Patent US6610094B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6610094B2
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Intervertebral prosthesis
Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
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Filing: 2000-02-07
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Granted: 2003-08-26
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Expires: 2020-02-07
Abstract
Abstract The invention deals with an implant, in particular, an intervertebral prosthesis, which consists of an elongated elastic body which is form-elastic and takes on the form of a spiral S in the force-free state. The spiral can be drawn by a reverse winding up into an insertion instrument which is only unsubstantially larger in the insertion region than the cross-section of the elongated elastic body in order to reach the inner space of an intervertebral disc through a small opening in the annulus fibrosus and to push in and sever off the self-winding spiral when the interior is filled. This has the advantage that inner spaces of differing sizes can be filled with the same spiral.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Louis Husson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3201; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B2017/0046; A61B2017/00469; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/3008; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30225; A61F2002/30291; A61F2002/30293; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30565; A61F2002/30573; A61F2002/4415; A61F2002/444; A61F2002/4622; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4628; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2230/0091; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/0096; A61F2250/0098; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00023; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S606/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
An implant comprising an elongated, elastic body which is form-elastic and which takes on a form of a spiral in a force-free state, and comprising hydrogel members that are held in grooves at a bottom or at a side of the body and which follow the spiral, whereby hydrogel members that are affixed to the body in a dehydrated state have the possibility to enlarge their volume after implantation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
An implant comprising an elongated, elastic body which is form-elastic and which takes on a form of a spiral in a force-free state, and comprising hydrogel members that are held in grooves at a bottom or at a side of the body and which follow the spiral, whereby hydrogel members that are affixed to the body in a dehydrated state have the possibility to enlarge their volume after implantation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
An intervertebral prosthesis for replacement of a nucleus of an intervertebral disk, the prosthesis having an elongated elastic body, which is form-elastic and which rolls up by itself into a form of a plane, circular and form-fitted spiral in a force-free state; said body comprising a hydrogel apparatus for enlarging a height H of the spiral after implantation wherein the hydrogel apparatus comprises hydrogel members held in grooves at a bottom or at a side of the body and which follow the spiral.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
An intervertebral prosthesis for replacement of a nucleus of an intervertebral disk, the prosthesis having an elongated elastic body, which is form-elastic and which rolls up by itself into a form of a plane, circular and form-fitted spiral in a force-free state; said body comprising a hydrogel apparatus for enlarging a height H of the spiral after implantation wherein the hydrogel apparatus comprises hydrogel members held in grooves at a bottom or at a side of the body and which follow the spiral.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The prosthesis of claim 2 wherein the spiral comprises more than three coils.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The prosthesis of claim 2 wherein the hydrogel apparatus comprises hydrogel members extending at a bottom or at a top surface of the body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The prosthesis of claim 2 wherein a bond is provided between the hydrogel apparatus and the body.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-08-25 | 2007-02-24 | 2007-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-08-25 | 2011-02-24 | 2011-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-08-25 | 2015-02-24 | 2015-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |