Custom Spinal Fusion Devices with Built-in Anchors
This patent describes custom-made spinal fusion devices designed for a specific patient, featuring an implant placed between vertebrae and special ways to hold its anchoring parts in place.
Original patent title: “Patient-specific spinal fusion devices and associated systems and methods”
This patent describes custom-made spinal fusion devices designed for a specific patient, featuring an implant placed between vertebrae and special ways to hold its anchoring parts in place. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
Based on the abstractabstractA short summary at the front of the patent describing the invention. Not legally binding.Read more →, this technology focuses on spinal fusion devices tailored for individual patients. It includes an interbody implant, which is a piece designed to fit into the space between two spinal bones (vertebral bodies). The implant also has one or more fixation elements, like screws or pegs, that anchor it securely to these spinal bones. A key feature is the inclusion of retention mechanisms, which are special features within the implant that hold these fixation elements firmly inside their designated holes or channels. The patent also covers the methods used to design and manufacture these patient-specific devices.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover spinal implants that are not custom-designed for a specific patient's anatomy.
- Does not cover spinal fusion procedures that do not involve an interbody implant placed in the disc space.
- Does not cover interbody implants that lack specific retention mechanisms for holding fixation elements within lumens or bore holes.
- Does not cover generic, off-the-shelf spinal fusion devices that are not patient-specific.
- Does not cover other types of patient-specific orthopedic implants, such as those for knee or hip joints.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in combining patient-specific design for spinal fusion with integrated retention mechanisms that securely hold the anchoring elements within the implant. This ensures a precise fit and stable fixation, which is crucial for successful spinal fusion.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Custom 3D-printed spinal cages
Personalized intervertebral disc spacers
Spinal fusion systems with integrated locking features
Surgical planning software for custom implants
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Patient-specific medical devices are a growing trend, aiming to improve surgical outcomes by precisely matching a patient's unique anatomy. In spinal fusion, this can lead to better fit, potentially reducing complications and improving stability compared to standard implants. While this patent is very new with no citations yet, it represents a continued push towards personalized medicine in orthopedics, which could make spinal surgeries more effective and safer in the future.
Filed
March 13, 2026
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Major medical device companies like Medtronic, Stryker, and Johnson & Johnson (DePuy Synthes) are actively developing and commercializing patient-specific implants and advanced spinal fusion technologies. Specialized companies focusing on 3D printing for medical applications, such as Materialise and EOS, are also key players in enabling the manufacturing of such custom devices.
Market impact
This patent, filed in 2026, is too new to have had a direct market impact yet. However, the underlying concept of patient-specific spinal fusion devices aims to improve surgical precision and patient outcomes, potentially leading to a shift away from purely 'off-the-shelf' implants. If widely adopted, such technologies could reduce revision surgeries and enhance recovery, influencing product development and competitive strategies among spinal implant manufacturers.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
Based on the abstract, this technology focuses on spinal fusion devices tailored for individual patients. It includes an interbody implant, which is a piece designed to fit into the space between two spinal bones (vertebral bodies). The implant also has one or more fixation elements, like screws or pegs, that anchor it securely to these spinal bones. A key feature is the inclusion of retention mechanisms, which are special features within the implant that hold these fixation elements firmly inside their designated holes or channels. The patent also covers the methods used to design and manufacture these patient-specific devices.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in combining patient-specific design for spinal fusion with integrated retention mechanisms that securely hold the anchoring elements within the implant. This ensures a precise fit and stable fixation, which is crucial for successful spinal fusion.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover spinal implants that are not custom-designed for a specific patient's anatomy.
- Does not cover spinal fusion procedures that do not involve an interbody implant placed in the disc space.
- Does not cover interbody implants that lack specific retention mechanisms for holding fixation elements within lumens or bore holes.
- Does not cover generic, off-the-shelf spinal fusion devices that are not patient-specific.
- Does not cover other types of patient-specific orthopedic implants, such as those for knee or hip joints.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 19.4 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Custom Spinal Fusion Devices with Built-in Anchors (U.S. Patent No. 12,734,040). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734040/patient-specific-spinal-fusion-devices-and-associated-systems-and-methods
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Custom Spinal Fusion Devices with Built-in Anchors cover?
This patent describes custom-made spinal fusion devices designed for a specific patient, featuring an implant placed between vertebrae and special ways to hold its anchoring parts in place.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Patient-specific medical devices are a growing trend, aiming to improve surgical outcomes by precisely matching a patient's unique anatomy. In spinal fusion, this can lead to better fit, potentially reducing complications and improving stability compared to standard implants. While this patent is very new with no citations yet, it represents a continued push towards personalized medicine in orthopedics, which could make spinal surgeries more effective and safer in the future.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover spinal implants that are not custom-designed for a specific patient's anatomy.
Patent monitoring