NuVasive has filed a patent for a system and methods for assembling and implanting a vertebral body implant. The implant includes an expandable core body and endplates that can be attached at both ends, allowing for customization based on the shape, size, and angle of the vertebrae. The system also includes an expansion tool for adjusting the length of the implant. GlobalData’s report on NuVasive gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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A system for assembling and implanting a vertebral body implant
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230310174A1) describes a system for vertebral body implants in the spine. The system includes an intermediate expansion member that can adjust its length between a collapsed state and an expanded state. The expansion tool, which is part of the system, has a distal engagement region that can releasably engage the intermediate expansion member and adjust its length to a desired length.
The intermediate expansion member consists of an outer core with a plate attachment feature at one end, an inner core with a plate attachment feature at the other end, and an adjustment ring that can be fixed to the outer core and threadably engage the inner core. This allows the inner core to translate along the longitudinal axis relative to the outer core and the adjustment ring.
The expansion tool includes an outer tube, an inner tube, and a drive shaft. The outer tube extends along a second longitudinal axis and the inner tube can translate along this axis relative to the outer tube. The drive shaft, which is disposed within the inner tube, can rotate about the second longitudinal axis. The expansion tool also has a grip that can translate the inner tube along the second longitudinal axis relative to the outer tube.
The distal engagement region of the expansion tool includes a drive wheel, a housing, and a plurality of engagement arms. The drive wheel is rotatably coupled to the drive shaft and can rotatably engage the adjustment ring of the intermediate expansion member. The housing is longitudinally fixed to the drive wheel and the engagement arms are configured to releasably engage the intermediate expansion member. The engagement arms consist of a base member, an extension member, and a hinge and pin mechanism that allows the extension member to rotate around the hinge as the pin moves through an angled slot. This actuates the engagement arms to engage the intermediate expansion member.
The system also includes a locking mechanism to prevent decoupling of the expansion tool and the vertebral body implant. Additionally, there are lock screws that can fix the endplates of the implant to the intermediate expansion member, and a driver tool is provided to drive these lock screws.
In summary, the patent describes a system for vertebral body implants that includes an adjustable intermediate expansion member and an expansion tool to adjust its length. The system also includes various components such as endplates, lock screws, and a locking mechanism. The expansion tool has a distal engagement region with engagement arms that can releasably engage the intermediate expansion member. The system provides a method for inserting the implant and adjusting its length using the expansion tool.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies
