US6375681B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vertebral body replacement
Assignee: HighRidge Medical LLC
•
Filing: 1999-06-22
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Granted: 2002-04-23
•
Expires: 2019-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A spinal prosthesis ( 1 ) comprises hollow strut ( 2 ) terminated by a pair of end caps ( 10, 12 ) which are adapted to engage respective vertebrae. Each end cap ( 10, 12 ) may have a flange ( 20, 22 ) which is closely received within and supports a respective end ( 6, 8 ) of the strut ( 2 ). Alternatively, or in addition, each end cap ( 10, 12 ) may be substantially kidney shaped and may be provided with a kidney shaped recess ( 16, 18 ) which provides access to the interior of the strut ( 2 ). Preferably, the end caps ( 10, 12 ) are provided with respective shoulders ( 28, 30 ) which are adapted to cover the ends of the strut ( 2 ) to prevent the strut damaging soft tissue during implantation. A porous titanium plasma coating may be applied to the end caps ( 10, 12 ) to enhance bone fixation and to resist anterior translation and rotation of the prosthesis ( 1 ).
Inventors
- 👤 James William Truscott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30744; A61F2/30767; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30133; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30158; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30235; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/3036; A61F2002/30451; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30593; A61F2002/30604; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/30787; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30891; A61F2002/30892; A61F2/46; A61F2002/4631; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2220/0058; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0015; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0026; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/00395; A61F2310/00407
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A prosthesis comprising: a hollow strut having a first hollow end and a second hollow end with a longitudinal axis that extends from the first hollow end to the second hollow end; and a pair of end caps which are adapted to be push fit into the first and second hollow ends with each end cap including a flange which is closely received within and supports the first and second ends of the hollow strut, each end cap further including a pair of extensions lying along an axis defined by a coronal plane and being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, each extension having a distal tip that extends along the axis defined by the coronal plane and into a central opening in each end cap, each extension having a bone engaging pin extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis from the distal tip, wherein the bone engaging pins engage adjacent vertebral bodies to improve stability of the prosthesis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A prosthesis comprising: a hollow strut having a first hollow end and a second hollow end with a longitudinal axis that extends from the first hollow end to the second hollow end; and a pair of end caps which are adapted to be push fit into the first and second hollow ends with each end cap including a flange which is closely received within and supports the first and second ends of the hollow strut, each end cap further including a pair of extensions lying along an axis defined by a coronal plane and being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, each extension having a distal tip that extends along the axis defined by the coronal plane and into a central opening in each end cap, each extension having a bone engaging pin extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis from the distal tip, wherein the bone engaging pins engage adjacent vertebral bodies to improve stability of the prosthesis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 1 , in which the leading edge of each flange is chamfered.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 1 , in which the end caps are substantially kidney shaped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 1 , in which each end cap is provided with a shoulder which is adapted to cover the end of the strut.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 1 , in which a porous titanium plasma coating is applied to the end caps.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 1 , in which the strut comprises a tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 6 in which the tube is made from titanium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 7 , in which the tube is heat treated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 7 , in which the tube is seam welded.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 1 , in which the strut is provided with a plurality of through holes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 10 , in which the through holes are aligned in rows substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strut.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
158 words
A prosthesis comprising: a hollow strut having a first hollow end an a second hollow end with a longitudinal axis extending from the first hollow end and the second hollow end, said strut having a substantially kidney shaped cross-section; and a pair of end caps which are substantially kidney shaped in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strut, with each having a central substantially kidney shaped opening passing therethrough, each end cap further including a pair of extensions lying along an axis defined by a coronal plane and being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, each extension having a distal tip that extends along the axis defined by the coronal plane and into the kidney shaped opening in each end cap, each extension having a bone engaging pin extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis from the distal tip, wherein the bone engaging pins engage adjacent vertebral bodies to improve stability of the prosthesis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
158 words
A prosthesis comprising: a hollow strut having a first hollow end an a second hollow end with a longitudinal axis extending from the first hollow end and the second hollow end, said strut having a substantially kidney shaped cross-section; and a pair of end caps which are substantially kidney shaped in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strut, with each having a central substantially kidney shaped opening passing therethrough, each end cap further including a pair of extensions lying along an axis defined by a coronal plane and being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, each extension having a distal tip that extends along the axis defined by the coronal plane and into the kidney shaped opening in each end cap, each extension having a bone engaging pin extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis from the distal tip, wherein the bone engaging pins engage adjacent vertebral bodies to improve stability of the prosthesis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
159 words
A prosthesis comprising: a hollow strut having a first hollow end and a second hollow end with a longitudinal axis that extends from the first hollow end to the second hollow end; and a pair of end caps with each having an end wall which is adapted to engage a respective vertebra, a periphery of each end wall extending further from the strut than a remainder of the end wall, each end wall defining a central opening passing through each end cap and having a pair of extensions lying along an axis defined by a coronal plane and being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, each extension having a distal tip that extends along the axis defined by the coronal plane and into the central opening, each extension having a bone engaging pin extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis from the distal tip, wherein the bone engaging pins engage adjacent vertebral bodies to improve stability of the prosthesis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
159 words
A prosthesis comprising: a hollow strut having a first hollow end and a second hollow end with a longitudinal axis that extends from the first hollow end to the second hollow end; and a pair of end caps with each having an end wall which is adapted to engage a respective vertebra, a periphery of each end wall extending further from the strut than a remainder of the end wall, each end wall defining a central opening passing through each end cap and having a pair of extensions lying along an axis defined by a coronal plane and being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, each extension having a distal tip that extends along the axis defined by the coronal plane and into the central opening, each extension having a bone engaging pin extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis from the distal tip, wherein the bone engaging pins engage adjacent vertebral bodies to improve stability of the prosthesis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 13 wherein the central opening is kidney shaped.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
161 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 the strut and an outwardly directed end which, in use, is directed toward the vertebra, the outwardly directed end defining a vertebra engaging surface which is offset from a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strut, the outwardly directed end defined by a pair of extensions lying along an axis defined by a coronal plane and being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, each extension having a distal tip that extends along the axis defined by the coronal plane and into a central opening of the end cap with each extension having a bone engaging pin that extends substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis from the distal tip, wherein the bone engaging pins engage adjacent vertebral bodies to improve stability of the prosthesis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
161 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 the strut and an outwardly directed end which, in use, is directed toward the vertebra, the outwardly directed end defining a vertebra engaging surface which is offset from a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strut, the outwardly directed end defined by a pair of extensions lying along an axis defined by a coronal plane and being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, each extension having a distal tip that extends along the axis defined by the coronal plane and into a central opening of the end cap with each extension having a bone engaging pin that extends substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis from the distal tip, wherein the bone engaging pins engage adjacent vertebral bodies to improve stability of the prosthesis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 15 , in which a further end cap is provided at the other end of the strut.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 15 , in which the end cap is substantially wedge-shaped.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 15 , in which the offset is between −10 to +10°.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 18 , in which the offset is between −5 to +5°.
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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 |