Patent US6436102B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6436102B1
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US
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Method of distracting vertebral bones
Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp
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Filing: 2001-07-16
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Granted: 2002-08-20
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Expires: 2021-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies to their proper anatomical spacing including sequentially inserting and removing a series of progressively wider cylindrical spacer elements into the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bones until the distance between the vertebral bones is anatomically appropriate.
Inventors
- 👤 James D. Ralph
- 👤 Steven Tatar
- 👤 Thomas J. Errico
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/4455; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/4684; A61B2017/0256; A61B2017/564; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30113; A61F2002/30159; A61F2002/30166; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/302; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/3023; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30383; A61F2002/30385; A61F2002/3039; A61F2002/30392; A61F2002/30395; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/305; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30574; A61F2002/30604; A61F2002/30616; A61F2002/30617; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30672; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/3082; A61F2002/30822; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4628; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0006; A61F2230/0028; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0065; A61F2230/0069; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/0096; A61F2250/0097; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
43 words
A surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies to their proper anatomical spacing comprising sequentially inserting and removing a series of progressively wider cylindrical spacer elements into the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bones until the distance between the vertebral bones is anatomically appropriate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
43 words
A surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies to their proper anatomical spacing comprising sequentially inserting and removing a series of progressively wider cylindrical spacer elements into the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bones until the distance between the vertebral bones is anatomically appropriate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies to their proper anatomical spacing as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said series of progressively wider cylindrical spacer elements includes at least one spacer element having upper and lower surfaces which are substantially parallel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies to their proper anatomical spacing as set forth in claim 2 , wherein at least one of said progressively wider cylindrical spacer elements comprises a solid metal disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies to their proper anatomical spacing as set forth in claim 2 , wherein at least one of said progressively wider cylindrical spacer elements comprises a porous metal discs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies to their proper anatomical spacing as set forth in claim 2 , wherein at least one of said progressively wider cylindrical spacer elements comprises a a non-porous organic implantable material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies to their proper anatomical spacing as set forth in claim 2 , wherein at least one of said progressively wider cylindrical spacer elements comprises a a porous organic implantable material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies to their proper anatomical spacing as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said series of progressively wider cylindrical spacer elements includes at least one diametrically tapered spacer element, said diametrically tapered spacer element being defined by upper and lower surfaces which are non-parallel such that said diametrically tapered cylindrical spacer element comprises wedge-shaped disc member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies to their proper anatomical spacing as set forth in claim 7 , wherein at least one of said progressively wider cylindrical spacer elements comprises a solid metal discs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies to their proper anatomical spacing as set forth in claim 7 , wherein at least one of said progressively wider cylindrical spacer elements comprises a porous metal discs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies to their proper anatomical spacing as set forth in claim 7 , wherein at least one of said progressively wider cylindrical spacer elements comprises a a non-porous organic implantable material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies to their proper anatomical spacing as set forth in claim 7 , wherein at least one of said progressively wider cylindrical spacer elements comprises a a porous organic implantable material.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for placing a spinal column in a desired configuration, comprising: exposing an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bones; and distracting the space by sequentially inserting therein and subsequently removing therefrom a plurality of intervertebral spacers, each having a pre-determined thickness, the thicknesses incrementally increasing from one spacer to another at an increment acceptable for safely distracting the space to a desired distance.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for placing a spinal column in a desired configuration, comprising: exposing an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bones; and distracting the space by sequentially inserting therein and subsequently removing therefrom a plurality of intervertebral spacers, each having a pre-determined thickness, the thicknesses incrementally increasing from one spacer to another at an increment acceptable for safely distracting the space to a desired distance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein each of the spacers has parallel upper and lower support surfaces.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein each of the spacer has non-parallel upper and lower support surfaces.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein each of the spacers has an annular groove for engagement therein by an orthopedic instrument.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the instrument holds each spacer so that it is immovable relative to the instrument, such that the held spacer may be rotated within the intervertebral space in accordance with a corresponding manipulation of the instrument.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the instrument rotationally freely holds at least one of the spacers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein each spacer comprises at least one of solid metal, porous metal, non-porous organic implantable material, and porous organic implantable material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-08-19 | 2006-02-18 | 2006-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-19 | 2010-02-18 | 2010-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-19 | 2014-02-18 | 2014-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |