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US 6,679,915 B1Granted
Articulating spinal implant
AssigneeSDGI Holdings, Inc.
InventorJoseph C. Cauthen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An articulating spinal implant for intervertebral disc replacement. The articulating spinal implant is formed from two elements, each engaging one of an adjacent pair of vertebra. Articulation features between the two elements resist compression and lateral movement between the vertebra, but allow the adjacent vertebra to articulate about an instantaneous axis of rotation.
Claims27
A spinal implant, comprising:
- an articulating means positionable between a first vertebra and a second vertebra, wherein said articulating means permits an articulation of said first vertebra and said second vertebra about an instantaneous axis of rotation;
- a first element comprising a first articulating surface and a first connection means for engaging said first vertebra;
- and
- a second element comprising a second articulating surface and a second connection means for engaging said second vertebra;
- and
- wherein said first articulating surface abuts said second articulating surface to form said articulating means;
- and
- wherein said articulating means comprises a channel along a length of said second element and a rocker along a length of said first element, at least a portion of said rocker engaged within said channel, said channel along the length of said second element having a channel width at a leading end and a tail end which is greater than the channel width at some point between said leading end and said tail end;
- and
- whereby said articulation of said first vertebra and said second vertebra is substantially similar to the bio-mechanical motion of a substantially identical pair of adjacent vertebrae interacting with a natural intervertebral disc.
7 more elements
A spinal implant, comprising:
- an articulating means positionable between a first vertebra and a second vertebra, wherein said articulating means permits an articulation of said first vertebra and said second vertebra about an instantaneous axis of rotation;
- a first element comprising a first articulating surface and a first connection means for engaging said first vertebra;
- and
- a second element comprising a second articulating surface and a second connection means for engaging said second vertebra;
- and
- wherein said first articulating surface abuts said second articulating surface to form said articulating means;
- and
- wherein one of said first and second articulating surfaces is a convex surface, and wherein another of said first and second articulating surfaces is a substantially planar surface;
- and
- whereby said articulation of said first vertebra and said second vertebra is substantially similar to the bio-mechanical motion of a substantially identical pair of adjacent vertebrae interacting with a natural intervertebral disc.
7 more elements
A spinal implant adapted for insertion within an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
- a first element having a first articulation surface;
- and
- a second element having a second articulation surface;
- said first and second articulation surfaces cooperating to provide articulation between the adjacent vertebrae about an instantaneous axis of rotation to restore substantially normal bio-mechanical motion of the adjacent vertebrae;
- and
- wherein one of said first and second articulation surfaces is a convex surface and another of said first and second articulation surfaces is a substantially planar surface.
3 more elements
A spinal implant adapted for insertion within an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
- a first element having a first articulation surface;
- and
- a second element having a second articulation surface;
- said first and second articulation surfaces cooperating to provide articulation between the adjacent vertebrae about an instantaneous axis of rotation to restore substantially normal bio-mechanical motion of the adjacent vertebrae;
- and
- wherein one of said first and second articulation surfaces is defined by an elongate rocker and wherein another of said first and second articulation surfaces is defined by an elongate channel, said elongate rocker cooperating with said elongate channel to provide said articulation between the adjacent vertebrae, said elongate channel having a varying channel width and having an hour-glass shape.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.