US5609637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Space keeper, in particular for an intervertebral disk
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-04-17
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Granted: 1997-03-11
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Expires: 2016-04-17
Abstract
Abstract A space keeper, in particular for substituting an intervertebral disk, is provided which comprises a cage-shaped wall (1) having a plurality of holes (4, 5) therein and a plurality of points (6) at both edges of the wall. In order to avoid the need for the operating person to keep different types on stock for corresponding different sections, the points (6) have severable portions (7) for adjusting the sectional form.
Inventors
- 👤 Lutz Biedermann
- 👤 J urgen Harms
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/02; A61L27/04; A61L27/06; A61L31/00; A61L31/02; A61L31/022; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30113; A61F2002/30125; A61F2002/30133; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/3023; A61F2002/30235; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30593; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30907; A61F2002/30909; A61F2002/30912; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0006; A61F2230/0008; A61F2230/0015; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00023; A61L2430/00; A61L2430/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A space keeper for replacing an intervertebral disk, the space keeper comprising: a wall being closed around an axis defining a hollow body generally sized and shaped to replace said intervertebral disk, said wall having two opposite edges providing a bottom and a top surface of said body, a plurality of holes defined by said wall, said holes being disposed circumferentially around said wall and having a height in a direction parallel to said axis, said height decreasing from a maximum value at one side of said wall to a minimum value at an opposite side of said wall, a plurality of points provided at said edges, and severable projecting portions provided at said points for adjusting said shape by severing selected ones of said portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A space keeper for replacing an intervertebral disk, the space keeper comprising: a wall being closed around an axis defining a hollow body generally sized and shaped to replace said intervertebral disk, said wall having two opposite edges providing a bottom and a top surface of said body, a plurality of holes defined by said wall, said holes being disposed circumferentially around said wall and having a height in a direction parallel to said axis, said height decreasing from a maximum value at one side of said wall to a minimum value at an opposite side of said wall, a plurality of points provided at said edges, and severable projecting portions provided at said points for adjusting said shape by severing selected ones of said portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The space keeper of claim 1, wherein said top and bottom surfaces include an angle with respect to said axis whereby said body is wedge-shaped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The space keeper of claim 2, wherein said angle is in the range of about 8° to about 12°.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The space keeper of claim 3, wherein said angle is in the range of about 9° to 11°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The space keeper of claim 1, wherein said holes are formed as quadrangles or diamonds a diagonal of which extends in the direction of said axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The space keeper of claim 5, wherein said points are defined by ends of the quadrangles or the diamonds projecting upwards and downwards at said opposite edges, respectively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The space keeper of claim 1, wherein said hollow body defined by said wall has a substantially oval cross-section perpendicular to said axis.
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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) | 2000-03-10 | 2000-09-09 | 2001-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-10 | 2004-09-09 | 2005-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-10 | 2008-09-09 | 2009-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |