# US 11,439,440 B2 · Vertebral disc repair > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,439,440 B2 - Document ID: US11439440B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/917,108 - Filed: 2020-06-30 - Published: 2020-12-31 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-30 - Assignees: Innovasis, Inc. - Applicants: Innovasis, Inc. - Inventors: Jesse Eisler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439440B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7053: {with parts attached to bones or to each other by flexible wires, straps, sutures or cables} - A61F 2/442: {Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient (non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455)} - A61B 17/7001: {Screws or hooks combined with longitudinal elements which do not contact vertebrae (A61B17/7058 takes precedence)} - 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)} - A61F 2002/30242: {spherical} - A61F 2002/30253: {ellipsoidal or ovoid} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - 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) ## Abstract The present disclosure includes apparatuses, systems, and methods for vertebral disc repair. An example apparatus includes a first surface including a concave opening configured to receive an artificial disc, a second surface, and an aperture extending through the first surface and the second surface, wherein the aperture is configured to receive a bone screw. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vertebral disc repair apparatus, comprising: a first plate, comprising: a first surface including a first concave opening configured to receive an artificial disc; a second surface, wherein the first concave opening is between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are planar and parallel to each other and extend to each outer edge of the first plate, and wherein the first concave opening is configured to receive the artificial disc between the first surface and the second surface of the first plate and above the first surface of the first plate; and a first aperture extending through the first surface and the second surface, wherein the first aperture is configured to receive a first bone screw; and a second plate comprising: a third surface including a second concave opening configured to receive the artificial disc; a fourth surface, wherein the second concave opening is between the third surface and the fourth surface, wherein the third surface and the fourth surface extend to each outer edge of the second plate, wherein the second concave opening is configured to receive the artificial disc between the third surface and the fourth surface of the second plate and above the third surface of the second plate, and wherein the second plate includes at least one tab that extends out from the third surface towards the first plate; and a second aperture extending through the third surface and the fourth surface, wherein the second aperture is configured to receive a second bone screw. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third first surface includes the at least one tab and a number of other tabs. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tab maintains the artificial disc in place. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second surface includes at least one keel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one keel maintains the vertebral disc repair apparatus in place. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the first aperture is less than a diameter of a head of the first bone screw. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first aperture includes a countersink to receive the head of the first bone screw. ### Claim 8 A vertebral disc repair system, comprising: an artificial disc, wherein the artificial disc is symmetrical; a plate including: a concave opening configured to receive the artificial disc, wherein the concave opening is between a first surface and a second surface of the plate, wherein the first surface and the second surface are planar and parallel to each other and extend to each outer edge of the first plate, and wherein the artificial disc is located between the first surface and the second surface of the plate and above the first surface of the plate, wherein the plate includes at least one tab that extends out from the first surface; an aperture extending through the plate, wherein the aperture is configured to receive a bone screw; and the bone screw configured to couple the plate to a vertebra; and a different plate including: a different concave opening configured to receive the artificial disc, wherein the different concave opening is between a third surface and a fourth surface of the different plate, wherein the third surface and the fourth surface are planar and parallel to each other and extend to each outer edge of the different plate, and wherein the artificial disc is located between the third surface and the fourth surface of the different plate and above the third surface of the different plate, wherein the different plate includes at least one tab that extends out from the third surface towards the first surface of the plate; a different aperture extending through the different plate, wherein the different aperture is configured to receive a different bone screw; and the different bone screw is configured to couple the different plate to a different vertebra. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the artificial disc comprises high density polyethylene. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the artificial disc is at least one of: an ovoid, spheroid, or ellipsoid. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the artificial disc is 3D printed. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the plate includes a coating that promotes bone growth. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the artificial disc is specific to a patient. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein a position of a maximum vertical height of the artificial disc is based on a type of deformity. ### Claim 15 A method for vertebral disc repair, comprising: removing a disc; coupling a first plate to a first vertebra; coupling a second plate to a second vertebra; and inserting an artificial disc between the first and second plates and into a first concave opening of the first plate and a second concave opening of the second plate, wherein the artificial disc is between a first surface and a second surface of the first plate and the artificial disc is between a third surface and a fourth surface of the second plate and wherein the first surface and the second surface are planar and parallel to each other and extend to each outer edge of the first plate and the third surface and the fourth surface are planar and parallel to each other and extend to each outer edge of the second plate and wherein the first plate includes at least one tab that extends out from the first surface toward the second plate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the first plate to the first vertebra includes inserting a first bone screw through a first aperture of the first plate and screwing the first bone screw into the first vertebra and coupling the second plate to the second vertebra includes inserting a second bone screw through a second aperture of the second plate and screwing the second bone screw into the second vertebra.