Robert L Farris

US Patent:

53953720, Mar 7, 1995

Filed:

Sep 7, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/117507

Inventors:

Richard T. Holt - Louisville KY
Catalina J. Carroll - Memphis TN
Robert A. Farris - Memphis TN
Troy A. McDonald - Millington TN

Assignee:

Danek Medical, Inc. - Memphis TN

International Classification:

A61B 1756

US Classification:

606 61

Abstract:

A device for holding in compression, a bone graft placed in the space between two vertebral bodies and from which a diseased or injured vertebral body has been removed, comprises an elongate space-spanning plate of implant grade material having a concavo-convex cross section, with an integral prong at each end to be driven into the vertebral bodies. Each prong has a proximal portion and a distal portion, with each portion having an inboard surface facing an inboard surface of the other prong, the inboard surfaces converging as they extend from the distal ends of the prongs toward the concave surface of the plate to urge the vertebral bodies toward each other as the prongs are driven into them. The outboard surface at the proximal portion of the prong is parallel to the inboard surface and at the distal portion converges from the proximal portion to intersection with the inboard surface at the distal end of the prong. The plate has two holes in it adjacent each end for reception of bone screws but which are used during installation of the staple for reception of the locating posts of an impactor tool to properly position the tool for striking it with a mallet to drive the staple prongs into the vertebra.