Height adjustable spinal prostheses
First Claim
1. A spinal prosthesis comprising:
- a first prosthetic portion;
a second prosthetic portion coupled for axial displacement of the second prosthetic portion relative to the first prosthetic portion; and
an adjustment mechanism coupled to the first and second prosthetic portions and operable to effect axial displacement of the second prosthetic portion relative to the first prosthetic portion.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Dimensionally adjustable spinal prostheses are adjustable in an axial or superior to inferior dimension such that spinal prostheses may assume variations in height. The height adjustable spinal prostheses are characterized by first and second portions that are configured for adjustable coupling with one another. Spatial adjustment between the first and second portions is provided by an adjustment assembly. The adjustment mechanism preferably, but not necessarily, provides infinite adjustment over a minimum prosthesis height to a maximum prosthesis height. In one form, first and second ends of the height adjustable spinal prostheses are configured to receive an endplate. The endplates aid in attachment and/or anchoring of the spinal prosthesis within the spine. The endplates may be fashioned in various configurations such as circular or anatomical. In one form, the adjustment assembly utilizes rotational motion for varying the axial position of one prosthetic portion relative to the other prosthetic portion. Rotational movement of an adjustment mechanism of the adjustment assembly is translated into axial movement of one prosthetic portion relative to the other prosthetic portion. In another form, the adjustment mechanism is a screw and gearing assembly. In yet another form, the adjustment mechanism is a rack and pinion assembly.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A spinal prosthesis comprising:
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a first prosthetic portion; a second prosthetic portion coupled for axial displacement of the second prosthetic portion relative to the first prosthetic portion; and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the first and second prosthetic portions and operable to effect axial displacement of the second prosthetic portion relative to the first prosthetic portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A spinal prosthesis comprising:
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a first prosthetic portion having an interior chamber; a second prosthetic portion configured for and received in the interior chamber of the first prosthetic portion, the second prosthetic axially displaceable relative to the first prosthetic portion; and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the first and second prosthetic portions and operable to effect axial displacement of the second prosthetic portion relative to the first prosthetic portion. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A spinal prosthesis comprising:
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a lower prosthetic portion having an interior chamber; an upper prosthetic portion coupled for axial displacement within the interior chamber of the lower prosthetic portion relative to the lower prosthetic portion whereby height of the spinal prosthesis is varied; and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the upper and lower prosthetic portions and operable to effect axial displacement of the upper prosthetic portion relative to the lower prosthetic portion.
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Specification