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US 8,523,945 B1Granted
Method and apparatus for affixing a fusion member to vertebral bodies
AssigneeSpinelogik, Inc.
InventorJeffrey Paris Wensel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus that, in some embodiments, (1) delivers a fusion member between two vertebral bodies after at least a portion of the fibrocartilaginous disc between the vertebral bodies has been removed, and (2) affixes the fusion member to the vertebral bodies. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes (1) a fusion member that is delivered and positioned between the vertebral bodies, (2) a delivery mechanism that delivers and positions the fusion member between the vertebral bodies, and (3) an anchoring member that affixes the fusion member to the vertebral bodies.
Claims15
A fusion device comprising:
- a fusion member configured to position between first and second vertebral bodies, the fusion member having first and second channels;
- a first anchoring member configured to insert partially into the first vertebral body through the first channel and to remain in the first vertebral body;
- and
- a second anchoring member configured to insert partially into the second vertebral body through the second channel and to remain in the second vertebral body,
- wherein each anchoring member has a lumen configured to receive a hardening material and to supply the hardening material to a location in the vertebral body, so that the hardening material anchors the anchoring member to the vertebral body while a portion of the anchoring member remains within the fusion member in order to couple the fusion member to the vertebral body.
2 more elements
A fusion device comprising:
- a fusion member for positioning between two vertebral bodies, the fusion member having a channel;
- and
- an anchoring member for affixing the fusion member to a vertebral body, the anchoring member comprising:
- a shaft comprising a hollow interior;
- and
- a tip for penetrating into the vertebral body through the channel while the anchoring member couples to the fusion member, the tip comprising at least one perforation that is an outlet for the hollow interior, the hollow interior for receiving a hardening material and depositing the hardening material out of the tip's perforation at a location in the vertebral body that is penetrated by the tip, the deposited hardening material hardening to anchor the tip of the anchoring member within the vertebral body.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.