US6500180B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and instrumentation for distraction of a disc space
Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc
•
Filing: 1999-10-20
•
Granted: 2002-12-31
•
Expires: 2019-10-20
Abstract
Abstract Methods and instrumentation for surgical procedures relating to preparation of vertebral bodies and a disc space for insertion of spinal implants is disclosed. The instruments and methods are particularly adapted for a posterior approach to the spine. One instrument is a shim having a blade and a shaft having a first end connected with the blade. The blade is inserted into a distracted disc space to maintain distraction during subsequent procedures. In one embodiment, the shaft can be bent away from the operative field. In another embodiment, the shim is used in an endoscopically assisted approach to the spine. Another instrument is a driver for driving the blade of the shim into the distracted disc space. Various methods contemplate the use of these instruments to maintain disc space distraction during disc space preparation for receiving an implant.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin T. Foley
- 👤 Mingyan Liu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:55
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B2017/0256
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of maintaining distraction of a spinal disc space, the method comprising: exposing a portion of the spine at the disc space; distracting the disc space to a desired height with a disc distractor; selecting a shim having a shaft connect to a blade, the blade having a height between a top surface and a bottom surface that corresponds to the distracted disc space height, the blade further having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, and a thickness extending between a first side surface and a second side surface; inserting the shim into the disc space with one of the side surfaces adjacent one side of the disc distractor, wherein inserting the shim further comprises impacting a shoulder at the trailing end of the blade with a driver slidably disposed about the shaft; removing the disc distractor from the disc space; and performing subsequent procedures in the disc space alongside the shim via an open surgical approach.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of maintaining distraction of a spinal disc space, the method comprising: exposing a portion of the spine at the disc space; distracting the disc space to a desired height with a disc distractor; selecting a shim having a shaft connect to a blade, the blade having a height between a top surface and a bottom surface that corresponds to the distracted disc space height, the blade further having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, and a thickness extending between a first side surface and a second side surface; inserting the shim into the disc space with one of the side surfaces adjacent one side of the disc distractor, wherein inserting the shim further comprises impacting a shoulder at the trailing end of the blade with a driver slidably disposed about the shaft; removing the disc distractor from the disc space; and performing subsequent procedures in the disc space alongside the shim via an open surgical approach.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein selecting a shim further comprises selecting the shim with the blade length sized to correspond to the depth of the disc space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein inserting the shim further comprises controlling the insertion depth with x-ray imaging of the blade.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising inserting a second shim with one the side surfaces adjacent the other side of the disc distractor prior to removing the disc distractor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 , further including the step of connecting the shaft of the shim to a table-based arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the blade height to width ratio of the selected shims is greater than about 3.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of maintaining distraction of a spinal disc space, the method comprising: exposing a portion of the spine at the disc space; distracting the disc space bi-laterally to a desired height with a pair of bi-lateral disc distractors; selecting a first shim including a shaft and a blade connected with the shaft, the blade having a height between a top surface and a bottom surface that corresponds to the distracted disc space height and a thickness between a first side surface and a second side surface; inserting the first shim into the disc space with one of the side surfaces along one of the pair of bi-lateral disc distractors; removing the first disc distractor from the disc space; selecting a second shim including a shaft and a blade connected with the shaft, the blade having a height between a top surface and a bottom surface that corresponds to the distracted disc space height and a thickness between a first side surface and a second side surface; inserting the second shim into the disc space with one side surface along the other of the pair of bi-lateral disc distractors; and removing the second disc distractor from the disc space.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of maintaining distraction of a spinal disc space, the method comprising: exposing a portion of the spine at the disc space; distracting the disc space bi-laterally to a desired height with a pair of bi-lateral disc distractors; selecting a first shim including a shaft and a blade connected with the shaft, the blade having a height between a top surface and a bottom surface that corresponds to the distracted disc space height and a thickness between a first side surface and a second side surface; inserting the first shim into the disc space with one of the side surfaces along one of the pair of bi-lateral disc distractors; removing the first disc distractor from the disc space; selecting a second shim including a shaft and a blade connected with the shaft, the blade having a height between a top surface and a bottom surface that corresponds to the distracted disc space height and a thickness between a first side surface and a second side surface; inserting the second shim into the disc space with one side surface along the other of the pair of bi-lateral disc distractors; and removing the second disc distractor from the disc space.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 7 , further comprising performing subsequent procedures in the distracted disc space between the shims.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 7 , wherein the blade height to width ratio of the selected shims is greater than 3.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 7 , wherein selecting a first shim and selecting a second shim each further comprises selecting the shim with a blade length sized to correspond to the depth of the disc space.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 7 , wherein inserting the first shim and inserting the second shim each further comprises impacting a shoulder at the trailing end of the blade with a driver slidably disposed about the shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method according to claim 7 , further including the step of connecting the shaft of the first shim to a table-based arm prior to removing the first disc distractor and connecting the shaft of the second shim to a table-based arm prior to removing the second disc distractor.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of maintaining distraction of a spinal disc space, the method comprising: exposing a portion of the spine at the disc space; distracting the disc space to a desired height with a disc distractor; selecting first and second shims each having a shaft connect to a blade, the blade having a height between a top surface and a bottom surface that corresponds to the distracted disc space height, the blade further having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, and a thickness extending between a first side surface and a second side surface; inserting the first shim into the disc space with one of the side surfaces adjacent one side of the disc distractor; inserting the second shim into the disc space with one of the side surfaces adjacent the other side of the disc distractor; removing the disc distractor from the disc space; and performing subsequent procedures in the disc space.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of maintaining distraction of a spinal disc space, the method comprising: exposing a portion of the spine at the disc space; distracting the disc space to a desired height with a disc distractor; selecting first and second shims each having a shaft connect to a blade, the blade having a height between a top surface and a bottom surface that corresponds to the distracted disc space height, the blade further having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, and a thickness extending between a first side surface and a second side surface; inserting the first shim into the disc space with one of the side surfaces adjacent one side of the disc distractor; inserting the second shim into the disc space with one of the side surfaces adjacent the other side of the disc distractor; removing the disc distractor from the disc space; and performing subsequent procedures in the disc space.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 13 , wherein selecting a shim further comprises selecting the shim with the blade length sized to correspond to the depth of the disc space.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 13 , further including the step of connecting the shaft of the shim to a table-based arm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 13 , wherein the blade height to width ratio of the selected shims is greater than about 3.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 13 , wherein inserting the shim further comprises impacting a shoulder at the trailing end of the blade with a driver slidably disposed about the shaft.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of maintaining distraction of a spinal disc space, the method comprising: exposing a portion of the spine at the disc space; distracting the disc space to a desired height with a disc distractor; selecting a shim having a shaft connect to a blade, the blade having a height between a top surface and a bottom surface that corresponds to the distracted disc space height, the blade further having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, and a thickness extending between a first side surface and a second side surface; inserting the shim into the disc space with one of the side surfaces adjacent one side of the disc distractor; connecting the shaft of the shim to a table-based arm; removing the disc distractor from the disc space; and performing subsequent procedures in the disc space.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of maintaining distraction of a spinal disc space, the method comprising: exposing a portion of the spine at the disc space; distracting the disc space to a desired height with a disc distractor; selecting a shim having a shaft connect to a blade, the blade having a height between a top surface and a bottom surface that corresponds to the distracted disc space height, the blade further having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, and a thickness extending between a first side surface and a second side surface; inserting the shim into the disc space with one of the side surfaces adjacent one side of the disc distractor; connecting the shaft of the shim to a table-based arm; removing the disc distractor from the disc space; and performing subsequent procedures in the disc space.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein selecting a shim further comprises selecting the shim with the blade length sized to correspond to the depth of the disc space.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 18 , further comprising inserting a second shim with one the side surfaces adjacent the other side of the disc distractor prior to removing the disc distractor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein the blade height to width ratio of the selected shims is greater than about 3.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein inserting the shim further comprises impacting a shoulder at the trailing end of the blade with a driver slidably disposed about the shaft.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of maintaining distraction of a spinal disc space, the method comprising: exposing a portion of the spine at the disc space; distracting the disc space to a desired height with a disc distractor; selecting a shim having a shaft connect to a blade, the blade having a height between a top surface and a bottom surface that corresponds to the distracted disc space height, the blade further having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, and a thickness extending between a first side surface and a second side surface; inserting the shim into the disc space with one of the side surfaces adjacent one side of the disc distractor by impacting a shoulder at the trailing end of the blade with a driver slidably disposed about the shaft; removing the disc distractor from the disc space; and performing subsequent procedures in the disc space.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of maintaining distraction of a spinal disc space, the method comprising: exposing a portion of the spine at the disc space; distracting the disc space to a desired height with a disc distractor; selecting a shim having a shaft connect to a blade, the blade having a height between a top surface and a bottom surface that corresponds to the distracted disc space height, the blade further having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, and a thickness extending between a first side surface and a second side surface; inserting the shim into the disc space with one of the side surfaces adjacent one side of the disc distractor by impacting a shoulder at the trailing end of the blade with a driver slidably disposed about the shaft; removing the disc distractor from the disc space; and performing subsequent procedures in the disc space.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 23 , wherein selecting a shim further comprises selecting the shim with the blade length sized to correspond to the depth of the disc space.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 23 , further comprising inserting a second shim with one the side surfaces adjacent the other side of the disc distractor prior to removing the disc distractor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 23 , further including the step of connecting the shaft of the shim to a table-based arm.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 23 , wherein the blade height to width ratio of the selected shims is greater than about 3.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of maintaining distraction of a spinal disc space, the method comprising: exposing a surgical site at a spinal disc space; distracting the disc space to a desired height with a disc distractor; selecting a shim having a shaft connect to a blade, the blade having a height between a top surface and a bottom surface that corresponds to the distracted disc space height, the blade further having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, and a thickness extending between a first side surface and a second side surface; inserting the shim into the disc space with one of the side surfaces adjacent one side of the disc distractor; removing the disc distractor from the disc space; bending the shaft of the shim away from the surgical site; and performing subsequent procedures in the disc space.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of maintaining distraction of a spinal disc space, the method comprising: exposing a surgical site at a spinal disc space; distracting the disc space to a desired height with a disc distractor; selecting a shim having a shaft connect to a blade, the blade having a height between a top surface and a bottom surface that corresponds to the distracted disc space height, the blade further having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, and a thickness extending between a first side surface and a second side surface; inserting the shim into the disc space with one of the side surfaces adjacent one side of the disc distractor; removing the disc distractor from the disc space; bending the shaft of the shim away from the surgical site; and performing subsequent procedures in the disc space.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 28 , wherein selecting a shim further comprises selecting the shim with the blade length sized to correspond to the depth of the disc space.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 28 , further comprising inserting a second shim with one the side surfaces adjacent the other side of the disc distractor prior to removing the disc distractor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 28 , further including the step of connecting the shaft of the shim to a table-based arm.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 28 , wherein the blade height to width ratio of the selected shims is greater than about 3.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 28 , wherein inserting the shim further comprises impacting a shoulder at the trailing end of the blade with a driver slidably disposed about the shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4545374A
Cited
US4573448A
Cited
US4610243A
Cited
US4899729A
Cited
WO1994028824A2
Cited
US5772661A
Cited
WO1996027345A2
Cited
US5334194A
Cited
US5195541A
Cited
US5395317A
Cited
US5439464A
Cited
US5431658A
Cited
WO1996027321A2
Cited
US5984967A
Cited
WO1997034536A2
Cited
WO1998004202A1
Cited
US20010016776A1
Cited
US6120506A
Cited
WO1999009896A1
Cited
US6086595A
Cited
US6156040A
Cited
US5803904A
Cited
US6224607B1
Cited
WO2000044320A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-12-30 | 2006-07-01 | 2006-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-30 | 2010-07-01 | 2010-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-30 | 2014-07-01 | 2014-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |