US6599294B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical instrument for introducing intervertebral implants
Assignee: Aesculap AG
•
Filing: 2001-07-26
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Granted: 2003-07-29
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Expires: 2021-07-26
Abstract
Abstract In order, in the case of a surgical instrument for introducing intervertebral implants into the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bodies, to facilitate the introduction of the intervertebral implant even when access is difficult, it is proposed that the surgical instrument comprises two mutually opposing guide bodies, which each have a guide directed towards the other guide body and together form between them a guideway, along which an intervertebral implant is insertable laterally into the intervertebral space.
Inventors
- 👤 Franz Konstantin Fuss
- 👤 Ronald J. Sabitzer
- 👤 Stephan Eckhof
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/4465; A61F2/46; A61F2/4601; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B17/0206; A61B17/025; A61B2017/0256; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30724; A61F2/442; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30125; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30153; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30537; A61F2002/30538; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30774; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/30787; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/4615; A61F2002/4622; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4635; A61F2002/4687; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0008; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0019; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0004; A61F2250/0006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
Surgical instrument for introducing intervertebral implants into the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising: two mutually opposing guide bodies, which each have a guide directed towards the other guide body and together form between them a guideway, along which an intervertebral implant is insertable laterally into the intervertebral space, wherein: the guide bodies are adjustable in terms of their mutual distance; and the guideway in the plane of displacement extends in the shape of an arc.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
Surgical instrument for introducing intervertebral implants into the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising: two mutually opposing guide bodies, which each have a guide directed towards the other guide body and together form between them a guideway, along which an intervertebral implant is insertable laterally into the intervertebral space, wherein: the guide bodies are adjustable in terms of their mutual distance; and the guideway in the plane of displacement extends in the shape of an arc.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein a space between the guide bodies is open at least at one side along the guideway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the guide bodies have a free end and, there, carry extensions, which are placeable against vertebral bodies forming the intervertebral space and which are disposed next to the guideway in such a way that the intervertebral implant, which is fed forward along the guideway, at an end of the guideway next to the extension is placeable against the adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 3 , wherein the extensions take the form of prongs projecting pairwise in the direction of displacement from the end of the guideway in continuation thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the guideway is delimited at a top and at an underside by two guide surfaces and at the sides by side walls, which between them maintain a slot-shaped space so that an intervertebral implant conveyed between the guide bodies is guided in the guideway even when the distance between the guide bodies increases.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the guide bodies have a free end and are pivotally connected to one another at an opposite end to the free end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 6 , wherein each guide body comprises a flat bearing surface for the intervertebral implant and said bearing surface has laterally delimiting guide walls, which extend parallel to one another along the guide body and project in the direction of the other guide body beyond the bearing surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 6 , wherein both guide bodies are firmly connected to gripping branches, which extend beyond a hinged connecting point of the guide bodies.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 6 , an intervertebral implant insertable through said instrument into an intervertebral space, wherein the guide bodies from a swivel bearing point up to their free end are at a decreasing distance from one another, which at a rear insertion end of the guideway is greater than the height of the intervertebral implant and optionally of the forward feed body but at a front outlet end of the guideway is smaller than at least one of the height of the intervertebral implant or of the forward feed body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 9 , wherein at least one of the forward feed body or the guide bodies at the surfaces, which are in mutual contact, are made of a low-friction material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein each guide body comprises a flat bearing surface for the intervertebral implant and said bearing surface has laterally delimiting guide walls, which extend parallel to one another along the guide body and project in the direction of the other guide body beyond the bearing surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the guide bodies have a free end and the guideway at an opposite end to the free end of the guide bodies exits laterally from the instrument so that an intervertebral implant is insertable into the guideway there.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 1 , further comprising a stop for maintaining a minimum distance between the two guide bodies.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 13 , wherein the stop is adjustable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein supported between the two guide bodies so as to be displaceable along the guideway formed by the guide bodies is a forward feed body, which comprises a releasable holding device for the intervertebral implant.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 15 , wherein the forward feed body comprises a receiving space, which is open towards a front end of said forward feed body, for receiving the intervertebral implant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 16 , wherein the receiving space is delimited by two side walls, which extend along the guideway.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 16 , wherein the forward feed body at its rear end has access opening for a retaining element, which is placeable against the intervertebral implant.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 18 , wherein the retaining element is curved in accordance with the guideway.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 15 , wherein the releasable holding device comprises elastic detent devices, which spring into recesses.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 15 , wherein the forward feed body is connected to a curved forward feed rod, which is displaceable along the guideway.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 21 , wherein the forward feed body and forward feed rod are releasibly connected.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 21 , wherein the forward feed rod takes the form of a toothed rack, which meshes with a toothed wheel rotatably supported on a guide body.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
Surgical instrument according to claim 21 , wherein the forward feed rod comprises a longitudinal groove for receiving and guiding a retaining element for the intervertebral implant.
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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) | 2006-07-28 | 2007-01-27 | 2007-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-07-28 | 2011-01-27 | 2011-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-07-28 | 2015-01-27 | 2015-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |