US6652533B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Medical inserter tool with slaphammer
Assignee: DePuy Spine LLC
•
Filing: 2001-09-20
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Granted: 2003-11-25
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Expires: 2021-09-20
Abstract
Abstract An installation tool is provided for the efficient and effective placement of an implant between adjacent bone structures, preferably adjacent vertebral bodies, and for the subsequent removal of the device without displacement of the implant. The installation tool generally includes a pair of opposed levers, a pusher assembly disposed between the levers, and an installation tool removing element having a mass slidably disposed with respect to at least a portion of the pusher assembly. The levers are effective to separate adjacent bone structures, such as adjacent vertebrae, upon insertion of an implant. The pusher assembly is slidably movable with respect to the levers, and is effective to insert an implant between the adjacent bone structures. Once the implant is positioned between the adjacent vertebrae, the mass can be used to apply a proximally directed force to the opposed levers, thereby removing the instrument from the space between the adjacent bone structures.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. O'Neil
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B2017/0256; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2002/4622; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4628; A61F2002/4681; A61F2002/4687
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
An implant installation tool, comprising: a pair of opposed levers, each having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a placement element disposed between the levers and effective to insert an implant between adjacent bone structures; a mass slidably disposed with respect to at least a portion of the placement element and effective to be selectively reciprocated to apply a proximally directed force to the opposed levers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
An implant installation tool, comprising: a pair of opposed levers, each having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a placement element disposed between the levers and effective to insert an implant between adjacent bone structures; a mass slidably disposed with respect to at least a portion of the placement element and effective to be selectively reciprocated to apply a proximally directed force to the opposed levers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The implant installation tool of claim 1 , wherein the placement element comprises a pusher assembly disposed between the levers and slidably movable between a first, proximal position and a second, distal position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The implant installation tool of claim 2 , further comprising a connecting element disposed between the opposed levers for allowing pivotal movement of the levers with respect to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The implant installation tool of claim 3 , further comprising a force receiving element mated to the connecting element for receiving the force applied by the mass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The implant installation tool of claim 4 , wherein the mass is slidably mated to the force receiving element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The implant installation tool of claim 5 , wherein the force receiving element comprises a cylindrical body, and the mass includes an inner lumen adapted to receive the cylindrical body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The implant installation tool of claim 6 , wherein the connecting element includes a distal end and a proximal end, the opposed levers extending distally from the distal end of the connecting element and the cylindrical body extending proximally from the proximal end of the connecting element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The implant installation tool of claim 6 , wherein a distal end of the cylindrical body is mated to the connecting element and wherein the cylindrical body further includes an elongate track that extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body, the elongate track including a locking groove formed at the distal end thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The implant installation tool of claim 8 , further comprising an engagement element protruding from an inner surface of the mass, the engagement element being effective to mate within the elongate track to effect selective movement of the mass with respect to the cylindrical body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The implant installation tool of claim 6 , wherein a distal end of the cylindrical body is mated to the connecting element and wherein the mass further includes an elongate track that extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the mass, the elongate track including a locking groove formed at the distal end thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The implant installation tool of claim 10 , further comprising an engagement element protruding from an outer surface of the cylindrical member, the engagement element being effective to mate within the elongate track to effect selective movement of the mass with respect to the cylindrical body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The implant installation tool of claim 6 , wherein the mass can be locked into a stationary position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The implant installation tool of claim 8 , wherein the pusher assembly comprises an elongate rod having a proximal end and a distal end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The implant installation tool of claim 13 , further comprising a pusher block mated to the distal end of the rod such that the pusher block is disposed between the opposed levers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The implant installation tool of claim 13 , wherein the connecting element and the cylindrical body include a bore extending therethrough, the pusher rod being slidably disposed within the bore.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
80 words
A medical installation tool, comprising: an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a member movable with respect to the elongate body and effective to selectively retain a prosthesis and selectively deploy the prosthesis between adjacent bone structures; and a mass slidably mated to the elongate body, the mass being selectively moveable with respect to the elongate body such that it is effective to apply a proximally directed force to the elongate body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
80 words
A medical installation tool, comprising: an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a member movable with respect to the elongate body and effective to selectively retain a prosthesis and selectively deploy the prosthesis between adjacent bone structures; and a mass slidably mated to the elongate body, the mass being selectively moveable with respect to the elongate body such that it is effective to apply a proximally directed force to the elongate body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
64 words
The installation tool of claim 16 , wherein the elongate body comprises a pair of opposed levers and a pusher rod slidably disposed between the opposed levers and having a distal end and a proximal end, the pusher rod and opposed levers being effective to selectively retain a prosthesis, and the pusher rod being effective to selectively deploy the prosthesis between adjacent bone structures.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The installation tool of claim 17 , further comprising a fulcrum disposed between the opposed levers for allowing pivotal movement of the levers with respect to each other.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The installation tool of claim 18 , wherein the mass is disposed around a portion of the proximal end of the pusher rod.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The installation tool of claim 19 , further comprising: a substantially cylindrical body mated to and extending proximally from the fulcrum, the slidable mass being slidably mated to the substantially cylindrical body.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
68 words
The installation tool of claim 20 , wherein the mass is movable between a first distal position and a second proximal position, and wherein movement of the mass from the first distal position to the second proximal position is effective to apply the force to the tool, the force being sufficient to move the opposed levers and fulcrum proximally with respect to the pusher block and pusher rod.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The installation tool of claim 21 , wherein the mass can be locked in the first distal position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The installation tool of claim 21 , wherein the fulcrum and the cylindrical body each include a bore extending therethrough and adapted to slidably receive the pusher rod.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
67 words
The installation tool of claim 23 , further comprising a longitudinally extending groove formed in and extending over a portion of the cylindrical body, and an engaging element protruding from a portion of the slidable mass and adapted to mate within the groove, the mating of the groove and the engaging element being effect to limit movement of the slidable mass between the first and second positions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The installation tool of claim 24 , further comprising a locking element for locking the slidable mass in the first distal position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
51 words
The installation tool of claim 23 , further comprising a pusher block mated to the distal end of the rod and positioned between the two levers, the pusher block being selectively moveable between an initial location distal of the fulcrum and a final location adjacent the distal end of the levers.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The installation tool of claim 26 , wherein the pusher block includes upper and lower recesses, each recess being adapted to seat one of the levers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The installation tool of claim 27 , wherein the pusher block includes an implant seating region adapted to receive an implant.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
The installation tool of claim 28 , wherein the pusher block is movable between an initial position and a final position, and wherein the pusher block is effective to separate the levers when advanced from the initial position to the final position.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
77 words
An implant insertion tool, comprising: a body having a central bore extending therethrough and a pair of opposed elongate levers extending distally therefrom; a pusher rod positioned between the levers; and a slidable weight having an inner lumen formed therein and being slidably mated to a portion of the body, the slidable weight being adapted to impact a proximal portion of the tool when moved proximally, thus creating a proximally directed force that acts on the tool.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
77 words
An implant insertion tool, comprising: a body having a central bore extending therethrough and a pair of opposed elongate levers extending distally therefrom; a pusher rod positioned between the levers; and a slidable weight having an inner lumen formed therein and being slidably mated to a portion of the body, the slidable weight being adapted to impact a proximal portion of the tool when moved proximally, thus creating a proximally directed force that acts on the tool.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
The implant insertion tool of claim 30 , wherein the pusher rod is positioned between the levers and slidably extending through the bore of the body, the pusher rod have a proximal end and a distal end.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The implant insertion tool of claim 31 , further comprising a pusher block mated to the distal end of the pusher rod and disposed between the levers.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
The implant insertion tool of claim 32 , further comprising a substantially cylindrical member extending proximally from the body and having a proximal end and a distal end, the slidable weight being disposed around the cylindrical member.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
49 words
The implant insertion tool of claim 33 , wherein the slidable weight is movable between a first position, in which the slidable weight is fully disposed over the cylindrical member, and a second position, in which the slidable weight extends proximally from the proximal end of the cylindrical member.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
The implant insertion tool of claim 33 , wherein the cylindrical member includes a groove formed therein and extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and the slidable weight includes a protruding element extending into the groove.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
The implant insertion tool of claim 34 , wherein the distal end of the cylindrical member includes a locking element for locking the slidable weight in the first distal position.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
51 words
The implant insertion tool of claim 36 , wherein the locking element is an L-shaped groove extending radially around a portion of the cylindrical member, such that rotation of the slidable weight in the first distal position is effective to prevent movement of the slidable weight to the second proximal position.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
49 words
The implant insertion tool of claim 35 , wherein the groove includes a proximal end surface, and wherein movement of the slidable weight in a proximal direction is effective to cause the protruding element to abut the proximal end surface of the groove thereby creating a proximally directed force.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
150 words
A medical device for inserting an implant between adjacent bone structures, comprising: a body defining a central axis and having a bore extending through the central axis; a pair of opposed levers pivotably mated to the body and extending distally from the body, the opposed levers being effective to separate adjacent bone structures; an elongate rod positioned between the opposed levers and being slidably disposed through the bore of the body, the elongate rod being adapted to insert an implant between adjacent bone structures; and a mass having an inner lumen formed therein and being slidably disposed around a portion of the body, the mass being movable between a distal position and a proximal position, wherein movement of the mass in a proximal direction is effective to generate a proximally directed force that is effective to move the body and the opposed levers proximally with respect to the elongate rod.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
150 words
A medical device for inserting an implant between adjacent bone structures, comprising: a body defining a central axis and having a bore extending through the central axis; a pair of opposed levers pivotably mated to the body and extending distally from the body, the opposed levers being effective to separate adjacent bone structures; an elongate rod positioned between the opposed levers and being slidably disposed through the bore of the body, the elongate rod being adapted to insert an implant between adjacent bone structures; and a mass having an inner lumen formed therein and being slidably disposed around a portion of the body, the mass being movable between a distal position and a proximal position, wherein movement of the mass in a proximal direction is effective to generate a proximally directed force that is effective to move the body and the opposed levers proximally with respect to the elongate rod.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 39 , further comprising an engagement member disposed between the mass and the body, the engagement member being effective to limit movement of the mass with respect to the body.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device of claim 40 , wherein the engagement member comprises a groove formed on one of the body and the inner lumen of the mass, and a protruding member formed on the other one of the body and the inner lumen of the mass, the protruding member being slidably disposed within the groove.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 41 , further comprising a locking element disposed between the mass and the body, the locking element being effective to prevent movement of the mass with respect to the body.
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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) | 2006-11-24 | 2007-05-26 | 2007-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-11-24 | 2011-05-26 | 2011-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-11-24 | 2015-05-26 | 2015-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |