US6607559B2 — Trial intervertebral distraction spacers

Claim 1

Independent Claim 107 words

An intervertebral space distraction assembly comprising: a plurality of sequentially axially wider disc spacer elements, a sequential insertion and removal of which, into an intervertebral space effects a widening of said Intervertebral space, such that a desired anatomical spacing of adjacent vertebral bones may be restored; wherein said disc spacer elements each further comprise upper and lower surfaces; and wherein each of said disc spacer elements further includes at least two relative angle designation marks on at least one of said upper and lower surfaces such that a surgeon user may readily visually determine a rotational angle of said disc spacer element relative to a known reference.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 107 words

An intervertebral space distraction assembly comprising: a plurality of sequentially axially wider disc spacer elements, a sequential insertion and removal of which, into an intervertebral space effects a widening of said Intervertebral space, such that a desired anatomical spacing of adjacent vertebral bones may be restored; wherein said disc spacer elements each further comprise upper and lower surfaces; and wherein each of said disc spacer elements further includes at least two relative angle designation marks on at least one of said upper and lower surfaces such that a surgeon user may readily visually determine a rotational angle of said disc spacer element relative to a known reference.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 38 words

The intervertebral space distraction assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said disc spacer elements each include an engagement locus which couples with a corresponding insertion and removal tool to facilitate said sequential insertion and removal.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 31 words

The intervertebral space distraction assembly as set forth in claim 2 , wherein said engagement locus comprises an axially medial groove into which said insertion and removal tool can be seated.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 37 words

The intervertebral space distraction assembly as set forth in claim 3 , wherein said axially medial groove comprises a constant width, such that each disc spacer element may rotate freely within said corresponding insertion and removal tool.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 71 words

The intervertebral space distraction assembly as set forth in claim 3 , wherein said axially medial groove comprises a radially widening groove, such that each disc spacer element may be prevented from rotating freely with respect to said corresponding insertion and removal tool by a clamping action thereof, thereby permitting a controlled rotation of said corresponding disc spacer element within said intervertebral space by manipulation of said insertion and removal tool.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 26 words

The intervertebral space distraction assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said disc spacer elements each further comprise diametrically tapered upper and lower surfaces.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 40 words

The intervertebral space distraction assembly as set forth in claim 6 , wherein said disc spacer elements each include beveled upper and lower circumferential radial edges which facilitate an application of a desired spreading force to said adjacent vertebral bones.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 38 words

The intervertebral space distraction assembly as set forth in claim 6 , wherein said disc spacer elements each include an engagement locus which couples with a corresponding insertion and removal tool to facilitate said sequential insertion and removal.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 31 words

The intervertebral space distraction assembly as set forth in claim 8 , wherein said engagement locus comprises an axially medial groove into which said insertion and removal tool can be seated.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 71 words

The intervertebral space distraction assembly as set forth in claim 9 , wherein said axially medial groove comprises a radially widening groove, such that each disc spacer element may be prevented from rotating freely with respect to said corresponding insertion and removal tool by a clamping action thereof, thereby permitting a controlled rotation of said corresponding disc spacer element within said intervertebral space by manipulation of said insertion and removal tool.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 40 words

The intervertebral space distraction assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said disc spacer elements each include beveled upper and lower circumferential radial edges which facilitate an application of a desired spreading force to said adjacent vertebral bones.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 109 words

An intervertebral spacer set, comprising a plurality of intervertebral spacers, each of said plurality having a unique axial thickness, said thicknesses increasing sequentially from one spacer to another, said increasing thicknesses increasing incrementally, said plurality of spacers being particularly useful for gradually distracting adjacent vertebral bones in an anatomically appropriate manner; wherein said intervertebral spacers each further comprise upper and lower surfaces; and wherein each of said intervertebral spacers further includes at least two relative angle designation marks on at least one of said upper and lower surfaces such that a surgeon user may readily visually determine a rotational angle of said intervertebral spacer relative to a known reference.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 109 words

An intervertebral spacer set, comprising a plurality of intervertebral spacers, each of said plurality having a unique axial thickness, said thicknesses increasing sequentially from one spacer to another, said increasing thicknesses increasing incrementally, said plurality of spacers being particularly useful for gradually distracting adjacent vertebral bones in an anatomically appropriate manner; wherein said intervertebral spacers each further comprise upper and lower surfaces; and wherein each of said intervertebral spacers further includes at least two relative angle designation marks on at least one of said upper and lower surfaces such that a surgeon user may readily visually determine a rotational angle of said intervertebral spacer relative to a known reference.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 29 words

The set of claim 12 , wherein each spacer includes an annular groove, said groove being defined by a trunk and a flange at each end of said trunk.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 15 words

The set of claim 12 , wherein each spacer has parallel upper and lower surfaces.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 55 words

The set of claim 12 , wherein each spacer has non-parallel upper and lower surfaces such that said thickness of each spacer, at the radial edges thereof, varies around a circumference of said spacer, while said axial thickness of each individual spacer uniquely identifies it along said increasing array of axial thicknesses of said set.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 99 words

An intervertebral spacer set comprising a plurality of intervertebral spacers, each spacer including non-parallel upper and lower surfaces providing a diametrical taper to said spacer, said diametrical taper having a taper angle, said taper angles being selected to counter a misalignment angle of a space between adjacent vertebral bones in a scoliotic patient; wherein each of said intervertebral spacers further includes at least two relative angle designation marks on at least one of said upper and lower surfaces such that a surgeon user may readily visually determine a rotational angle of said intervertebral spacer relative to a known reference.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 99 words

An intervertebral spacer set comprising a plurality of intervertebral spacers, each spacer including non-parallel upper and lower surfaces providing a diametrical taper to said spacer, said diametrical taper having a taper angle, said taper angles being selected to counter a misalignment angle of a space between adjacent vertebral bones in a scoliotic patient; wherein each of said intervertebral spacers further includes at least two relative angle designation marks on at least one of said upper and lower surfaces such that a surgeon user may readily visually determine a rotational angle of said intervertebral spacer relative to a known reference.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 13 words

The set of claim 16 , wherein each spacer includes an annular groove.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 18 words

The set of claim 16 , wherein each spacer has a different taper angle from each other spacer.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 43 words

The set of claim 16 , wherein each spacer has a different axial thickness from each other spacer, said axial thickness being selected to increase from one spacer to another by increments useful for distracting said adjacent vertebral bones in said scoliotic patient.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2006-08-18	2007-02-17	2007-08-19	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2010-08-18	2011-02-17	2011-08-19	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2014-08-18	2015-02-17	2015-08-19	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Trial intervertebral distraction spacers

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