# US 12,109,124 B2 · Intervertebral spacer that dynamically promotes bone growth

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- Number: US 12,109,124 B2
- Document ID: US12109124B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/359,941
- Filed: 2023-07-27
- Published: 2023-11-16
- Granted: 2024-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2015-03-10
- Assignees: NuVasive, Inc.
- Applicants: Simplify Medial Pty Ltd
- Inventors: Yves Arramon; David Hovda
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109124B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/4465: {having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine}
- A61F 2/30749: {Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body}
- A61F 2/30771: {applied in original prostheses, e.g. holes or grooves}
- 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 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section}
- A61B 17/7059: {Cortical plates (A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence)}
- A61F 2002/30014: {differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility}
- A61F 2002/30028: {differing in tissue ingrowth capacity, e.g. made from both ingrowth-promoting and ingrowth-preventing parts}
- A61F 2002/3008: {radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers}
- A61F 2002/30131: {horseshoe- or crescent- or C-shaped or U-shaped}
- A61F 2002/30136: {undulated or wavy, e.g. serpentine-shaped or zigzag-shaped}
- A61F 2002/30158: {trapezoidal}
- A61F 2002/302: {toroidal, e.g. rings}
- A61F 2002/30563: {having elastic means or damping means, different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric core or shock absorbers}
- A61F 2002/30578: {having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws}
- A61F 2002/30593: {hollow}
- A61F 2002/30782: {inclined obliquely}
- A61F 2002/30787: {inclined obliquely with respect to each other}
- A61F 2002/30904: {serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed}
- A61F 2002/3093: {for promoting ingrowth of bone tissue}
- A61F 2002/30968: {Sintering}
- A61F 2002/3097: {using laser}
- A61F 2220/0016: with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
- A61F 2310/00023: Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
- A61F 2310/00029: Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
- A61F 2310/00059: Chromium or Cr-based alloys
- A61F 2310/00101: Molybdenum or Mo-based alloys
- A61F 2310/00131: Tantalum or Ta-based alloys
- A61F 2310/00407: Coating made of titanium or of Ti-based alloys
- 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

A dynamic intervertebral spacer includes a ring which is split on an anterior portion. A posterior portion of the ring acts as a torsion spring. After implantation, the ring is able to act as a spring between superior and inferior vertebral bodies, thus allowing dynamic bone growth in fusion procedures.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An intervertebral spacer comprising:
a monolithic spacer having an anterior portion, a posterior portion, a superior surface, an inferior surface angled with respect to the superior surface to restore lordosis, and an open center portion configured to receive bone graft;
wherein said monolithic spacer is configured to be implanted in a space between adjacent vertebral bodies with the superior surface engaging a superior vertebral body and the inferior surface engaging an inferior vertebral body;
a first flange extending upwards from the superior surface and configured to engage an anterior surface of the superior vertebral body; and
a second flange extending downwards from the inferior surface and configured to engage an anterior surface of the inferior vertebral body,
wherein the first flange and second flange together function as a bone plate,
wherein the intervertebral spacer is split along the anterior portion between the first and second flanges and intersecting the superior and inferior surfaces to provide motion in the anterior/posterior direction of between 1 and 5 degrees; and
wherein a portion of the intervertebral spacer is configured to act as a torsion spring to allow the anterior/posterior motion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The intervertebral spacer of claim 1, wherein the first flange comprises an opening configured to receive a bone screw and the second flange comprises an opening configured to receive a bone screw.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The intervertebral spacer of claim 2, wherein the first flange comprises a peg configured to engage with a vertebral body, and the second flange comprises an opening configured to receive a bone screw.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The intervertebral spacer of claim 2, wherein at least one of the superior surface or the inferior surface comprises one or more of teeth, serrations, ridges, or grooves.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The intervertebral spacer of claim 2, wherein the opening of the first flange and the opening of the second flange are vertically aligned.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The intervertebral spacer of claim 2, wherein the opening of the first flange and the opening of the second flange are not vertically aligned.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The intervertebral spacer of claim 1, wherein at least one of the superior surface or the inferior surface comprises at least two of teeth, serrations, ridges, or grooves.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The intervertebral spacer of claim 1, wherein the first flange and the second flange are located in the anterior portion of the intervertebral spacer.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The intervertebral spacer of claim 1, wherein a posterior face of at least one of the first flange or the second flange comprises teeth or serrations configured to contact an anterior surface of a vertebral body.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The intervertebral spacer of claim 1, wherein split of the intervertebral spacer comprises a first face and a second face opposing the first face, wherein the first face and the second face move with respect to one another under load on the intervertebral spacer from the adjacent vertebral bodies.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The intervertebral spacer of claim 1, wherein the torsion spring is located at the posterior portion of the intervertebral spacer.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The intervertebral spacer of claim 1, wherein the monolithic spacer configured to elastically resist flexion as a patient's spine goes through flexion and extension.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The intervertebral spacer of claim 12, wherein the monolithic spacer comprises one or more of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK).

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The intervertebral spacer of claim 12, wherein the monolithic spacer comprises one or more of titanium, nitinol, or cobalt chrome molybdenum.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The intervertebral spacer of claim 1, wherein the split is a vertical split which provides a vertical offset in the range from 0.05 mm to 3.0 mm.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The intervertebral spacer of claim 15, wherein the vertical offset resists compression with a spring force in the range from 20 N/mm to 40000 N/mm.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The intervertebral spacer of claim 1, wherein the superior surface has a convex geometry.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The intervertebral spacer of claim 1, wherein the open center portion extends from the superior surface to the inferior surface to receive the bone graft material and allow bone to grow through the intervertebral spacer.