Intervertebral implant with reduced contact area and method
AssigneeSulzer Spine-Tech Inc.
InventorDouglas W. Kohrs
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosure provides fusion implants, instruments and methods for insertion of the implants between opposing vertebral bodies to facilitate stabilization or arthrodesis of an intervertebral joint. A cross section through the longitudinal dimension of the implant is substantially configured in an “I” shape. In addition to other features, the implants of the invention provide a reduced contact surface area with the interior surface of a bore formed for receiving the implant.
Claims26
An implant for intervertebral fusion between opposing first and second vertebrae, said implant comprising:
- a unitary implant body having a leading end and a trailing end spaced apart by a longitudinal dimension of the implant;
- and
- a trailing end view of said implant body having a substantially “I” shaped configuration comprising opposing first and second transverse members spaced apart by a central support member;
- said first transverse member having a first curved bearing surface and said second transverse member having a second curved bearing surface.
A implant for intervertebral fusion between opposing vertebrae, said implant comprising:
- a unitary implant body having a first end and a second end spaced apart by a longitudinal axis of said implant;
- said implant body comprising diametrically opposed first and second curved bearing surfaces, said first and second curved bearing surfaces being non-continuous;
- said first bearing surface having a first inner surface and said second bearing surface having a second inner surface, said first and second bearing surfaces facing away from one another and said first and second inner surfaces facing towards one another;
- said first and second curved bearing surfaces maintained in spaced apart relation by a central support member attached between said first and second inner surfaces, said central support member passing through a single plane between diametrically opposed regions of said first and second curved bearing surfaces.
An implant for intervertebral fusion between opposing first and second vertebrae, said implant comprising:
- an implant body having a leading end and a trailing end spaced apart by a longitudinal dimension of the implant;
- and
- a trailing end view of said implant body having a substantially “I” shaped configuration comprising opposing first and second transverse members spaced apart by a central support member;
- said first transverse member having a first curved bearing surface and said second transverse member having a second curved bearing surface;
- and
- said first and second curved bearing surfaces each including a portion of a helical thread pattern extending from said leading end to said trailing end of said implant body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.