US5989256A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bone fixation cable ferrule
Assignee: Spineology Inc
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Filing: 1999-01-19
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Granted: 1999-11-23
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Expires: 2019-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A ferrule for insertion in an opening cut through a vertebral spinous process functions as a guide for a connecting cable, preventing cutting into the bone by the cable and protecting the cable from breakage.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen D. Kuslich
- 👤 Francis Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:22
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/82; A61B17/70; A61B17/7001; A61B17/7002; A61B17/7019; A61B17/7022; A61B17/7062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A system for protecting a vertebral spinous process from being cut when cabling together spinous process in a patient in need of such cabling, the system comprising: (a) a pair of ferrules, each of said ferrules including: a generally cylindrical, hollow main body having a proximal and a distal end, said main body having an exterior and interior surface; a bore extending through said main body through said distal and proximal ends; at least one of said proximal and distal ends of each said ferrule including a tool-engaging member leading into the bore of each said ferrule; said ferrule including bone engagement members on said exterior surface of said main body; and (b) a cable extending through the bore of said ferrules, said cable forming a closed loop.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A system for protecting a vertebral spinous process from being cut when cabling together spinous process in a patient in need of such cabling, the system comprising: (a) a pair of ferrules, each of said ferrules including: a generally cylindrical, hollow main body having a proximal and a distal end, said main body having an exterior and interior surface; a bore extending through said main body through said distal and proximal ends; at least one of said proximal and distal ends of each said ferrule including a tool-engaging member leading into the bore of each said ferrule; said ferrule including bone engagement members on said exterior surface of said main body; and (b) a cable extending through the bore of said ferrules, said cable forming a closed loop.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bone engagement members are threads.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said main body has a radiused entry into said bore to minimize strain on a cable passing across and end into said bore.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
129 words
A system for protecting a bone from being cut when cabling together a bone to a bone in a patient in need of such cabling, the system comprising: (a) a pair of ferrules, each of said ferrules including: a generally cylindrical, hollow main body having a proximal and a distal end, said main body having an exterior and interior surface; a bore extending through said main body through said distal and proximal ends; at least one of said proximal and distal ends of each said ferrule including a tool-engaging member leading into the bore of each said ferrule; said ferrule including bone engagement members on said exterior surface of said main body; and (b) a cable extending through the bore of said ferrules, said cable forming a closed loop.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
129 words
A system for protecting a bone from being cut when cabling together a bone to a bone in a patient in need of such cabling, the system comprising: (a) a pair of ferrules, each of said ferrules including: a generally cylindrical, hollow main body having a proximal and a distal end, said main body having an exterior and interior surface; a bore extending through said main body through said distal and proximal ends; at least one of said proximal and distal ends of each said ferrule including a tool-engaging member leading into the bore of each said ferrule; said ferrule including bone engagement members on said exterior surface of said main body; and (b) a cable extending through the bore of said ferrules, said cable forming a closed loop.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for connecting adjacent vertebra in a patient in need of such treatment comprising the steps of: (a) forming a hole through the spinous process in adjacent vertebra; (b) inserting a hollow, externally threaded ferrule into each hole thus formed, each said ferrule including a bore extending from a proximal to a distal end, at least one of said proximal and distal ends of said ferrule including a pair of opposed, tool-engaging slots leading into the bore of said ferrule; (c) threading a cable through the bores of said ferrules; (d) connecting the ends of said cable such that tension is applied to the adjacent vertebra.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for connecting adjacent vertebra in a patient in need of such treatment comprising the steps of: (a) forming a hole through the spinous process in adjacent vertebra; (b) inserting a hollow, externally threaded ferrule into each hole thus formed, each said ferrule including a bore extending from a proximal to a distal end, at least one of said proximal and distal ends of said ferrule including a pair of opposed, tool-engaging slots leading into the bore of said ferrule; (c) threading a cable through the bores of said ferrules; (d) connecting the ends of said cable such that tension is applied to the adjacent vertebra.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for connecting bone to bone in a patient in need of such treatment comprising the steps of: (a) forming a hole in each bone to be joined; (b) inserting a hollow, externally threaded ferrule into each hole thus formed, each said ferrule including a bore extending from a proximal to a distal end, at least one of said proximal and distal ends of said ferrule including a tool-engaging member leading into the bore of said ferrule; (c) threading a cable through the bores of said ferrules; (d) connecting the ends of said cable such that tension is applied to each bone.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for connecting bone to bone in a patient in need of such treatment comprising the steps of: (a) forming a hole in each bone to be joined; (b) inserting a hollow, externally threaded ferrule into each hole thus formed, each said ferrule including a bore extending from a proximal to a distal end, at least one of said proximal and distal ends of said ferrule including a tool-engaging member leading into the bore of said ferrule; (c) threading a cable through the bores of said ferrules; (d) connecting the ends of said cable such that tension is applied to each bone.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for protecting bone from being cut when cabling together a bone to a bone in a patient in need of such cabling, the apparatus comprising: (a) a generally cylindrical, hollow ferrule having a main body having a proximal and a distal end, said main body having an exterior and interior surface, said main body including a radiused entry at both proximal and distal ends to minimize strain on a cable passing transversely across said ends; (b) a bore extending through said main body through said distal and proximal ends; (c) at least one of said proximal and distal ends of said ferrule including a tool-engaging member leading into the bore of said ferrule; and (d) said ferrule including bone engagement members on said exterior surface of said main body.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for protecting bone from being cut when cabling together a bone to a bone in a patient in need of such cabling, the apparatus comprising: (a) a generally cylindrical, hollow ferrule having a main body having a proximal and a distal end, said main body having an exterior and interior surface, said main body including a radiused entry at both proximal and distal ends to minimize strain on a cable passing transversely across said ends; (b) a bore extending through said main body through said distal and proximal ends; (c) at least one of said proximal and distal ends of said ferrule including a tool-engaging member leading into the bore of said ferrule; and (d) said ferrule including bone engagement members on said exterior surface of said main body.
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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) | 2002-11-22 | 2003-05-24 | 2003-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-22 | 2007-05-24 | 2007-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-22 | 2011-05-24 | 2011-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |