DR. LAWRENCE G RAPP, M.D.
Medical Practice at Dixie Hwy, Clarkston, MI

7547305, Jun 16, 2009

Apr 4, 2002

10/473759

Lawrence G. Rapp - Clarkston MI, US

A61B 17/80

606 70, 606 57, 606105, 606257, 606282

An arrangement and method of use for supporting a plurality of vertebrae in a cervical column in predetermined spatial relation and for facilitating a spinal fusion procedure. A plurality of templates () couple to respectively associated vertebrae at anterior lateral surfaces thereof. Such coupling is effected with fasterners, such as bone screws (). The templates are slidingly coupled to each other by a coupler assembly () whereby they are displaceable along a path over a limited distance that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cervical column. The sliding displacement between the templates is limited by a pair of protruding tongues () that extend through elongated apertures (). The elongated dimension of the apertures determines the extent of sliding travel, which extent is established to accommodate subsidence of the bone fusion and to prevent separation of the sliding elements of the coupler assembly. The coupler assembly is coupled to each template by engagement between posts () and post holes ().

2004018, Sep 23, 2004

Mar 8, 2004

10/475456

Lawrence Rapp - Clarkston MI, US

A61F002/44

623/017110

A spinal fusion implant device (), and method of use, for promotes device for promoting a spinal fusion between neighboring vertebrae. The spinal fusion device may be located within the intervertebral disc space and includes a pair of plate member () that preferably have flat support plates () for contacting and resting against the softer, central cancellous bone portion of respective endplates of adjacent vertebrae. The support plates have a front template portion () that is substantially orthogonal to the flat support plate and is bent in a direction to communicate with the anterior surface of the hard cortical endplate the respective vertebrae. The flat support plates are provided with a central channel () in which a support strut () may be placed. The support is configured to vary the distance between the support plates such that the height of the apparatus proximate the anterior end is greater than the height of the device at the posterior end whereby the natural lordosis of the spine is maintained after the apparatus is installed. The support strut may be selected from a set of support struts of predetermined height and angle, to alter the vertical distance between the support plates to customize the apparatus to fit a given patient. Channels formed (), on either side of the support strut, are filled with bone graft material and contact the endplates of the vertebrae through large openings () in the flat support plates to facilitate fusion.

7887588, Feb 15, 2011

Dec 19, 2006

11/643005

Lawrence G. Rapp - Clarkston MI, US

A61F 2/44

623 1711

A pair of flat support plates in a spinal fusion implant device contact and rest against the softer, central cancellous bone portion of respective endplates of adjacent vertebrae. Each support plate has a front template that is orthogonal to the plate and is bent to communicate with the anterior surface of the hard cortical endplate the vertebrae. A wedge-shaped support strut in a central channel between the two plates is configured to vary the distance between the support plates such that the height of the device proximate the anterior end is greater than the height of the device at the posterior end to maintain the natural lordosis of the spine. Channels formed on either side of the support strut are filled with bone graft material and contact the endplates of the vertebrae through large openings in the flat support plates to facilitate fusion.