US6991653B2 — Vertebral body and disc space replacement devices

Claim 1

Independent Claim 100 words

A vertebral replacement device, comprising: a first member adapted for positioning in a spinal disc space and including a first end surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent vertebral body and an opposite second end surface; and a second member comprising an upper end including an upper end surface and a lower end including a lower end surface, said second end surface of said first member positionable adjacent one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface and engageable to said second member with a flexible engaging member extending between said second member and said first member.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 100 words

A vertebral replacement device, comprising: a first member adapted for positioning in a spinal disc space and including a first end surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent vertebral body and an opposite second end surface; and a second member comprising an upper end including an upper end surface and a lower end including a lower end surface, said second end surface of said first member positionable adjacent one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface and engageable to said second member with a flexible engaging member extending between said second member and said first member.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 78 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein: said first member includes a wall extending between said first end surface and said second end surface and a chamber opening at said second end surface; and said second member includes said flexible engaging member extending from said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface positionable in said chamber and engageable to said wall to resist axial movement of said first member away from said second member.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 58 words

The device of claim 2 , wherein said second member includes at least one extension extending from said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface, said at least one extension positionable in said chamber to resist rotation of said first member relative to said second member about a longitudinal axis of said second member.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 43 words

The device of claim 3 , wherein said wall of said first member includes a convexly curved portion, an opposite concavely curved portion, and a pair of opposite convexly curved end portions extending between said convexly curved portion and said concavely curved portion.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 41 words

The device of claim 4 , wherein said engaging member engages said convexly curved portion and said at least one extension comprises a pair of extensions positionable in said chamber and engageable to respective ones of said convexly curved end portions.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 71 words

The device of claim 5 , wherein said chamber comprises: a central chamber between convexly curved portion and said concavely curved portion of said wall; and a pair of end chambers adjacent respective ones of said convexly curved end portions of said wall, wherein said engaging member is positionable in said central chamber and said pair of extensions are each positionable in a respective one of said pair of end chambers.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 22 words

The device of claim 6 , wherein said pair of extensions are offset from said engaging member toward said concavely curved portion.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 46 words

The device of claim 2 , wherein said engaging member includes a post integrally formed with said second member and a protrusion extending from said post toward said wall at an end of said post opposite said one of said upper end and said lower end.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 27 words

The device of claim 8 , wherein said protrusion is positionable in an opening in said wall when said first member is engaged to said second member.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 25 words

The device of claim 8 , wherein said chamber includes a triangular shape and said post is positionable in an apex of said triangularly-shaped chamber.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 40 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface includes a first concave curvature and said second end surface includes a first convex curvature conforming to said first concave curvature.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 51 words

The device of claim 11 , wherein said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface includes a second concave curvature transverse to said first concave curvature and said second end surface includes a second convex curvature transverse to said first convex curvature to said second concave curvature.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 38 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface includes a substantially smooth surface profile and said second end surface includes at least one bearing surface bearing thereagainst.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 88 words

The device of claim 1 , further comprising a third member adapted for positioning in a spinal disc space and including a first end surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent vertebral body and an opposite second end surface, said second end surface of said third member positionable adjacent the other of said upper end surface and said lower end surface of said second member, said third member engageable to said second member with a flexible engaging member extending between said second member and said third member.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 66 words

The device of claim 14 , wherein each of said upper end surface and said lower end surface of said second member includes a first concave curvature and said second end surfaces of each of said first and third members includes a first convex curvature conforming to said first concave curvature of said adjacent upper end surface and said lower end surface of said second member.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 63 words

The device of claim 15 , wherein each of said upper end surface and said lower end surface of said second member includes a second concave curvature transverse to said first concave curvature and said second end surfaces of each of said first and third members includes a second convex curvature transverse to said first convex curvature conforming to said second concave curvature.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 69 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein: said flexible engaging member is adapted to resist displacement of said first and second members away from one another; and displacement of said first member and said second member toward one another is resisted by bearing contact between said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface of said second member with said second surface of said first member.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 55 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein: said first member includes a chamber extending therethrough opening at said first end surface and said second end surface; and said second member includes a chamber extending therethrough opening at said upper end surface and said lower end surface in communication with said chamber of said first member.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 116 words

The device of claim 18 , wherein: said first member includes an anterior wall, a posterior wall, and a pair of opposite end walls extending therebetween, said first member further comprising a pair of struts extending between said anterior wall and said posterior wall, said pair of struts dividing said chamber of said first member into three chambers; and said second member includes three chambers extending between and opening at said upper end surface and said lower end surface, each of said three chambers of said second member being aligned with and in communication with a respective one of said three chambers of said first member when said first member is engaged to said second member.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 161 words

The device of claim 19 , further comprising a third member adapted for positioning in a spinal disc space and including a first end surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent vertebral body and an opposite second end surface, said second end surface of said third member positionable adjacent the other of said upper end surface and said lower end surface of said second member and engageable to said second member with a flexible engaging member extending between said second member and said third member, said third member including an anterior wall, a posterior wall, and a pair of opposite end walls extending therebetween, said third member further comprising a pair of struts extending between said anterior wall and said posterior wall, said pair of struts dividing said chamber of said third member into three chambers each of which is alignable with a respective one of said three chambers of said second member when said third member is engaged thereto.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said first member and said second member each include a chamber and further comprising bone growth material in each of said chambers.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 42 words

The device of claim 21 , wherein said bone growth material includes one or more selected from group consisting of: bone morphogenetic protein, transforming growth factor β1, insulin-like growth factor 1, platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, and LIM mineralization protein (LMP).

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 34 words

The device of claim 21 , wherein said bone growth material is provided in a carrier having a form selected from the group consisting of: a sponge, a block, folded sheet, putty, and paste.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said first member and said second member each include a boomerang-shaped cross-section transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vertebral replacement device.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 35 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein the vertebral replacement device includes a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and said first member and said second member each include a kidney-shaped cross-section transverse to said longitudinal axis.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 35 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein the vertebral replacement device includes a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and said first member and said second member each include a rectangular-shaped cross-section transverse to said longitudinal axis.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 47 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said first member and said second member are comprised of resorbable material selected from the group consisting of: hard tissues, connective tissues, demineralized bone matrix, polylactide, polyglycolide, tyrosine-derived polycarbonate, polyanhydride, polyorthoester, polyphosphazene, calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, bioactive glass, and combinations thereof.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 47 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said first member and said second member are comprised of non-resorbable material selected from the group consisting of: non-reinforced polymers, carbon-reinforced polymer composites, PEEK, PEEK composites, shape-memory alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, cobalt chrome alloys, stainless steel, ceramics and combinations thereof.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 90 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein: said first member includes a wall extending between said first end surface and said second end surface, said wall extending about a chamber opening at said second end surface; and said at least one engaging member extends from said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface of said second member, said at least one engaging member positionable in said chamber and engageable to said second member to resist axial movement of said first member relative to said second member.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 63 words

The device of claim 29 , wherein said second member includes a pair of opposite flexible engaging members extending from said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface, each of said engaging members positionable in said chamber and engageable to said wall of said first member to resist axial movement of said first member relative to said second member.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 60 words

The device of claim 29 , further comprising at least one extension extending from said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface of said second member, said at least one extension positionable in said chamber to resist movement of said first member relative to said second member transversely to a longitudinal axis of said second member.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 36 words

The device of claim 31 , wherein said at least one extension comprises a pair of extensions opposite one another and positionable in said chamber to engage opposite ends of said wall of said first member.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 14 words

The device of claim 32 , wherein said pair of extensions are cylindrical posts.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 42 words

The device of claim 31 , wherein said wall of said first member includes concavely curved portions at opposite ends of said chamber, said pair of extensions each including a convex curvature adapted to engage said concavely curved portions of said wall.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 69 words

The device of claim 29 , wherein said chamber comprises a central chamber and a pair of end chambers on opposite sides of said middle chamber, wherein said engaging member is positionable in said central chamber and further comprising a pair of extensions extending from said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface, said extensions positionable in respective ones of said pair of end chambers.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 61 words

The device of claim 29 , wherein said at least one engaging member comprises a pair of engaging members, each engaging member being integrally formed with said second member and extending from said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface of said second member, each engaging member including a protrusion extending outwardly therefrom toward said first member.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 24 words

The device of claim 36 , wherein each of said protrusions includes a truncated portion tapering toward and outer end of said engaging member.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 43 words

The device of claim 36 , wherein each of said engaging members includes a plate-like tab integrally formed with said second member, said plate-like tab having a wall thickness that is less than a wall thickness of said second member adjacent said tab.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 62 words

The device of claim 36 , wherein each of said protrusions is located at an end of said engaging members opposite said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface, said engaging members extending through said chamber and said protrusion engaging said first end surface of said first member when said first member is engaged to said second member.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 48 words

The device of claim 36 , wherein each of said protrusions includes an engaging surface oriented toward said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface and a tapered surface opposite said engaging surface to facilitate passage of said first member over said engaging member.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 118 words

A vertebral replacement device, comprising: a first member adapted for positioning in a spinal disc space and including a first end surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent vertebral body and an opposite second end surface, wherein said second end surface is convexly curved; and a second member comprising an upper end including an upper end surface and a lower end including a lower end surface, said second end surface of said first member positionable adjacent one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface, said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface including a concave curvature adapted to bear against the convexly curved second end surface of said first member.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 118 words

A vertebral replacement device, comprising: a first member adapted for positioning in a spinal disc space and including a first end surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent vertebral body and an opposite second end surface, wherein said second end surface is convexly curved; and a second member comprising an upper end including an upper end surface and a lower end including a lower end surface, said second end surface of said first member positionable adjacent one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface, said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface including a concave curvature adapted to bear against the convexly curved second end surface of said first member.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 63 words

The device of claim 41 , wherein said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface of said second member is concavely curved between opposite end walls of said second member, and said second end surface of said first member is convexly curved between opposite end walls of said first member alignable with said end walls of said second member.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 35 words

The device of claim 42 , wherein said second member includes opposite side walls extending between said opposite end walls, said opposite side walls being at least twice as long as said opposite end walls.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 34 words

The device of claim 43 , wherein said opposite side walls of said second member are parallel to one another and said opposite end walls of said second member are parallel to one another.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 77 words

The device of claim 42 , wherein said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface of said second member is concavely curved between opposite side walls of said second member, said opposite side walls extending between said opposite end walls of said second member, and said second end surface of said first member is convexly curved between opposite side walls of said first member alignable with said side walls of said second member.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 63 words

The device of claim 41 , wherein said one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface of said second member is concavely curved between opposite side walls of said second member, and said second end surface of said first member is convexly curved between opposite side walls of said first member alignable with said side walls of said second member.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device of claim 41 , wherein said first member is engageable to said second member with a flexible engaging member extending between said second member and said first member.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 28 words

The device of claim 47 , wherein said engaging member resists movement of said first member away from said second member along a longitudinal axis of the device.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 42 words

The device of claim 48 , further comprising at least one extension extending between said first member and said second member adapted to resist movement of said first member relative to said second member transversely to the longitudinal axis of the device.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device of claim 41 , wherein said first end surface of said first member includes a convex curvature adapted to conform to the curvature of the adjacent vertebral endplate.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 25 words

The device of claim 50 , wherein said first end surface and said second end surface of said first member include the same convex curvature.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 88 words

The device of claim 41 , wherein said other of said upper end surface and said lower end surface includes a concave curvature and further comprising a third member adapted for positioning in spinal disc space and including a first end surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent vertebral body and an opposite second end surface, wherein said second end surface of said third member is convexly curved and positionable adjacent said other of said upper end surface and said lower end surface of said second member.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 34 words

The device of claim 52 , wherein said first end surface of each of said first and third members includes a convex curvature adapted to conform to the curvature of the adjacent vertebral endplate.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device of claim 53 , wherein said first end surface and said second end surface of each of said first and third members includes the same convex curvature.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device of claim 41 , wherein said first member and said second member include a rectangular cross-section transverse to said longitudinal axis.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device of claim 41 , wherein said first member and said second member include a boomerang-shaped cross-section transverse to said longitudinal axis.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device of claim 41 , wherein said first member and said second member include a kidney-shaped cross-section transverse to said longitudinal axis.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 186 words

A vertebral replacement system, comprising: a first vertebral replacement device, comprising: a disc replacement member having a first end surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent vertebral body and an opposite second end surface; a vertebral body member comprising an upper end including an upper end surface and a lower end including a lower end surface, said second end surface of said disc replacement member positionable adjacent one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface and engageable to said vertebral body member; a second vertebral replacement device, comprising: a disc replacement member having a first end surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent vertebral body and an opposite second end surface; a vertebral body member comprising an upper end including an upper end surface and a lower end including a lower end surface, said second end surface of said disc replacement member positionable adjacent one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface and engageable to said vertebral body member; and a connecting system extending between and securing said first vertebral replacement device to said second vertebral replacement device.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 186 words

A vertebral replacement system, comprising: a first vertebral replacement device, comprising: a disc replacement member having a first end surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent vertebral body and an opposite second end surface; a vertebral body member comprising an upper end including an upper end surface and a lower end including a lower end surface, said second end surface of said disc replacement member positionable adjacent one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface and engageable to said vertebral body member; a second vertebral replacement device, comprising: a disc replacement member having a first end surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent vertebral body and an opposite second end surface; a vertebral body member comprising an upper end including an upper end surface and a lower end including a lower end surface, said second end surface of said disc replacement member positionable adjacent one of said upper end surface and said lower end surface and engageable to said vertebral body member; and a connecting system extending between and securing said first vertebral replacement device to said second vertebral replacement device.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 49 words

The system of claim 58 , wherein said first vertebral replacement device and said second vertebral replacement device each include a flexible engaging member extending between said vertebral body member and said disc replacement member to secure said vertebral body member and said disc replacement member to one another.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system of claim 58 , wherein said connecting system includes at least one rod extending between and secured to adjacent side walls of said vertebral replacement devices.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 50 words

The system of claim 60 , wherein said connecting system includes at least one rod extending between said vertebral body members adjacent said upper ends of said vertebral body members and at least one rod extending between said vertebral body members adjacent said lower ends of said vertebral body member.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 39 words

The system of claim 58 , wherein said first and second vertebral replacement devices are secured to one another with a space therebetween, said space providing an avenue for bone growth between said first and second vertebral replacement devices.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 43 words

The system of claim 62 , wherein each of said first and second vertebral replacement devices include a chamber extending therethrough opening at upper and lower ends thereof, said chambers providing avenues for bone growth through said first and second vertebral replacement devices.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 34 words

The system of claim 58 , wherein said connecting system includes a pair of plates extending between and coupled to respective ones of opposite end walls of said first and second vertebral replacement devices.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 141 words

The system of claim 58 , wherein: said first vertebral replacement device further comprises a second disc replacement member having a first end surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent vertebral body and an opposite second end surface, said second disc replacement member engageable to said vertebral body member with said second end surface positionable adjacent the other of said upper end surface and said lower end surface of said vertebral body member; and said second vertebral replacement device comprises a second disc replacement member having a first end surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent vertebral body and an opposite second end surface, said second disc replacement member engageable to said vertebral body member with said second end surface positionable adjacent the other of said upper end surface and said lower end surface of said vertebral body member.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 134 words

A vertebral replacement device, comprising: a disc replacement member including a body comprising opposing end portions and opposing side walls extending between said opposing end portions, said body further including opposite upper and lower surfaces; and a vertebral body member removably engageable to said disc replacement member, said vertebral body member comprising a body including opposing end portions and opposing side walls extending between said opposing end portions, said body further including an end surface positionable against one of said upper and lower surfaces of said disc replacement member when engaged thereto, at least one of said side walls of said vertebral body member includes a flange projecting from said end surface and extending along an outer surface of an adjacent one of said side walls of said disc replacement member when engaged thereto.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 134 words

A vertebral replacement device, comprising: a disc replacement member including a body comprising opposing end portions and opposing side walls extending between said opposing end portions, said body further including opposite upper and lower surfaces; and a vertebral body member removably engageable to said disc replacement member, said vertebral body member comprising a body including opposing end portions and opposing side walls extending between said opposing end portions, said body further including an end surface positionable against one of said upper and lower surfaces of said disc replacement member when engaged thereto, at least one of said side walls of said vertebral body member includes a flange projecting from said end surface and extending along an outer surface of an adjacent one of said side walls of said disc replacement member when engaged thereto.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 46 words

The device of claim 66 , wherein each of said side walls of said vertebral body member includes a flange projecting from said end surface and extending along an outer surface of a corresponding one of said side walls of said disc replacement member engaged thereto.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 63 words

The device of claim 66 , wherein said vertebral body member further comprises a flexible engaging member extending from said end surface and positionable in a chamber of said disc replacement member, said one side wall of said disc replacement member being positioned between said flange and said engaging member of said vertebral body member when said disc replacement member is engaged thereto.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 116 words

The device of claim 66 , wherein: each of said side walls of said vertebral body member includes a flange projecting from said end surface and extending along an outer surface of a corresponding one of said side walls of said disc replacement member engaged thereto; and said vertebral body member further comprises a flexible engaging member extending from said end surface at each of said side walls of said vertebral body member and positionable in a chamber of said disc replacement member, said side walls of said disc replacement member being positioned between corresponding ones of said flanges and said engaging members of said vertebral body member when said disc replacement member is engaged thereto.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 57 words

The device of claim 69 , wherein: said vertebral body member further comprises a pair of extensions extending from said end surface at each of said end walls of said vertebral body member and positionable in said chamber of said disc replacement member, said extensions engaging adjacent ones of said end portions of said disc replacement member.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 140 words

The device of claim 66 , wherein: a second disc replacement member removably engageable to said vertebral body member opposite said disc replacement member, said second disc replacement member including a body comprising opposing end portions and opposing side walls extending between said opposing end portions, said body further including opposite upper and lower surfaces; and said body of said vertebral body member further including a second end surface opposite said end surface, said second end surface positionable against one of the upper and lower surfaces of said second disc replacement member when engaged thereto, at least one of said side walls of said vertebral body member includes a second flange projecting from said second end surface and extending along an outer surface of an adjacent one of said side walls of said second disc replacement member when engaged thereto.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 90 words

The device of claim 71 , wherein said vertebral body member further comprises a flexible engaging member extending from said end surface and a second flexible engaging member extending from said second end surface, each of said flexible engaging members positionable in a chamber of said disc replacement member engaged thereto, one of said side walls of each of said disc replacement members being positioned between respective ones of said flanges and said engaging members of said vertebral body member when said disc replacement members are engaged to one another.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2009-01-30	2009-08-01	2010-01-31	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2013-01-30	2013-08-01	2014-01-31	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2017-01-30	2017-08-01	2018-01-31	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Vertebral body and disc space replacement devices

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