US6855148B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and instrumentation for distraction of a disc space
Assignee: SDGI Holdings Inc
•
Filing: 2002-09-27
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Granted: 2005-02-15
•
Expires: 2022-09-27
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. 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. 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 02:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B2017/0256
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A shim assembly for maintaining distraction of a disc space, the assembly comprising: a shaft having a first end a second end; a blade connected to said first end of said shaft, said blade having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, a height extending between a top surface and a bottom surface, and a thickness extending between a first side surface and a second side surface, and a pair of shoulders at said trailing end extending from said shaft to a respective one of said top and bottom surfaces; and a driver having a distal end, a proximal end, and a handle extending therebetween, said driver including a channel at its distal end slidably disposed about said shaft, whereby said channel has a driving end to impact said shoulders upon manipulation of said driver to insert said blade a desired depth into the disc space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A shim assembly for maintaining distraction of a disc space, the assembly comprising: a shaft having a first end a second end; a blade connected to said first end of said shaft, said blade having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, a height extending between a top surface and a bottom surface, and a thickness extending between a first side surface and a second side surface, and a pair of shoulders at said trailing end extending from said shaft to a respective one of said top and bottom surfaces; and a driver having a distal end, a proximal end, and a handle extending therebetween, said driver including a channel at its distal end slidably disposed about said shaft, whereby said channel has a driving end to impact said shoulders upon manipulation of said driver to insert said blade a desired depth into the disc space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The shim assembly according to claim 1 , wherein at least said blade is made from a radiolucent material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The shim assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said channel of said driver has an open side permitting side-loading of said shaft in said channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The shim assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said channel is enclosed and said shaft is end-loaded in said channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The shim assembly of claim 1 , wherein said blade includes a height to thickness ratio greater than 3.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The shim assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said blade includes a height to thickness ratio is greater than 5.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The shim assembly of claim 1 , wherein said shaft include opposite side surfaces therealong, said opposite side surfaces of said shaft each being co-planar with a respective one of said first and second side surfaces of said blade.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The shim assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said shaft is bendable upon removal of said driver for connecting said second end to a table-based arm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The shim assembly according to claim 8 , wherein said second end includes a pair of prongs forming a gap therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The shim assembly according to claim 1 , wherein each of said shoulders includes a flange projecting beyond a respective one of said top and bottom surfaces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The shim assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said leading end of said blade is rounded.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The shim assembly of claim 1 , wherein said shaft is bendable along a length thereof away from a plane through an axis extending parallel to said pair of side surfaces of said blade.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The shim assembly of claim 1 , wherein said channel of said driver is offset along one side of said handle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The shim assembly of claim 1 , wherein said channel includes a distal end opening and a proximal end opening and a receptacle defined by a wall extending therebetween.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The shim assembly of claim 14 , wherein said channel includes an opening in said wall in communication with said receptacle, said opening in said wall extending between said distal end and said proximal end of said channel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The shim assembly of claim 14 , wherein said wall extends completely around said receptacle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
160 words
A shim assembly for maintaining distraction of a disc space, the assembly comprising: a shaft having a first end a second end; a blade connected to said first end of said shaft, said blade having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, a height extending between a top surface and a bottom surface, and a thickness extending between a first side surface and a second side surface, and a pair of shoulders at said trailing end extending from said shaft to a respective one of said top and bottom surfaces; and a driver having a distal end, a proximal end, and a handle extending therebetween, said driver including a channel at its distal end slidably disposed about said shaft, wherein said channel is open along a side thereof to receive said shaft and said channel includes a driving end to impact said shoulders upon manipulation of said driver to insert said blade into the disc space.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
160 words
A shim assembly for maintaining distraction of a disc space, the assembly comprising: a shaft having a first end a second end; a blade connected to said first end of said shaft, said blade having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, a height extending between a top surface and a bottom surface, and a thickness extending between a first side surface and a second side surface, and a pair of shoulders at said trailing end extending from said shaft to a respective one of said top and bottom surfaces; and a driver having a distal end, a proximal end, and a handle extending therebetween, said driver including a channel at its distal end slidably disposed about said shaft, wherein said channel is open along a side thereof to receive said shaft and said channel includes a driving end to impact said shoulders upon manipulation of said driver to insert said blade into the disc space.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The shim assembly of claim 17 , wherein said shaft include opposite side surfaces therealong, said opposite side surfaces of said shaft each being co-planar with a respective one of said first and second side surfaces of said blade.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The shim assembly of claim 17 , wherein said shaft is bendable upon removal of said driver for connecting said second end to a table-based arm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The shim assembly of claim 17 wherein said second end includes a pair of prongs forming a gap therebetween.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The shim assembly of claim 17 , wherein each of said shoulders includes a flange projecting beyond a respective one of said top and bottom surfaces.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The shim assembly of claim 17 , wherein said shaft is bendable along a length thereof away from a plane through an axis extending parallel to said pair of side surfaces of said blade.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The shim assembly of claim 17 , wherein said channel of said driver is offset along one side of said handle.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
166 words
A shim assembly for maintaining distraction of a disc space, the assembly comprising: a shaft having a first end a second end; a blade connected to said first end of said shaft, said blade having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, a height extending between a top surface and a bottom surface, and a thickness extending between a first side surface and a second side surface, and a pair of shoulders at said trailing end extending from said shaft to a respective one of said top and bottom surfaces; and a driver having a distal end, a proximal end, and a handle extending therebetween, said driver including a channel at its distal end slidably disposed about said shaft, wherein said channel includes a driving end to impact said shoulders upon manipulation of said driver to insert said blade into the disc space and said shaft is bendable upon removal of said driver for connecting said second end to a table-based arm.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
166 words
A shim assembly for maintaining distraction of a disc space, the assembly comprising: a shaft having a first end a second end; a blade connected to said first end of said shaft, said blade having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, a height extending between a top surface and a bottom surface, and a thickness extending between a first side surface and a second side surface, and a pair of shoulders at said trailing end extending from said shaft to a respective one of said top and bottom surfaces; and a driver having a distal end, a proximal end, and a handle extending therebetween, said driver including a channel at its distal end slidably disposed about said shaft, wherein said channel includes a driving end to impact said shoulders upon manipulation of said driver to insert said blade into the disc space and said shaft is bendable upon removal of said driver for connecting said second end to a table-based arm.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The shim assembly of claim 24 , wherein said channel of said driver has an open side permitting side-loading of said shaft in said channel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The shim assembly of claim 24 , wherein said shaft is bendable upon removal of said driver for connecting said second end to a table-based arm.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The shim assembly of claim 24 , wherein said second end includes a pair of prongs forming a gap therebetween.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The shim assembly of claim 24 , wherein said shaft is bendable along a length thereof away from a plane through an axis extending parallel to said pair of side surfaces of said blade.
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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) | 2008-02-15 | 2008-08-16 | 2009-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-02-15 | 2012-08-16 | 2013-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-02-15 | 2016-08-16 | 2017-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |