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US5480442A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Fixedly adjustable intervertebral prosthesis

Assignee: SDGI Holdings Inc
•
Filing: 1994-06-24
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Granted: 1996-01-02
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Expires: 2014-06-24
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Abstract

Abstract An implant for replacing vertebrae has a central load bearing member with a first end and a second end. A first support element is positioned at the first end and a second support element is positioned at the second end. At least one of the first and second support elements has a contact surface, wherein an angle of the contact surface relative to the central load bearing member and the adjacent vertebrae is adjustable for abutting at the adjacently arranged vertebrae. After adjusting the angle of the contact surface, the first and second support elements are fixedly connected to the central load bearing member.

Inventors

  • 👤 Rudolf Bertagnoli

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 22:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/3094; A61F2/30965; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30133; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30235; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30362; A61F2002/3037; A61F2002/30405; A61F2002/30433; A61F2002/30448; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30537; A61F2002/30538; A61F2002/3055; A61F2002/30581; A61F2002/30583; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/30601; A61F2002/30604; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30904; A61F2/30907; A61F2002/30909; A61F2/46; A61F2002/4631; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0085; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2220/0041; A61F2220/005; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0015; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0004; A61F2250/0006; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim 131 words
A vertebral implant for replacing vertebrae, said implant comprising: a central load bearing member configured and arranged to be inserted between adjacent vertebra having a first and second end; a first support element positioned at said first end; a second support element positioned at said second end; at least one of said first and second support elements having a contact surface for abutting an adjacently arranged vertebra; at least one of said first and second support elements further having universal adjustment means for allowing an angle of said contact surface relative to said central load bearing member to be universally adjusted; and at least one of said first and second support elements having means for fixedly connecting said universal adjustment means to said central load bearing member after adjusting said angle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 131 words
A vertebral implant for replacing vertebrae, said implant comprising: a central load bearing member configured and arranged to be inserted between adjacent vertebra having a first and second end; a first support element positioned at said first end; a second support element positioned at said second end; at least one of said first and second support elements having a contact surface for abutting an adjacently arranged vertebra; at least one of said first and second support elements further having universal adjustment means for allowing an angle of said contact surface relative to said central load bearing member to be universally adjusted; and at least one of said first and second support elements having means for fixedly connecting said universal adjustment means to said central load bearing member after adjusting said angle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 47 words
An implant according to claim 1, wherein: said central load bearing member is configured so as to conform substantially to a curvature of a human spine; said central load bearing member is a hollow body; and said hollow body has a wall including at least one layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
An implant according to claim 2, wherein said central load bearing member is in a form of a cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 11 words
An implant according to claim 2, wherein said wall has perforations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 16 words
An implant according to claim 2, wherein said wall is in a form of a grate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
An implant according to claim 1, wherein said universal adjustment means comprises a ball joint.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 39 words
An implant according to claim 1, wherein said means for fixedly connecting said universal adjustment means to said central load bearing member is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive connection, a frictional connection, and a form-fitting connection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 58 words
An implant according to claim 7, wherein said means for fixedly connecting said universal adjustment means to said central load bearing member comprises providing at least one of said first and second support elements and said central load bearing member with hollow chambers for receiving a material selected from the group consisting of a filler and an adhesive.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 16 words
An implant according to claim 1, wherein said central load bearing member comprises fiber-reinforced composite material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 17 words
An implant according to claim 9, wherein said fiber-reinforced composite material is a carbon fiber composite material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 17 words
An implant according to claim 1, wherein said first and second support elements comprise fiber-reinforced composite material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 17 words
An implant according to claim 11, wherein said fiber-reinforced composite material is a carbon fiber composite material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 23 words
An implant according to claim 1, wherein said central load bearing member and said first and second support elements comprise fiber-reinforced composite material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 17 words
An implant according to claim 13, wherein said fiber-reinforced composite material is a carbon fiber composite material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 24 words
An implant according to claim 1, wherein said central load bearing member comprises a spreading mechanism for adjusting an axial length of said implant.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 29 words
An implant according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second support elements comprises a spreading mechanism for adjusting an axial length of said implant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 19 words
An implant according to claim 16, wherein said spreading mechanism comprises a piston for axially displacing said support element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 23 words
An implant according to claim 1, wherein said central load bearing member is a spreading element for adjusting a length of said implant.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 22 words
An implant according to claim 18, wherein said spreading element comprises telescopic members and has a valve for introducing a pressure medium.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-01-01 1999-07-03 2000-01-02 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-01-01 2003-07-03 2004-01-02 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-01-01 2007-07-03 2008-01-02 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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