Patent US5647872A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5647872A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spinal support plates
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1992-01-10
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Granted: 1997-07-15
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Expires: 2012-01-10
Abstract
Abstract A spinal plate is provided that has two components of curvature in the lower surface that opposes the spinal vertebrae. This lower surface preferrably has the shape of a toroidal segment. A series of plates may be taken from a principal "s"-shaped template of similar shape on its lower surface. For convenience of manufacture, the shape of the curvature of the "S"-shaped template along the sides of the template is circular. A special hole pattern is also disclosed in respect of a tapered thoracic portion of the template.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Gilbert
- 👤 Donald Chow
- 👤 Robin Black
- 👤 Gordon Armstrong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7059; A61B17/80; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/3094; A61F2/30942
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A preformed spinal plate for fitting to a portion of the human spine, said plate comprising: (1) an upper surface and a spine-opposing lower surface, said surfaces being bounded by outer side surfaces extending between sand upper and lower surfaces; (2) said upper surface defining an imaginary median line extending longitudinally for the length of said plate and terminating at top and bottom end surfaces, said side surfaces being symmetrically disposed on either side of said median line; (3) said lower surface being transversely concave in curvature about said longitudinal median line; and (4) said side surfaces being tapered so as to progressively narrow as proceeding in the longitudinal direction defined by said median line towards said upper end surface, wherein said median line is curved laterally with respect to said side surfaces while lying within a single plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A preformed spinal plate for fitting to a portion of the human spine, said plate comprising: (1) an upper surface and a spine-opposing lower surface, said surfaces being bounded by outer side surfaces extending between sand upper and lower surfaces; (2) said upper surface defining an imaginary median line extending longitudinally for the length of said plate and terminating at top and bottom end surfaces, said side surfaces being symmetrically disposed on either side of said median line; (3) said lower surface being transversely concave in curvature about said longitudinal median line; and (4) said side surfaces being tapered so as to progressively narrow as proceeding in the longitudinal direction defined by said median line towards said upper end surface, wherein said median line is curved laterally with respect to said side surfaces while lying within a single plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A preformed spinal plate as in claim 1 wherein said median line is curved along an arc of a circle lying within said plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A preformed spinal plate as in claim 1 wherein said side surfaces are both curved along paths which, if extended would intersect.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A preformed spinal plate as in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said spine-opposing lower surface is shaped to lie along the upper circumferential median line of a toroidal surface segment, said upper circumferential median line being the locus of contact between the top side of a torus and a plane surface overlying such top side.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
A preformed spinal plate as in claim 4 comprising a plurality of circular countersunk holes formed therein, said holes: (1) being located in staggered pairs, one on each side of said longitudinal median line, and (2) all having an outside diameter and corresponding radii and being distributed along the plate in a close-packed pattern whereby said holes are separated from each other by at least three hole radii and from said side surfaces by at least two hole radii.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A preformed spinal plate as in claim 5 wherein said holes are separated from each other by substantially three hole radii and from said side surfaces by substantially two hole radii.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR2405061A1
Cited
DE3114136A1
Cited
US4448191A
Cited
US5413577A
Cited
EP0360139A2
Cited
US5084049A
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US5364399A
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US5429639A
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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) | 2000-07-14 | 2001-01-13 | 2001-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-14 | 2005-01-13 | 2005-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-14 | 2009-01-13 | 2009-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |