Patent EP0547358A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6607558B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Artificial disc
Assignee: AXIOMED LLC
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Filing: 2001-07-03
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Granted: 2003-08-19
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Expires: 2021-07-03
Abstract
Abstract An artificial disc (10) to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column (16) includes a resilient core (60) having an upper surface (62) and a lower surface (64). An upper retaining member (20) has an outer surface (22) engageable with a first vertebra (12) of the spinal column (16) and an inner surface (24) affixed to the upper surface (62) of the resilient core (60). A lower retaining member (40) has an outer surface (42) engageable with a second vertebra (14) of the spinal column (16) and an inner surface (44) affixed to the lower surface (64) of the resilient core (60). One of the upper and lower retaining members (20, 40) has an opening (30, 50) extending through the outer and inner surfaces into which the resilient core (60) deflects upon relative movement of the upper and lower retaining members (20, 40).
Inventors
- 👤 James Michael Kuras
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30378; A61F2002/30448; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30563; A61F2/30767; A61F2002/30769; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30841; A61F2/4425; A61F2002/443; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2220/005; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An artificial disc to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column, said artificial disc comprising: a resilient core having an upper surface and a lower surface; an upper retaining member having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface permanently affixed to said upper surface of said resilient core; and a lower retaining member having an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface permantly affixed to said lower surface of said resilient core; one of said upper and lower retaining members having an opening extending through said outer and inner surfaces of said one of said upper and lower retaining members, into which said resilient core deflects.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
An artificial disc to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column, said artificial disc comprising: a resilient core having an upper surface and a lower surface; an upper retaining member having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface permanently affixed to said upper surface of said resilient core; and a lower retaining member having an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface permantly affixed to said lower surface of said resilient core; one of said upper and lower retaining members having an opening extending through said outer and inner surfaces of said one of said upper and lower retaining members, into which said resilient core deflects.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
An artificial disc as defined in claim 1 wherein said upper retaining member has an opening extending through aid inner and outer surfaces of said upper retaining member, aid lower retaining member having an opening extending through said inner and outer surfaces of said lower retaining member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
An artificial disc as defined in claim 2 wherein said resilient core deflects into said opening extending through said outer and inner surfaces of said upper retaining member upon relative movement between said upper an lower retaining member, said resilient core deflecting into said opening extending through said outer and inner surfaces of said lower retaining member upon relative movement between said upper and lower retaining members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An artificial disc as defined in claim 1 wherein sad opening extends axially through said one of said upper and lower retaining members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An artificial disc as defined in claim 1 wherein said upper and lower surfaces of said resilient core are convex and said inner surfaces of said upper and lower retaining members are concave.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An artificial disc as defined in claim 1 wherein said outer surfaces of said upper and lower retaining members are convex.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An artificial disc as defined in claim 6 wherein said inner surfaces of said upper and lower retaining members re concave, said upper and lower surfaces of said resilient core being convex.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
An artificial disc as defined in claim 1 further projections extending from said outer surfaces of aid upper and lower retaining members for engaging the first and second vertebrae.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
An artificial disc as defined in claim 1 wherein said resilient core is wedge-shaped.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
An artificial disc as defined in claim 1 wherein said resilient core is located adjacent said opening extending through aid outer and inner surfaces of said one of said upper and lower retaining members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
An artificial disc as defined in claim 1 wherein said upper surface of said resilient core is adhered to said inner surface of said upper retaining member, said lower surface of said resilient core being adhered to said inner surface of said lower retaining member.
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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) | 2006-08-18 | 2007-02-17 | 2007-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-08-18 | 2011-02-17 | 2011-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-08-18 | 2015-02-17 | 2015-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |