US7695517B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc
Assignee: AXIOMED LLC
•
Filing: 2003-12-10
•
Granted: 2010-04-13
•
Expires: 2023-12-10
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes an artificial disc. The artificial disc includes a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface, a first retaining member connected to the first surface of the resilient core, and a second retaining member connected to the second surface of the resilient core. The first retaining member has an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the first surface of the resilient core. The second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing the second surface of the resilient core. A first mounting member is connectable with the first vertebra and the artificial disc to position the artificial disc between the first and second vertebrae. The first mounting member is engageable with the artificial disc after being connected to the first vertebra to guide movement of the artificial disc into position between the first and second vertebrae.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward C. Benzel
- 👤 Isador H. Lieberman
- 👤 Lee Strnad
- 👤 James M. Kuras
- 👤 Raymond S. Ross
- 👤 Charles F. Birchall, Jr.
- 👤 Keith Duke
- 👤 Kari Zimmers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/4425; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B2017/0256; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30069; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30383; A61F2002/30387; A61F2002/30448; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/305; A61F2002/30507; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30579; A61F2002/30604; A61F2002/30617; A61F2/30767; A61F2002/30769; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30879; A61F2002/30925; A61F2002/443; A61F2002/4622; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4628; A61F2002/4681; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/005; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/0096; A61F2250/0097; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
288 words
An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column, said apparatus comprising: an artificial disc, said artificial disc including a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface, a first retaining member connected to said first surface of said resilient core, and a second retaining member connected to said second surface of said resilient core, said first retaining member having an outer surface directly engaging a first vertebra of the spinal column after the artificial disc is in position between the first vertebra and a second vertebra and an inner surface facing said first surface of said resilient core, said second retaining member having an outer surface directly engaging the second vertebra of the spinal column after the artificial disc is in position between the first and second vertebrae and an inner surface facing said second surface of said resilient core, said outer surfaces of said first and second retaining members facing away from each other; and a first mounting member connectable with the first vertebra and said artificial disc to position said artificial disc between the first and second vertebrae, said first mounting member engaging said artificial disc after being connected to the first vertebra to guide movement of said artificial disc into position between the first and second vertebrae, said first retaining member including a guide with an outer surface that extends outwardly from said outer surface of said first retaining member, said outer surface of said guide engaging said first mounting member to guide movement of said first retaining member into position between the first and second vertebrae, said guide engaging a surface of the first vertebra after the artificial disc is in position between the first and second vertebrae.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
288 words
An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column, said apparatus comprising: an artificial disc, said artificial disc including a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface, a first retaining member connected to said first surface of said resilient core, and a second retaining member connected to said second surface of said resilient core, said first retaining member having an outer surface directly engaging a first vertebra of the spinal column after the artificial disc is in position between the first vertebra and a second vertebra and an inner surface facing said first surface of said resilient core, said second retaining member having an outer surface directly engaging the second vertebra of the spinal column after the artificial disc is in position between the first and second vertebrae and an inner surface facing said second surface of said resilient core, said outer surfaces of said first and second retaining members facing away from each other; and a first mounting member connectable with the first vertebra and said artificial disc to position said artificial disc between the first and second vertebrae, said first mounting member engaging said artificial disc after being connected to the first vertebra to guide movement of said artificial disc into position between the first and second vertebrae, said first retaining member including a guide with an outer surface that extends outwardly from said outer surface of said first retaining member, said outer surface of said guide engaging said first mounting member to guide movement of said first retaining member into position between the first and second vertebrae, said guide engaging a surface of the first vertebra after the artificial disc is in position between the first and second vertebrae.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide is a first guide and said first retaining member also includes a second guide engageable with said first mounting member to guide movement of said first retaining member into position between the first and second vertebrae.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said first and second guides extend generally parallel to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first retaining member includes a stop engageable with said first mounting member to prevent relative movement between said first retaining member and said first mounting member in a first direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said stop guides movement of said first retaining member relative to said first mounting member in a second direction sanding transverse to the first direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said first retaining member and said first mounting member includes a guide engageable with another of said first retaining member and said first mounting member to guide movement of said first mounting member into an opening in said first retaining member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first retaining member has an opening extending through said inner and outer surfaces of said first retaining member, said first mounting member extending into said opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said opening extends axially through said inner and oar surfaces of said first retaining member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first mounting member is engageable with a surgical tool for connecting said first mounting member to the first vertebra.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said first mounting member includes a recess into which a portion of said surgical tool extends for connecting said first mounting member to the surgical tool.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein, said first mounting member includes an inner surface facing said core and spaced from said core, said core deflecting into engagement with said inner surface of said first mounting member upon relative movement between said first and second retaining members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said inner surface of said first mounting member is concave.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first mounting member is prevented from moving relative to said artificial disc when said first mounting member is connected to said artificial disc.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said first mounting member is connected to said artificial disc with an interference fit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said first mounting member has a frustoconical surface engageable with a frustoconical surface on said artificial disc.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a second mounting member connectable with the second vertebra and said artificial disc to position said artificial disc between the first and second vertebrae, said second mounting member being engageable with said artificial disc to guide movement of said second retaining member into position between the first and second vertebrae.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
80 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said guide is a first guide engageable with said first mounting member to guide movement of said first retaining member into position between the first and second vertebrae, one of said second retaining member and said second mounting member including a second guide engageable with another of said second retaining member and said second mounting member to guide movement of said second retaining member into position between the first and second vertebrae.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said second retaining member includes said second guide engageable with said second mounting member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein said second guide extends from said outer surface of said second retaining member and is engageable with the second vertebra.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
91 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said guide is a first guide and said first retaining member also includes a second guide engageable with said first mounting member to guide movement of said first retaining member into position between the first and second vertebrae, one of said second retaining member and said second mounting member including third and fourth guides engageable with another of said second retaining member and said second mounting member to guide movement of said second retaining member into position between the first and second vertebrae.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said first and second guides extend generally parallel to each other, said second retaining member including said third and fourth guides engageable with said second mounting member, said third and fourth guides extending generally parallel to each other.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said first retaining member includes a first stop engageable with said first mounting member to prevent relative movement between said first retaining member and said first mounting member in a first direction, said second retaining member including a second stop engageable with said second mounting member to prevent relative movement between said second retaining member and said second mounting member in the first direction.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said first stop guides movement of said first retaining member relative to said first mounting member in a direction extending transverse to the first direction, said second stop guiding movement of said second retaining member relative to said second mounting member in a direction extending transverse to the first direction.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
96 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein one of said first retaining member and said first mounting member includes a first guide engageable with another of said first retaining member and said first mounting member to guide movement of said first mounting member into an opening in said first retaining member, one of said second retaining member and said second mounting member including a second guide engageable with another of said second retaining member and said second mounting member to guide movement of said second mounting member into an opening in said second retaining member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said first retaining member has an opening extending through said inner and outer surfaces of said first retaining member, said first mounting member extending into said opening in said first retaining member, said second retaining member having an opening extending through said inner and outer surfaces of said second retaining member, said second mounting member extending into said opening in said second retaining member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein said opening in said first retaining member extends axially through said inner and outer surfaces of said first retaining member, said opening in said second retaining member extending axially through said inner and outer surfaces of said second retaining member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
88 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said first mounting member includes an inner surface facing said core and spaced from said core, said core deflecting into engagement with said inner surface of said first mounting member upon relative movement between said first and second retaining members, said second mounting member including an inner surface facing said core and spaced from said core, said core deflecting into engagement with said inner surface of said second mounting member upon relative movement between said first and second retaining members.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 27 wherein said inner surface of said first mounting member is concave, said inner surface of said second mounting member being concave.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said first and second mounting members are prevented from moving relative to said artificial disc when said first and second mounting members are connected to said artificial disc.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein said first and second mounting members are connected to said artificial disc with interference fits.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said first and second mounting members have frustoconical surfaces engagable with frustoconical surfaces on said artificial disc.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
87 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said core includes a radially outer surface extending between said first and second surfaces of said core, said radially outer surface facing a portion of one of said first and second retaining members, said radially outer surface being spaced from said portion of said one of said first and second retaining members, said core deflecting into engagement with said portion of one of said first and second retaining members upon relative movement between said first and second retaining members.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
112 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said radially outer surface of said core faces a portion of said first retaining member, said radially outer surface of said core being spaced from said portion of said first retaining member, said core deflecting into engagement with said portion of said first retaining member upon relative movement between said first and second retaining members, said radially outer surface facing a portion of said second retaining member, said radially outer surface being spaced from said portion of said second retaining member, said core deflecting into engagement with said portion of said second retaining member upon relative movement between said first and second retaining members.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said first and second retaining members includes a flange extending toward another of said first and second retaining members, said flange having a radially inner surface facing said core and spaced from said core, said core deflecting into engagement with said radially inner surface upon relative movement between said first and second retaining members.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
105 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 34 wherein said first retaining member includes said flange extending toward said second retaining member, said core deflecting into engagement with said radially inner surface of said flange upon relative movement between said first and second retaining members, said second retaining member including a flange extending toward said first retaining member, said flange of said second retaining member having a radially inner surface facing said core and spaced from said core, said core deflecting into engagement with said radially inner surface of said flange of said second retaining member upon relative movement between said first and second retaining members.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said inner surface of said first retaining member is concave, said first surface of said resilient core being convex.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 36 wherein said inner surface of said second retaining member is concave, said second surface of said resilient core being convex.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first retaining member includes a portion engageable with a surgical tool for inserting said artificial disc between the vertebrae.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein said second retaining member includes a portion engageable with the surgical tool for inserting said artificial disc between the vertebrae.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 39 wherein said portion of said first retaining member includes an opening into which a portion of the surgical tool extends.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 40 wherein said second retaining member includes a portion with an opening into which a second portion of the surgical tool extends.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide is a rib.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first mounting member extends away from the first vertebra into engagement with said first retaining member.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first mounting member includes a surface extending toward said outer surface of said first retaining member, said surface of the said first mounting member engaging said guide to guide movement of said artificial disk into position between the first and second vertebrae.
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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) | 2013-04-12 | 2013-10-12 | 2014-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2017-04-12 | 2017-10-12 | 2018-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2021-04-12 | 2021-10-12 | 2022-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |