IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,318,309
Granted Patent B2
US 12,318,309 · App. 17/986,489 · Granted Jun 3, 2025

Modular interbody spacer

Inventors: Hieu T. Ball (Walnut Creek, CA); Lance M. Middleton (Soddy Daisy, TN)
A61F2/4455A61B17/8047A61F2/442A61B17/8033A61B17/86A61F2002/30112A61F2002/302A61F2002/30387A61F2002/30622A61F2002/30677A61F2002/30784A61F2002/30787A61F2002/3082A61F2002/3093
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,318,309
App. No.
17/986,489
Granted
Jun 3, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An intervertebral spinal spacer system includes a first portion of a modular spacer, the first portion having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer surface, and a second portion of the modular spacer, the second portion having an upper surface a lower surface, and an outer surface. The first portion is selectively engageable with the second portion. The first portion and the second portion each define an internal cavity extending from the respective upper surface to the respective lower surface.

Claims (25)

1. An intervertebral spinal spacer comprising:

(a) a first portion of a modular spacer, the first portion having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer surface; and

(b) a second portion of the modular spacer, the second portion having an upper surface a lower surface, and an outer surface, wherein the first portion is selectively engageable with the second portion, wherein at least one of the first portion or the second portion includes a plurality of outer apertures; and

wherein the first portion and the second portion each define an internal cavity extending from the respective upper surface to the respective lower surface, wherein each of the internal cavities has a sidewall, and wherein at least one fluid passage is defined by the first portion or the second portion and wherein the at least one fluid passage extends between an inner aperture on the sidewall and an outer aperture of the plurality of outer apertures on the respective upper surface of the first portion or the second portion.

2. The intervertebral spinal spacer of claim 1 , wherein the first portion or the second portion includes a plurality of inner apertures, the plurality of inner apertures being defined by the sidewall of an internal cavity defined by the modular spacer.

3. The intervertebral spinal spacer of claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of fluid passages defined by the modular spacer and connecting each respective outer aperture of the plurality of outer apertures to a corresponding inner aperture of the plurality of inner apertures such that fluid communicates from the plurality of outer apertures, through the plurality of fluid passages, and into the internal cavity defined by the modular spacer.

4. The intervertebral spinal spacer of claim 1 , further comprising an instrument conduit, wherein the instrument conduit is a passageway defined by the at least one of the first portion or the second portion.

5. The intervertebral spinal spacer of claim 4 , wherein the instrument conduit is sized to receive a suction device.

6. The intervertebral spinal spacer of claim 1 , wherein the first portion is operably configured to mate with the second portion such that a customized modular spacer is formed.

7. The intervertebral spinal spacer of claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastener to attach the modular spacer to an anatomical structure.

8. The intervertebral spinal spacer of claim 1 , wherein the upper surface or the lower surface of the first portion or the second portion includes an interface that facilitates attachment to bone.

9. The intervertebral spinal spacer of claim 1 , wherein the modular spacer provides zero profile spinal fusion.

10. The intervertebral spinal spacer of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the modular spacer is selectable from a plurality of sizes having different widths such that the first portion is customizable to a patient's anatomy.

11. The intervertebral spinal spacer of claim 10 , wherein the second portion of the modular spacer is selectable from a plurality of sizes having different depths such that the second portion is customizable to the patient's anatomy.

12. The intervertebral spinal spacer of claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes a first attachment member and the second portion includes a second attachment member such that the first portion and the second portion are interlocked.

13. The intervertebral spinal spacer of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid passage being in fluid communication with at least one of the internal cavities, and wherein each sidewall extends between an upper opening on the respective upper surface and a lower opening on the respective lower surface of the first portion or the second portion defining the internal cavity.

14. An intervertebral spinal spacer comprising:

(a) a first portion of a modular spacer, the first portion being selectable from a plurality of spacer elements having different sizes, the first portion having an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, a first attachment member, and an internal cavity confined between the outer surface and extending from the respective upper surface to the respective lower surface; and

(b) a second portion of the modular spacer, the second portion being selectable from the plurality of spacer elements having different sizes, the second portion having an upper surface a lower surface, an outer surface, a second attachment member, and an internal cavity confined between the outer surface and extending from the respective upper surface to the respective lower surface, wherein the first attachment member is engaged with the second attachment member to interlock the first portion and the second portion, and wherein at least one of the first portion or the second portion includes a plurality of outer apertures.

15. The intervertebral spinal spacer of claim 14 , wherein the first portion of the modular spacer is selectable from a plurality of sizes having different widths, and wherein the second portion of the modular spacer is selectable from a plurality of sizes having different depths.

16. The intervertebral spinal spacer of claim 14 , further comprising a third portion of the modular spacer being selectable from the plurality of spacer elements having different sizes for attachment to the modular spacer.

17. A kit for an intervertebral spacer comprising:

(a) a plurality of anterior portions for a modular spacer, each of the plurality of anterior portions for the modular spacer having an upper surface, a lower surface, an internal cavity confined between the outer surface and extending from the respective upper surface to the respective lower surface and a different size; and

(b) a plurality of posterior portions for a modular spacer, each of the plurality of posterior portions for the modular spacer having an upper surface, a lower surface, an internal cavity confined between the outer surface and extending from the respective upper surface to the respective lower surface and a different size; wherein at least one of the plurality of anterior portions is interlocked with at least one of the plurality of posterior portions, and wherein each of the plurality of anterior portions or each of the plurality of posterior portions include a plurality of outer apertures.

18. The kit for an intervertebral spacer of claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of anterior portions has a different width and each of the plurality of posterior portions has a different depth.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 21, 2022
From: MIDDLETON, LANCE
To: BALL, HIEU
Reel/Frame 061844/0969 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 16691733 · Nov 22, 2019
Continuation 16035485 · Jul 13, 2018
Continuation 15612817 · Jun 2, 2017
Continuation 15050160 · Feb 22, 2016
Continuation 13967115 · Aug 14, 2013
Provisional Application 61682917 · Aug 14, 2012
Related Publication 20230073920A1 · Mar 9, 2023
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