Patents Assigned to Cervitech, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9072504
    Abstract: A bone spreader includes two tubular pin holders which are connected to one another by a parallel guide system, and two pins that are configured to be connected to the bone parts that are to be spread apart. In order to give the bone parts that are to be spread apart a more secure position in relation to one another, at least one of the pin holders is provided with a locking device for a pin located in the pin holder. This locking device includes a locking finger which is movable tangentially with respect to the pin holder and which, in the locking position, engages in a transverse groove of the associated pin and can be formed by a pivotably mounted hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Cervitech, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold Keller
  • Publication number: 20140336767
    Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis, in particular for the cervical spine, has two attachment plates connected in an articulated manner. The attachment surfaces of the attachment plates, which are configured for attachment to adjacent vertebral bodies have a base surface configured to bear on the surface of the vertebral bodies, and self-tapping fixing projections rising from the base surface. These fixing projections are formed by at least one pair of ribs which extend in opposite directions obliquely with respect to a predetermined implantation direction and whose side faces oriented more away from the implantation direction are steeper than their side faces oriented more in the implantation direction. The ribs can be toothed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Cervitech, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold Keller
  • Patent number: 8721725
    Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis, in particular for the cervical spine, has two attachment plates connected in an articulated manner. The attachment surfaces of the attachment plates, which are configured for attachment to adjacent vertebral bodies have a base surface configured to bear on the surface of the vertebral bodies, and self-tapping fixing projections rising from the base surface. These fixing projections are formed by at least one pair of ribs which extend in opposite directions obliquely with respect to a predetermined implantation direction and whose side faces oriented more away from the implantation direction are steeper than their side faces oriented more in the implantation direction. The ribs can be toothed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Cervitech, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold Keller
  • Patent number: 8591586
    Abstract: An intervertebral disc prosthesis having two cover plates and a prosthesis core that extends to the circumferential edge of the cover plates. The prosthesis core is mounted to the lower cover plate and forms a spherical sliding surface with the upper cover plate. The connection surface of the cover plates may be set back from the circumferential perimeter of the cover plates to provide an optimum size of the spherical sliding surface despite the set-back nature of the connection surface. The set-back is configured as an inclined transition surface that adjoins the connection surface to the circumferential edge. The set-back allows the intervertebral disc prosthesis to be fully inserted into the prepared disc space into the spared dorsolateral corners without protruding ventrally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cervitech, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmut D. Link, Arnold Keller, Paul C. McAfee
  • Patent number: 8409285
    Abstract: A prosthesis for partial replacement of a vertebral body includes upper and lower contact plates that contact upper and lower vertebral bodies and a bridging element to be inserted into a bone cavity that bridges an intermediate vertebral body to be replaced that lies between the upper and lower vertebral bodies. The bridging element has anchoring projections which can be moved between a retracted implantation position and a protruding anchoring position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Cervitech, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold Keller
  • Patent number: 8192493
    Abstract: A prosthesis for the partial replacement of a vertebral body includes an upper contact plate for connection to an upper vertebral body, a lower contact plate for connection to a lower vertebral body and a bridging part which connects the upper and lower contact plates to one another and bridges at least one intermediate vertebral body which is located between the upper and lower vertebral bodies and is to be partially replaced. The bridging part is accommodated in a recess in the vertebral body and is secured in the recess with lateral anchoring projections which penetrate into the bone substance located on both sides of the bridging part. The cross section of the bridging part may narrow toward the rear, preferably in a trapezoid shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Cervitech, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold Keller
  • Publication number: 20120083891
    Abstract: A spinal implant includes two connection plates dimensioned for connection to adjacent vertebral bodies and a hinge core. The hinge core together with one connection plate forms a hinge between a generally spherical hinge extending from the one connection plate into an opening of a generally spherical depression in the hinge core. The opening is dimensioned to be elastically deformed to allow passage of the generally spherical hinge into the generally spherical depression. The hinge core bears on a slide surface which extends substantially parallel to the direction of the other connection plate and permits relative translatory movement of the hinge core. The walled receiving area limits this relative translatory movement of the hinge core. The stability of the spinal implant with respect to laterally incident forces is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: CERVITECH, INC.
    Inventor: Arnold Keller
  • Patent number: 8147551
    Abstract: A cervical intervertebral disk prosthesis has two cover plates, at least one of which is provided with a wedge-shaped connection surface for connection to a vertebral body and which is wider than it is deep. The dorsal edge of the connection surface may be set back from the dorsolateral edge of the cover plate having the connection surface and be connected to the dorsal edge protruding above it via a rounding or bevel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Cervitech, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmut D. Link, Arnold Keller, Paul C. McAfee
  • Publication number: 20120059471
    Abstract: A prosthesis for partial replacement of a vertebral body includes upper and lower contact plates that contact upper and lower vertebral bodies and a bridging element to be inserted into a bone cavity that bridges an intermediate vertebral body to be replaced that lies between the upper and lower vertebral bodies. The bridging element has anchoring projections which can be moved between a retracted implantation position and a protruding anchoring position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: CERVITECH, INC.
    Inventor: Arnold Keller
  • Patent number: 8088164
    Abstract: A cervical intervertebral prosthesis includes two connection plates adapted for connection to adjacent vertebral bodies and a hinge core. The hinge core and one connection plate together form a hinge with a concave hinge surface on the hinge core and with a complementary convex hinge surface on the connection plate. The hinge core bears on the other connection plate via a slide surface which extends substantially parallel to the direction of the connection plate and which permits a relative movement in this direction and is surrounded by an edge limiting this relative movement. The concave hinge surface encloses the convex hinge surface within a solid angle of at least 90°. The part of the concave hinge surface lying within this solid angle lies inside the recess surrounded by the edge. The stability of the prosthesis with respect to laterally incident forces is thereby increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Cervitech, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold Keller
  • Patent number: 8070812
    Abstract: A prosthesis for partial replacement of a vertebral body includes upper and lower contact plates that contact upper and lower vertebral bodies and a bridging element to be inserted into a bone cavity that bridges an intermediate vertebral body to be replaced that lies between the upper and lower vertebral bodies. This bridging element has anchoring projections which can be moved between a retracted implantation position and a protruding anchoring position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Cervitech, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold Keller
  • Patent number: 8062369
    Abstract: A cervical intervertebral prosthesis system includes prostheses which each have a hinge with a predefined center of hinge movement. To permit better adaptation to the different hinge radii of the cervical intervertebral disks, the cervical intervertebral prostheses of the system include at least two different prostheses with different hinge radii.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Cervitech, Inc.
    Inventor: Helmut D. Link
  • Patent number: 8062370
    Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis, in particular for the cervical spine, includes a first cover plate to be connected to a first vertebral body, second cover plate to be connected to the second vertebral body, and a prosthesis core which forms an articulation with the second cover plate. The prosthesis core is held by seat of the first cover plate which is designed as a guide device. The core can be pushed into the guide device from the ventral side in the anterior-posterior (AP) direction relative to the first cover plate. A limit-stop plate is provided on the ventral edge of the first cover plate. This limit-stop plate is displaceable in a slide guide between a locking position and a nonlocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Cervitech, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold Keller, Paul C. McAfee
  • Publication number: 20110152955
    Abstract: A bone spreader includes two tubular pin holders which are connected to one another by a parallel guide system, and two pins that are configured to be connected to the bone parts that are to be spread apart. In order to give the bone parts that are to be spread apart a more secure position in relation to one another, at least one of the pin holders is provided with a locking device for a pin located in the pin holder. This locking device includes a locking finger which is movable tangentially with respect to the pin holder and which, in the locking position, engages in a transverse groove of the associated pin and can be formed by a pivotably mounted hook.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: CERVITECH, INC.
    Inventor: Arnold Keller
  • Publication number: 20110130837
    Abstract: An intervertebral implant for insertion into an intervertebral disc space having a contact face for connection to an adjacent vertebral body. The contact face has a porous coating that allows bone tissue ingrowth into the porous coating to form an intimate connection between the contact face and the bone tissue. Rounded teeth are provided that protrude above the contact face and the porous coating and have a radius of not less than 0.1 mm. The rounded teeth do not penetrate through the bone tissue but merely compact the bone tissue. The teeth provide fixation in the bone tissue even without intimate connection to the bone tissue. A method of securing the implant in the intervertebral space with easy removal in the event of a replacement is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: CERVITECH, INC.
    Inventor: Helmut D. Link
  • Patent number: 7862614
    Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis system, in particular for the cervical spine, includes at least two types of prostheses. The type of prosthesis includes a first cover plate that is configured to be connected to a first vertebral body, a second cover plate that is configured to be connected to a second vertebral body, and a prosthesis core which is held by a seat on the first cover plate and forms an articulation with the second cover plate. The core of the first type of prosthesis is movable in the anterior-posterior direction relative to the first cover plate. Mobility can also be provided in the lateral direction and rotational direction. The second type of prosthesis of the system may be the same as the first type of prosthesis or may be different, but in all examples of the second type of prosthesis the core is not movable relative to either cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Cervitech, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold Keller, Paul C. McAfee
  • Publication number: 20100217398
    Abstract: An intervertebral disc prosthesis has two cover plates and a prosthesis core which is connected to one of the cover plates by connection profiles on one of the cover plates which are undercut in a complementary manner and include at least one pair of profile sections which are symmetrical with respect to the AP (anteroposterior) direction of the prosthesis in its implanted position and are arranged at an angle to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: CERVITECH, INC.
    Inventor: Arnold Keller
  • Publication number: 20100191334
    Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis, in particular for the cervical spine, has two attachment plates connected in an articulated manner. The attachment surfaces of the attachment plates, which are configured for attachment to adjacent vertebral bodies have a base surface configured to bear on the surface of the vertebral bodies, and self-tapping fixing projections rising from the base surface. These fixing projections are formed by at least one pair of ribs which extend in opposite directions obliquely with respect to a predetermined implantation direction and whose side faces oriented more away from the implantation direction are steeper than their side faces oriented more in the implantation direction. The ribs can be toothed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: CERVITECH, INC.
    Inventor: Arnold KELLER
  • Publication number: 20100131066
    Abstract: A prosthesis for the partial replacement of a vertebral body includes an upper contact plate for connection to an upper vertebral body, a lower contact plate for connection to a lower vertebral body and a bridging part which connects the upper and lower contact plates to one another and bridges at least one intermediate vertebral body which is located between the upper and lower vertebral bodies and is to be partially replaced. The bridging part is accommodated in a recess in the vertebral body and is secured in the recess with lateral anchoring projections which penetrate into the bone substance located on both sides of the bridging part. The cross section of the bridging part may narrow toward the rear, preferably in a trapezoid shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Cervitech, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold KELLER
  • Patent number: 7722673
    Abstract: An intervertebral disc prosthesis has two cover plates and a prosthesis core which is connected to one of the cover plates by of connection profiles on one of the cover plates which are undercut in a complementary manner and include at least one pair of profile sections which are symmetrical with respect to the AP (anterior-posterior) direction of the prosthesis in its implanted position and are arranged at an angle to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Cervitech, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold Keller