Back to results
US 9,314,346 B2Granted
Spinal implant
AssigneeBrigham Young University
InventorsPeter Halverson, Larry L. Howell, Spencer P. Magleby, Anton E. Bowden
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spinal implant includes a first rolling-contact core operably coupled to a first vertebra, said first rolling-contact core having a first convex surface having a first axis, said first convex surface configured to provide a first rolling motion in a first direction to said first vertebra relative to a second vertebra. At least one flexure is connected to said first rolling-contact core, said flexure configured to constrain said first rolling motion.
Claims31
A spinal implant comprising:
- a first rolling-contact core operable to be coupled to a first vertebra, the first rolling contact core having a first convex surface having a first axis and a chord surface intersecting the first convex surface, the first convex surface configured to provide a first rolling motion in a first direction to the first vertebra relative to a second vertebra;
- a plurality of flexible elongate flexures configured to constrain the first rolling motion, each elongate flexure comprising:
- a first end directly fixedly attached to the first rolling-contact core;
- and
- a second end spaced apart from the first end and fixedly attached to or adapted to be fixedly attached to an element selected from the group consisting of:
- the first vertebra;
- and
- an end plate adapted to be affixed to the first vertebra;
- wherein fixed attachment of each of the plurality of elongate flexures to the first rolling-contact core and the first vertebra or the end plate is adapted to constrain relative movement at a point of contact between the first rolling-contact core and the first vertebra or the end plate to non-translational rolling movement.
6 more elements
A spinal implant comprising:
- a first rolling-contact core operable to be coupled to a first vertebra, the first rolling-contact core having a first convex surface having a first axis and a chord surface intersecting the first convex surface, the first convex surface configured to provide a first rolling motion in a first direction to the first vertebra relative to a second vertebra;
- a plurality of flexible elongate flexures configured to constrain the first rolling motion, each elongate flexure comprising:
- a first end directly fixedly attached to the first rolling-contact core;
- and
- a second end spaced apart from the first end and fixedly attached to or adapted to be fixedly attached to an element selected from the group consisting of:
- the first vertebra;
- and
- an end plate adapted to be affixed to the first vertebra;
- wherein at least one of the elongate flexures is fixedly attached proximate a first edge of the first convex surface, and wherein a different at least one of the elongate flexures is fixedly attached proximate a second edge of the first convex surface that is opposite the first edge of the first convex surface.
6 more elements
A spinal implant comprising:
- a first rolling-contact core operable to be coupled to a first vertebra, the first rolling-contact core having a first surface and a chord surface intersecting the first surface, the first surface configured to provide a first rolling motion in a first direction to the first vertebra relative to a second vertebra;
- a plurality of flexible elongate flexures configured to constrain the first rolling motion, each elongate flexure comprising:
- a first end directly fixedly attached to the first rolling-contact core;
- and
- a second end spaced apart from the first end and fixedly attached to or adapted to be fixedly attached to an element selected from the group consisting of:
- the first vertebra;
- and
- an end plate adapted to be affixed to the first vertebra;
- wherein fixed attachment of each of the plurality of elongate flexures to the first rolling-contact core and the first vertebra or the end plate is adapted to constrain relative movement at a point of contact between the first rolling-contact core and the first vertebra or the end plate to non-translational rolling movement.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.