US6994727B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Total disc implant
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 2003-12-15
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Granted: 2006-02-07
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Expires: 2023-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A total disc implant (TDI) is provided for total replacement of a spinal disc or discs in a human patient or other mammal, wherein the TDI is designed to maintain a substantially full range of natural motion (ROM) following implantation. The TDI generally comprises, in one preferred form, upper and lower end plates for affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies, with an intervening insert disposed therebetween. The end plates each include elongated part-cylindrical surfaces oriented generally perpendicular to each other, with one of said surfaces extending in an anterior-posterior direction and the other extending in a medial-lateral direction. The intervening insert defines concave upper and lower part-cylindrical seats oriented for respectively engaging these part-cylindrical surfaces, wherein these part-cylindrical seats are defined by offset radii to include a somewhat flattened central base region merging smoothly with upwardly curving radiused sides.
Inventors
- 👤 Ashok C. Khandkar
- 👤 Darrel S. Brodke
- 👤 Ramaswamy Lakshminarayanan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/4425; A61F2/30767; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30301; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30362; A61F2002/30364; A61F2002/30365; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30604; A61F2002/30616; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30934; A61F2002/443; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2230/0095; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00029; A61F2310/00179; A61F2310/00299; A61F2310/00317; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A disc implant, comprising: a pair of end plates for affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies; and a bearing component formed respectively on each of said end plates and together respectively defining a pair of elongated bearing surfaces each having a generally part-circular cross sectional shape and at least one of said bearing surfaces further including laterally spaced-apart, offset radii defined by a generally flattened base segment interposed between a pair of curved sides, said bearing surfaces facing each other and extending generally on orthogonal axes relative to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A disc implant, comprising: a pair of end plates for affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies; and a bearing component formed respectively on each of said end plates and together respectively defining a pair of elongated bearing surfaces each having a generally part-circular cross sectional shape and at least one of said bearing surfaces further including laterally spaced-apart, offset radii defined by a generally flattened base segment interposed between a pair of curved sides, said bearing surfaces facing each other and extending generally on orthogonal axes relative to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The disc implant of claim 1 wherein one of said bearing surfaces extends generally in an anterior-posterior direction, and the other of said bearing surfaces extends generally in a medial-lateral direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The disc implant of claim 1 wherein each of said bearing surfaces has a cross sectional shape defined by laterally spaced-apart, offset radii defined by a generally flattened base segment interposed between a pair of curved sides.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The disc implant of claim 1 wherein said bearing surfaces each have an elongated shape defining opposite end segments of generally convex shape separated by a central segment defining a generally concave bearing seat, wherein at least one of said bearing seats has said cross sectional shape defined by laterally spaced-apart, offset radii defined by a generally flattened base segment interposed between a pair of curved sides.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The disc implant of claim 4 wherein said generally concave bearing seat of each of said bearing surfaces has a cross sectional shape defined by laterally spaced-apart, offset radii defined by a generally flattened base segment interposed between a pair of curved sides.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The disc implant of claim 4 wherein said opposite end segments of each of said bearing surfaces has a convex shape formed with increasing diametric size in a direction toward the associated central segment defining said concave bearing seat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The disc implant of claim 1 wherein each of said end plates includes a lordotic taper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The disc implant of claim 1 wherein at least one of said end plates has a tapered thickness increasing in a posterior to anterior direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The disc implant of claim 1 wherein each of said end plates includes means for affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The disc implant of claim 1 wherein each of said end plates includes a porous bone ingrowth surface for affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The disc implant of claim 10 wherein said porous bone ingrowth surface of each of said end plates has a generally convex shape for engagement with and affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The disc implant of claim 1 wherein each of said end plates includes at least one generally axially protruding fixation element for affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The disc implant of claim 1 wherein said pair of bearing surfaces respectively comprise a ceramic material and a biocompatibie metal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
114 words
A disc implant, comprising: a pair of end plates for affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies; and a bearing component formed respectively on each of said end plates and together respectively defining a pair of elongated bearing surfaces facing each other and extending generally on orthogonal axes relative to each other; each of said bearing surfaces defining opposite end segments of generally convex part-circular cross sectional shape separated by a central segment defining a generally concave bearing seat, and at least one of said bearing seats being further defined by a generally part-circular cross sectional shape including laterally spaced-apart offset radii defined by a generally flattened base segment interposed between a pair of curved sides.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
114 words
A disc implant, comprising: a pair of end plates for affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies; and a bearing component formed respectively on each of said end plates and together respectively defining a pair of elongated bearing surfaces facing each other and extending generally on orthogonal axes relative to each other; each of said bearing surfaces defining opposite end segments of generally convex part-circular cross sectional shape separated by a central segment defining a generally concave bearing seat, and at least one of said bearing seats being further defined by a generally part-circular cross sectional shape including laterally spaced-apart offset radii defined by a generally flattened base segment interposed between a pair of curved sides.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The disc implant of claim 14 wherein said generally concave bearing seat of each of said bearing surfaces has a cross sectional shape defined by laterally spaced-apart, offset radii defined by a generally flattened base segment interposed between a pair of curved sides.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The disc implant of claim 14 wherein said opposite end segments of each of said bearing surfaces has a convex shape formed with increasing diametric size in a direction toward the associated central segment defining said concave bearing seat.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The disc implant of claim 14 wherein one of said bearing surfaces extends generally in an anterior-posterior direction, and the other of said bearing surfaces extends generally in a medial-lateral direction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The disc implant of claim 14 wherein each of said end plates includes a lordotic taper.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The disc implant of claim 14 wherein at least one of said end plates has a tapered thickness increasing in a posterior to anterior direction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The disc implant of claim 14 wherein each of said end plates includes means for affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The disc implant of claim 14 wherein each of said end plates includes a porous bone ingrowth surface for affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The disc implant of claim 21 wherein said porous bone ingrowth surface of each of said end plates has a generally convex shape for engagement with and affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The disc implant of claim 14 wherein each of said end plates includes at least one generally axially protruding fixation element for affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The disc implant of claim 14 wherein said bearing surfaces comprise a ceramic material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The disc implant of claim 14 wherein said pair of bearing surfaces respectively comprise a ceramic material and a biocompatible metal.
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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) | 2009-02-06 | 2009-08-08 | 2010-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-02-06 | 2013-08-08 | 2014-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-02-06 | 2017-08-08 | 2018-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |