Patent US6503279B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6503279B1
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US
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Intervertebral implant
Assignee: Synthes USA LLC
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Filing: 1996-09-04
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Granted: 2003-01-07
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Expires: 2016-09-04
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an intervertebral implant for fusion of vertebrae. The implant has top and bottom surfaces configured and dimensioned to contact end plates of the vertebrae and a jacket forming a side surface of the implant and having a three-dimensional texture for promoting initial stability. The implant is made of a porous ceramic material. The implant according to this invention is characterized in that upon primary fusion during the resorption process, it equalizes the distance (corresponding to intervertebral disk height) between two vertebrae while providing adequate fusion and is resorbed by the body after a certain amount of time.
Inventors
- 👤 John Webb
- 👤 Inga Maren Häfeli-Knothe
- 👤 Thomas Häfeli
- 👤 Alfred Benoit
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/50; A61L27/56; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/4465; A61F2/447; A61L27/02; A61L27/10; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2/442; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/3023; A61F2002/30235; A61F2002/30261; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/3082; A61F2002/30827; A61F2002/30828; A61F2002/30831; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30891; A61F2002/30892; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2230/0082; A61L2430/00; A61L2430/38; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S606/908; Y10S606/912
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
An intervertebral implant having a longitudinal axis for fusion of vertebrae comprising: the implant is made of a substantially pure porous ceramic material; top and bottom surfaces configured and dimensioned to contact end plates of the vertebrae; and an outer side surface of the implant substantially extending from the top surface to the bottom surface and having an additional three-dimensional texture for promoting initial stability.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
An intervertebral implant having a longitudinal axis for fusion of vertebrae comprising: the implant is made of a substantially pure porous ceramic material; top and bottom surfaces configured and dimensioned to contact end plates of the vertebrae; and an outer side surface of the implant substantially extending from the top surface to the bottom surface and having an additional three-dimensional texture for promoting initial stability.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein the implant has a substantially cylindrical shape extending along the longitudinal axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein the implant has a bore extending from the top surface to the bottom surface and forming an interior for receiving a bone grafting material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein the ceramic material has a porosity of less than about 30 vol. %.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein the ceramic material has a porosity of less than about 5 vol. %.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein pores of the ceramic material are open.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The implant of claim 6 wherein the pores have a width of less than about 100 μm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein at least one of the top and bottom surfaces has a plurality of grooves and ridges for promoting initial stability of the implant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein the implant has at least one hole for receiving a surgical instrument for manipulating the implant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein the jacket has walls with a thickness of at least about 6 mm for preventing penetration of the implant through the end plates.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein the ceramic material has a density of greater than about 2.8 g/cm 3 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein the ceramic material is polycrystalline.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein the ceramic material has an impurity content of less than about 3% by weight.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein the ceramic material has a compressive strength from about 400 MPa to about 600 MPa.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein the ceramic material is radiolucent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
91 words
An intervertebral implant for fusion of vertebrae comprising: the implant is made of a substantially pure ceramic material having a porosity of less than about 30 vol. % and pores of the ceramic material are open; top and bottom surfaces configured and dimensioned to contact end plates of the vertebrae; and an outer side surface of the implant substantially extending from the top surface to the bottom surface and having an additional three-dimensional texture for promoting initial stability, wherein at least one of the top and bottom surfaces is not planar.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
91 words
An intervertebral implant for fusion of vertebrae comprising: the implant is made of a substantially pure ceramic material having a porosity of less than about 30 vol. % and pores of the ceramic material are open; top and bottom surfaces configured and dimensioned to contact end plates of the vertebrae; and an outer side surface of the implant substantially extending from the top surface to the bottom surface and having an additional three-dimensional texture for promoting initial stability, wherein at least one of the top and bottom surfaces is not planar.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
74 words
An intervertebral implant for fusion of vertebrae comprising: a body made of a substantially pure porous ceramic material, the body having top and bottom surfaces configured and dimensioned to contact end plates of the vertebrae, and the body having an outer side surface substantially extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, wherein the outer side surface has an additional three-dimensional texture with a depth from about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
74 words
An intervertebral implant for fusion of vertebrae comprising: a body made of a substantially pure porous ceramic material, the body having top and bottom surfaces configured and dimensioned to contact end plates of the vertebrae, and the body having an outer side surface substantially extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, wherein the outer side surface has an additional three-dimensional texture with a depth from about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm.
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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) | 2006-01-06 | 2006-07-08 | 2007-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-01-06 | 2010-07-08 | 2011-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-01-06 | 2014-07-08 | 2015-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |