The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 08, 1997
Filed:
Apr. 15, 1996
Robert E Brosnahan, III, Germantown, TN (US);
Smith & Nephew, Inc., Memphis, TN (US);
Abstract
An implant for insertion into at least one bore formed between opposing vertebrae of a spine where the vertebrae are separated by a space and each vertebrae has end plates. The implant is in the shape of a solid generally cylindrical body having a first and a second end, an outer surface, opposing sides and a longitudinal axis. The body has threads on a portion of the outer surface between the first and second ends with the threads being configured for threading into bone. The body includes at least one through slot positioned between the opposing sides, with the through slot containing a biocompatible porous material for allowing the growth of bone through the slot of the body. The through slot is positioned between generally opposing sides of the body so as to provide contact between the biocompatible porous material and the end plates of the opposing vertebrae when the implant is inserted into at least one bore formed between the opposing vertebrae. Depending on the chosen material, the biocompatible porous material may also exhibit characteristics of osteoconductive or osteoinductive materials.