US5803904A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nerve root retractor and disc space separator
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1997-10-28
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Granted: 1998-09-08
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Expires: 2017-10-28
Abstract
Abstract A nerve retractor and guide for laminectomy procedures has a cylindrical body with a single member extending from one end of the wall of the cylindrical body. The single member is formed to enter the intradiscal space to seat upon and maintain spacing of adjacent vertebral bodies during the procedures. The cylindrical body is positioned adjacent to and protects the cauda equina and the nerve roots that extend therefrom. The wall of the cylinder has a portion cut away on the side thereof opposite the extending single member so that the facet, lamina and pedicle bone areas are visibly accessible for removal as required by the procedures.
Inventors
- 👤 Hamid Mehdizadeh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:54
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/14; A61B17/15; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B2017/0256; A61B2017/0262; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/4455; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/3085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A nerve root retractor and laminectomy guide for protecting the cauda equina and the nerve root and providing visual access to the lamina, pedicle and facet, comprising a tubular body having an outside wall, an open interior, a proximal end and a distal end, and a tang extending from one side of said outside wall on said distal end, said outside wall having a cut away portion on an opposite side from said one side, said cut away portion extending from said distal end toward said proximal end, whereby insertion of said tang into the intradiscal space from a position adjacent the cauda equina separates adjacent vertebral bodies and protects the nerve root.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A nerve root retractor and laminectomy guide for protecting the cauda equina and the nerve root and providing visual access to the lamina, pedicle and facet, comprising a tubular body having an outside wall, an open interior, a proximal end and a distal end, and a tang extending from one side of said outside wall on said distal end, said outside wall having a cut away portion on an opposite side from said one side, said cut away portion extending from said distal end toward said proximal end, whereby insertion of said tang into the intradiscal space from a position adjacent the cauda equina separates adjacent vertebral bodies and protects the nerve root.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The nerve root retractor of claim 1 wherein said tubular body has a window opening in said outside wall on said one side extending from a position spaced from said distal end toward said proximal end, whereby regions adjacent to said distal end are observable during the laminectomy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The nerve root retractor of claim 1 comprising an impact cap for positioning on said proximal end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The nerve root retractor of claim 1 comprising a shoulder on each side of said tang at said distal end extending between said tang and said cut away portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
A nerve root retractor and disc space spreader for contacting vertebral bodies in posterior lumbar surgical procedures, comprising a tubular body having a body wall, a proximal end and a distal end, and a tang extending from one side of said body wall at said distal end, said body wall having a removed portion on an opposing side from said one side, said removed portion extending from said distal end toward said proximal end, whereby said tang when seated between vertebral bodies retracts and protects the nerve root and spreads the vertebral bodies.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
A nerve root retractor and disc space spreader for contacting vertebral bodies in posterior lumbar surgical procedures, comprising a tubular body having a body wall, a proximal end and a distal end, and a tang extending from one side of said body wall at said distal end, said body wall having a removed portion on an opposing side from said one side, said removed portion extending from said distal end toward said proximal end, whereby said tang when seated between vertebral bodies retracts and protects the nerve root and spreads the vertebral bodies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The nerve root retractor of claim 5, said body wall having a window opening therein on said one side extending from a position spaced from said distal end toward said proximal end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The nerve root retractor of claim 5 comprising an impact cap for positioning on said proximal end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The nerve root retractor of claim 5 comprising a shoulder on each side of said tang at said distal end extending between said tang and said cut away portion for locating said tang relative to adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
141 words
A surgical tool for providing protection to the cauda equina and nerve roots, separation of vertebral bodies and visual access to an operating area during laminectomy procedures, comprising a tubular body having a body wall, a proximal body end and a distal body end, a tang projecting from one side of said distal body end for insertion between the vertebral bodies and for retracting the cauda equina and nerve root, and shoulder means on said distal body end adjacent each side of said tang for contacting the edges of adjacent vertebral bodies for limiting penetration into the intradiscal area, said body wall having a cut away portion in the opposite side thereof from said one side, said cut away portion extending from said shoulder means toward said proximal body end, whereby the operating area is visible through said cut away portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
141 words
A surgical tool for providing protection to the cauda equina and nerve roots, separation of vertebral bodies and visual access to an operating area during laminectomy procedures, comprising a tubular body having a body wall, a proximal body end and a distal body end, a tang projecting from one side of said distal body end for insertion between the vertebral bodies and for retracting the cauda equina and nerve root, and shoulder means on said distal body end adjacent each side of said tang for contacting the edges of adjacent vertebral bodies for limiting penetration into the intradiscal area, said body wall having a cut away portion in the opposite side thereof from said one side, said cut away portion extending from said shoulder means toward said proximal body end, whereby the operating area is visible through said cut away portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The surgical tool of claim 9 wherein said tubular body has a window opening in said body wall on said one side extending from a position spaced from said distal body end toward said proximal body end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The surgical tool of claim 9 comprising an impact cap on said proximal body end.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3848601A
Cited
US5123403A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-09-07 | 2002-03-09 | 2002-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-07 | 2006-03-09 | 2006-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-07 | 2010-03-09 | 2010-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |