Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
39 words
A prosthesis comprising a strut terminated by
a pair of end caps which are adapted to engage
respective vertebrae, each end cap having a flange
which is closely received within and supports a
respective end of the hollow strut.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 1, in which
the leading edge of each flange is chamfered.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in
which the end caps are substantially kidney shaped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A prosthesis comprising a strut having a pair
of end caps which are adapted to engage respective
vertebrae, each end cap being substantially kidney
shaped in a plane substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the strut.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A prosthesis as claimed in any one of the
preceding claims, in which the strut is substantially
kidney shaped in cross-section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A prosthesis comprising a strut having a pair
of end caps which each have an end wall which is
adapted to engage a respective vertebra, the periphery
of each end wall extending further from the strut than
the remainder of the end wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 6, in which
in a region away from the periphery, each end wall is
provided with a kidney shaped recess.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 7, in which
the recess comprises a through hole which provides
access to the interior of the strut.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A prosthesis as claimed in any one of the
preceding claims, in which each end cap is provided
with a shoulder which is adapted to cover the end of
the strut
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A prosthesis as claimed in any one of the
preceding claims, in which a porous titanium plasma
coating is applied to the end caps.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A prosthesis as claimed in any one of the
preceding claims, in which the end caps are a press fit
into the strut.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A prosthesis as claimed in any one of the
preceding claims, in which the strut comprises a tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A prosthesis as claimed in any one of the
preceding claims, in which the tube is made from
titanium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 12 or 13, in
which the tube is heat treated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A prosthesis as claimed in any one of claims
12 to 14, in which the tube is seam welded.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A prosthesis as claimed in any one of the
preceding claims, in which the strut is provided with a
plurality of through holes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 16, in which
the through holes are aligned in rows substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strut.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
74 words
A vertebral body replacement prosthesis
comprising a strut terminated at one end by an end cap
which is adapted to engage a vertebra, the end cap
having an inwardly directed end which is directed
towards to the strut and an outwardly directed end
which, in use, is directed towards the vertebra, the
outwardly directed end defining a vertebra engaging
surface which is offset from a plane perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis of the strut.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 18, in which
a further end cap is provided at the other end of the
strut.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 18 or 19, in
which the or each end cap is substantially wedge-shaped.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A prosthesis as claimed in any one of claims
18 to 20, in which the offset is between -10 to +10°.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A prosthesis as claimed in any one of claims
18 to 21, in which the offset is between -5 to +5°.