Fusion implant
US5976187A · kind A · utility
315Cited by
28References
3Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 6, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S606/911
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fusion implant for insertion between opposing vertebrae includes a body having an inner surface defining a hollow inner chamber for containing a graft material therein. The body includes a stress transfer mechanism for transferring stress from the vertebrae surrounding the implant to the graft material contained within the implant. A method is provided for implanting the fusion implant between opposing vertebrae by the steps of inserting an implant into a collapsed disc space between adjacent vertebrae, the implant including a collapsed body, and expanding the body to spread the adjacent vertebrae apart.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.