US6648917B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable bone fusion implant and method
Assignee: IMDS LLC
•
Filing: 2001-10-17
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Granted: 2003-11-18
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Expires: 2021-10-17
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable bone fusion implant includes a first plate having an interior face with a plurality of spaced apart first support members projecting therefrom. Each support member has a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom. A second plate has an interior face with a plurality of spaced apart second support members projecting therefrom. Each second support member has at least one tooth projecting therefrom. At least a portion of the plurality of teeth of each first support member mechanically engages with the at least one tooth of a corresponding second support member so that the first plate and the second plate can be selectively separated while forming a compartment therebetween. A reinforcing member is disposed between the first plate and the second plate such that the application of a compressive force between the first plate and the second plate applies compression on the reinforcing member.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel E. Gerbec
- 👤 T. Wade Fallin
- 👤 Tom Faciszewski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4637; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/447; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B2017/0256; A61F2/4601; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30261; A61F2002/30266; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/30487; A61F2002/30518; A61F2002/3052; A61F2002/30522; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30537; A61F2002/3055; A61F2002/30556; A61F2002/30593; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30774; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/30789; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30891; A61F2002/30892; A61F2/3094; A61F2002/30975; A61F2002/4622; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4628; A61F2002/4629; A61F2002/4635; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0082; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0004; A61F2250/0009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for fusing two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the method comprising: inserting an adjustable fusion implant between two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the fusion implant comprising a first plate and an opposing second plate with a compartment formed therebetween; expanding a portion of a tool inserted within the fusion implant so as to expand the fusion implant between the bones or pieces of bone; removing the tool from within the fusion implant; and inserting a reinforcing member between the first plate and the second plate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for fusing two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the method comprising: inserting an adjustable fusion implant between two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the fusion implant comprising a first plate and an opposing second plate with a compartment formed therebetween; expanding a portion of a tool inserted within the fusion implant so as to expand the fusion implant between the bones or pieces of bone; removing the tool from within the fusion implant; and inserting a reinforcing member between the first plate and the second plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the act of inserting comprises inserting the adjustable fusion implant between two adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising removably securing a distal end of an inserter to the fusion implant prior to the act of inserting.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for fusing two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the method comprising: inserting an adjustable fusion implant between two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the fusion implant having a first plate and an opposing second plate with a compartment formed therebetween; expanding the fusion implant between the bones or pieces of bone so as to further separate the first plate from the second plate; and positioning a reinforcing member between the first plate and the second plate such that the application of a compressive force between the first plate and the second plate causes the reinforcing member to be compressed between the first plate and the second plate.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for fusing two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the method comprising: inserting an adjustable fusion implant between two adjacent bones or pieces of bone, the fusion implant having a first plate and an opposing second plate with a compartment formed therebetween; expanding the fusion implant between the bones or pieces of bone so as to further separate the first plate from the second plate; and positioning a reinforcing member between the first plate and the second plate such that the application of a compressive force between the first plate and the second plate causes the reinforcing member to be compressed between the first plate and the second plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the act of expanding comprises: expanding at least a portion of a tool within the fusion implant so as to selectively expand the fusion implant; and removing the tool from within the fusion implant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as recited in claim 4 , further comprising removably securing a distal end of an inserter to the fusion implant such that at least a portion of the inserter is disposed within the compartment of the fusion implant, the inserter being secured prior to the act of inserting.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as recited in claim 6 , wherein the act of positioning comprises: advancing a tubular push rod over a distal end of the inserter; and moving the push rod along the inserter so that the push rod advances the reinforcing member between the first plate and the second plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 7 , further comprising: removing the inserter from within the push rod; and feeding bone graft through the tubular push rod and into the compartment of the fusion implant.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for fusing two vertebrae, the method comprising: forming a posterior opening through a back of a person so as to expose two vertebrae, the two vertebrae having a wedged shape gap formed therebetween that enlarges anteriorly toward a front of the person; inserting an adjustable fusion implant through the posterior opening and into the gap formed between the vertebrae, the fusion implant comprising a first plate and an opposing second plate and having a wedge shaped configuration that enlarges from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end of the fusion implant being inserted first into the gap formed between the vertebrae; expanding the fusion implant disposed between vertebrae such that the fusion implant maintains a wedge shaped configuration; and inserting a reinforcing member between the first plate and the second plate.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for fusing two vertebrae, the method comprising: forming a posterior opening through a back of a person so as to expose two vertebrae, the two vertebrae having a wedged shape gap formed therebetween that enlarges anteriorly toward a front of the person; inserting an adjustable fusion implant through the posterior opening and into the gap formed between the vertebrae, the fusion implant comprising a first plate and an opposing second plate and having a wedge shaped configuration that enlarges from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end of the fusion implant being inserted first into the gap formed between the vertebrae; expanding the fusion implant disposed between vertebrae such that the fusion implant maintains a wedge shaped configuration; and inserting a reinforcing member between the first plate and the second plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the act of expanding comprises: expanding at least a portion of a tool within the fusion implant so as to selectively expand the fusion implant; and removing the tool from within the fusion implant.
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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) | 2006-11-17 | 2007-05-19 | 2007-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-11-17 | 2011-05-19 | 2011-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-11-17 | 2015-05-19 | 2015-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |