Apparatus for fusing adjacent bone structures
First Claim
1. An apparatus for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
- an implant body dimensioned for positioning within an intervertebral space between upper and lower vertebrae to maintain the vertebrae in desired spaced relation to facilitate fusion thereof, said implant body including lower and upper surfaces for engaging the respective lower and upper vertebrae, and first and second side wall portions extending between said upper and lower surfaces, said first and second side wall portions being substantially solid, at least one of said first and second side wall portions having a substantially narrow longitudinal slit defined therein arranged to enhance flexibility of said one side wall portion wherein said implant body includes two or more bores extending through said upper and lower surfaces for reception of bone growth inducing substances, said bores having intersecting wall portions forming a communication path extending from said upper to said lower surface, said bores in communication with said slit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebrae includes an implant body dimensioned for positioning within an intervertebral space between upper and lower vertebrae to maintain the vertebrae in desired spaced relation to facilitate fusion thereof. The implant body includes lower and upper surfaces for engaging the respective lower and upper vertebrae and first and second side wall portions extending between the upper and lower surfaces. The first and second side wall portions are substantially solid. At least one of the first and second side wall portions have a substantially narrow longitudinal slit defined therein arranged to enhance flexibility of the one side wall portion. Preferably, each of the first and second side wall portions includes a longitudinal slit. The implant body may define an internal chamber dimensioned for reception of bone growth inducing substances. The implant body includes an internal bore extending through the upper and lower surfaces for reception of bone growth inducing substances. Preferably, the internal bore is cylindrical shaped to receive a cylindrical bone dowel harvested during the surgical procedure, or alternatively, to receive a prepackaged cylindrical rod containing bone growth inducing substances. A plurality of internal bores may be provided in side by side relation.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
an implant body dimensioned for positioning within an intervertebral space between upper and lower vertebrae to maintain the vertebrae in desired spaced relation to facilitate fusion thereof, said implant body including lower and upper surfaces for engaging the respective lower and upper vertebrae, and first and second side wall portions extending between said upper and lower surfaces, said first and second side wall portions being substantially solid, at least one of said first and second side wall portions having a substantially narrow longitudinal slit defined therein arranged to enhance flexibility of said one side wall portion wherein said implant body includes two or more bores extending through said upper and lower surfaces for reception of bone growth inducing substances, said bores having intersecting wall portions forming a communication path extending from said upper to said lower surface, said bores in communication with said slit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 24)
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11. A method for fusion of adjacent vertebrae, comprising the steps of:
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accessing the intervertebral space defined between adjacent vertebrae;
providing an implant including an implant body having lower and upper surfaces and first and second side wall portions extending between said upper and lower surfaces, said first and second side wall portions being substantially solid, at least one of said first and second side wall portions having a substantially narrow longitudinal slit defined therein arranged to enhance flexibility of said one side wall portion, said implant having an internal cavity formed by at least two bores extending between the upper and lower surface in communication with said slit said bores having side walls in continuous communication between said upper and lower surfaces; and
positioning said implant within the intervertebral space whereby said upper and lower surfaces engage upper and lower vertebral portions of adjacent vertebrae in supporting relation therewith while said longitudinal slit permits compressive movement of said implant body in response to a load exerted by the vertebral portions. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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17. A kit for fusion of adjacent vertebra comprising:
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a plurality of implants, each having an implant body including upper and lower surfaces for engaging respective adjacent vertebra and sidewall positions extending between said upper and lower surfaces and surrounding an internal cavity having a plurality of generally cylindrical internal bores open to said upper and lower surfaces, said bores having sides in open communication with adjacent bores continuously from the upper to the lower surface of the implant; and
a plurality of bone plugs sized to fit into each of said cylindrical internal bores. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
an implant body dimensioned for positioning within an intervertebral space between upper and lower vertebrae to maintain the vertebrae in desired space relation to facilitate fusion thereof, said implant body including lower and upper surfaces for engaging the respective lower and upper vertebrae, and first and second side wall portions extending between said upper and lower surfaces, said first and second side wall portions being substantially solid wherein said body has an internal cavity formed by three bores extending between the upper and lower surface, said bores having sidewalls in open communication with adjacent bores. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
Specification