US6468311B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Modular interbody fusion implant
Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc
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Filing: 2001-01-22
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Granted: 2002-10-22
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Expires: 2021-01-22
Abstract
Abstract An interbody fusion device for engagement between vertebrae includes a pair of lateral spacers for spacing the vertebrae, and a connecting member adapted to couple together the lateral spacers when inserted between the vertebrae. The connecting member, individual lateral spacers, or the entire spinal spacer can be made of bone in order to promote fusion of the vertebrae. The modular construction permits use of bone segments otherwise unsuitable due to size or strength in stable fusion devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence M. Boyd
- 👤 Eddie F. Ray, III
- 👤 Jeffrey Kozak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/28; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/442; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/30004; A61F2002/30057; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30131; A61F2002/30133; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30383; A61F2002/30387; A61F2002/30448; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/30507; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30604; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/3082; A61F2002/30827; A61F2002/30828; A61F2002/30831; A61F2002/30904; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/4485; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/005; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0013; A61F2230/0015; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0014
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A spinal spacer for engagement between vertebrae, comprising: a pair of lateral spacers made of bone remnant for spacing the vertebrae, wherein each of said lateral spacers has a medial side, an arcuate lateral side, beveled edges, and a pair of grooved vertebrae engaging surfaces adapted to engage the vertebrae, wherein a portion of said medial side is defined by a medullary canal wall, wherein said medial side has a channel with an angled end face defined therein, and wherein said channel has a dovetail cross-sectional profile; and a connecting member made of bone, wherein said connecting member has a pair of rails engaged with said channels of said lateral spacers, wherein said rails have a dovetail cross-sectional profile, wherein said connecting member has beveled edges, wherein said connecting member has a pair of grooved vertebrae engaging surfaces, wherein said connecting member has a portion of a medullary canal defined therein, wherein said medullary canal has an opening at both of said grooved vertebrae engaging surfaces, and wherein said connecting member has a central guide bore defined therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A spinal spacer for engagement between vertebrae, comprising: a pair of lateral spacers made of bone remnant for spacing the vertebrae, wherein each of said lateral spacers has a medial side, an arcuate lateral side, beveled edges, and a pair of grooved vertebrae engaging surfaces adapted to engage the vertebrae, wherein a portion of said medial side is defined by a medullary canal wall, wherein said medial side has a channel with an angled end face defined therein, and wherein said channel has a dovetail cross-sectional profile; and a connecting member made of bone, wherein said connecting member has a pair of rails engaged with said channels of said lateral spacers, wherein said rails have a dovetail cross-sectional profile, wherein said connecting member has beveled edges, wherein said connecting member has a pair of grooved vertebrae engaging surfaces, wherein said connecting member has a portion of a medullary canal defined therein, wherein said medullary canal has an opening at both of said grooved vertebrae engaging surfaces, and wherein said connecting member has a central guide bore defined therein.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of manufacturing a spinal spacer, comprising: obtaining a first piece of bone having a first medial side with a portion thereof defined by a first medullary canal portion, and a first lateral side; defining a first coupling structure on said first medial side; obtaining a second piece of bone having a second medial side with a portion thereof defined by a second medullary canal portion, and a second lateral side; defining a second coupling structure on said second medial side; obtaining a third piece of bone with at least a portion of a medullary canal defined therein; and defining a pair of rails in the third piece of bone such that the pair of rails are adapted to engage the first and second coupling structures.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of manufacturing a spinal spacer, comprising: obtaining a first piece of bone having a first medial side with a portion thereof defined by a first medullary canal portion, and a first lateral side; defining a first coupling structure on said first medial side; obtaining a second piece of bone having a second medial side with a portion thereof defined by a second medullary canal portion, and a second lateral side; defining a second coupling structure on said second medial side; obtaining a third piece of bone with at least a portion of a medullary canal defined therein; and defining a pair of rails in the third piece of bone such that the pair of rails are adapted to engage the first and second coupling structures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising: shaping a first pair of grooved vertebrae engaging surfaces on the first piece of bone; shaping a second pair of grooved vertebrae engaging surfaces on the second piece of bone; and shaping a third pair of grooved vertebrae engaging surfaces on the third piece of bone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3 , further comprising: beveling the first lateral side of the first piece of bone; and beveling the second lateral side of the second piece of bone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein: the first medial side has a posterior end and an anterior end; the first medullary canal portion defines a concave surface between the posterior end and the anterior end; and said defining the first coupling structure includes forming a channel that is interrupted by the concave surface between the posterior end and the anterior end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
A spinal implant for engagement between vertebrae, comprising: a pair of lateral spacers formed of bone for spacing the vertebrae, said lateral spacers each having upper and lower vertebrae engaging surfaces adapted to engage the vertebrae, said lateral spacers each having opposite lateral and medial sides disposed between said upper and lower vertebrae engaging surfaces, wherein at least a portion of one of said medial sides is defined by at least a portion of a medullary canal wall; and a connecting member separate constructed and arranged to couple together said lateral spacers at said medial sides when inserted between the vertebrae.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
A spinal implant for engagement between vertebrae, comprising: a pair of lateral spacers formed of bone for spacing the vertebrae, said lateral spacers each having upper and lower vertebrae engaging surfaces adapted to engage the vertebrae, said lateral spacers each having opposite lateral and medial sides disposed between said upper and lower vertebrae engaging surfaces, wherein at least a portion of one of said medial sides is defined by at least a portion of a medullary canal wall; and a connecting member separate constructed and arranged to couple together said lateral spacers at said medial sides when inserted between the vertebrae.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The implant of claim 6 , wherein said connecting member has a pair of rails, and wherein each of said medial sides of said lateral spacers has a channel defined therein to engage said rails.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The implant of claim 7 , wherein: said lateral spacers each has a posterior end and an anterior end; and said anterior end defines an anterior end wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The implant of claim 8 , wherein: said medullary canal wall defines a concave medial surface; and said channel is interrupted by said concave medial surface and resumes at said posterior end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The implant of claim 9 , wherein said channel includes an angular end face at said posterior end to act as a stopper for said rails of said connecting member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The implant of claim 10 , wherein said lateral sides each has a convex arcuate shape to coincide with an apophysis ring of the vertebrae.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The implant of claim 11 , wherein: said lateral spacers have first beveled edges between said lateral sides and said upper vertebrae engaging surfaces; and said lateral spacers have second beveled edges between said lateral sides and said lower vertebrae engaging surfaces.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
63 words
The implant of claim 12 , wherein: said lateral spacers each has a lateral most height at a maximum point of curvature of said convex arcuate shape; said lateral spacers each has a maximum height at a juncture between said medial sides and said anterior end wall; and said lateral spacers increase in height from said lateral most height to said maximum height.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The implant of claim 13 , wherein said lateral spacers increase in height in a non-linear fashion from said lateral most height to said maximum height.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The implant of claim 14 , wherein said connecting member is made of bone with a second medullary canal defining a central opening to receive bone graft material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The implant of claim 15 , wherein said central connecting member defines a guide bore adapted to engage an insertion tool, said guide bore being in communication with said central opening to act as an injection port after insertion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The implant of claim 16 , further comprising: a second connecting member made of bone, wherein said second connecting member is adapted to couple together said lateral spacers when inserted between the vertebrae.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 17 , wherein said upper and lower vertebrae engaging surfaces are grooved.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The implant of claim 18 , wherein said lateral spacers are made from remnants of bone discarded during fabrication of other implants.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The implant of claim 19 , wherein said channel has a dovetail cross section.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The spinal implant of claim 20 , wherein both of said lateral spacers have said medial sides defined by said medullary canal wall.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The implant of claim 6 , wherein said lateral spacers are made from bone remnants from fabrication of other implants.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The spinal implant of claim 6 , wherein both of said lateral spacers have said medial sides defined by said medullary canal wall.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The implant of claim 23 , wherein said connecting member has a pair of rails, and wherein each of said medial sides of said lateral spacers has a channel defined therein to engage said rails.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
The implant of claim 24 , wherein: said lateral spacers each has a posterior end and an anterior end; said medullary canal wall defines a concave medial surface; and said channel is interrupted by said concave medial surface and resumes at said posterior end.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The implant of claim 25 , wherein said channel includes an angular end face at said posterior end to act as a stopper for said rails of said connecting member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The implant of claim 23 , wherein: said medullary canal wall defines concave medial surfaces in said medial sides; and said lateral sides each has a convex arcuate shape to coincide with an apophysis ring of the vertebrae.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
46 words
The implant of claim 6 , wherein: said lateral spacers each has a posterior end and an anterior end; said medial sides each defines concave medial surface; and said lateral sides each defines a convex arcuate shape to coincide with an apophysis ring of the vertebrae.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
69 words
The implant of claim 28 , wherein: said lateral spacers each has a lateral most height at a maximum point of curvature of said convex arcuate shape; said lateral spacers each has a maximum height at a juncture between said medial sides and said anterior end wall of each of said lateral spacers; and said lateral spacers increase in height from said lateral most height to said maximum height.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The implant of claim 29 , wherein said lateral spacers increase in height in a non-linear fashion from said lateral most height to said maximum height.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The implant of claim 6 , wherein said connecting member is made of bone with a second medullary canal defining a central opening to receive bone graft material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The implant of claim 6 , further comprising: a second connecting member made of bone, wherein said second connecting member is adapted to couple together said lateral spacers when inserted between the vertebrae.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 6 , wherein said upper and lower vertebrae engaging surfaces are grooved.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
The implant of claim 6 , wherein: said connecting member defines a pair of channels; and said lateral spacers define rails at said medial sides adapted to engage said channels.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The implant of claim 6 , further comprising screws to secure said lateral spacers to said connecting member.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
105 words
A spinal implant for engagement between vertebrae, comprising: a connecting member made of bone remnant with a medullary canal defining a central opening to receive bone graft material; and a pair of lateral spacers each having upper and lower vertebrae engaging surfaces adapted to engage the vertebrae, said lateral spacers each having opposite lateral and medial sides disposed between said upper and lower vertebrae engaging surfaces, wherein said medial sides are adapted to connect to said connecting member, said medial sides each defines concave medial surface, and said lateral sides each defines a convex arcuate shape to coincide with an apophysis ring of the vertebrae.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
105 words
A spinal implant for engagement between vertebrae, comprising: a connecting member made of bone remnant with a medullary canal defining a central opening to receive bone graft material; and a pair of lateral spacers each having upper and lower vertebrae engaging surfaces adapted to engage the vertebrae, said lateral spacers each having opposite lateral and medial sides disposed between said upper and lower vertebrae engaging surfaces, wherein said medial sides are adapted to connect to said connecting member, said medial sides each defines concave medial surface, and said lateral sides each defines a convex arcuate shape to coincide with an apophysis ring of the vertebrae.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
36 words
The implant of claim 36 , wherein: said lateral spacers are made of bone remnant; and said concave medial surface of both of said lateral spacers includes at least a portion of a second medullary canal.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
The implant of claim 36 , wherein said connecting member has a pair of rails, and wherein each of said medial sides of said lateral spacers has a channel defined therein to engage said rails.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The implant of claim 36 , wherein said bone remnant used to make said connecting member lacks sufficient size to contact the apophysis ring of the vertebrae.
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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) | 2005-10-21 | 2006-04-22 | 2006-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-21 | 2010-04-22 | 2010-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-21 | 2014-04-22 | 2014-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |