Patent US5836948A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5836948A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Spine distraction implant and method
Assignee: Medtronic Europe SARL
•
Filing: 1997-01-02
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Granted: 1998-11-17
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Expires: 2017-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume in the spine canal and/or neural foramen. The implant provides a spinal extension stop while allowing freedom of spinal flexion.
Inventors
- 👤 James F. Zucherman
- 👤 Ken Y. Hsu
- 👤 T. Wade Fallin
- 👤 Henry A. Klyce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K31/00; A61K31/33; A61K31/335; A61K31/365; A61K31/366; A61K31/37; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7062; A61B17/7065; A61B17/7068; A61B17/60; A61B17/66; A61B17/7071; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B2017/0256
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An implant for flattening the spine in order to increase the volume of at least one of the spinal canal and the neural foramen comprising: a central body with first and second saddles which are adapted to receive adjacent spinous processes; first and second arms projecting from the first saddle and third and fourth arms projecting from the second saddle; said first and fourth arms are longer than the central body with the first arm being longer than the fourth arm; and the second and third arms are about the length of the central body and/or shorter than the central body with the second arm being shorter than the third arm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
An implant for flattening the spine in order to increase the volume of at least one of the spinal canal and the neural foramen comprising: a central body with first and second saddles which are adapted to receive adjacent spinous processes; first and second arms projecting from the first saddle and third and fourth arms projecting from the second saddle; said first and fourth arms are longer than the central body with the first arm being longer than the fourth arm; and the second and third arms are about the length of the central body and/or shorter than the central body with the second arm being shorter than the third arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein: said third arm is below said first arm and said fourth arm is below said second arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein: said third arm is substantially shorter than the first arm so that the implant can be directed between the space between adjacent spinous processes with the first arm first urged through the space and the spinous processes distracted so that the third arm can be urged through the space with the central body positioned between the spinous processes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein: said first arm is sloped in a direction away from the central body in order to accommodate the shape of a vertebra.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein: said first, third, and fourth arms are sloped in a direction away from the central body in order to accommodate the shape a vertebra.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein: said central body includes a bore therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein: said central body includes a bore therein so that the implant has a modulus of elasticity that is compatible with that of bone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein: at least one of said saddles is sloped in order to accommodate a vertebra.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein: at least one of said saddles is sloped about approximately 30° so as to accommodate a vertebra.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein: at least one of said arms is sloped about approximately 30° so as to accommodate a vertebra.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein: said first arm has a sloped portion which is sloped in a direction away from the central body; and said first arm has a recess located at a distal end of said sloped portion followed by a convex portion in order to accommodate the shape of a vertebra.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein: said implant has a modulus of elasticity which is compatible with bone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein: said implant has as modulus of elasticity which is approximately about twice that of bone.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
115 words
An implant for flattening the spine in order to increase the volume of at least one of the spinal canal and the neural foramen comprising: a central body with first and second saddles which are adapted to receive adjacent spinous processes; first and second arms projecting from the first saddle and third and fourth arms projecting from the second saddle; said first and fourth arms are longer than the second and third arms; and said third arm is located below said first arm and said fourth arm is located below said second arm, with said fourth arm located diametrically opposite said first arm in order to facilitate the implantation of the implant between adjacent spinous.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
115 words
An implant for flattening the spine in order to increase the volume of at least one of the spinal canal and the neural foramen comprising: a central body with first and second saddles which are adapted to receive adjacent spinous processes; first and second arms projecting from the first saddle and third and fourth arms projecting from the second saddle; said first and fourth arms are longer than the second and third arms; and said third arm is located below said first arm and said fourth arm is located below said second arm, with said fourth arm located diametrically opposite said first arm in order to facilitate the implantation of the implant between adjacent spinous.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
The implant of claim 14 wherein: said third arm is substantially shorter than the first arm so that the implant can be directed between the space between adjacent spinous processes with the first arm first urged through the space and the spinous processes distracted so that the third arm can be urged through the space with the central body positioned between the spinous processes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The implant of claim 14 wherein: said first arm is sloped in a direction away from the central body in order to accommodate the shape of a vertebra.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The implant of claim 14 wherein: said first, third, and fourth arms are sloped in a direction away from the central body in order to accommodate the shape a vertebra.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The implant of claim 14 wherein: said central body includes a bore therein.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The implant of claim 14 wherein: said central body includes a bore therein so that the implant has a modulus of elasticity that is compatible with that of bone.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The implant of claim 14 wherein: at least one of said saddles is sloped in order to accommodate a vertebra.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The implant of claim 14 wherein: at least one of said saddles is sloped about approximately 30° so as to accommodate a vertebra.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The implant of claim 14 wherein: at least one of said arms is sloped about approximately 30° so as to accommodate a vertebra.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
54 words
The implant of claim 14 wherein: said first arm has a sloped portion which is sloped in a direction away from the central body; and said first arm has a recess located at a distal end of said sloped portion followed by a convex portion in order to accommodate the shape of a vertebra.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The implant of claim 14 wherein: said implant has a modulus of elasticity which is compatible with bone.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The implant of claim 14 wherein: said implant has as modulus of elasticity which is approximately about twice that of bone.
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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) | 2001-11-16 | 2002-05-18 | 2002-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-16 | 2006-05-18 | 2006-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-16 | 2010-05-18 | 2010-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |