US 6,582,467 B1Granted

Expandable fusion cage

AssigneeVertelink Corporation

InventorsGeorge Teitelbaum, Samuel M. Shaolian, To V. Pham, Thanh V. Nguyen

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

Disclosed is an expandable fusion cage which facilitates the fusion of adjacent bony surfaces, preferably those in the spine. In a preferred embodiment, the fusion cage. The surfaces of the cage which are intended to contact the vertebral endplates have multiple portions cut out of the metal to form sharp barbs. As the cage is expanded to come into apposition with endplates above and below, the sharp barbs protrude into the subcortical bone of the vertebral body thus securing the cage in place. Multiple holes or fenestrations are present on the superior and inferior surfaces of the cage to permit contact of morselized autologous bone and/or an artificial bone matrix material with the prepared endplate surface.

Claims7

Dependent claims

An expandable fusion cage, comprising:

a tubular body having first and second open ends and a wall surface disposed between the first and second ends, the wall surface being formed by a plurality of intersecting elongate members, at least some of the elongate members intersecting with one another intermediate the first and second ends of the tubular body and said wall surface defining a space inside the body;
the wall surface having a superior portion and an inferior portion, wherein the superior and inferior portions are opposite each other, the superior and inferior portions each having an outer surface having a plurality of barbs thereon extending away from the tubular body;
and
the space inside the body being filled with a natural and/or artificial material to stimulate bone growth;
wherein the tubular body has a first diameter which permits delivery of the tubular body into a space formed between two vertebral bodies and a second, expanded diameter, wherein expansion of the tubular body expands the space between the two vertebral bodies.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/003,727Filed 31 Oct 2001 · us provisional application
Priority: 31 Oct 2000
Granted: 24 Jun 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification25 codes

A61B 17/1757
Specially adapted for particular parts of the body: for the spine
A61B 17/1615
Component parts: drill bits, i.e. rotating tools extending from a handpiece to contact the worked material
A61F 2/4465
For the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages: having a circular or kidney shaped…
A61F 2/4611
For insertion or extraction of endoprosthetic joints or of accessories thereof: of spinal prostheses