Minimally invasive spinal disc stabilizer and insertion tool
OwnerBradley J. Glenn, Gary A. Schneidermaninventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a spinal implant to be inserted between two vertebra to support and stabilize adjacent vertebra and allow for physiological motion. One embodiment of the implant includes an upper assembly and a lower assembly, where the assemblies are adapted to articulate relative to one another. This implant also includes elongate elements that are deployable between a closed position and an open position. Portions of the implant can interlock to form various shapes. The invention includes an implantable device to support the vertebrae, and a minimally invasive method for inserting and deploying the device within the intervertebral space.
Claims26
An intervertebral implant comprising:
- a first assembly comprising at least a first elongate element and a second elongate element contacting the first elongate element;
- a second assembly contacting the first assembly comprising at least a third elongate element and a fourth elongate element contacting the third elongate element;
- and
- a vertebral contact surface area;
- wherein the first assembly is adapted to articulate relative to the second assembly,
- wherein the first elongate element and second elongate element define a clearance therebetween to enable a limited range of motion between the first elongate element and second elongate element in an interlocked arrangement,
- wherein the first elongate element is on a first plane,
- wherein the second elongate element is on a second plane positioned below the first plane,
- wherein the third elongate element is on a third plane positioned below the second plane,
- wherein the fourth elongate element is on a fourth plane positioned below the third plane, and
- a locking mechanism for preventing relative movement between the first elongate element and second elongate when in a locked configuration and allowing relative movement when in an unlocked configuration.
An intervertebral implant comprising in combination:
- a first assembly comprising at least a first elongate element and a second elongate element contacting the first elongate element;
- said first elongate element extending non-parallel with said second elongate element;
- a second assembly contacting the first assembly comprising at least a third elongate element and a fourth elongate element contacting the third elongate element;
- said third elongate element extending non-parallel with said fourth elongate element;
- wherein said first assembly is adapted to pivot relative to said second assembly, and
- a locking mechanism for preventing relative movement between the first elongate element and second elongate when in a locked configuration and allowing relative movement when in an unlocked configuration.
An intervertebral implant comprising:
- a first assembly comprising at least a first elongate element and a second elongate element contacting the first elongate element;
- a second assembly contacting the first assembly comprising at least a third elongate element and a fourth elongate element contacting the third elongate element;
- and
- a vertebral contact surface area;
- wherein the first assembly is adapted to pivot relative to the second assembly,
- wherein the first elongate element and second elongate element define a clearance therebetween to enable a limited range of motion between the first elongate element and second elongate element in an interlocked arrangement,
- wherein the first elongate element is on a first plane,
- wherein the second elongate element is on a second plane positioned below the first plane,
- wherein the third elongate element is on a third plane positioned below the second plane,
- wherein the fourth elongate element is on a fourth plane positioned below the third plane, and
- a locking mechanism for preventing relative movement between the first elongate element and second elongate when in a locked configuration and allowing relative movement when in an unlocked configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.