomer shaped so as to approximate the nucleus pulposus of a natural intervertebral disc. A layered structure wrapped around the side surfaces, wherein said layered structure comprises between 3-24 separated laminae. and each of said lamina comprised of strips of biocompatible elastomer having unidirectional reinforcing fiber embedded therein; said fiber of each lamina having specific orientation; said laminae being bound together by biocompatible elastomer; and wrapped to sufficient thicknesses so as to approximate the shape of a natural intervertebral disc; and endplates comprised of a suitably stiff biocompatible material and affixed, one to each end, to the laminae/central core.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A biocompatible intervertebral spacer comprising: a central core having upper, lower and side surfaces and formed of a biocompatible elastomer shaped so as to approximate the nucleus pulposus of a natural intervertebral disc. A layered structure wrapped around the side surfaces, wherein said layered structure comprises between 3-24 separated laminae. and each of said lamina comprised of strips of biocompatible elastomer having unidirectional reinforcing fiber embedded therein; said fiber of each lamina having specific orientation; said laminae being bound together by biocompatible elastomer; and wrapped to sufficient thicknesses so as to approximate the shape of a natural intervertebral disc; and endplates comprised of a suitably stiff biocompatible material and affixed, one to each end, to the laminae/central core.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spacer according to claim 1 wherein the biocompatible elastomer utilized is a thermoset polyurethane elastomer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spacer according to claim 1 wherein the biocompatible elastomer utilized is a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spacer according to claim 1 wherein the biocompatible elastomer utilized is the polyurethane elastomer Biomer.sup.®.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spacer according to claim 1 wherein the laminae wrapping the central core possess protruding fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
A spacer according to claim 1 wherein the endplates contain hydroxyapatite.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A spacer according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said lamina having fibers oriented at 0 degrees and at least one of the other lamina having fibers oriented at 20-50 degrees said fiber orientation in each lamina being selected from the group consisting of 0 degrees and ±20-50 degrees.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spacer according to claim 7 wherein the biocompatible elastomer utilized is a thermoset polyurethane elastomer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spacer according to claim 7 wherein the biocompatible elastomer utilized is a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spacer according to claim 7 wherein the biocompatible elastomer utilized is the polyurethane elastomer Biomer.sup.®.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spacer according to claim 7 wherein the laminae wrapping the central core possess protruding fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
A spacer according to claim 7 wherein the endplates contain hydroxyapatite.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A spacer according to claim 7 wherein the layered structure comprises 6-15 laminae.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spacer according to claim 13 wherein the biocompatible elastomer utilized is a thermoset polyurethane elastomer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spacer according to claim 13 wherein the biocompatible elastomer utilized is a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spacer according to claim 13 wherein the biocompatible elastomer utilized is the polyurethane elastomer Biomer.sup.®.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spacer according to claim 13 wherein the laminae wrapping the central core possess protruding fibers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
A spacer according to claim 13 wherein the endplates contain hydroxyapatite.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
A spacer according to claim 1 wherein the layered structure comprises 6-15 laminae and at least one of said lamina having fibers oriented at 0 degrees and at least one of the other lamina having fibers oriented at 45 degrees.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spacer according to claim 19 wherein the biocompatible elastomer utilized is a thermoset polyurethane elastomer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spacer according to claim 19 wherein the biocompatible elastomer utilized is a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spacer according t claim 19 wherein the biocompatible elastomer utilized is the polyurethane elastomer Biomer.sup.®.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spacer according to claim 19 wherein the laminae wrapping the central core possess protruding fibers.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
A spacer according to claim 19 wherein the endplates contain hydroxyapatite.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
11 words
A spacer according to claim 1 wherein the endplates are metal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
A spacer according to claim 1 wherein the endplates have a porous sintered surface.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
A spacer according to claim 1 sized so as to approximate the size of a natural disc.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
A spacer according to claim 1 sized so as to approximate 30-80 % of the size of a natural disc.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
A spacer according to claim 22 wherein the laminae are arranged in a layered structure and the fiber orientation of the laminae is in a pattern of -45/+45/0 degree.
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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) | 1993-03-26 | 1993-09-25 | 1994-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-26 | 1997-09-25 | 1998-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-26 | 2001-09-25 | 2002-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |