US6375655B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Interbody fusion device and method for restoration of normal spinal anatomy
Assignee: SDGI Holdings Inc
•
Filing: 2000-01-21
•
Granted: 2002-04-23
•
Expires: 2020-01-21
Abstract
Abstract An interbody fusion device in one embodiment includes a tapered body defining a hollow interior for receiving bone graft or bone substitute material. The body defines exterior threads which are interrupted over portions of the outer surface of the device. The fusion device defines truncated side walls so that on end view the body takes on a cylindrical form. The side walls are provided with vascularization openings, and the body wall device includes opposite bone ingrowth slots extending through the interrupted thread portion of the body. In another embodiment, the tapered body is solid and formed of a porous biocompatible material having sufficient structural integrity to maintain the intradiscal space and normal curvature. The material is preferably a porous tantalum having fully interconnected pores to facilitate complete bone tissue ingrowth into the implant. An implant driver is provided which engages the truncated side walls to complete the cylindrical form of the implant at the root diameter of the interrupted threads, to thereby facilitate threaded insertion of the implant to the intra-discal space between adjacent vertebrae. Methods for posterior and anterior insertion of the fusion device are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Zdeblick
- 👤 Eddie Ray, III
- 👤 Lawrence M. Boyd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B17/1662; A61B17/1671; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/446; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/4637; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/14; A61L27/22; A61L27/227; A61L31/00; A61L31/04; A61L31/043; A61L31/047; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/88; A61B17/8875; A61B17/8877; A61B17/8883; A61B17/8886; A61B17/8891; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30744; A61F2/30767; A61F2/442; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30136; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30143; A61F2002/30153; A61F2002/30158; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30205; A61F2002/3021; A61F2002/30217; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/305; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30593; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30774; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/3082; A61F2002/3085; A61F2002/30858; A61F2002/30873; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/4641; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0019; A61F2230/0026; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0067; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00035; A61F2310/00095; A61F2310/00131; A61F2310/00161; A61F2310/00179; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/00592; A61F2310/00796; A61L2430/00; A61L2430/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in the disc space between adjacent vertebra, comprising: an elongated body having a length between a first end and a second end thereof, and a first diameter at said first end sized to be greater than the space between the adjacent vertebrae; said body having an outer surface with a pair of opposite cylindrical portions extending along substantially the entire length of said body and defining said first diameter, and a pair of substantially flat opposite side walls connected between said opposite cylindrical portions, said side walls extending along a substantial portion of said length of said body; and external threads defined on said pair of opposite cylindrical portions of said outer surface and extending along substantially the entire length of said body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in the disc space between adjacent vertebra, comprising: an elongated body having a length between a first end and a second end thereof, and a first diameter at said first end sized to be greater than the space between the adjacent vertebrae; said body having an outer surface with a pair of opposite cylindrical portions extending along substantially the entire length of said body and defining said first diameter, and a pair of substantially flat opposite side walls connected between said opposite cylindrical portions, said side walls extending along a substantial portion of said length of said body; and external threads defined on said pair of opposite cylindrical portions of said outer surface and extending along substantially the entire length of said body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fusion device of claim 1 , wherein: said flat side walls terminate near said first end; and said cylindrical portions and said threads are interrupted by said side walls and are circumferentially continuous thereafter from said side walls to said first end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The fusion device of claim 2 , wherein: said body includes a second end opposite said first end; and said flat side walls terminate at said second end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fusion device of claim 3 , wherein said opposite side walls each define a notch at said second end configured to receive a driving tool for implanting said device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fusion device according to claim 1 , wherein said body is formed of a porous biocompatible material to permit bone tissue ingrowth into the device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fusion device according to claim 5 wherein said material is a composite comprising an open-celled substrate having interconnected porosity, said substrate infiltrated with a metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fusion device according to claim 6 wherein said substrate is a carbonaceous material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fusion device according to claim 7 wherein said substrate is a carbon foam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fusion device according to claim 7 wherein said metal includes a group VB metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The fusion device according to claim 9 , wherein said metal is tantalum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
A fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in the disc space between adjacent vertebra, comprising: an elongated body having a first end and a second end, an outer surface with cylindrical portions and a longitudinal axis, said implant body having threads on at least a portion of said cylindrical portions; and said outer surface defining at least two opposed bone ingrowth slots interrupting said threads, said bone ingrowth slots in substantial parallel alignment with said longitudinal axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
A fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in the disc space between adjacent vertebra, comprising: an elongated body having a first end and a second end, an outer surface with cylindrical portions and a longitudinal axis, said implant body having threads on at least a portion of said cylindrical portions; and said outer surface defining at least two opposed bone ingrowth slots interrupting said threads, said bone ingrowth slots in substantial parallel alignment with said longitudinal axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fusion device of claim 11 , wherein said body defines a passage between said slots.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fusion device of claim 12 , wherein said passage is filled with bone growth inducing material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fusion device of claim 11 , wherein said cylindrical portions are opposed and separated by substantially flat sidewalls.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fusion device of claim 14 , wherein said implant body defines a passage connecting said opposed bone ingrowth slots.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fusion device of claim 11 , wherein said two opposed slots are spaced from said first end and said second end.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fusion device of claim 16 , wherein said thread is continuous adjacent said first end and said second end.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fusion device of claim 17 , wherein said body defines a passage between said slots.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fusion device of claim 18 , wherein said passage is filled with bone growth inducing material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
108 words
A fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in the disc space between adjacent vertebra comprising: a generally cylindrical body including an outer surface having a diameter, a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said first end and said second end, said body having threads on a portion of the outer surface; and said outer surface defining at least two opposing slots in substantially parallel alignment with said longitudinal axis, said body defining a passage interconnecting said slots for allowing the growth of bone through the opposing slots, said passage having a width transverse to said longitudinal axis, said width substantially smaller than said diameter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
108 words
A fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in the disc space between adjacent vertebra comprising: a generally cylindrical body including an outer surface having a diameter, a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said first end and said second end, said body having threads on a portion of the outer surface; and said outer surface defining at least two opposing slots in substantially parallel alignment with said longitudinal axis, said body defining a passage interconnecting said slots for allowing the growth of bone through the opposing slots, said passage having a width transverse to said longitudinal axis, said width substantially smaller than said diameter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fusion device of claim 20 , wherein said threads are positioned on opposed sides of said outer surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The fusion device of claim 21 , wherein said slots interrupt said threads.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fusion device of claim 22 , wherein said opposed sides are separated by substantially flat side walls.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
80 words
A fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in the disc space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising: an elongated body having a length, a first end, a second end, and an external surface having cylindrical portions; the body having external threads defined on the cylindrical portions of the external surface between the first and second ends; and the body including opposing slot openings providing a passageway through the body, the passageway allowing the growth of bone through the body between the slot openings.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
80 words
A fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in the disc space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising: an elongated body having a length, a first end, a second end, and an external surface having cylindrical portions; the body having external threads defined on the cylindrical portions of the external surface between the first and second ends; and the body including opposing slot openings providing a passageway through the body, the passageway allowing the growth of bone through the body between the slot openings.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fusion device of claim 24 , wherein said cylindrical portions are opposing and separated by two parallel side walls.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
117 words
A fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in the disc space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising: an elongated body having a length and a first diameter at a first end sized to be greater than the space between the adjacent vertebrae; said body having an outer surface with a pair of cylindrical portions and a pair of substantially flat opposite side walls between said opposite cylindrical portions, said side walls extending along a substantial portion of said length of said body; external threads defined on said pair of opposite cylindrical portions of said outer surface and extending along substantially the entire length of said body; and said body defining at least one bone ingrowth slot in said cylindrical portion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
117 words
A fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in the disc space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising: an elongated body having a length and a first diameter at a first end sized to be greater than the space between the adjacent vertebrae; said body having an outer surface with a pair of cylindrical portions and a pair of substantially flat opposite side walls between said opposite cylindrical portions, said side walls extending along a substantial portion of said length of said body; external threads defined on said pair of opposite cylindrical portions of said outer surface and extending along substantially the entire length of said body; and said body defining at least one bone ingrowth slot in said cylindrical portion.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fusion device of claim 26 , wherein each of said cylindrical portions are adapted to contact one of the adjacent 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) | 2005-04-22 | 2005-10-22 | 2006-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-04-22 | 2009-10-22 | 2010-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-04-22 | 2013-10-22 | 2014-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |