US5797909A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for inserting spinal implants
Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc
•
Filing: 1995-06-07
•
Granted: 1998-08-25
•
Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted, a hollow sleeve having teeth at one end is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve. Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted to restore the normal angular relationship of the vertebrae adjacent to that disc space. An extended outer sleeve having extended portions capable of maintaining the vertebrae distracted in their normal angular relationship is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary Karlin Michelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B17/16; A61B17/1662; A61B17/1671; A61B17/17; A61B17/1739; A61B17/1757; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/446; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B17/32; A61B17/34; A61B17/3468; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/88; A61B17/8875; A61B17/8886; A61B17/8888; A61B2017/0256; A61B17/92; A61B2017/922; A61B90/00; A61B90/03; A61B2090/033; A61B2090/036; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30744; A61F2/442; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30143; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30235; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30405; A61F2002/30426; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30593; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30774; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/30787; A61F2002/30795; A61F2002/30797; A61F2002/30836; A61F2002/3085; A61F2002/30904; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/4619; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4629; A61F2/4644; A61F2002/4649; A61F2002/4681; A61F2002/4687; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A spinal distractor for use in spinal fusion surgery for positioning two adjacent vertebrae in selected relationship to each other, said spinal distractor comprising: a body; and a disc penetrating extension extending from said body for insertion into the disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae and for bearing against adjacent endplates of the two adjacent vertebrae, said disc penetrating extension having a first portion for bearing against one of the adjacent endplates and a second portion for bearing against the other of the adjacent endplates, said first and second portions converging away from said body along at least a portion of their length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A spinal distractor for use in spinal fusion surgery for positioning two adjacent vertebrae in selected relationship to each other, said spinal distractor comprising: a body; and a disc penetrating extension extending from said body for insertion into the disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae and for bearing against adjacent endplates of the two adjacent vertebrae, said disc penetrating extension having a first portion for bearing against one of the adjacent endplates and a second portion for bearing against the other of the adjacent endplates, said first and second portions converging away from said body along at least a portion of their length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spinal distractor of claim 1 further comprising means for limiting the penetration of said disc penetrating extension into the disc space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The spinal distractor of claim 2 in which said limiting means comprises a shoulder on said body at the juncture of said disc penetrating extension and said body for preventing said body from entering the disc space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The spinal distractor of claim 1 in which said disc penetrating extension has a tapered front end to facilitate insertion of said disc penetrating extension into the disc space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The spinal distractor of claim 1 in which said body is removably attached to said disc penetrating extension.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The spinal distractor of claim 5 further comprising means for limiting the depth of insertion of said disc penetrating extension into the disc space.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The spinal distractor of claim 6 in which said limiting means comprises a head associated with said disc penetrating extension, said head being dimensioned to prevent entry into the disc space.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The spinal distractor of claims 7 in which said head has a low profile so as to minimize protrusion of said head from the two adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The spinal distractor of claim 6 further comprising an impacting surface at the juncture of said head and said disc penetrating extension for flattening portions of the exterior surface of the two adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The spinal distractor of claim 6 in which said disc penetrating extension comprises means for engaging an extraction device for extracting said disc penetrating extension from the disc space.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The spinal distractor of claim 5 in which said disc penetrating extension includes a head proximate the juncture of said disc penetrating extension and said body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The spinal distractor of claim 5 further comprising means for engaging the two adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spinal distractor of claim 12 in which said engaging means includes a prong.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The spinal distractor of claim 5 in which said disc penetrating extension comprises means for engaging an extraction device for extracting said disc penetrating extension from the disc space.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spinal distractor of claim 1 in which said body is a barrel member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The spinal distractor of claim 1 in which said disc penetrating extension has surface irregularities.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The spinal distractor of claim 16 in which said surface irregularities include ratchetings.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The spinal distractor of claim 16 in which said surface irregularities include knurling.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The spinal distractor of claim 1 in which said body has means for engaging an extraction device for extracting said disc penetrating extension from the disc space.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The spinal distractor of claims 19 in which said engaging means includes a mating member for mating with an extraction device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The spinal distractor of claim 1 further comprising an impacting surface proximate the juncture of said body and said disc penetrating extension for flattening portions of the exterior surface of the two adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The spinal distractor of claim 1 in combination with a guard member having an opening for providing protected access to the disc space and the adjacent vertebrae, said spinal distractor passing through said opening.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
125 words
A spinal distractor for use in spinal fusion surgery for positioning two adjacent vertebrae in selected relationship to each other, said spinal distractor comprising: a body; and a disc penetrating extension extending from said body for insertion into the disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae and for bearing against adjacent endplates of the two adjacent vertebrae, said disc penetrating extension having a first portion for bearing against one of the adjacent endplates and a second portion for bearing against the other of the adjacent endplates, said first and second portions diverging away from said body along at least a portion of their length, said disc penetrating extension having a tapered leading end to facilitate placement of said disc penetrating extension into the disc space.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
125 words
A spinal distractor for use in spinal fusion surgery for positioning two adjacent vertebrae in selected relationship to each other, said spinal distractor comprising: a body; and a disc penetrating extension extending from said body for insertion into the disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae and for bearing against adjacent endplates of the two adjacent vertebrae, said disc penetrating extension having a first portion for bearing against one of the adjacent endplates and a second portion for bearing against the other of the adjacent endplates, said first and second portions diverging away from said body along at least a portion of their length, said disc penetrating extension having a tapered leading end to facilitate placement of said disc penetrating extension into the disc space.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spinal distractor of claim 23 further comprising means for limiting the penetration of said disc penetrating extension into the disc space.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The spinal distractor of claim 23 in which said limiting means comprises a shoulder on said body at the juncture of said disc penetrating extension and said body for preventing said body from entering the disc space.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The spinal distractor of claim 23 in which said body is removably attached to said disc penetrating extension.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The spinal distractor of claim 26 in which said disc penetrating extension includes a head proximate the juncture of said disc penetrating extension and said body.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The spinal distractor of claim 26 further comprising means for engaging the two adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spinal distractor of claim 28 in which said engaging means includes a prong.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The spinal distractor of claim 26 further comprising means for limiting the depth of insertion of said disc penetrating extension into the disc space.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The spinal distractor of claim 30 in which said limiting means comprises a head associated with said disc penetrating extension, said head being dimensioned to prevent entry into the disc space.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The spinal distractor of claims 31 in which said head has a low profile so as to minimize protrusion of said head from the two adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
The spinal distractor of claim 30 further comprising an impacting surface at the juncture of said head and said disc penetrating extension for flattening portions of the exterior surface of the two adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The spinal distractor of claim 26 in which said disc penetrating extension comprises means for engaging an extraction device for extracting said disc penetrating extension from the disc space.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The spinal distractor of claim 30 in which said disc penetrating extension comprises means for engaging an extraction device for extracting said disc penetrating extension from the disc space.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spinal distractor of claim 23 in which said body is a barrel member.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The spinal distractor of claim 23 in which said disc penetrating extension has surface irregularities.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The spinal distractor of claim 37 in which said surface irregularities include ratchetings.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
13 words
The spinal distractor of claim 37 in which said surface irregularities include knurling.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The spinal distractor of claim 23 in which said body has means for engaging an extraction device for extracting said disc penetrating extension from the disc space.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
The spinal distractor of claims 40 in which said engaging means includes a mating member for mating with an extraction device.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
The spinal distractor of claim 23 further comprising an impacting surface proximate the juncture of said body and said disc penetrating extension for flattening portions of the exterior surface of the two adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
The spinal distractor of claim 23 in which said first and second portions diverge away from said body along at least a portion of their length.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
34 words
The spinal distractor of claim 23 in combination with a guard member having an opening for providing protected access to the disc space and the adjacent vertebrae, said spinal distractor passing through said opening.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
177 words
A surgical instrument set for use in spinal fusion surgery for positioning two adjacent vertebrae in selected relationship to each other, said surgical instrument set comprising: a spinal distractor having a body and a disc penetrating extension extending from said body for insertion into the disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae and for bearing against adjacent endplates of the two adjacent vertebrae, said disc penetrating extension having a first portion for bearing against one of the adjacent endplates and a second portion for bearing against the other of the adjacent endplates, said first and second portions converging away from said body along at least a portion of their length; a guard member having an opening for providing protected access to the disc space and the adjacent vertebrae, said opening being sized to permit passage of said disc penetrating extension of said spinal distractor through said opening; and an implant driver having means for engaging an implant, said implant driver having a portion sized for passage through said opening for passing an implant through said guard member.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
177 words
A surgical instrument set for use in spinal fusion surgery for positioning two adjacent vertebrae in selected relationship to each other, said surgical instrument set comprising: a spinal distractor having a body and a disc penetrating extension extending from said body for insertion into the disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae and for bearing against adjacent endplates of the two adjacent vertebrae, said disc penetrating extension having a first portion for bearing against one of the adjacent endplates and a second portion for bearing against the other of the adjacent endplates, said first and second portions converging away from said body along at least a portion of their length; a guard member having an opening for providing protected access to the disc space and the adjacent vertebrae, said opening being sized to permit passage of said disc penetrating extension of said spinal distractor through said opening; and an implant driver having means for engaging an implant, said implant driver having a portion sized for passage through said opening for passing an implant through said guard member.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
34 words
The surgical instrument set of claim 45 further comprising bone removal means having a portion sized for passage through said opening for forming through said guard member an implantation space across the disc space.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
198 words
A surgical instrument set for use in spinal fusion surgery for positioning two adjacent vertebrae in selected relationship to each other, said surgical instrument set comprising: a spinal distractor having a body and a disc penetrating extension extending from said body for insertion into the disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae and for bearing against adjacent endplates of the two adjacent vertebrae, said disc penetrating extension having a first portion for bearing against one of the adjacent endplates and a second portion for bearing against the other of the adjacent endplates, said first and second portions diverging away from said body along at least a portion of their length, said disc penetrating extension having a tapered leading end to facilitate placement of said disc penetrating extension into the disc space; a guard member having an opening for providing protected access to the disc space and the adjacent vertebrae, said opening being sized to permit passage of said disc penetrating extension of said spinal distractor through said opening; and an implant driver having means for engaging an implant, said implant driver having a portion sized for passage through said opening for passing an implant through said guard member.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
198 words
A surgical instrument set for use in spinal fusion surgery for positioning two adjacent vertebrae in selected relationship to each other, said surgical instrument set comprising: a spinal distractor having a body and a disc penetrating extension extending from said body for insertion into the disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae and for bearing against adjacent endplates of the two adjacent vertebrae, said disc penetrating extension having a first portion for bearing against one of the adjacent endplates and a second portion for bearing against the other of the adjacent endplates, said first and second portions diverging away from said body along at least a portion of their length, said disc penetrating extension having a tapered leading end to facilitate placement of said disc penetrating extension into the disc space; a guard member having an opening for providing protected access to the disc space and the adjacent vertebrae, said opening being sized to permit passage of said disc penetrating extension of said spinal distractor through said opening; and an implant driver having means for engaging an implant, said implant driver having a portion sized for passage through said opening for passing an implant through said guard member.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
34 words
The surgical instrument set of claim 47 further comprising bone removal means having a portion sized for passage through said opening for forming through said guard member an implantation space across the disc space.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-24 | 2002-02-23 | 2002-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-24 | 2006-02-23 | 2006-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-24 | 2010-02-23 | 2010-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |