US6368350B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Intervertebral disc prosthesis and method
Assignee: Zimmer Spine Inc
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Filing: 1999-03-11
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Granted: 2002-04-09
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Expires: 2019-03-11
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is directed to intervertebral prosthetic devices and methods. The intervertebral prosthetic devices and methods of the invention provides a variable instantaneous axis of rotation. In general, the disclosed devices include two bearing surfaces, a first bearing surface being curved and a second bearing surface being planar. In some embodiments, the curved bearing surface provides at least three degrees of rotational freedom and the planar bearing surface provides at least two degrees of translational freedom and one degree of rotational freedom. Several embodiments with varying degrees of rotational or translational freedom are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. Erickson
- 👤 Steven L. Griffith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/4425; A61F2/30767; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30113; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30354; A61F2002/30362; A61F2002/30364; A61F2002/30365; A61F2002/30367; A61F2002/30369; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30604; A61F2002/30616; A61F2002/30621; A61F2002/30649; A61F2002/30662; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30891; A61F2002/443; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0006; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00029; A61F2310/00161; A61F2310/00179; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/00952
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An intervertebral disc prosthesis for placement between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising: a first end member for contacting the first vertebra, said first end member having a first flat surface; a second end member for contacting the second vertebra, said second end member having a first curved surface, wherein said second end member has a central axis and said first curved surface has a central axis and said central axes are not coaxial; an intermediate member having an intermediate flat surface and an intermediate curved surface such that said intermediate flat surface coaptates with said first flat surface to provide at least two degrees of translational freedom and said intermediate curved surface coaptates with said first curved surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
An intervertebral disc prosthesis for placement between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising: a first end member for contacting the first vertebra, said first end member having a first flat surface; a second end member for contacting the second vertebra, said second end member having a first curved surface, wherein said second end member has a central axis and said first curved surface has a central axis and said central axes are not coaxial; an intermediate member having an intermediate flat surface and an intermediate curved surface such that said intermediate flat surface coaptates with said first flat surface to provide at least two degrees of translational freedom and said intermediate curved surface coaptates with said first curved surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said first curved surface is concave and said intermediate curved surface is convex.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said first curved surface is convex and said intermediate curved surface is concave.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate curved surface is spherical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate curved surface is ellipsoidal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 5 wherein when inserted between the adjacent vertebrae said ellipsoidal surface has a long axis which is parallel to a frontal plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate curved surface is cylindrical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said first flat surface includes a raised perimeter edge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said first and second end members each include a first and second contact surface, respectively, each of said contact surfaces having an anchoring arrangement for attaching said prosthesis to the vertebrae.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 9 wherein said anchoring arrangement includes at least one spike.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said prosthesis includes bores for passing screws for anchoring said prosthesis to said first and second vertebrae.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said prosthesis includes cobalt/chromium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said prosthesis includes plastic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said prosthesis includes ceramic.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said prosthesis includes graphite.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The intervertebral disc prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein said first flat surface, first curved surface, intermediate flat surface and intermediate curved surface include cobalt/chromium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
103 words
An intervertebral prosthetic device for placement between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising: a first end piece for engaging said first vertebra; a second end piece for engaging said second vertebra; and a center piece which fits between said first and second end pieces, said center piece providing a variable instantaneous axis of rotation and including a curved surface and a flat surface such that between said first end piece and said flat surface of said center piece, said device can rotate around an axis oriented perpendicular to said flat surface, wherein said curved surface of said center piece is cylindrical or ellipsoidal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
103 words
An intervertebral prosthetic device for placement between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising: a first end piece for engaging said first vertebra; a second end piece for engaging said second vertebra; and a center piece which fits between said first and second end pieces, said center piece providing a variable instantaneous axis of rotation and including a curved surface and a flat surface such that between said first end piece and said flat surface of said center piece, said device can rotate around an axis oriented perpendicular to said flat surface, wherein said curved surface of said center piece is cylindrical or ellipsoidal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The intervertebral prosthesis device according to claim 17 wherein said curved surface is ellipsoidal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The intervertebral prosthesis device according to claim 17 wherein said curved surface and flat surface includes cobalt/chromium.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
73 words
An intervertebral prosthetic device for placement between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising: a first end piece for engaging said first vertebra; a second end piece for engaging said second vertebra; and a center piece which fits between said first and second end pieces, said center piece providing at least two degrees of linear translational freedom during vertebral rotation, wherein said first end piece comprises a flat surface having a raised perimeter edge.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
73 words
An intervertebral prosthetic device for placement between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising: a first end piece for engaging said first vertebra; a second end piece for engaging said second vertebra; and a center piece which fits between said first and second end pieces, said center piece providing at least two degrees of linear translational freedom during vertebral rotation, wherein said first end piece comprises a flat surface having a raised perimeter edge.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The intervertebral prosthetic device according to claim 20 wherein said device provides at least three degrees of rotational freedom and at least two degrees of translational freedom.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
62 words
A non-compressible intervertebral disc device for placement between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising: a first bearing surface providing at least one degree of rotational freedom, wherein said first bearing surface is cylindrical or ellipsoidal; a second bearing surface providing at least one degree of linear translational freedom and rotational freedom around an axis passing through said first and second bearing surfaces.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
62 words
A non-compressible intervertebral disc device for placement between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising: a first bearing surface providing at least one degree of rotational freedom, wherein said first bearing surface is cylindrical or ellipsoidal; a second bearing surface providing at least one degree of linear translational freedom and rotational freedom around an axis passing through said first and second bearing surfaces.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The intervertebral disc device according to claim 22 wherein said first bearing surface provides at least three degrees of rotational freedom.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The intervertebral disc device according to claim 22 wherein said second bearing surface provides at least two degrees of linear translational freedom.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
71 words
A non-compressible intervertebral disc device for placement between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising: a first bearing surface, a second bearing surface providing a variable instantaneous axis of rotation and at least one degree of rotational freedom at each of said first and second bearing surfaces around an axis passed through said first and second bearing surfaces, at least one of said first and second bearing surfaces being cylindrical or ellipsoidal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
71 words
A non-compressible intervertebral disc device for placement between first and second adjacent vertebrae, comprising: a first bearing surface, a second bearing surface providing a variable instantaneous axis of rotation and at least one degree of rotational freedom at each of said first and second bearing surfaces around an axis passed through said first and second bearing surfaces, at least one of said first and second bearing surfaces being cylindrical or ellipsoidal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The non-compressible intervertebral disc device according to claim 25 wherein said second bearing surface provides at least one degree of translational freedom.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for providing intervertebral mobility between adjacent first and second vertebrae comprising a step of: inserting into an intervertebral space between said adjacent first and second vertebrae a non-compressible prosthetic device having at least two degrees of translational freedom which provides a variable instantaneous axis of rotation, wherein said non-compressible prosthetic device comprises a first end piece for engaging said first vertebra; a second end piece for engaging said second vertebra; and a center piece which fits between said first and second end pieces, said center piece providing a variable instantaneous axis of rotation and including a curved surface and a flat surface such that between said first end piece and said flat surface of said center piece, said device can rotate around an axis oriented perpendicular to said flat surface, wherein said curved surface of said center piece is cylindrical or ellipsoidal.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for providing intervertebral mobility between adjacent first and second vertebrae comprising a step of: inserting into an intervertebral space between said adjacent first and second vertebrae a non-compressible prosthetic device having at least two degrees of translational freedom which provides a variable instantaneous axis of rotation, wherein said non-compressible prosthetic device comprises a first end piece for engaging said first vertebra; a second end piece for engaging said second vertebra; and a center piece which fits between said first and second end pieces, said center piece providing a variable instantaneous axis of rotation and including a curved surface and a flat surface such that between said first end piece and said flat surface of said center piece, said device can rotate around an axis oriented perpendicular to said flat surface, wherein said curved surface of said center piece is cylindrical or ellipsoidal.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for providing intervertebral mobility between adjacent first and second vertebrae comprising a step of: inserting into an intervertebral space between said adjacent first and second vertebrae a non-compressible prosthetic device which provides at least two degrees of translational mobility between said adjacent vertebrae during rotation, wherein said non-compressible prosthetic device comprises a first end piece for engaging said first vertebra; a second end piece for engaging said second vertebra; and a center piece which fits between said first and second end pieces, said center piece providing a variable instantaneous axis of rotation and including a curved surface and a flat surface such that between said first end piece and said flat surface of said center piece, said device can rotate around an axis perpendicular to said flat surface, wherein said curved surface of said center piece is cylindrical or ellipsoidal.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for providing intervertebral mobility between adjacent first and second vertebrae comprising a step of: inserting into an intervertebral space between said adjacent first and second vertebrae a non-compressible prosthetic device which provides at least two degrees of translational mobility between said adjacent vertebrae during rotation, wherein said non-compressible prosthetic device comprises a first end piece for engaging said first vertebra; a second end piece for engaging said second vertebra; and a center piece which fits between said first and second end pieces, said center piece providing a variable instantaneous axis of rotation and including a curved surface and a flat surface such that between said first end piece and said flat surface of said center piece, said device can rotate around an axis perpendicular to said flat surface, wherein said curved surface of said center piece is cylindrical or ellipsoidal.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for providing intervertebral mobility between adjacent first and second vertebrae comprising a step of: inserting into an intervertebral space between said adjacent first and second vertebrae a non-compressible prosthetic device having a first bearing surface and a second bearing surface wherein said second bearing surface provides translational freedom in an anterior/posterior direction and in a lateral direction and said translational freedom is confined by a raised perimeter edge, wherein said non-compressible prosthetic device comprises a first end piece for engaging said first vertebra; a second end piece for engaging said second vertebra; and a center piece which fits between said first and second end pieces, said center piece providing a variable instantaneous axis of rotation and including a curved surface and a flat surface such that between said first end piece and said flat surface of said center piece, wherein said curved surface of said center piece is cylindrical or ellipsoidal.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for providing intervertebral mobility between adjacent first and second vertebrae comprising a step of: inserting into an intervertebral space between said adjacent first and second vertebrae a non-compressible prosthetic device having a first bearing surface and a second bearing surface wherein said second bearing surface provides translational freedom in an anterior/posterior direction and in a lateral direction and said translational freedom is confined by a raised perimeter edge, wherein said non-compressible prosthetic device comprises a first end piece for engaging said first vertebra; a second end piece for engaging said second vertebra; and a center piece which fits between said first and second end pieces, said center piece providing a variable instantaneous axis of rotation and including a curved surface and a flat surface such that between said first end piece and said flat surface of said center piece, wherein said curved surface of said center piece is cylindrical or ellipsoidal.
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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) | 2005-04-08 | 2005-10-08 | 2006-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-04-08 | 2009-10-08 | 2010-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-04-08 | 2013-10-08 | 2014-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |