Patent · US Expired

Vertebral-column fusion devices and surgical methods

US6656178B1 · kind B1 · utility

280Cited by
15References
31Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 27, 2000
Grant dateDec 2, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 10, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S606/911
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A vertebral-column device that is suitable to be received in an intervertebral space between two dorsal vertebrae, the prosthesis comprising a curved strip of biocompatible material. The width of the strip being such that after placement, the strip makes contact with the vertebrae. The strip is manufactured from a material that can undergo great deformations before permanent deformation arises. The strip is curved in a shape in which the extremities are situated apart from one another and the radius of the curved parts and the thickness of the strip are chosen in such a way that when the strip is bent out into an approximately straight strip, scarcely any permanent deformation arises. Thus, the strip which has been bent out into an approximately straight strip is capable of being introduced into an intervertebral space where the strip assumes its original curved shape.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.