Expandable spinal implant and surgical method
US5059193A · kind A · utility
1,506Cited by
21References
29Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 1990 |
| Grant date | Oct 22, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2250/0014
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An expandable spinal implant is disclosed. The implant includes a plurality of ribs which are deformable between first and second states. In the first state, the ribs present a generally cylindrical implant. In the expanded second state, the ribs are arced outwardly to define a generally spherical implant. A tie mechanism is provided for urging the ribs between the first and second states and for holding the ribs in the expanded state. A novel surgical method is disclosed for stabilizing the spine by inserting the implant in the first state between opposing vertebrae and expanding the implant to the second state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.