US6179875B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Implant for fusing lumbar vertebrae and method of using same
Assignee: Ulrich GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1999-06-16
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Granted: 2001-01-30
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Expires: 2019-06-16
Abstract
Abstract An implant for intersomatic fusion of two adjacent vertebrae has a web plate and a pair of arms extending from ends of the web plate and imparting a U-shape to the implant. The arms forming with the web plate a space. Such implants are used to stabilize two adjacent vertebrae following resection of a disk between them and distraction of the two vertebrae to form between confronting faces of the vertebrae a gap through which the patient's spinal chord extends. The implants are inserted into the gap from the posterior to each side of the spinal chord and then the spaces defined between the arms are packed with bone chips. Such a procedure is, by comparison with the standard anterior approach, relatively noninvasive and therefore is much less expensive and difficult for the patient.
Inventors
- 👤 Archibald Von Strempel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/28; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30724; A61F2/30744; A61F2/442; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30131; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30153; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/3028; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30593; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30774; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30845; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30891; A61F2002/30892; A61F2002/30894; A61F2002/448; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0013; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0019; A61F2230/0063; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00359
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
An implant for intersomatic fusion of two adjacent vertebrae, the implant comprising: a web plate; and a pair of arms extending from ends of the web plate and imparting a U-shape to the implant, the arms forming with the web plate a space, one of the arms extending substantially at a right angle to the web plate and the other of the arms extending at an acute angle to the one arm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
An implant for intersomatic fusion of two adjacent vertebrae, the implant comprising: a web plate; and a pair of arms extending from ends of the web plate and imparting a U-shape to the implant, the arms forming with the web plate a space, one of the arms extending substantially at a right angle to the web plate and the other of the arms extending at an acute angle to the one arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The implant defined in claim 1 wherein the arms have free ends formed with inwardly directed holding formations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The implant defined in claim 2 wherein the holding formations are pins.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The implant defined in claim 1 wherein the arms are formed with throughgoing holes, whereby bone can grow through the holes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The implant defined in claim 4 wherein the holes are separated by continuous transverse webs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant defined in claim 1 wherein the web plate is formed with a tool hole.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant defined in claim 1 wherein edges of the arms are formed with angled barbs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant defined in claim 7 wherein the barbs are directed away from the web plate.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of stabilizing two adjacent vertebrae following resection of a disk between them and distraction of the two vertebrae to form between confronting faces of the vertebrae a gap through which the patient's spinal chord extends, the method comprising the steps of: inserting into the gap from the posterior to each side of the spinal chord a respective U-shaped implant having a flat web plate and a pair of flat arms extending from ends of the web plate and forming with the web plate a space open both posteriorly and toward the faces of the vertebrae; and packing the spaces with bone chips.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of stabilizing two adjacent vertebrae following resection of a disk between them and distraction of the two vertebrae to form between confronting faces of the vertebrae a gap through which the patient's spinal chord extends, the method comprising the steps of: inserting into the gap from the posterior to each side of the spinal chord a respective U-shaped implant having a flat web plate and a pair of flat arms extending from ends of the web plate and forming with the web plate a space open both posteriorly and toward the faces of the vertebrae; and packing the spaces with bone chips.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method defined in claim 9 wherein one of the arms of each implant extends substantially at a right angle to the respective web plate and the other of the respective arms extends at an acute angle to the respective one arm, the method comprising the step of positioning the two implants with their one arms immediately adjacent and generally parallel to each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method defined in claim 9 wherein the web plate is formed with a tool-receiving hole, the implants being inserted by being mounted at the hole onto a tool and pushed by the tool into the space.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method defined in claim 11 wherein the hole is threaded and the tool has a threaded end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method defined in claim 9 wherein the bone chips are obtained autologously from the patient.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method defined in claim 13 wherein the arms have free ends formed with inwardly directed holding formations, the chips including a bone plate fixed crosswise between the arms at the formations.
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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) | 2004-01-30 | 2004-07-31 | 2005-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-30 | 2008-07-31 | 2009-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-30 | 2012-07-31 | 2013-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |