Granted Patent B2

US 7,232,464 · App. 10/923,534 · Granted Jun 19, 2007

Assignee: Synthes (USA)

Abstract

Claims (43)

1. An intervertebral implant comprising:

a body having an upper surface at least partially configured to lie adjacent to the endplate of a first vertebrae and defining an upper plane, and a lower surface at least partially configured to lie adjacent to the endplate of a second vertebrae and defining a lower plane;

a plate displaceably associated with the body, and having a first fastener hole for receiving a first fastener insertable into the first vertebrae, and a second fastener hole for receiving a second fastener insertable into the second vertebrae;

wherein at least a portion of the plate is inset in the body;

wherein first and second fasteners each have a head, the heads of the fasteners are retained between the upper and lower planes.

2. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the first fastener is configured to be divergent the second fastener.

3. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the first fastener hole is threaded.

4. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the plate has a plurality of fastener holes located along its periphery.

5. The implant of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface includes teeth.

6. The implant of claim 1 , wherein a surface of the plate is substantially flush with the a surface of the body.

7. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a horizontal center plane, and wherein the plate is disposed substantially perpendicular to the horizontal center plane.

8. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a horizontal center plane, and wherein the plate is displaceable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal center plane.

9. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the plate is comprised of a first material, and wherein the body is comprised of a second material different than the first material.

10. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the plate is comprised of metal.

11. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the body is comprised of plastic.

12. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a convex side surface.

13. The implant of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the upper surface and lower surface is convex.

14. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a horizontal center plane, and wherein the plate has a fasterner hole having an axis angled from about 25 degrees to about 70 degrees with respect to the horizontal center plane.

15. The implant of claim 14 , wherein the axis is angled from about 35 degrees to about 50 degrees with respect to the horizontal center plane.

16. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the plate is allowed to translate to promote healing.

17. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the plate is allowed to translate to neutralize mechanical stresses.

18. An intervertebral implant comprising:

an upper surface at least partially to lie configured to lie adjacent to the endplate of a first vertebrae, and defining an upper plane;

a lower surface at least partially configured to lie adjacent to the endplate of a second vertebrae, and defining a lower plane;

at least a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first and second openings extend from the lower surface through to the upper surface;

a front surface having a recess; and

a plate at least partially disposed in the recess, and having inn a first fastener hole for receiving a first insertable into the first vertebrae, and a second fastener hole for receiving a second fastener insertable into the second vertebrae;

wherein first and second fasteners each have a head, the heads of the fasteners are

retained between the upper and lower planes.

19. The implant of claim 18 , wherein the first fastener is configured to be divergent the second fastener.

20. The implant of claim 18 , wherein the first fastener hole is threaded.

21. The implant of claim 18 , wherein the plate has a plurality of fastener holes located along its periphery.

22. The implant of claim 18 , wherein, at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface includes teeth.

23. The implant if claim 18 , wherein the plate is displaceably associated with the front surface.

24. The implant of claim 18 , further comprising a horizontal center plane, and wherein the plate is disposed substantially perpendicular to the horizontal center plane.

25. The implant of claim 18 , further comprising a horizontal center plane, and wherein the plate is displaceable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal center plane.

26. The implant of claim 18 , wherein the plate is comprised of a first material, and wherein the remainder of the implant is comprised of a second material different than the first material.

27. The implant of claim 18 , wherein the plate is comprised of metal.

28. The implant of claim 18 , wherein at least a portion of the implant is comprised of plastic.

29. The implant of claim 18 , further comprising a convex side surface.

30. The implant of claim 18 , wherein at least one of the upper surface and lower surface is convex.

31. The implant of claim 18 , further comprising a horizontal center lane, and wherein the plate has a fastener hole having an axis angled from about 25 degrees to about 70 degrees with respect to the horizontal center plane.

32. The implant of claim 31 , wherein the axis is angled from about 35 degrees to about 50 degrees wills respect to the horizontal center plane.

Assignments (8)

Continuity (2)