US5702454A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for implanting an invertebral prosthesis
Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
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Filing: 1996-05-29
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Granted: 1997-12-30
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Expires: 2016-05-29
Abstract
Abstract An implant consisting of several support members (7), which are produced from an elastic plastic, is provided as a replacement for a part, which is no longer capable of bearing loads, of the core region of an intervertebral disk (3). The support members (7) are inserted one after the other into a central cavity (5) constructed in the core region by means of a tube (6) passing through an outer annular region (4) of the intervertebral disk (3) until said cavity is filled. When the cavity (5) becomes clogged with the filling members (7), they become deposited on the boundary walls of the annular region (4) and against one another and are elastically deformed under stress. Accordingly a universal implant which can be adapted to cavities (5) of any shape, and which forms a relatively compact, elastic support structure, can be achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Baumgartner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/441; A61F2/30756; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/686; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/442; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/3008; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30242; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30462; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30563; A61F2002/30581; A61F2002/30588; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/30761; A61F2002/4415; A61F2002/444; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0075; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0071; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/0096; A61F2250/0098; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00035; A61F2310/00131; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S606/91; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/902; Y10S623/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for implanting an intervertebral prosthesis comprising: forming a cavity within an intervertebral disc; providing at least three elastically deformable support members; individually introducing each of the support members into the cavity of the intervertebral disc; and individually positioning each of the support members within the cavity of the intervertebral disc.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for implanting an intervertebral prosthesis comprising: forming a cavity within an intervertebral disc; providing at least three elastically deformable support members; individually introducing each of the support members into the cavity of the intervertebral disc; and individually positioning each of the support members within the cavity of the intervertebral disc.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising forming an opening through an outer wall of the intervertebral disc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the forming step comprises removing tissue from a core of the intervertebral disc to form the cavity therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising closing the opening after the support members have been positioned within the central cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the introducing step is carried out by forming an opening in an outer wall of the intervertebral disc, introducing a distal end of a hollow tube through the opening and delivering the support members through the tube into the cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising forming a second opening in the outer wall of the intervertebral disc and introducing a distal end of the second hollow tube through the second opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising introducing a viewing scope through the distal end of the second hollow tube and monitoring the cavity during the support member introducing step.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising introducing an instrument through the distal end of the second hollow tube and positioning at least one of the support members within the cavity with the instrument.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising: introducing a thin membrane into the cavity, the membrane defining an inner cavity and having an opening aligned with the distal end of the tube; and delivering the support members through the tube and the membrane opening into the inner cavity of the membrane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the support members are mounted and spaced on an elongate flexible support, the method further comprising advancing the support through the tube and delivering the support members into the cavity one at a time.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
42 words
A method for implanting an intervertebral prosthesis comprising: forming a cavity within an intervertebral disc; providing at least three elastically deformable support members; and sequentially introducing each of the support members one at a time into the cavity of the intervertebral disc.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
42 words
A method for implanting an intervertebral prosthesis comprising: forming a cavity within an intervertebral disc; providing at least three elastically deformable support members; and sequentially introducing each of the support members one at a time into the cavity of the intervertebral disc.
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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) | 2000-12-29 | 2001-06-30 | 2001-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-29 | 2005-06-30 | 2005-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-29 | 2009-06-30 | 2009-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |