Patent US5476462A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5476462A
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US
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Spinal implant system
Assignee: Zimmer Technology Inc
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Filing: 1993-08-16
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Granted: 1995-12-19
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Expires: 2013-08-16
Abstract
Abstract A spinal implant system including components designed to be affixed to the spinal column. The system includes spinal rods, attachment devices, and interpositional sleeves for securing the attachment devices to the rods. The attachment devices may be various types of spinal hooks, screws, couplers, rod connectors, clamps, or other such devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Randall N. Allard
- 👤 Anthony L. Koser
- 👤 Joseph R. Korotko
- 👤 Antony J. Lozier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7001; A61B17/7032; A61B17/7056
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A spinal implant system including a spinal rod, an attachment device, and an interpositional sleeve for positioning between the rod and the attachment device for securing the attachment device to the rod, wherein the sleeve has a length and includes a longitudinal bore therethrough and an open back extending the length of the sleeve and connecting with the bore, and wherein the open back of the sleeve has a width sufficient to enable the sleeve to snap fit laterally onto the rod and laterally retain the sleeve on the rod, and wherein the rod has a diameter and the width of the open back of the sleeve is slightly smaller than the diameter of the rod, but is large enough to snap fit laterally onto the rod by passing the rod laterally through the open back of the sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A spinal implant system including a spinal rod, an attachment device, and an interpositional sleeve for positioning between the rod and the attachment device for securing the attachment device to the rod, wherein the sleeve has a length and includes a longitudinal bore therethrough and an open back extending the length of the sleeve and connecting with the bore, and wherein the open back of the sleeve has a width sufficient to enable the sleeve to snap fit laterally onto the rod and laterally retain the sleeve on the rod, and wherein the rod has a diameter and the width of the open back of the sleeve is slightly smaller than the diameter of the rod, but is large enough to snap fit laterally onto the rod by passing the rod laterally through the open back of the sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
148 words
A spinal implant system including a spinal rod, an attachment device, and an interpositional sleeve for securing the attachment device to the rod, wherein the attachment device includes a first means for partially seating the sleeve between the rod and the attachment device and a second means for fully seating the sleeve between the rod and the attachment device, and wherein the attachment device includes an open back providing two upper longitudinal spaced device edges and, the attachment device has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first means for partially seating the sleeve is provided in between the first and second ends of the device, and the second means for fully seating the sleeve if provided adjacent one of either the first or second ends of the device, and wherein the second means is longitudinally spaced from the first means on the attachment device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
148 words
A spinal implant system including a spinal rod, an attachment device, and an interpositional sleeve for securing the attachment device to the rod, wherein the attachment device includes a first means for partially seating the sleeve between the rod and the attachment device and a second means for fully seating the sleeve between the rod and the attachment device, and wherein the attachment device includes an open back providing two upper longitudinal spaced device edges and, the attachment device has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first means for partially seating the sleeve is provided in between the first and second ends of the device, and the second means for fully seating the sleeve if provided adjacent one of either the first or second ends of the device, and wherein the second means is longitudinally spaced from the first means on the attachment device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the first means comprises two oppositely located recessed cuts along the spaced device edges and the second means comprises a counterbore.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the sleeve includes a retainment tab means for locating in either the first or second means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the sleeve includes an open back providing two longitudinal spaced sleeve edges and wherein the sleeve further includes a retainment tab on each of the spaced sleeve edges for locating in either the first or second means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
A spinal implant system including a spinal rod, an attachment device, and an interpositional sleeve for securing the attachment device to the rod, wherein the attachment device includes an inner taper and a counterbore at one end of the inner taper, and wherein the sleeve includes a retainment tab means extending therefrom for mating with the counterbore for providing alignment and antirotation of the sleeve in the attachment device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
A spinal implant system including a spinal rod, an attachment device, and an interpositional sleeve for securing the attachment device to the rod, wherein the attachment device includes an inner taper and a counterbore at one end of the inner taper, and wherein the sleeve includes a retainment tab means extending therefrom for mating with the counterbore for providing alignment and antirotation of the sleeve in the attachment device.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of utilizing a spinal implant system including the steps of: a) providing a spinal rod, an attachment device, and an interpositional sleeve, wherein the sleeve has a length and includes a longitudinal bore therethrough and an open back extending the length of the sleeve and connecting with the bore, and wherein the open back of the sleeve has a width sufficient to enable the sleeve to snap fit laterally onto the rod and laterally retain the sleeve on the rod, and wherein the rod has a diameter and the width of the open back of the sleeve is slightly smaller than the diameter of the rod, but is large enough to snap fit laterally onto the rod, such that the method further includes; b) snap fitting the sleeve laterally onto the rod by passing the rod laterally through the open back of the sleeve; and c) then positioning the sleeve between the rod and the attachment device for securing the attachment device to the rod.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of utilizing a spinal implant system including the steps of: a) providing a spinal rod, an attachment device, and an interpositional sleeve, wherein the sleeve has a length and includes a longitudinal bore therethrough and an open back extending the length of the sleeve and connecting with the bore, and wherein the open back of the sleeve has a width sufficient to enable the sleeve to snap fit laterally onto the rod and laterally retain the sleeve on the rod, and wherein the rod has a diameter and the width of the open back of the sleeve is slightly smaller than the diameter of the rod, but is large enough to snap fit laterally onto the rod, such that the method further includes; b) snap fitting the sleeve laterally onto the rod by passing the rod laterally through the open back of the sleeve; and c) then positioning the sleeve between the rod and the attachment device for securing the attachment device to the rod.
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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) | 1998-12-18 | 1999-06-19 | 1999-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-18 | 2003-06-19 | 2003-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-18 | 2007-06-19 | 2007-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |