End cap and connector for a spinal implant
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A combination capable of insertion about a surgically created cavity proximate to one or more vertebrae;
- said combination comprising;
a) a biocompatible cage comprisinga length having a longitudinal axis, a trapezoidal aperture spanning said length and two sides converging toward each other as said sides extend from anterior to posterior ends of said biocompatible cage said biocompatible cage; and
b) an end cap comprising;
i) a border comprising four sides;
ii) a plate extending in said lengthwise direction parallel said longitudinal axis away from said biocompatible cage and comprising at least one opening for receiving a fastener; and
iii) a pair of opposed generally flat docking slides docking with said trapezoidal aperture of said biocompatible cage.
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Abstract
The present invention is a spinal implant that can be inserted into a surgically created cavity of one or more regions of the mammalian spine. Among other things, the biocompatible implant and end cap or biocompatible implant, connector and end cap combinations can assist with the restoration of the normal anatomic spinal alignment and spinal stability.
131 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A combination capable of insertion about a surgically created cavity proximate to one or more vertebrae;
- said combination comprising;
a) a biocompatible cage comprising a length having a longitudinal axis, a trapezoidal aperture spanning said length and two sides converging toward each other as said sides extend from anterior to posterior ends of said biocompatible cage said biocompatible cage; and b) an end cap comprising; i) a border comprising four sides; ii) a plate extending in said lengthwise direction parallel said longitudinal axis away from said biocompatible cage and comprising at least one opening for receiving a fastener; and iii) a pair of opposed generally flat docking slides docking with said trapezoidal aperture of said biocompatible cage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
- said combination comprising;
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5. A combination capable of insertion about a surgically created cavity proximate to one or more vertebrae;
- said combination comprising;
a) a biocompatible cage comprising a length having a longitudinal axis and a trapezoidal aperture spanning said length; and b) an end cap comprising; i) a trapezoidal border; and ii) a plate extending in said lengthwise direction parallel said longitudinal axis away from said biocompatible cage and comprising at least one opening for receiving a fastener; and iii) opposed docking slides adapted to dock with said aperture of said biocompatible cage. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
- said combination comprising;
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9. An end cap for a biocompatible spinal implant;
- said end cap comprising;
a) a border abutting a longitudinally positioned outermost brace of said biocompatible implant, wherein said outermost brace comprises an aperture; b) a plate comprising at least one opening for receiving a fastener;
said plate positioned about an edge of said border and extending outward from said biocompatible spinal implant in a lengthwise direction parallel a longitudinal axis of said biocompatible implant; andc) a pair of opposed generally flat docking slides adapted to slidably engage inward sides of said longitudinally positioned outermost brace;
wherein one of said pair of docking slides is wider than a second docking slide;
wherein surfaces of said docking slides are without configurations preventing sliding removal of said docking slides from said biocompatible spinal implant; and
wherein each said docking slide comprises a first surface engaging said outermost brace, a second corresponding surface opposite said first surface and a thickness between said first and said second surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
- said end cap comprising;
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13. A combination capable of insertion about a surgically created cavity proximate to one or more vertebrae;
- said combination comprising;
a) a biocompatible spinal implant comprising a longitudinally positioned outermost brace, wherein said outermost brace comprises a centralized aperture; and b) an end cap comprising; i) a border adapted to abut said longitudinally positioned outermost brace; ii) a plate comprising at least one opening for receiving a fastener;
said plate positioned about an edge of said border and extending outward from said biocompatible spinal implant in a lengthwise direction parallel a longitudinal axis of said biocompatible implant; andiii) a pair of opposed docking slides adapted to engage inward sides, defined by said centralized aperture, of said longitudinally positioned outermost brace;
wherein one of said pair of docking slides is wider than a second docking slide;
wherein surfaces of said docking slides are without configurations preventing sliding removal of said docking slides from said centralized aperture and only said fastener prevents sliding removal of said docking slides from said centralized aperture; and
wherein each said docking slide comprises a first planar surface engaging one of said inward sides and a thickness between a second surface and said first planar surface. - View Dependent Claims (14)
- said combination comprising;
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15. A combination capable of insertion about a surgically created cavity proximate to one or more vertebrae;
- said combination comprising;
a) a spinal cage comprising a lengthwise end, wherein said lengthwise end comprises an aperture; and b) an end cap comprising; i) a border adapted to abut said lengthwise end of said spinal cage; ii) a plate comprising at least one opening adapted to receive a screw;
said plate positioned about an edge of said border and extending outward from said spinal cage in a direction parallel a longitudinal axis of said spinal cage; andiii) a pair of opposed docking slides adapted to slidably engage inward sides of said lengthwise end of said spinal cage;
wherein only said screw prevents unrestricted removal of said docking slides from said spinal cage, via said aperture; and
wherein each said docking slide comprises a first surface engaging one of said inward sides and a thickness between a second surface and said first planar surface. - View Dependent Claims (16)
- said combination comprising;
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17. A combination capable of insertion about a surgically created cavity proximate to one or more vertebrae;
- said combination comprising;
a) a spinal cage comprising a lengthwise end, wherein said lengthwise end comprises an aperture; and b) an end cap comprising; i) a border adapted to abut said lengthwise end of said spinal cage; ii) a plate comprising at least one opening adapted to receive a fastener;
said plate positioned about an edge of said border and extending outward from said spinal cage in a direction parallel a longitudinal axis of said spinal cage; andiii) a pair of opposed docking slides adapted to slidably engage, via said aperture, inward sides of said lengthwise end of said spinal cage;
wherein surfaces of said docking slides are without configurations preventing sliding removal of said docking slides from said aperture, and wherein each said docking slide comprises a first planar surface engaging one of said inward sides. - View Dependent Claims (18)
- said combination comprising;
Specification