# US 8,784,451 B2 · Elevating insert for cervical spinal vertebrae

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- Number: US 8,784,451 B2
- Document ID: US8784451B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/776,982
- Filed: 2010-05-10
- Published: 2010-12-09
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2009-06-04
- Assignees: Linares Medical Devices, LLC
- Applicants: Miguel A. Linares
- Inventors: Miguel A. Linares
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784451B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/7062: {Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral processes, vertebral facets or ribs (rib fixation devices A61B17/8076); Tools for such devices}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A support insert located between succeeding vertebrae and which includes a body having a specified shape and size and which is located in a space existing between succeeding process portions associated with the vertebrae. The body includes a generally boomerang shape in cross section with inner and outer ramped and displaceable pieces in order to seat against a surface of each vertebrae process. A collection of clips, anchors and/or frictional surface teeth are provided to assisting in locating and gripping opposing vertebral locations between which the body is applied.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A height adjustable spacer insert configured to be supported between elongated processes associated with first and second succeeding spinal vertebrae, said insert comprising:
an outer piece having a boomerang shaped cross sectional profile exhibited by first and second angled sides and an interconnecting midpoint, said outer piece is constructed of a softer material, a boomerang shaped inner perimeter surface extending from an edge of said outer piece and inwardly to define a pocket within said outer piece;
anchors extending from said outer piece and adapted to engage a selected one of the elongated processes for mounting said outer piece so that said midpoint is adapted to being supported upon the elongated process in a seated fashion and said pocket faces away from a main disk associated with the vertebra;
an inner piece constructed of a harder material and having a boomerang shape cross sectional profile, an exterior of said inner piece being ramped along a length extending dimension between a first end having a smaller boomerang shaped dimension and a second end having a larger boomerang shaped dimension; and
said first end of said inner piece being received within a receiving end of said pocket, wherein continued inward displacement of said inner piece causes uniform expansion of said softer outer piece along its cross sectional dimension and into supporting contact with an underside of the other elongated process.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The insert as described in claim 1, further comprising pluralities of friction promoting teeth disposed on each of opposite facing and process engaging surfaces of said outer piece to maintain a spatial position between the vertebrae.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The insert as described in claim 1, said anchors further comprising clip portions integrally extending from edge locations of said outer piece, said clip portions each having an angled shape with enlarged ends adapted to engage with the selected elongated process.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The insert as described in claim 1, said anchors each further comprising an elongate body displacing through apertures defined through said outer piece.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The insert as described in claim 4, said elongate bodies each further comprising an enlarged head at one end which, upon being fully inserted, engages upper surface locations of said outer piece, opposite process engaging ends of said elongate bodies exhibiting a reverse angled profile.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The insert as described in claim 1, further comprising opposite side locations of said outer piece which are laterally split during expansion by said inner piece.