Intervertebral spacer device having a radially thinning slotted belleville spring
US6740117B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 1, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 25, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2310/00365
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An intervertebral spacer device having a pair of opposing plates for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by at least one spring mechanism. A first plate of this embodiment includes a post extending upwardly from the inner surface of the plate, the post including a ball-shaped head. The post is designed to flexibly support a slotted belleville washer, which can be selectively mounted to the head such that the wider portion of the washer seats against the second plate. Compression of the assembly causes a deflection of the slotted belleville washer. The slotted belleville washer of this invention has a radially varying thickness which permits the load deflection profile to mimic that of the natural cartilage which is being replaced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.