How Implants Can Improve Spine Movement
This patent describes systems and surgical methods using implants to correct the alignment of bones, especially those in the spine, to improve how they move.
Original patent title: “Motion implants to improve spinal kinematics”
This patent describes systems and surgical methods using implants to correct the alignment of bones, especially those in the spine, to improve how they move. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent focuses on systems, devices, methods, and surgical procedures designed to change or fix the alignment of bones that are next to each other, particularly in the spine. The goal is to improve the natural movement, or 'kinematics,' of the spine. For example, if someone has a spinal condition causing vertebrae to be misaligned, this technology aims to use an implant and a surgical procedure to restore a more natural position and range of motion. Specific details about the implant designs or surgical steps are not available in the provided text.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover non-surgical treatments or therapies for correcting spinal alignment, such as physical therapy or chiropractic adjustments.
- Does not cover implants or procedures that only fuse spinal bones together without aiming to improve their motion.
- Does not cover alignment correction for bones that are not directly next to each other.
- Does not cover devices or methods for altering alignment of non-bony structures or soft tissues.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The core idea is to use implants not just to fix bones, but to specifically improve or restore the natural 'motion' between them. Instead of simply stabilizing or fusing adjacent bones, the focus is on enabling better movement, which is a more advanced approach to spinal correction.
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
Dynamic stabilization systems for the spine
Artificial disc replacements
Interspinous process devices
Pedicle screw systems designed for motion preservation
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Spinal problems, like misalignments or instability, can cause significant pain and limit a person's ability to move. This technology aims to offer solutions beyond traditional spinal fusion, which often restricts movement. By improving spinal kinematics, these implants could help patients regain more natural motion and better quality of life after surgery.
Filed
December 27, 2023
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Major medical device companies in the orthopedic and spine surgery space, such as Medtronic, DePuy Synthes (a Johnson & Johnson company), and Stryker, are continuously developing and refining spinal implants. These companies invest heavily in technologies that improve patient outcomes by restoring function and motion.
Market impact
This type of technology contributes to the ongoing evolution of spinal surgery, shifting from purely rigid fixation towards motion-preserving solutions. If successful, such implants could expand treatment options for patients, potentially reducing the need for spinal fusion in some cases and improving long-term patient satisfaction by maintaining greater flexibility and natural movement.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent focuses on systems, devices, methods, and surgical procedures designed to change or fix the alignment of bones that are next to each other, particularly in the spine. The goal is to improve the natural movement, or 'kinematics,' of the spine. For example, if someone has a spinal condition causing vertebrae to be misaligned, this technology aims to use an implant and a surgical procedure to restore a more natural position and range of motion. Specific details about the implant designs or surgical steps are not available in the provided text.
The clever bit
The core idea is to use implants not just to fix bones, but to specifically improve or restore the natural 'motion' between them. Instead of simply stabilizing or fusing adjacent bones, the focus is on enabling better movement, which is a more advanced approach to spinal correction.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover non-surgical treatments or therapies for correcting spinal alignment, such as physical therapy or chiropractic adjustments.
- Does not cover implants or procedures that only fuse spinal bones together without aiming to improve their motion.
- Does not cover alignment correction for bones that are not directly next to each other.
- Does not cover devices or methods for altering alignment of non-bony structures or soft tissues.
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 · 17.2 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). How Implants Can Improve Spine Movement (U.S. Patent No. 12,734,041). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734041/motion-implants-to-improve-spinal-kinematics
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 How Implants Can Improve Spine Movement cover?
This patent describes systems and surgical methods using implants to correct the alignment of bones, especially those in the spine, to improve how they move.
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?
Spinal problems, like misalignments or instability, can cause significant pain and limit a person's ability to move. This technology aims to offer solutions beyond traditional spinal fusion, which often restricts movement. By improving spinal kinematics, these implants could help patients regain more natural motion and better quality of life after surgery.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover non-surgical treatments or therapies for correcting spinal alignment, such as physical therapy or chiropractic adjustments.
Patent monitoring