US6669729B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for the replacement of posterior vertebral elements
Assignee: Lesfacets LLC
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Filing: 2003-02-11
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Granted: 2003-12-30
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Expires: 2023-02-11
Abstract
Abstract An orthopedic implantable device articulately connects a first spinal vertebra to an adjacent second spinal vertebra along the midline of the first and second vertebrae or along an axis medial to the facets. The device includes a first component having a male articulation member and a second component having a female articulation member. The first and second components are adapted to be attached to posterior locations of the first and the second vertebrae, respectively. The first component is articulately connected to the second component by engaging the male articulation member to the female articulation member or vice versa. The articulation mechanisms may be a hook and loop or a hinge. First and second components are configured to replace the natural lamina, spinous process, pars interarticularis, and/or facets of the corresponding first and second vertebrae.
Inventors
- 👤 Kingsley Richard Chin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4405; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7062; A61B17/7064; A61F2/28; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00035; A61F2310/00071; A61F2310/00179; A61F2310/00359; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S606/908; Y10S606/909; Y10S606/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
An orthopedic implantable device articulately connecting a first spinal vertebra to an adjacent second spinal vertebra wherein each spinal vertebra comprises a vertebral body, a pair of pedicles extending posteriorly from said vertebral body, a lamina extending from said pedicles, a pair of superior facets extending from said pedicles, a pair of inferior facets extending from said lamina, a pair of pars interarticularis connecting superior and inferior facets, a spinous process extending from said lamina and a pair of transverse processes extending from said pedicles comprising: a first component adapted to be attached to a posterior location of said first vertebra; a second component adapted to be attached to a posterior location of said second vertebra; and wherein said first component comprises a body and at least one male articulation member attached to said first component body and said second component comprises a body and at least one female articulation member attached to said second component body and wherein said first component is articulately connected to said second component by engaging said at least one male articulation member to said at least one female articulation member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
An orthopedic implantable device articulately connecting a first spinal vertebra to an adjacent second spinal vertebra wherein each spinal vertebra comprises a vertebral body, a pair of pedicles extending posteriorly from said vertebral body, a lamina extending from said pedicles, a pair of superior facets extending from said pedicles, a pair of inferior facets extending from said lamina, a pair of pars interarticularis connecting superior and inferior facets, a spinous process extending from said lamina and a pair of transverse processes extending from said pedicles comprising: a first component adapted to be attached to a posterior location of said first vertebra; a second component adapted to be attached to a posterior location of said second vertebra; and wherein said first component comprises a body and at least one male articulation member attached to said first component body and said second component comprises a body and at least one female articulation member attached to said second component body and wherein said first component is articulately connected to said second component by engaging said at least one male articulation member to said at least one female articulation member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The orthopedic implantable device of claim 1 wherein said first component is articulately connected to said second component along a posterior midline of said first and second vertebrae.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The orthopedic implantable device of claim 1 wherein said first component is articulately connected to said second component along an axis medial to said facets of said vertebrae.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The orthopedic implantable device of claim 1 wherein said at least one male articulation member comprises a hook and said at least one female articulation member comprises a loop.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The orthopedic implantable device of claim 1 wherein said first component body further comprises at least one female articulation member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The orthopedic implantable device of claim 1 wherein said second component body further comprises at least one male articulation member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The orthopedic implantable device of claim 1 wherein said posterior locations of said first and second vertebrae are selected from a group consisting of a pedicle, transverse processes, facets, pars interarticularis, intervertebral disc, lamina, and vertebral body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The orthopedic implantable device of claim 1 wherein said body of said first component is attached to first and second pedicles of said first vertebra and said body of said second component is attached to first and second pedicles of said second vertebra, respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The orthopedic implantable device of claim 1 wherein said first and second components are attached to said first and second vertebrae, respectively, via connectors selected from a group consisting of screws, wires, and hooks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The orthopedic implantable device of claim 1 wherein said first component is articulately connected to said second component via a hinge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The orthopedic implantable device of claim 1 wherein said first and second components have adjustable width.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The orthopedic implantable device of claim 11 wherein said width of said first and second components can be adjusted between 20 and 80 millimeters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The orthopedic implantable device of claim 1 wherein said first or second vertebrae are selected from a group consisting of cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacrum vertebrae.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
153 words
An orthopedic implantable device articulately connecting a plurality of individual vertebrae, wherein said vertebrae are adjacent to each other and form a segment of a spinal column, comprising: a plurality of individual components, wherein each component is adapted to be attached to a posterior location of an individual vertebra; and wherein each of said individual components comprises a body, at least one female articulation member formed within said body, and at least one male articulation member attached to said body: wherein each of said individual components is articulately connected to an adjacent inferior component by engaging its said at least one male articulation member to said at least one female articulation member of said inferior component; and wherein each of said individual components is articulately connected to an adjacent superior component by engaging its said at least one female articulation member to said at least one male articulation member of said superior component.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
153 words
An orthopedic implantable device articulately connecting a plurality of individual vertebrae, wherein said vertebrae are adjacent to each other and form a segment of a spinal column, comprising: a plurality of individual components, wherein each component is adapted to be attached to a posterior location of an individual vertebra; and wherein each of said individual components comprises a body, at least one female articulation member formed within said body, and at least one male articulation member attached to said body: wherein each of said individual components is articulately connected to an adjacent inferior component by engaging its said at least one male articulation member to said at least one female articulation member of said inferior component; and wherein each of said individual components is articulately connected to an adjacent superior component by engaging its said at least one female articulation member to said at least one male articulation member of said superior component.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
112 words
An orthopedic implantable component adapted to replace a posterior element of a vertebra, wherein the vertebra comprises a vertebral body, a pair of pedicles extending posteriorly from said vertebral body, a lamina extending from said pedicles, a pair of superior facets extending from said pedicles, a pair of inferior facets extending from said lamina, a pair of pars interarticularis connecting superior and inferior facets, a spinous process extending from said lamina and a pair of transverse processes extending from said pedicles comprising: a body adapted to be attached to a posterior location of said vertebra; a male articulation member extending from said body; and a female articulation member formed within said body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
112 words
An orthopedic implantable component adapted to replace a posterior element of a vertebra, wherein the vertebra comprises a vertebral body, a pair of pedicles extending posteriorly from said vertebral body, a lamina extending from said pedicles, a pair of superior facets extending from said pedicles, a pair of inferior facets extending from said lamina, a pair of pars interarticularis connecting superior and inferior facets, a spinous process extending from said lamina and a pair of transverse processes extending from said pedicles comprising: a body adapted to be attached to a posterior location of said vertebra; a male articulation member extending from said body; and a female articulation member formed within said body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The orthopedic implantable component of claim 15 wherein said body is configured to replace said lamina, said spinous process, said pars interarticularis, and said superior and inferior facets of said vertebra.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The orthopedic implantable component of claim 15 wherein said male articulation member comprises a hook.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The orthopedic implantable component of claim 15 wherein said female articulation member comprises a bar connecting opposite sides of a cavity formed within a bottom surface of said body.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The orthopedic implantable component of claim 15 wherein said body is attached to said pedicles of said vertebra.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The orthopedic implantable component of claim 19 wherein said body is attached to said pedicles via screws threaded through apertures formed in said body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The orthopedic implantable component of claim 20 wherein said screws comprise a material selected from a group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, gold, silver, alloys thereof, plastic, absorbable and biodegradable material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The orthopedic implantable component of claim 20 comprising a material selected from a group consisting of metal, plastic, ceramic, bone, polymers, composites, absorbable material, biodegradable material, and combinations thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
113 words
A spine stabilization method articulately connecting a first vertebra to a second vertebra comprising: providing a first component wherein said first component comprises a body and at least one male articulation member attached to said first component body; attaching said first component to a posterior location of said first vertebra; providing a second component wherein said second component comprises a body and at least one female articulation member attached to said second component body; attaching said second component to a posterior location of said second vertebra; and articulately connecting said first component to said second component by engaging said at least one male articulation member to said at least one female articulation member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
113 words
A spine stabilization method articulately connecting a first vertebra to a second vertebra comprising: providing a first component wherein said first component comprises a body and at least one male articulation member attached to said first component body; attaching said first component to a posterior location of said first vertebra; providing a second component wherein said second component comprises a body and at least one female articulation member attached to said second component body; attaching said second component to a posterior location of said second vertebra; and articulately connecting said first component to said second component by engaging said at least one male articulation member to said at least one female articulation member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The spine stabilization method of claim 23 wherein said first and second components are attached to said posterior locations of said first and second vertebra, respectively, via screws.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The spine stabilization method of claim 23 wherein said first and second components are attached to said posterior locations of said first and second vertebra, respectively, via hooks.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The spine stabilization method of claim 23 wherein said first component is articulately connected to said second component along a posterior midline of said first and second vertebrae.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The spine stabilization method of claim 23 wherein said first component is articulately connected to said second component along an axis medial to said facets of said vertebrae.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
164 words
A spine stabilization method connecting a first vertebra to a second vertebra comprising: attaching first and second screws to first and second locations, respectively, of said first vertebra; attaching third and fourth screws to first and second locations, respectively, of said second vertebra; providing a first component comprising a body and at least one male articulation member attached to said first component body and a second components comprising a body and at least one female articulation member attached to said second component body and articulately connecting said first component to said second component by engaging said at least one male articulation member to said at least one female articulation member; attaching said body of said first component to said first and second locations of said first vertebra via said first and second screws, respectively; attaching said body of said second component to said first and second locations of said second vertebra via said third and fourth screws, respectively; and tightening of all said screws.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
164 words
A spine stabilization method connecting a first vertebra to a second vertebra comprising: attaching first and second screws to first and second locations, respectively, of said first vertebra; attaching third and fourth screws to first and second locations, respectively, of said second vertebra; providing a first component comprising a body and at least one male articulation member attached to said first component body and a second components comprising a body and at least one female articulation member attached to said second component body and articulately connecting said first component to said second component by engaging said at least one male articulation member to said at least one female articulation member; attaching said body of said first component to said first and second locations of said first vertebra via said first and second screws, respectively; attaching said body of said second component to said first and second locations of said second vertebra via said third and fourth screws, respectively; and tightening of all said screws.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The spine fixation method of claim 28 further comprising before attaching said bodies of said first and second components adjusting the width of said bodies of said first and second components.
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) | 2006-12-29 | 2007-06-30 | 2007-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-29 | 2011-06-30 | 2011-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-29 | 2015-06-30 | 2015-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |