Porous intervertebral distraction spacers
AssigneeThird Millenium Engineering, LLC
InventorsJames D. Ralph, Steven Tatar, Thomas J. Errico
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An intervertebral space distraction and implantable device assembly provides sequentially axially wider spacers that are to be sequentially inserted into and removed from an intervertebral space to widen the space until a desired anatomical spacing of the adjacent vertebral bones is restored. The set of spacers includes a porous spacer that is as wide as the spacer that restores the desired anatomical spacing. The porous spacer can therefore be left implanted in the intervertebral space to promote fusion of the adjacent vertebral bones.
Claims8
An intervertebral space distraction and implantable device assembly comprising:
- a plurality of sequentially axially wider disc spacer elements, a sequential insertion and removal of which, into an intervertebral space effects a widening of the intervertebral space, such that a desired anatomical spacing of adjacent vertebral bones may be restored,
- said plurality of sequentially axially wider disc spacer elements including at least one porous spacer element having a width equivalent to a width of the spacer element that restores the desired anatomical spacing,
- wherein said disc spacer elements each include beveled upper and lower circumferential radial edges which facilitate the application of the desired spreading force to the adjacent vertebral bones.
An intervertebral space distraction and implantable device assembly comprising:
- a plurality of sequentially axially wider disc spacer elements, a sequential insertion and removal of which, into an intervertebral space effects a widening of the intervertebral space, such that a desired anatomical spacing of adjacent vertebral bones may be restored,
- said plurality of sequentially axially wider disc spacer elements including at least one porous spacer element having a width equivalent to a width of the spacer element that restores the desired anatomical spacing,
- wherein said disc spacer elements each include an axially medial groove into which a corresponding insertion and removal tool can be seated.
An intervertebral space distraction and implantable device assembly comprising:
- a plurality of sequentially axially wider disc spacer elements, a sequential insertion and removal of which, into an intervertebral space effects a widening of the intervertebral space, such that a desired anatomical spacing of adjacent vertebral bones may be restored,
- said plurality of sequentially axially wider disc spacer elements including at least one porous spacer element having a width equivalent to a width of the spacer element that restores the desired anatomical spacing,
- wherein said disc spacer elements each further comprise diametrically tapered upper and lower surfaces, and
- wherein said disc spacer elements each include an axially medial groove into which a corresponding insertion and removal tool can be seated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.