US6171339B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-lumen spinal implant guide and method
Assignee: Zimmer Spine Inc
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Filing: 1998-05-19
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Granted: 2001-01-09
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Expires: 2018-05-19
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides instruments and methods for insertion of multiple spinal implants into the intervertebral space between opposing vertebral bodies. Instrumentation according to the invention includes a multi-lumen guide, complimentary obturators, drill depth guides and other associated instruments. The methods of the invention provide for greater ease and accuracy in aligning multiple spinal implants in an intervertebral disk space.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodney L. Houfburg
- 👤 Richard A. Erickson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B17/17; A61B17/1739; A61B17/1757; A61B90/00; A61B90/03; A61B2090/033; A61B2090/034; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/914
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A multi-lumen guide for implanting a spinal fusion device between opposing vertebral bodies, the multi-lumen guide comprising: a first elongate lumen having a first cross sectional geometry; a second elongate lumen having a second cross sectional geometry; the second elongate lumen being adjacent and parallel to the first elongate lumen; the first cross sectional geometry and the second cross sectional geometry overlap; the first elongate lumen defined by a first wall and the second elongate lumen defined by a second wall, the first wall having a first wall opening between the first elongate lumen and an exterior surface of the multi-lumen guide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A multi-lumen guide for implanting a spinal fusion device between opposing vertebral bodies, the multi-lumen guide comprising: a first elongate lumen having a first cross sectional geometry; a second elongate lumen having a second cross sectional geometry; the second elongate lumen being adjacent and parallel to the first elongate lumen; the first cross sectional geometry and the second cross sectional geometry overlap; the first elongate lumen defined by a first wall and the second elongate lumen defined by a second wall, the first wall having a first wall opening between the first elongate lumen and an exterior surface of the multi-lumen guide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The multi-lumen guide according to claim 1 wherein the first cross sectional geometry of the first elongate lumen is circular.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The multi-lumen guide according to claim 1 having a first end with an anchoring arrangement for securing the multi-lumen guide to the vertebral bodies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The multi-lumen guide according to claim 3 wherein the anchoring arrangement comprises at least two teeth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The multi-lumen guide according to claim 3 wherein the first end further comprises at least one lateral paddle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The multi-lumen guide according to claim 5 wherein the first end comprises two diametrically opposing lateral paddles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The multi-lumen guide according to claim 1 wherein the first wall opening is an elongate slot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The multi-lumen guide according to claim 7 wherein the second wall has a second wall opening between the second elongate lumen and the exterior surface of the multi-lumen guide and wherein the first wall opening and the second wall opening face one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
129 words
A kit for placement of a spinal implant between opposing vertebral bodies, the kit comprising: a multi-lumen guide comprising: (i) a first elongate lumen having a first cross sectional geometry; (ii) a second elongate lumen having a second cross sectional geometry; (iii) the second elongate lumen being adjacent and parallel to the first elongate lumen; and (iv) the first cross sectional geometry and the second cross sectional geometry overlap; a first obturator having a cross-sectional configuration allowing passage of the first obturator into the first elongate lumen, the cross-sectional configuration of the first obturator being substantially cylindrical; a second obturator having a cross-sectional configuration allowing passage of the second obturator into the first elongate lumen and having a flat side parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second obturator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
129 words
A kit for placement of a spinal implant between opposing vertebral bodies, the kit comprising: a multi-lumen guide comprising: (i) a first elongate lumen having a first cross sectional geometry; (ii) a second elongate lumen having a second cross sectional geometry; (iii) the second elongate lumen being adjacent and parallel to the first elongate lumen; and (iv) the first cross sectional geometry and the second cross sectional geometry overlap; a first obturator having a cross-sectional configuration allowing passage of the first obturator into the first elongate lumen, the cross-sectional configuration of the first obturator being substantially cylindrical; a second obturator having a cross-sectional configuration allowing passage of the second obturator into the first elongate lumen and having a flat side parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second obturator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A kit according to claim 9 wherein the first obturator has a first end including a handle and a second end including a threaded protuberance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
A kit according to claim 10 further comprising a distraction spacer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A kit according to claim 11 wherein the distraction spacer includes a threaded bore for receiving the threaded protuberance of the first obturator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A kit according to claim 9 wherein the first obturator and second obturator are different lengths.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
A kit according to claim 9 further comprising a spacer cap.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
63 words
A kit according to claim 14 wherein the spacer cap comprises a hollow oval body having (i) a first end and a second end; (ii) an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface having an axially projecting shoulder; (iii) a first longitudinal wall diametrically opposite a second longitudinal wall; and (iv) a first curved wall diametrically opposite a second curved wall.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A kit according to claim 15 wherein the first curved wall has a slot therethrough.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for implanting a spinal implant into a disk space between opposing vertebral bodies the method comprising: placing a first distraction spacer into a first side of a disk space between opposing vertebral bodies; placing a second distraction spacer into a second side of a disk space between opposing vertebral bodies; mounting a distal end of a first obturator to a selected one of the first and second distraction spacers, the first obturator having a cross-sectional configuration which is substantially cylindrical; positioning a multi-lumen guide over the first obturator, the multi-lumen guide comprising: (i) a first elongate lumen having a first cross sectional geometry; (ii) a second elongate lumen having a second cross sectional geometry; (iii) the second elongate lumen being adjacent and parallel to the first elongate lumen; and (iv) the first cross sectional geometry and the second cross sectional geometry overlap; and removing a selected one of the first distraction spacer and the second distraction spacer from the disk space for boring a hole between opposing vertebral bodies on the side of the removed distraction spacer.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for implanting a spinal implant into a disk space between opposing vertebral bodies the method comprising: placing a first distraction spacer into a first side of a disk space between opposing vertebral bodies; placing a second distraction spacer into a second side of a disk space between opposing vertebral bodies; mounting a distal end of a first obturator to a selected one of the first and second distraction spacers, the first obturator having a cross-sectional configuration which is substantially cylindrical; positioning a multi-lumen guide over the first obturator, the multi-lumen guide comprising: (i) a first elongate lumen having a first cross sectional geometry; (ii) a second elongate lumen having a second cross sectional geometry; (iii) the second elongate lumen being adjacent and parallel to the first elongate lumen; and (iv) the first cross sectional geometry and the second cross sectional geometry overlap; and removing a selected one of the first distraction spacer and the second distraction spacer from the disk space for boring a hole between opposing vertebral bodies on the side of the removed distraction spacer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the first and second distraction spacers are placed in the disk space between opposing vertebral bodies simultaneously.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the first guide lumen and the second guide lumen are fixed together with a collar.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the first guide lumen and the second guide lumen are fixed together prior to positioning the multi-lumen guide over the first obturator.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the first obturator is mounted to the selected one of the first and second distraction spacers before the multi-lumen guide is positioned over the first obturator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 17 further comprising a step of mounting a distal end of a second obturator to a selected one of the first and second distraction spacers, the second obturator having a flat side parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second obturator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein the second obturator is mounted to the distraction spacer before the multi-lumen guide tube is positioned over the first obturator.
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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) | 2004-01-09 | 2004-07-10 | 2005-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-09 | 2008-07-10 | 2009-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-09 | 2012-07-10 | 2013-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |