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US5484437A
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Apparatus and method of inserting spinal implants
Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc
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Filing: 1993-06-10
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Granted: 1996-01-16
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Expires: 2013-06-10
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted, a hollow sleeve having teeth at one end is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary K. Michelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B17/1662; A61B17/1671; A61B17/17; A61B17/1739; A61B17/1757; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/446; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B17/32; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/88; A61B17/8875; A61B17/8886; A61B17/8888; A61B2017/0256; A61B17/92; A61B2017/922; A61B90/00; A61B90/03; A61B2090/033; A61B2090/036; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30744; A61F2/442; A61F2/4657; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30143; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30235; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30405; A61F2002/30426; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30593; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30774; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/30787; A61F2002/30795; A61F2002/30797; A61F2002/30836; A61F2002/3085; A61F2002/30904; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/4619; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4629; A61F2/4644; A61F2002/4649; A61F2002/4681; A61F2002/4687; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for inserting a spinal implant between two adjacent vertebra comprising inserting a spinal distractor in the disc space on one or both sides of the spinal column to provide for proper spacing of the disc space between the vertebra, inserting over the spinal distractor a hollow tubular member having engagement means for engaging two adjacent vertebrae into the vertebrae; removing the spinal distractor from the hollow tubular member; passing a drill through the tubular member to drill a hole in the disc and a portion of the two adjacent vertebrae; removing the drill; inserting an implant in the vertebrae through the tubular member; and then removing said tubular member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for inserting a spinal implant between two adjacent vertebra comprising inserting a spinal distractor in the disc space on one or both sides of the spinal column to provide for proper spacing of the disc space between the vertebra, inserting over the spinal distractor a hollow tubular member having engagement means for engaging two adjacent vertebrae into the vertebrae; removing the spinal distractor from the hollow tubular member; passing a drill through the tubular member to drill a hole in the disc and a portion of the two adjacent vertebrae; removing the drill; inserting an implant in the vertebrae through the tubular member; and then removing said tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 in which said implant is cylindrical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 in which said step of inserting an implant comprises inserting one or more partially cylindrical implants.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 in which said implant has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the opening formed by the drill.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 in which said drill has means associated therewith for limiting the depth of the drilling.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5 in which said depth limiting means is lockably adjustable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 in which the tubular member has a removable hollow inner sleeve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 in which said hollow tubular member has means for limiting the penetration of the engagement means into the vertebrae.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8 in which said means for limiting penetration is lockably adjustable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 in which said implant is made of bone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 in which said implant is made of a material that promotes bone ingrowth.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 including tapping a thread into said hole in the disc.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 in which the tubular member has a removable hollow inner sleeve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 13 in which said hole is drilled through the hollow inner sleeve and said hollow inner sleeve is removed prior to tapping said hole.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13 in which the inside diameter of the hollow inner sleeve is the same diameter as the root diameter of the implant.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13 in which the inside diameter of the hollow inner sleeve is slightly greater than the root diameter of the implant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 in which one spinal distractor remains in place in the disc while a first implant is being inserted.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 17 in which said spinal distractor remaining in place includes a barrel portion that is separable from the front portion of the spinal implant in the disc space.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for inserting a spinal implant between two adjacent vertebra comprising inserting a spinal distractor in the disc on one side of the spinal column to provide for proper spacing of the disc space between the vertebra, inserting over the spinal distractor a hollow tubular member having engagement means for engaging two adjacent vertebrae into the vertebrae; passing a trephine through the tubular member and over the spinal distractor to drill a hole in the disc and a portion of the two adjacent vertebrae; removing the trephine; inserting an implant in the vertebrae through the tubular member; and removing said tubular member.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for inserting a spinal implant between two adjacent vertebra comprising inserting a spinal distractor in the disc on one side of the spinal column to provide for proper spacing of the disc space between the vertebra, inserting over the spinal distractor a hollow tubular member having engagement means for engaging two adjacent vertebrae into the vertebrae; passing a trephine through the tubular member and over the spinal distractor to drill a hole in the disc and a portion of the two adjacent vertebrae; removing the trephine; inserting an implant in the vertebrae through the tubular member; and removing said tubular member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 19 in which said implant is cylindrical.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 19 in which said step of inserting an implant comprises inserting one or more partially cylindrical implants.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 19 in which said implant has a corresponding diameter to the diameter of the opening formed by the trephine.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 19 in which said trephine has means associated therewith for limiting the depth of the drilling.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 23 in which said depth limiting means is lockably adjustable.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 19 in which said depth limiting means includes a shoulder within said trephine.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 19 in which the tubular member has a removable hollow inner sleeve.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 19 in which said hollow tubular member has means for limiting the penetration of the engagement means into the vertebrae.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 27 in which said penetration limiting means is lockably adjustable.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 19 in which said implant is made of bone.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 19 in which said implant is made of a material that promotes bone ingrowth.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 19 including tapping a thread into the hole and said cylindrical implant has a thread.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 19 in which the one spinal distractor remains in place in the disc while the first implant is being inserted.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 32 in which said spinal distractor remaining in place includes a barrel portion that is separable from the front portion of the spinal implant in the disc space.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 19 further including the step of freeing and removing any remaining bone cut by the trephine from within the trephine.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 34 in which the remaining cut bone is removed from the trephine by an apparatus comprising a handle, a shaft, said shaft connected to said handle at one end and having a cutting blade at an angle to said shaft, said shaft connected off centered to the central axis of said handle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-15 | 1999-07-17 | 2000-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-15 | 2003-07-17 | 2004-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-15 | 2007-07-17 | 2008-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |