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US5505732A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus and method of inserting spinal implants

Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc
•
Filing: 1995-06-07
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Granted: 1996-04-09
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Expires: 2015-06-07
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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 2026-10-22 21:03
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: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 221 words
A method for securing a hollow outer tubular sleeve to two adjacent vertebrae comprising: inserting a spinal distractor in the disc space on one side of the vertebrae, said distractor having a flat shoulder portion abutting the vertebrae; placing said hollow outer tubular sleeve having on one end engagement means for engaging two adjacent vertebrae and a circumferentially enlarged tubular back end, said back end having a raised crown portion, said sleeve being placed over said distractor, said distractor serving as a centering post and as an alignment rod for said outer sleeve; engaging a driver cap to said tubular back end, said driver cap having a closed rear surface on one end and a circular front opening at the other end, said driver cap defining a first large recess within said circular opening for engaging the tubular back end of said outer sleeve, and a second smaller recess for engaging said crown portion forming an internal shoulder between said first and second recesses; applying an impaction force with an impacting means to said driver cap whereby said force is transmitted via said internal shoulder to said outer sleeve until said crown is seated within said second recess; removing said driver cap from said back end; and removing said distractor with a distractor pulling means leaving said outer sleeve in place.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 221 words
A method for securing a hollow outer tubular sleeve to two adjacent vertebrae comprising: inserting a spinal distractor in the disc space on one side of the vertebrae, said distractor having a flat shoulder portion abutting the vertebrae; placing said hollow outer tubular sleeve having on one end engagement means for engaging two adjacent vertebrae and a circumferentially enlarged tubular back end, said back end having a raised crown portion, said sleeve being placed over said distractor, said distractor serving as a centering post and as an alignment rod for said outer sleeve; engaging a driver cap to said tubular back end, said driver cap having a closed rear surface on one end and a circular front opening at the other end, said driver cap defining a first large recess within said circular opening for engaging the tubular back end of said outer sleeve, and a second smaller recess for engaging said crown portion forming an internal shoulder between said first and second recesses; applying an impaction force with an impacting means to said driver cap whereby said force is transmitted via said internal shoulder to said outer sleeve until said crown is seated within said second recess; removing said driver cap from said back end; and removing said distractor with a distractor pulling means leaving said outer sleeve in place.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 1 in which said outer sleeve includes penetration preventing means for preventing penetration of said teeth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 2 in which said penetration preventing means is lockably adjustable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 2 in which said penetration preventing means comprises flat portions between at least some of said teeth.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3848601A Cited
US4743256A Cited
US4834757A Cited
US4878915A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-04-09 1999-10-09 2000-04-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-04-09 2003-10-09 2004-04-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-04-09 2007-10-09 2008-04-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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