# US 11,076,967 B2 · Interbody fusion devices with self-affixing mechanisms

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- Number: US 11,076,967 B2
- Document ID: US11076967B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/841,629
- Filed: 2017-12-14
- Published: 2018-06-28
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2013-08-22
- Applicants: Globus Medical, Inc.
- Inventors: Don Reed; Aditya Ingalhalikar; Jeff Nichols; Brandon Preske; Mark Fromhold; Colm McLaughlin; Mark Adams; Brian Garvey
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11076967B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/4465: {having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine}
- A61B 17/8042: {the additional component being a cover over the screw head}
- A61F 2/4611: {of spinal prostheses}
- A61F 2/30749: {Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body}
- A61F 2002/30505: {spring biased}
- A61F 2002/30507: {using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw}
- A61F 2002/30525: {Worm gears}
- A61F 2002/30579: {with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices}
- A61F 2002/30593: {hollow}
- A61F 2002/30787: {inclined obliquely with respect to each other}
- A61F 2220/0016: with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
- 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

Interbody fusion devices including deployable fixation members. The implant may include a spacer, optionally, an end member coupled to the spacer, and one or more fixation members configured to extend into adjacent vertebrae. The fixation members may include screws, nails, shims, tangs, spikes, staples, pins, blades, fins, or the like, and combinations thereof.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A spinal implant comprising:
a spacer comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface comprises one or more protrusions and the lower surface comprises one or more protrusions;
an end member attached to the spacer, wherein the end member comprises first, second and third openings, the first opening disposed between the second and third openings;
a first fixation member extendable through the first opening, the first fixation member having a head portion and a distal end; and
a second fixation member extendable through the second opening, the second fixation member having a head portion that is at least in part spherical allowing the second fixation member to freely rotate within the second opening;
a third fixation member extendable through the third opening, the third fixation member having a head portion that is at least in part spherical allowing the third fixation member to freely rotate within the third opening;
a first blocker for simultaneously blocking the first and second fixation members from back out,
a second blocker for simultaneously blocking the first and third fixation members from back out,
wherein the first fixation member is non-threaded and the second fixation member is threaded,
wherein the first fixation member includes a spline,
wherein the first blocker includes a rotatable blocking screw having a head adapted to block the spherical head portion of the second fixation member from backing out when the blocking screw is rotated, and
wherein the first opening is circular with at least one lateral extension configured to receive a substantially flat portion of the first fixation member that extends laterally across a proximal end of the first fixation member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises an opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the spacer is formed of PEEK.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises a female recess and the end member comprises a male projection insertable into the female recess to attach the spacer to the end member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein a dovetail assembly is formed between the spacer and the end member.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the first fixation member comprises a straight shim.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the first fixation member comprises a curved shim.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the flat portion is disposed on the head portion of the first fixation member for contact with an insertion instrument.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the first fixation member continuously tapers from the head portion to the distal end.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the first fixation member includes additional splines.

### Claim 11

A spinal implant comprising:
a spacer comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface comprises one or more protrusions and the lower surface comprises one or more protrusions;
an end member attached to the spacer, wherein the end member comprises a first opening, a second opening and a third opening, the first opening disposed between the second and third openings;
a first fixation member extendable through the first opening, the first fixation member having a head portion and a distal end;
a second fixation member extendable through the second opening, the second fixation member having a head portion that is at least in part spherical allowing the second fixation member to freely rotate within the second opening;
a third fixation member extendable through the third opening, the third fixation member having a head portion that is at least in part spherical allowing the third fixation member to freely rotate within the third opening,
a first blocker positioned to simultaneously block the first and second fixation members from back out,
a second blocker positioned to simultaneously block the first and third fixation members from back out, the second blocker adapted to block the spherical head portion of the third fixation member from backing out,
wherein the first fixation member is non-threaded,
wherein the second fixation member and third fixation member are each threaded,
wherein the first fixation member includes a spline,
wherein the first blocker includes a rotatable blocking screw having a head adapted to block the spherical head portion of the second fixation member from backing out when the blocking screw is rotated, and
wherein the first opening is circular with at least one lateral extension configured to receive a substantially flat portion of the first fixation member that extends laterally across a proximal end of the first fixation member.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The spinal implant of claim 11, wherein the first fixation member is straight.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The spinal implant of claim 12, wherein the end member is formed of a metallic material.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The spinal implant of claim 11, wherein the first fixation member is curved, while the second fixation member and the third fixation member are straight.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The spinal implant of claim 11, wherein the first fixation member extends in an upward angle relative to the spacer and the second fixation member and the third fixation member each extend in a downward angle relative to the spacer.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The spinal implant of claim 11, wherein the spacer is attached to the end member via a dovetail connection.

### Claim 17 (depends on 11)

The spinal implant of claim 11, wherein the spacer is formed of PEEK.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

The spinal implant of claim 11, wherein the spacer further comprises an opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

The spinal implant of claim 11, wherein the second blocker includes a rotatable blocking screw having a head adapted to rest against the spherical head portion of the third fixation member when the blocking screw is rotated.

### Claim 20 (depends on 11)

The spinal implant of claim 11, wherein the spacer is formed of PEEK and the end member is made of metal.