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:
Dec. 04, 2007
Filed:
Apr. 22, 2005
Michael Castro, Seymour, CT (US);
Herb Cohen, Boynton Beach, FL (US);
David Nichols, Trumbell, CT (US);
R. Scott Graham, Richmond, VA (US);
Michael Castro, Seymour, CT (US);
Herb Cohen, Boynton Beach, FL (US);
David Nichols, Trumbell, CT (US);
R. Scott Graham, Richmond, VA (US);
Howmedica Osteonics Corp., Mahwah, NJ (US);
Abstract
A method for facilitating fusion of bone structures includes providing an implant member for positioning between opposed bone structures, the implant member having a first end and a second end, and a segmentable portion having an outer wall defining an internal cavity for reception of bone growth inducing substances. The outer wall has at least one groove which extends substantially continuously about the outer wall to define a plurality of discrete ring-like segments. Each ring-like segment includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough in communication with the internal cavity to permit fusion of vertebral bone tissue. The vertebral space defined between adjacent vertebral bodies is accessed, and the desired implant member length for insertion into the space between adjacent vertebral bodies is determined. The implant member is cut to the desired length and advanced within the vertebral space between the adjacent vertebral bodies.