Prosthetic system
First Claim
1. A spinal prosthesis for insertion during surgery in a space between first and second vertebrae of a spine of a patient to limit motion between said first and second vertebrae and/or to facilitate fusion of said first and second vertebrae, said prosthesis comprising:
- a vertical support sized and shaped for insertion between said first and second vertebrae, said support having a height measured between a top and a bottom approximately equal to a selected spacing between said first and second vertebrae, upper and lower flex members monolithically formed with and extending from the top and bottom of the support, respectively, for engaging said first and second vertebrae, said upper and lower members having a stiffness sufficiently small to permit the members to flex elastically toward each other under loading from said first and second vertebrae, said upper and lower flex members having lengths substantially equal to a length of the support.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spinal prosthesis for insertion during surgery in a space between first and second vertebrae of a spine includes a central support sized and shaped for insertion between the first and second vertebrae. The support has a height measured between a top and a bottom approximately equal to a selected spacing between the first and second vertebrae. Upper and lower flex members extend from the top and bottom of the central support, respectively, for engaging the first and second vertebrae. The upper and lower members have a stiffness sufficiently small to permit the members to flex elastically toward each other under loading from the first and second vertebrae.
242 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A spinal prosthesis for insertion during surgery in a space between first and second vertebrae of a spine of a patient to limit motion between said first and second vertebrae and/or to facilitate fusion of said first and second vertebrae, said prosthesis comprising:
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a vertical support sized and shaped for insertion between said first and second vertebrae, said support having a height measured between a top and a bottom approximately equal to a selected spacing between said first and second vertebrae, upper and lower flex members monolithically formed with and extending from the top and bottom of the support, respectively, for engaging said first and second vertebrae, said upper and lower members having a stiffness sufficiently small to permit the members to flex elastically toward each other under loading from said first and second vertebrae, said upper and lower flex members having lengths substantially equal to a length of the support.
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2. A spinal prosthesis for insertion during surgery in a space between first and second vertebrae of a spine of a patient to limit motion between said first and second vertebrae and/or to facilitate fusion of said first and second vertebrae, said prosthesis comprising:
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a vertical support sized and shaped for insertion between said first and second vertebrae, said support having a height measured between a top and a bottom approximately equal to a selected spacing between said first and second vertebrae, said support being generally laterally centered on the prosthesis;
at least one stiffener extending from the support for strengthening the support; and
upper and lower flex members monolithically formed with and extending from the top and bottom of the support, respectively, for engaging said first and second vertebrae, said upper and lower members having a stiffness sufficiently small to permit the members to flex elastically toward each other under loading from said first and second vertebrae. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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4. A spinal prosthesis for insertion during surgery in a space between first and second vertebrae of a spine of a patient to limit motion between said first and second vertebrae and/or to facilitate fusion of said first and second vertebrae, said prosthesis comprising:
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a vertical support sized and shaped for insertion between said first and second vertebrae, said support having a height measured between a top and a bottom approximately equal to a selected spacing between said first and second vertebrae, said support being generally laterally centered on the prosthesis;
upper and lower flex members monolithically formed with and extending from the top and bottom of the support, respectively, for engaging said first and second vertebrae, said upper and lower members having a stiffness sufficiently small to permit the members to flex elastically toward each other under loading from said first and second vertebrae; and
upper and lower stops positioned adjacent said upper and lower flex members, respectively, for limiting flexure of the members toward each other. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification