Artificial functional spinal unit assemblies
US7316714B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 11, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 8, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 19, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2250/0009
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An artificial functional spinal unit is provided comprising, generally, an expandable artificial intervertebral implant that can be placed via a posterior surgical approach and used in conjunction with one or more artificial facet joints to provide an anatomically correct range of motion. Expandable artificial intervertebral implants in both lordotic and non-lordotic designs are disclosed, as well as lordotic and non-lordotic expandable cages for both PLIF (posterior lumber interbody fusion) and TLIF (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) procedures. The expandable implants may have various shapes, such as round, square, rectangular, banana-shaped, kidney-shaped, or other similar shapes. By virtue of their posteriorly implanted approach, the disclosed artificial FSU's allow for posterior decompression of the neural elements, reconstruction of all or part of the natural functional spinal unit, restoration and maintenance of lordosis, maintenance of motion, and restoration and maintenance of disc space height.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.