Spinal implant and method of use
First Claim
1. A spinal implant having a first expanded configuration, a first curved configuration, a second radially compressed configuration, and a second delivery configuration, the implant having a smaller transverse cross-sectional dimension in the radially compressed configuration than in the first expanded configuration and having a more linear configuration in the second delivery configuration than in the first curved configuration, the implant assuming the second radially compressed configuration and second delivery configuration during delivery to the disc space and assuming the first curved configuration and first expanded configuration upon placement within the disc space, the implant further moving towards the radially compressed configuration once implanted in response to a load placed on the implant by the vertebral bodies.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spinal implant having a smaller transverse cross-sectional dimension in the radially compressed configuration than in a first expanded configuration and a more linear configuration in the second delivery configuration than in the first curved configuration. The implant assumes the radially compressed configuration and second delivery configuration during delivery to the disc space and assumes the first curved configuration and first expanded configuration upon placement within the disc space. The implant further moves towards the radially compressed configuration once implanted in response to a load placed on the implant by the vertebral bodies.
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Citations
22 Claims
- 1. A spinal implant having a first expanded configuration, a first curved configuration, a second radially compressed configuration, and a second delivery configuration, the implant having a smaller transverse cross-sectional dimension in the radially compressed configuration than in the first expanded configuration and having a more linear configuration in the second delivery configuration than in the first curved configuration, the implant assuming the second radially compressed configuration and second delivery configuration during delivery to the disc space and assuming the first curved configuration and first expanded configuration upon placement within the disc space, the implant further moving towards the radially compressed configuration once implanted in response to a load placed on the implant by the vertebral bodies.
- 15. A spinal implant having an outer housing composed of shape memory material, the outer housing having a memorized non-linear configuration and being radially compressible from a first configuration to a second configuration by the vertebral bodies in response to a load placed on the outer housing and returning to its first configuration upon removal of the load.
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19. A method of minimally invasively inserting a spinal implant in a disc space comprising:
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providing a delivery instrument containing the spinal implant in a first configuration;
inserting the delivery instrument through a cannula to the disc space;
deploying the implant from the delivery instrument to position the implant in the disc space, the implant returning towards a memorized second configuration within the disc space; and
removing the delivery instrument and leaving the implant in place, the implant moving between unstressed and stressed positions within the disc space in response to a load placed on the implant. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification