# US 10,478,312 B2 · Implant with protected fusion zones > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,478,312 B2 - Document ID: US10478312B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/334,022 - Filed: 2016-10-25 - Published: 2018-04-26 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-10-25 - Assignees: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd. - Applicants: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd. - Inventors: Edward J. McShane, III; Christopher J. Ryan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478312B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/446: {having a circular or elliptical cross-section substantially parallel to the axis of the spine, e.g. cylinders or frustocones} - A61F 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section} - A61F 2/4455: {for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages (intervertebral discs A61F2/442)} - A61B 2017/8655: {with special features for locking in the bone} - A61F 2/30744: {End caps, e.g. for closing an endoprosthetic cavity} - A61F 2/30771: {applied in original prostheses, e.g. holes or grooves} - A61F 2/4611: {of spinal prostheses} - A61F 2002/30011: {differing in porosity} - A61F 2002/30028: {differing in tissue ingrowth capacity, e.g. made from both ingrowth-promoting and ingrowth-preventing parts} - A61F 2002/30116: {partial circles, i.e. circular segments} - A61F 2002/30125: {elliptical or oval} - A61F 2002/30136: {undulated or wavy, e.g. serpentine-shaped or zigzag-shaped} - A61F 2002/30172: {T-shaped} - A61F 2002/30289: {helically-coiled} - A61F 2002/30291: {spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2D spiral cross-section} - A61F 2002/30322: {differing in surface structures} - A61F 2002/30593: {hollow} - A61F 2002/30838: {Microstructures} - A61F 2002/30841: {Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes} - A61F 2002/30845: {with cutting edges} - A61F 2002/30878: {with non-sharp protrusions, for instance contacting the bone for anchoring, e.g. keels, pegs, pins, posts, shanks, stems, struts} - A61F 2002/30879: {Ribs} - A61F 2002/30883: {dovetail-shaped} - A61F 2002/30884: {Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity} - A61F 2002/30889: {Arcuate pegs} - A61F 2002/30894: {inclined obliquely with respect to each other} - A61F 2002/3092: {having an open-celled or open-pored structure} - A61F 2002/3093: {for promoting ingrowth of bone tissue} - A61F 2002/30962: {using stereolithography} - A61F 2002/30985: {using three dimensional printing [3DP]} - A61F 2002/30995: {for sacro-iliac joints} - A61F 2002/4495: {having a fabric structure, e.g. made from wires or fibres} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An implant for use in a spine includes a body and a plurality of structural members. The plurality of structural members includes outer members that are arranged to contact a vertebra upon implantation and support members that provide reinforcement and stability to the outer members. The outer members may have sections with a generalized helical geometry. The generalized helical geometry provides distal and proximal outwardly facing surface regions and creates a series of protected fusion zones along the superior and inferior surfaces of the implant to foster adjacent bone growth. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An implant, comprising: a body including a base portion and a keel portion; the keel portion oriented at a nonzero angle to the base portion; a bone contacting outer member having an elongate geometry, the outer member including a first outer member end and a second outer member end; a support member having an elongate geometry, the support member including a first support member end and a second support member end; wherein the first outer member end is attached to the base portion and the second outer member end is attached to the keel portion; wherein the first support member end is attached to the base portion and wherein the second support member end is attached to the base portion; wherein the support member is attached to the outer member; wherein the outer member has a central member curve; and wherein the central member curve includes a winding segment, and wherein the winding segment of the central member curve winds around a fixed path. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The implant according to claim 1, wherein the implant is an intervertebral implant; and wherein the outer member has a bone contacting outer surface configured to contact a vertebra. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The implant according to claim 1, wherein the geometry of the outer member provides a first distal surface region, a proximal surface region and a second distal surface region, wherein the first distal surface region, the proximal surface region and the second distal surface region are all oriented outwardly on a superior side or an inferior side of the implant. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The implant according to claim 3, wherein the support member attaches to the outer member at a portion of the outer member including the proximal surface region. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The implant according to claim 1, wherein the support member has a curved path that includes an arch-like path. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The implant according to claim 1, wherein the outer member has a greater length than the support member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The implant according to claim 1, wherein the implant includes a median plane extending between an anterior side and a posterior side of the implant, the median plane dividing the implant into a first lateral half and a second lateral half; and wherein the keel portion is aligned with the median plane. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The implant according to claim 1, wherein the implant includes a transverse plane dividing the implant into a superior half and an inferior half; and wherein the base portion is aligned with the transverse plane. ### Claim 9 An implant, comprising: a body, the body defining a transverse plane dividing the implant into a superior half and an inferior half; a first outer member attached to the body, the first outer member having an elongate geometry; a second outer member attached to the body, the second outer member having an elongate geometry; a support member attached to the body, the support member having an elongate geometry; the support member being attached to the first outer member at a first attachment region and the support member being attached to the second outer member at a second attachment region; wherein at the first attachment region the support member is disposed closer to the transverse plane than the first outer member is to the transverse plane; wherein at the second attachment region the support member is disposed closer to the transverse plane than the second outer member is to the transverse plane; wherein the first outer member has a first central member curve; wherein the first central member curve includes a first winding segment, and wherein the first winding segment of the first central member curve winds around a first fixed path. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The implant according to claim 9, wherein the implant is an intervertebral implant; and wherein the first outer member has a bone contacting outer surface configured to contact a vertebra. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The implant according to claim 9, wherein the second outer member has a second central member curve; wherein the second central member curve includes a second winding segment, and wherein the second winding segment of the second central member curve winds around a second fixed path. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The implant according to claim 10, wherein the support member has a curved path that includes an arch-like path. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The implant according to claim 9, wherein a length of the support member is less than a length of the first outer member. ### Claim 14 An implant, comprising: a body; an outer member having an elongate geometry, the outer member attached to the body; a support member having an elongate geometry, the support member attached to the body; the outer member having an outwardly facing surface portion, wherein the outwardly facing surface portion is a curved surface portion including a first distal surface region, a proximal surface region and a second distal surface region, the proximal surface region being disposed between the first distal surface region and the second distal surface region; wherein the first distal surface region is configured as a vertebral contacting surface and wherein the second distal surface region is configured as a vertebral contacting surface; wherein the support member is attached to the outer member at a location proximate the proximal surface region. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The implant according to claim 14, wherein the outwardly facing surface portion is disposed on a superior side of the implant. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The implant according to claim 14, wherein the outwardly facing surface portion is disposed on an inferior side of the implant. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The implant according to claim 14, wherein the outer member has a central member curve; wherein the central member curve includes a winding segment, and wherein the winding segment of the central member curve winds around a fixed path; and wherein the first distal surface region, the proximal surface region and the second distal surface region are located on a portion of the outer member corresponding to the winding segment. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The implant according to claim 17, wherein the outer member is configured to engage a vertebra so as to form a space for protecting bone growth between the vertebra and the proximal surface region. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The implant according to claim 18, wherein the implant has an open interior and wherein the implant is configured to receive a bone growth promoting material such that the bone growth promoting agent can extend continuously through the open interior of the implant and into the space for protecting bone growth between the vertebra and the proximal surface region. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The implant according to claim 14, wherein the body includes at least one portion with a roughened surface. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The implant according to claim 14, wherein the body includes a fastener receiving portion with a threaded opening that is configured to receive an implant tool.