Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in the disc space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising: an elongated body having a length between a first end and a second end thereof, and a first diameter at said first end sized to be greater than the space between the adjacent vertebrae, said body further defining a hollow interior sized to receive bone growth promoting material therein; said body having an outer surface with a pair of opposite cylindrical portions extending along substantially the entire length of said body and defining said first diameter, and a pair of substantially flat opposite side walls connected between said opposite cylindrical portions, said side walls extending along a substantial portion of said length of said body; and external threads defined on said pair of opposite cylindrical portions of said outer surface and extending along substantially the entire length of said body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in the disc space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising: an elongated body having a length between a first end and a second end thereof, and a first diameter at said first end sized to be greater than the space between the adjacent vertebrae, said body further defining a hollow interior sized to receive bone growth promoting material therein; said body having an outer surface with a pair of opposite cylindrical portions extending along substantially the entire length of said body and defining said first diameter, and a pair of substantially flat opposite side walls connected between said opposite cylindrical portions, said side walls extending along a substantial portion of said length of said body; and external threads defined on said pair of opposite cylindrical portions of said outer surface and extending along substantially the entire length of said body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The fusion device according to claim 1, wherein said cylindrical portions are tapered along a substantial portion of said length and define a second diameter at a second end thereof that is greater than said first diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fusion device of claim 1, further comprising a number of openings defined in said opposite side walls for communicating with said hollow interior.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The fusion device of claim 3, further comprising a pair of diametrically opposed slots defined through said threads in said cylindrical portion and communicating with said hollow interior, said opposed slots being elongated along said length of said body and each being larger than the combination of said number of openings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The fusion device of claim 1, further comprising a pair of diametrically opposed slots defined through said threads in said cylindrical portion and communicating with said hollow interior, said opposed slots being elongated along said length of said body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The fusion device of claim 5, wherein said opposed slots are rectangular in configuration and have a width dimension transverse to said length of said body; and said cylindrical portions define an effective width between said opposite side walls and said opposed slots, wherein said width dimension of said opposed slots is greater than said effective width of said cylindrical portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The fusion device of claim 1, wherein: said flat side walls terminate near said first end; and said cylindrical portions and said threads are interrupted by said side walls and are circumferentially continuous thereafter from said side walls to said first end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fusion device of claim 1, wherein said body is closed at said first end and is open to said hollow interior at a second end opposite said first end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fusion device of claim 1, wherein said body includes a second end opposite said first end, said second end being open to said hollow interior.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fusion device of claim 7, wherein: said body includes a second end opposite said first end; and said flat side walls terminate at said second end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fusion device of claim 10, wherein said opposite side walls each define a notch at said second end configured to receive a driving tool for implanting said device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
108 words
A fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in the disc space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising: an elongated body having a length, a first diameter at a first end and a larger second diameter at a second end opposite said first end, said first and second diameters sized to be greater than the space between the adjacent vertebrae, said body further defining a hollow interior sized to receive bone growth promoting material therein; said body having an outer surface that is substantially continuously tapered from said first end to said second end with external threads defined on said outer surface and extending substantially entirely along said length of said body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
108 words
A fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in the disc space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising: an elongated body having a length, a first diameter at a first end and a larger second diameter at a second end opposite said first end, said first and second diameters sized to be greater than the space between the adjacent vertebrae, said body further defining a hollow interior sized to receive bone growth promoting material therein; said body having an outer surface that is substantially continuously tapered from said first end to said second end with external threads defined on said outer surface and extending substantially entirely along said length of said body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The fusion device of claim 12, further comprising a pair of diametrically opposed slots defined through said threads in said outer surface and communicating with said hollow interior, said opposed slots being elongated along said length of said body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fusion device of claim 12, wherein said body is closed at said first end and is open to said hollow interior at said second end.