US4604995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spinal stabilizer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-03-30
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Granted: 1986-08-12
•
Expires: 2004-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A surgical implant is used for imparting stability to the thoraco-lumbar spine by fixation of the implant to the spine with segmental spinal instrumentation. The implant comprises a unitary rod having a generally rectangular configuration formed by a pair of spaced apart branches, mirror image duplicated of one another and equally spaced apart along their entire length. A bight end piece interconnects the branch pair at the superior end portion thereof while a gate forming end piece closes the inferior end portion of the branch pair except for a small gate opening. The gate opening facilitates sublaminar wiring for fixation of the implant to the spine.
Inventors
- 👤 David C. Stephens
- 👤 Craig D. Morgan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7053
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A surgical implant for imparting stability to the thoraco-lumbar spine by fixation of the implant to the spine with segmental spinal instrumentation, the implant comprising a unitary rod having a generally rectangular configuration formed by a pair of spaced apart branches substantially mirror image duplicates of one another and substantially equally spaced apart along their entire length, a bight end piece interconnecting the branch pair at one end portion thereof, and a gate forming end piece connected to close the other end portion of the branch pair except for a small gate opening to provide access to the space between the branch pair.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A surgical implant for imparting stability to the thoraco-lumbar spine by fixation of the implant to the spine with segmental spinal instrumentation, the implant comprising a unitary rod having a generally rectangular configuration formed by a pair of spaced apart branches substantially mirror image duplicates of one another and substantially equally spaced apart along their entire length, a bight end piece interconnecting the branch pair at one end portion thereof, and a gate forming end piece connected to close the other end portion of the branch pair except for a small gate opening to provide access to the space between the branch pair.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A surgical implant as in claim 1 wherein the branches of the unitary rod are straight and substantially parallel to one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A surgical implant as in claim 1 wherein the branches of the unitary rod are slightly curved in the same direction and by the same amount.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A surgical implant as in claim 1 wherein the gate forming end piece is connected to only one of the branches and extends toward the other branch up to the small gate opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A surgical implant as in claim 1 wherein the branches of the unitary rod are spaced apart about 2.5 cm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A surgical implant as in claim 1 wherein each of the branches of the unitary rod are from about 12 to 30 cm. in length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A surgical implant as in claim 1 wherein the unitary rod has a circular cross section with a diameter of about 6 to 10 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A surgical implant as in claim 1 wherein the small gate opening is about 3 mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A surgical implant as in claim 1 wherein the unitary rod is stainless steel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR59969E
Cited
US3565066A
Cited
US3648691A
Cited
SU536819A1
Cited
US4078559A
Cited
US4003376A
Cited
US4429690A
Cited
US4444181A
Cited
US4473068A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-08-11 | 1990-02-10 | 1990-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-11 | 1994-02-10 | 1994-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-11 | 1998-02-10 | 1998-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |