# US 9,872,780 B2 · Interbody fusion devices with self-affixing mechanisms

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,872,780 B2
- Document ID: US9872780B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/141,122
- Filed: 2016-04-28
- Published: 2016-10-27
- Granted: 2018-01-23
- Earliest claimed: 2013-08-22
- Assignees: Globus Medical, Inc.
- Applicants: Globus Medical, Inc.
- Inventors: Don Reed; Aditya Ingalhalikar; Jeff Nichols; Brandon Preske; Mark Fromhold; Colm McLaughlin; Mark Adams; Brian Garvey
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872780B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/4465: {having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine}
- A61B 17/8042: {the additional component being a cover over the screw head}
- A61F 2/4611: {of spinal prostheses}
- A61F 2/30749: {Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body}
- A61F 2002/30505: {spring biased}
- A61F 2002/30507: {using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw}
- A61F 2002/30525: {Worm gears}
- A61F 2002/30579: {with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices}
- A61F 2002/30593: {hollow}
- A61F 2002/30787: {inclined obliquely with respect to each other}
- A61F 2220/0016: with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
- 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)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

Interbody fusion devices including deployable fixation members. The implant may include a spacer, optionally, an end member coupled to the spacer, and one or more fixation members configured to extend into adjacent vertebrae. The fixation members may include screws, nails, shims, tangs, spikes, staples, pins, blades, fins, or the like, and combinations thereof.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A spinal implant comprising:
a spacer comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface comprises one or more protrusions and the lower surface comprises one or more protrusions;
an end member attached to the spacer, wherein the end member comprises a first opening, and a second opening;
a first fixation member extendable through the first opening;
a second fixation member extendable through the second opening;
a first blocking mechanism configured to prevent backout of the first fixation member; and
a second blocking mechanism configured to prevent backout of the second fixation member,
wherein the first fixation member is non-threaded and the second fixation member is threaded, wherein the first fixation member comprises a shim having a longitudinal axis, wherein the shim comprises a head, a distal end and a spline that extends along the longitudinal axis from the head toward the distal end, wherein the shim continuously tapers from the head toward the distal end, and
wherein the first opening is configured to receive a substantially flat portion of the first fixation member that extends laterally across a proximal end of the first fixation member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises an opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the spacer is formed of PEEK.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises a female recess and the end member comprises a male projection insertable into the female recess to attach the spacer to the end member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein a dovetail assembly is formed between the spacer and the end member.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the first fixation member comprises a straight shim.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the first fixation member comprises a curved shim.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The spinal implant of claim 1, wherein the first fixation member comprises a pointed tip.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The spinal implant of claim 8, wherein the pointed tip comprises the spline extending along a portion thereof.

### Claim 10

A spinal implant comprising:
a spacer comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface comprises one or more protrusions and the lower surface comprises one or more protrusions;
an end member attached to the spacer, wherein the end member comprises a first opening, a second opening and a third opening;
a first fixation member extendable through the first opening;
a second fixation member extendable through the second opening;
a third fixation member extendable through the third opening;
a first blocking mechanism configured to prevent backout of the first fixation member and the second fixation member; and
a second blocking mechanism configured to prevent backout of the first fixation member and the third fixation member,
wherein the first fixation member is non-threaded and
wherein the second fixation member and third fixation member are each threaded,
wherein the first fixation member comprises a shim having a longitudinal axis, wherein the shim comprises a head, a distal end and a spline that extends along the longitudinal axis from the head toward the distal end, wherein the shim continuously tapers from the head toward the distal end, and
wherein the head has a flattened portion that extends laterally across a proximal end of the first fixation member, and the first opening is configured to receive the flattened portion of the first fixation member.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The spinal implant of claim 10, wherein the first fixation member comprises a pointed tip.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The spinal implant of claim 10, wherein the first fixation member is curved, while the second fixation member and the third fixation member are straight.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The spinal implant of claim 10, wherein the first fixation member extends in an upward angle relative to the spacer and the second fixation member and the third fixation member each extend in a downward angle relative to the spacer.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The spinal implant of claim 10, wherein the spacer is attached to the end member via a dovetail connection.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The spinal implant of claim 10, wherein the spacer is formed of PEEK.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The spinal implant of claim 10, wherein the spacer further comprises an opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface.