Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
36 words
A partially cylindrical spinal fusion implant made of a material appropriate for human implantation, said implant comprising a cylinder having a longitudinal central axis and at least a first flat side parallel to said central axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
36 words
A partially cylindrical spinal fusion implant made of a material appropriate for human implantation, said implant comprising a cylinder having a longitudinal central axis and at least a first flat side parallel to said central axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said implant has a plurality of flat sides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said implant has a second flat side diametrically opposite said first flat side.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said implant has and internal chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The spinal fusion implant of claim 4 in which said internal chamber is capable of containing fusion promoting material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The spinal fusion implant of claim 4 in which said implant comprises a wall surrounding said internal chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The spinal fusion implant of claim 6 in which said wall has a plurality of openings passing therethrough in communication with said internal chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 having a plurality of openings capable retaining fusion promoting material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said implant has a major diameter larger than the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 including a plurality of surface roughenings for engaging said two adjacent vertebrae and for maintaining said implant in place, said surface roughenings being present on at least a portion of the exterior of said implant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The spinal fusion implant of claim 10 in which said surface roughenings include a plurality of ratchetings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spinal fusion implant of claim 11 in which said ratchetings face one direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spinal fusion implant of claim 10 in which said surface roughenings include knurling.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said implant comprises a bone ingrowth material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The spinal fusion implant of claim 4 in which said implant has at least one removable cap for closing at least one end of said internal chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which one end of said implant includes an engagement means for engaging instrumentation for the insertion of said implant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The spinal fusion implant of claim 1 in which said cylinder includes first and second diametrically opposed arcuate portions that are arcs of the same circle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
78 words
A hollow partially cylindrical spinal fusion implant made of a material appropriate for human implantation, comprising: a cylinder having a longitudinal central axis and at least a first flat side parallel to said central axis, said implant having a major diameter larger than the height of the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae and a width measured from said first flat side to a diametrically opposed segment of said cylinder, said width being smaller than said major diameter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
78 words
A hollow partially cylindrical spinal fusion implant made of a material appropriate for human implantation, comprising: a cylinder having a longitudinal central axis and at least a first flat side parallel to said central axis, said implant having a major diameter larger than the height of the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae and a width measured from said first flat side to a diametrically opposed segment of said cylinder, said width being smaller than said major diameter.