US7473256B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for spinal distraction
Assignee: Mis IP Holdings LLC
•
Filing: 2004-10-22
•
Granted: 2009-01-06
•
Expires: 2024-10-22
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed are surgical tools, tool sets and methods for percutaneously accessing and preparing treatment sites within the spine for subsequent treatment procedures. The treatment site may be an inter-vertebral motion segments in the lumbar and sacral regions of the spine. The tool set may comprise introducer tools and bone dilators for accessing and tapping into a targeted site, such as, for example, the anterior surface of the S1 vertebral body. The tool set may also comprise cutters and extractors for preparing the treatment site for subsequent treatment procedures. The tool set may additionally comprise a bone graft inserter, an exchange system, and/or a temporary distraction tool for further preparing the treatment site for subsequent treatment procedures.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Assell
- 👤 Steven D. Ainsworth
- 👤 Andrew L. Cragg
- 👤 Eugene A. Dickhudt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7074; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B17/88; A61B17/16; A61B17/1604; A61B17/1662; A61B17/1671; A61B17/1697; A61B17/17; A61B17/1739; A61B17/1757; A61B17/22; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61B17/8605; A61B17/861; A61B17/8615; A61B17/8875; A61B17/8877; A61B17/888; A61B17/8886; A61B17/8888; A61B17/92; A61B17/0218; A61B17/1613; A61B17/1615; A61B17/8897; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/0046; A61B2017/00469; A61B2017/0256; A61B2017/22038; A61B2017/22042; A61B2017/22044; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B2017/3445; A61B2017/922
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of treating the spine, comprising the steps of: identifying a site on the anterior surface of the sacrum; forming a lumen from the site into the sacrum, through a first vertebral body and into a second vertebral body; introducing a temporary distraction device into the lumen, the temporary distraction device comprising a proximal piece releasably connectable with a distal piece, the proximal piece having a proximal external thread with a proximal thread pitch, the distal piece having a distal external thread with a distal thread pitch that is finer than the proximal thread pitch; increasing the distance between the first and second vertebral body by rotating the proximal external thread into engagement with the first vertebral body and rotating the distal external thread into engagement with the second vertebral body; releasing the connection between the proximal piece and the distal piece; and sequentially removing the proximal piece and the distal piece of the temporary distraction device from the lumen.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of treating the spine, comprising the steps of: identifying a site on the anterior surface of the sacrum; forming a lumen from the site into the sacrum, through a first vertebral body and into a second vertebral body; introducing a temporary distraction device into the lumen, the temporary distraction device comprising a proximal piece releasably connectable with a distal piece, the proximal piece having a proximal external thread with a proximal thread pitch, the distal piece having a distal external thread with a distal thread pitch that is finer than the proximal thread pitch; increasing the distance between the first and second vertebral body by rotating the proximal external thread into engagement with the first vertebral body and rotating the distal external thread into engagement with the second vertebral body; releasing the connection between the proximal piece and the distal piece; and sequentially removing the proximal piece and the distal piece of the temporary distraction device from the lumen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the lumen extends at least as far as the L5 vertebrae.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 2 , wherein the lumen is linear.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the forming step comprises drilling.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the method additionally comprises removing at least a part of a disc from between the first and the second vertebral bodies.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the method additionally comprises removing an entire nucleus from between the first and the second vertebral bodies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the lumen comprises a longitudinal axis and the increasing the distance between the first and second vertebral body occurs along the longitudinal axis of the lumen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the proximal piece and the distal piece are moveable with respect to each other prior to releasing the connection between the proximal and the distal piece.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the proximal piece further comprises a cavity with an internal unthreaded segment configured to facilitate temporary engagement with an insertion tip of an insertion assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the distal piece further comprises a cavity with an internal unthreaded segment configured to facilitate temporary engagement with an insertion tip of an insertion assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the proximal piece further comprises a cavity with an internal threaded segment configured to facilitate temporary engagement with an extraction tip of an extraction assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the distal piece further comprises a cavity with an internal threaded segment configured to facilitate temporary engagement with an extraction tip of an extraction assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the increasing the distance between the first and second vertebral body comprises temporarily engaging an insertion tip of an insertion assembly with an internal unthreaded segment of the proximal piece and an internal unthreaded segment of the distal piece and rotating the insertion tip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 13 , wherein rotation of the insertion tip is continued until the desired degree of distraction between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body is achieved.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the sequentially removing the proximal piece of the temporary distraction device comprises temporarily engaging an extraction tip of an extraction assembly with an internal threaded segment of the proximal piece and rotating the extraction tip.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the sequentially removing the distal piece of the temporary distraction device comprises temporarily engaging an extraction tip of an extraction assembly with an internal threaded segment of the distal piece and rotating the extraction tip.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of treating the spine, comprising the steps of: identifying a site on the anterior surface of the sacrum; forming a lumen from the site into the sacrum, through a first vertebral body and into a second vertebral body; introducing a temporary distraction device into the lumen, the distraction device comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion, the proximal having a proximal external thread with a proximal thread pitch, the distal portion having a distal external thread with a distal thread pitch that is greater than the proximal thread pitch; rotating the proximal external thread into engagement with the first vertebral body and rotating the distal external thread into engagement with the second vertebral body to increase the distance between the first and second vertebral body; and removing the temporary distraction device from the lumen.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of treating the spine, comprising the steps of: identifying a site on the anterior surface of the sacrum; forming a lumen from the site into the sacrum, through a first vertebral body and into a second vertebral body; introducing a temporary distraction device into the lumen, the distraction device comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion, the proximal having a proximal external thread with a proximal thread pitch, the distal portion having a distal external thread with a distal thread pitch that is greater than the proximal thread pitch; rotating the proximal external thread into engagement with the first vertebral body and rotating the distal external thread into engagement with the second vertebral body to increase the distance between the first and second vertebral body; and removing the temporary distraction device from the lumen.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 17 , wherein the lumen extends at least as far as the L5 vertebrae.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 17 , wherein the lumen is linear.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 17 , wherein the forming step comprises drilling.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 17 , wherein the method additionally comprises removing at least a part of a disc from between the first and the second vertebral bodies.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 17 , wherein the method additionally comprises removing an entire nucleus from between the first and the second vertebral bodies.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 17 , wherein the lumen comprises a longitudinal axis and the increasing the distance between the first and second vertebral body occurs along the longitudinal axis of the lumen.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 17 , further comprising separating the distal portion from the proximal portion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 17 , wherein the proximal piece and the distal piece are moveable with respect to each other prior to releasing the connection between the proximal and the distal piece.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 17 , wherein the proximal piece further comprises a cavity with an internal unthreaded segment configured to facilitate temporary engagement with an insertion tip of an insertion assembly.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 17 , wherein the distal piece further comprises a cavity with an internal unthreaded segment configured to facilitate temporary engagement with an insertion tip of an insertion assembly.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 17 , wherein the proximal piece further comprises a cavity with an internal threaded segment configured to facilitate temporary engagement with an extraction tip of an extraction assembly.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 17 , wherein the distal piece further comprises a cavity with an internal threaded segment configured to facilitate temporary engagement with an extraction tip of an extraction assembly.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 17 , wherein the rotating the proximal external thread into engagement with the first vertebral body comprises temporarily engaging an insertion tip of an insertion assembly with an internal unthreaded segment of the proximal piece and an internal unthreaded segment of the distal piece and rotating the insertion tip.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 30 , wherein rotation of the insertion tip is continued until the desired degree of distraction between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body is achieved.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 17 , wherein the removing the temporary distraction device comprises temporarily engaging an extraction tip of an extraction assembly with an internal threaded segment of the proximal piece and rotating the extraction tip.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 17 , wherein the removing the temporary distraction device comprises temporarily engaging an extraction tip of an extraction assembly with an internal threaded segment of the distal piece and rotating the extraction tip.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 24 , further comprising sequentially removing the proximal portion and the distal portion of the temporary distraction device from the lumen.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 34 , wherein the lumen extends at least as far as the L5 vertebrae.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 35 , wherein the lumen is linear.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 36 , wherein the forming step comprises drilling.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 37 , wherein the method additionally comprises removing at least a part of a disc from between the first and the second vertebral bodies.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of treating the spine as in claim 38 , wherein the method additionally comprises removing an entire nucleus from between the first and the second vertebral bodies.
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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) | 2012-01-06 | 2012-07-07 | 2013-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2016-01-06 | 2016-07-07 | 2017-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2020-01-06 | 2020-07-07 | 2021-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |