# US 7,799,081 B2 · System and method for spinal fusion

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- Number: US 7,799,081 B2
- Document ID: US7799081B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/940,570
- Filed: 2004-09-14
- Published: 2006-03-16
- Granted: 2010-09-21
- Earliest claimed: 2004-09-14
- Assignees: Aeolin, LLC
- Inventors: Laurence M. McKinley
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7799081B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/4455: {for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages (intervertebral discs A61F2/442)}
- A61F 2/4611: {of spinal prostheses}
- A61F 2/30965: {Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping}
- A61F 2002/2817: {Bone stimulation by chemical reactions or by osteogenic or biological products for enhancing ossification, e.g. by bone morphogenetic or morphogenic proteins [BMP] or by transforming growth factors [TGF]}
- A61F 2002/2835: {Bone graft implants for filling a bony defect or an endoprosthesis cavity, e.g. by synthetic material or biological material}
- A61F 2002/30062: {(bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive}
- A61F 2002/3008: {radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers}
- A61F 2002/30451: {soldered or brazed or welded}
- A61F 2002/30522: {releasable, e.g. using a releasable ratchet}
- A61F 2002/30538: {for adjusting angular orientation}
- A61F 2002/30556: {for adjusting thickness}
- A61F 2002/30579: {with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices}
- A61F 2002/30593: {hollow}
- A61F 2002/30774: {internally-threaded}
- A61F 2002/30785: {parallel}
- A61F 2002/30841: {Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes}
- A61F 2002/30879: {Ribs}
- A61F 2002/448: {comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants}
- A61F 2002/4627: {with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument}
- A61F 2002/4629: {connected to the endoprosthesis or implant via a threaded connection}
- A61F 2210/0004: bioabsorbable
- A61F 2220/0025: Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
- A61F 2220/0058: soldered or brazed or welded
- A61F 2250/0006: for adjusting angular orientation
- A61F 2250/0009: for adjusting thickness
- A61F 2250/0098: radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
- A61F 2310/00017: Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
- A61F 2310/00023: Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)

## Abstract

The current invention is directed to a system and method for fusing two adjacent vertebrae. In one embodiment, the vertebrae are fused by inserting a self-broaching interbody apparatus into a disc space without the need for separately drilling and broaching. The self-broaching interbody apparatus may include cutting flutes or other broaching means capable of cutting through the cartilaginous endplates of the vertebrae. In another embodiment, an interbody apparatus with an expanding means capable of distracting the disc space between the adjacent vertebrae is inserted into the disc space. Another embodiment includes a sleeve that fits around an interbody apparatus that has at least one opening in its outer surface leading to a cavity filled with bone and/or ortho-biological materials.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A spinal fusion system for fusing two adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
a self-broaching interbody apparatus with an upper surface, a llower surface, an insertion end and a trailing end; and
an expanding means comprising;
a first end wall projecting from the upper surface on one of the insertion end and the trailing end toward the lower surface and having a first opening with internal threads;
a second end wall projecting from the lower surface on the other of the insertion end and the trailing end toward the upper surface and having a second opening with internal threads;
first and second sidewalls having first and second projecting edges, the first and second sidewalls fixed to the upper surface and the first end wall, and increasing in size toward the first end wall;
third and fourth sidewalls having third and fourth projecting edges, the third and forth sidewalls fixed to the lower surface and the second end wall, and increasing in size toward the second end wall; and
a linking screw with external threads that mate with the internal threads of the first and second end walls, such that when the linking screw is rotated the first and second end walls are pulled toward each other causing the first and third projecting edges to slide against each other and the second and fourth projecting edges to slide against each other, wherein during such rotation the interbody apparatus is moved from an unexpanded state, where the upper and lower surfaces are at a first distance from each other, to an expanded state, where the upper and lower surfaces are at a second and greater distance from each other; and
wherein in the unexpanded state, the interbody apparatus can be inserted between said adjacent vertebrae while the adjacent vertebrae are in an undistracted state, and in the expanded state, the interbody apparatus increases the distance between the adjacent vertebrae such that the vertebrae are in a distracted state.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The spinal fusion system of claim 1, wherein the insertion end includes cutting flutes, the cutting flutes projecting from the outside surface in a first direction and configured to cut through a cartilage layer on at least one of said adjacent vertebrae.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The spinal fusion system of claim 2, further comprising a keel projecting in substantially the first direction, fixed to the outside surface and aligned behind at least one of the cutting flutes.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The spinal fusion system of claim 1, wherein the trailing end includes an edge that projects at least partially outward, such that when the interbody apparatus sits between said adjacent vertebrae, the edge exerts force on said adjacent vertebrae.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The spinal fusion system of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower surfaces are curved to mate with said adjacent vertebrae.