Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A surgical implant for spinal fixation comprising a rigid biocompatible frame defining an aperture, the frame consisting of first and second frame portions substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the implant said first and second frame portions being connected by third and fourth frame portions which are shorter then said first and second frame portions, said third and fourth frame portions each bent perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the implant at least one of said third and fourth frame portions curved away from said aperture so as to define a tapered end portion of the implant which, in use, is adapted to be fitted closely about the spine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A surgical implant for spinal fixation comprising a rigid biocompatible frame defining an aperture, the frame consisting of first and second frame portions substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the implant said first and second frame portions being connected by third and fourth frame portions which are shorter then said first and second frame portions, said third and fourth frame portions each bent perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the implant at least one of said third and fourth frame portions curved away from said aperture so as to define a tapered end portion of the implant which, in use, is adapted to be fitted closely about the spine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A surgical implant according to claim 1, wherein the third frame portion is curved and the fourth frame portion is substantially perpendicular to the first and second frame portions so as to define a substantially bullet-shaped frame aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A surgical implant according to claim 1 wherein the frame portions each have a substantially rectangular cross-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A surgical implant according to claim 3 wherein the first and second frame portions are curved so as to match the curvature of a portion of the spine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A surgical implant according to claim 1 wherein the first and second frame portions are curved so as to match the curvature of a portion of the spine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A surgical implant according to claim 1 wherein the first and second frame portions are substantially straight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
A surgical implant for spinal fixation comprising a rigid biocompatible frame defining an aperture, the frame consisting of first and second frame portions substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the implant, said first and second frame portions being connected by third and fourth frame portions which are shorter then said first and second frame portions, said third and fourth frame portions each bent perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the implant the frame having a plurality of recesses formed therein for receiving wire at selected points on the frame and adapted to fix the wire relative thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
A surgical implant for spinal fixation comprising a rigid biocompatible frame defining an aperture, the frame consisting of first and second frame portions substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the implant, said first and second frame portions being connected by third and fourth frame portions which are shorter then said first and second frame portions, said third and fourth frame portions each bent perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the implant the frame having a plurality of recesses formed therein for receiving wire at selected points on the frame and adapted to fix the wire relative thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A surgical implant according to claim 7 wherein the frame has at leat one recess opening into the frame aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A surgical implant according to claim 7, wherein the frame has an edge remote from the frame aperture, and said edge has at least one recess extending into said edge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A surgical implant according to claim 7 wherein the frame portion each have a substantially rectangular cross section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A surgical implant according to claim 10 wherein the frame portions each have first and second edges, said first edge being contiguous with the frame aperture and said second edge being remote from said frame aperture, wherein said edges of the frame portions are chamfered.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A surgical implant according to claim 7 wherein the first and second frame portions are curved so as to match the curvature of a portion of the spine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
A surgical implant according to claim 7 wherein the fourth frame portion has first and second ends connected to the first and second frame portions respectively and a middle section between said first and second ends, wherein said fourth frame portion forms a shallow curve with the middle section of the fourth frame portion extending into the frame aperture.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A surgical implant according to claim 7 wherein the first and second frame portions are curved so as to match the curvature of a portion of the spine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A surgical implant according to claim 7 wherein the first and second frame portions are substantially straight.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A surgical implant according to claim 7 wherein the frame is formed of a titanium alloy.