Spinal implant device
OwnerWesley A. Nolaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dynamic fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in a disc space between adjacent vertebrae that includes a body and an engaging member. The body extends along a longitudinal axis having a first portion and two or more legs depending from the first portion. The legs are laterally spaced apart from each other and define a second end of the body spaced opposite the first end. The legs define an engaging member receiving cavity. An engaging member, such as a disc, is secured to the body and received within the engaging member receiving cavity, wherein the engaging member is secured to the body only by engagement of the engaging member with the legs. During installation, the engaging member causes the legs to flex.
Claims29
A dynamic fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in a disc space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
- a body extending along a longitudinal axis having a first portion and two or more legs depending from said first portion, said first portion having a first end having a width of a first lateral distance, said legs laterally spaced apart from each other and defining a second end of said body spaced opposite from said first end, said second end having a width of a second lateral distance, said legs defining an engaging member receiving cavity;
- and
- an engaging member secured to said body and received within said engaging member receiving cavity, wherein said engaging member is secured to said body only by engagement of said engaging member with said legs.
A method for installing a dynamic fusion device for facilitating arthrodesis in a disc space between adjacent vertebrae, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a body extending along a longitudinal axis having a first portion and two legs depending from said first portion, said first portion having a first end having a width of a first lateral distance, said legs laterally spaced apart from each other and defining a second end of said body spaced opposite from said first end, said second end having a width of a second lateral distance, said legs defining an engaging member receiving cavity;
- and
- an engaging member adapted to be secured to said body and received within said engaging member receiving cavity;
- forming a body receiving passageway between two adjacent vertebrae for receipt of said body;
- inserting said body into said body receiving passageway;
- and
- securing said engaging member to said second end of said body causing said legs to flex so that the second lateral distance increases whereby the second lateral distance is greater than the first lateral distance and the engaging member is only held in place by said legs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.