Filing Information

Inventor(s)	James D. Ralph · Stephen Tatar · Joseph P. Errico ·
Assignee(s)	Spinecore, Inc. ·  View assignee updates
Attorney/Agent(s)	Joseph P. Errico, Esq. · Timothy J. Bortree, Esq. ·
Primary Examiner	Corrine McDermott ·
Assistant Examiner	Javier G. Blanco ·
Application Number	US9982148
Filing date	10/18/2001
Issue date	01/06/2004
Prior Publication Data	US20030078662 - 04/24/2003
Predicted expiration date	11/30/2021
Patent term adjustment	43
U.S. Classifications	623/171.3  · 606/61  · 623/171.5  · 623/171.4  ·
International Classifications	--
Kind Code	B2
International Classifications	623 1713- 1715 · 606 61 ·

Patent Family

Abstract

An intervertebral spacer device having a pair of opposing plates for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by at least one spring mechanism. The preferred spring mechanism is an arched strip spring. In a first embodiment there are multiple springs positioned independently about the area of the opposing plates. In a second embodiment there is a single arched strip spring modified to mount onto a ball-shaped head. The lower plate of this second embodiment includes a post extending upwardly from the inner surface of the plate, the post including a ball-shaped head. The spring and post members are flexibly coupled such that the upper and lower plates may rotate relative to one another.

Independent Claims | See all claims (7)

1. 1. An intervertebral spacer device, comprising: first and second plate members, each having plate surfaces thereof, said plate members being disposed in a spaced apart relationship such that inner ones of said plate surfaces oppose one another, and external ones of said plate surfaces face in opposite directions; and at least one arched strip spring restoring force providing element disposed between the inner surfaces of said first and second plate members, said at least one arched strip spring force providing element having a peak portion between two end portions, said at least one arched strip spring force providing element being disposed such that each end portion is maintained against the inner surface of said first plate member, and such that the peak portion is maintained against the inner surface of said second plate member, and such that a compressive load applied to the external surfaces of said plate member is counteracted by said at least one restoring force providing element.
2. 6. An intervertebral spacer device, comprising: first and second plate members, each having plate surfaces thereof, said plate members being disposed in a spaced apart relationship such that inner ones of said plate surfaces oppose one another, and external ones of said plate surfaces face in opposite directions; said second plate member further including a post structure rising off the inner surface thereof, and which post structure includes a ball-shaped head; and an arched strip spring, having a central peak portion between two end portions, said peak portion including a central opening which includes a curvate volume for receiving and holding therein said ball-shaped head, such that each end portion is maintained against the inner surface of said first plate member, and such that the peak portion is maintained against the inner surface of said second plate member, and such that a compressive load applied to the external surfaces of said plate members is counteracted by said arched strip spring.