US5904686A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for preparing a site for an interbody fusion implant
Assignee: Zimmer Spine Inc
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Filing: 1997-11-20
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Granted: 1999-05-18
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Expires: 2017-11-20
Abstract
Abstract An instrument set 120 and method for preparing a site between adjacent bones for insertion of an implant includes an alignment probe 122 with a head end 124 and a cutter 134 which fits over the alignment probe 122. The alignment probe 122 can be appropriately positioned using imaging techniques and then given a quarter turn in order to anchor the head end 124 in the bones at the appropriate depth and with the appropriate alignment. The cutter 134 is then inserted over the alignment probe 122 in order to sever bone and tissue. After this is accomplished, the head end 124 is given another quarter turn freeing itself from the bone, and then the alignment probe 122 and the cutter 134 are removed with the tissue and bone captured therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 James F. Zucherman
- 👤 Ken Y. Hsu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B17/1662; A61B17/1671; A61B17/1637; A61B17/17; A61B17/1739; A61B17/1757; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
An instrument set for forming a bore between adjacent spaced bones comprising: an alignment probe with a head end mounted on a post; said head end including a first arm and a second arm; said first arm having a first sharpened tip, and said second arm having a second sharpened tip; a first cam surface located behind the first sharpened tip and a second cam surface located behind the second sharpened tip; and a cutter which fits over said post and which has a distal cutting edge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
An instrument set for forming a bore between adjacent spaced bones comprising: an alignment probe with a head end mounted on a post; said head end including a first arm and a second arm; said first arm having a first sharpened tip, and said second arm having a second sharpened tip; a first cam surface located behind the first sharpened tip and a second cam surface located behind the second sharpened tip; and a cutter which fits over said post and which has a distal cutting edge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The instrument set of claim 1 wherein: said cutting edge describes a width; and said width is greater than a distance between the first cam surface and the second cam surface, but less than the combined length of said first arm and said second arm such that said first arm and said second arm provide a stop for said cutter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
126 words
An alignment probe for establishing a desired alignment between spaced bones comprising: a head end mounted on a post; said head end including a first arm and a second arm; said first arm having a first sharpened tip, and said second arm having a second sharpened tip; a first cam surface located behind the first sharpened tip and a second cam are configured to surface located behind the second sharpened tip; and wherein said first and second cam surfaces cam the spaced bones apart as said probe is rotated relative to said bones and said first and second sharpened tips are cofigured to penetrate the respective spaced bones as the probe is rotated in order to fix the position of the probe relative to the bones.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
126 words
An alignment probe for establishing a desired alignment between spaced bones comprising: a head end mounted on a post; said head end including a first arm and a second arm; said first arm having a first sharpened tip, and said second arm having a second sharpened tip; a first cam surface located behind the first sharpened tip and a second cam are configured to surface located behind the second sharpened tip; and wherein said first and second cam surfaces cam the spaced bones apart as said probe is rotated relative to said bones and said first and second sharpened tips are cofigured to penetrate the respective spaced bones as the probe is rotated in order to fix the position of the probe relative to the bones.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The alignment probe of claim 3 wherein: said first arm and said second arm together describe a length of between about thirteen millimeters and about twenty-one millimeters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The alignment probe of claim 3 wherein: said first arm and said second arm together describe a length of one of about thirteen millimeters, about seventeen millimeters, and about twenty-one millimeters.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for forming a bore between first and second bones comprising the steps of: selecting an alignment probe which alignment probe comprises: a head end mounted on a post; said head end including a first arm with a first sharpened tip and a second arm with a second sharpened tip; positioning the alignment probe with the first arm and the second arm between the two bones; twisting the alignment probe so that first sharpened tip of the first arm is secured in the first bone and second sharpened tip of the second arm is secured in the second bone and so that the first cam surface contacts and urges the first bone away from the second bone and the second cam surface contacts and urges the second bone away from the first bone; placing a cutter over the post, which cutter has a distal cutting edge; operating the cutter in order to cut into the first bone and the second bone in order to define a bore; and removing the alignment probe and the cutter with the cut bone.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for forming a bore between first and second bones comprising the steps of: selecting an alignment probe which alignment probe comprises: a head end mounted on a post; said head end including a first arm with a first sharpened tip and a second arm with a second sharpened tip; positioning the alignment probe with the first arm and the second arm between the two bones; twisting the alignment probe so that first sharpened tip of the first arm is secured in the first bone and second sharpened tip of the second arm is secured in the second bone and so that the first cam surface contacts and urges the first bone away from the second bone and the second cam surface contacts and urges the second bone away from the first bone; placing a cutter over the post, which cutter has a distal cutting edge; operating the cutter in order to cut into the first bone and the second bone in order to define a bore; and removing the alignment probe and the cutter with the cut bone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 6 including the steps of: performing the operating step until the cutter moves past the first and second cam surfaces and comes into contact with the first and second sharpened tips of the alignment probe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 6 including the step of: said positioning step includes aligning the post of the alignment probe relative to the first bone and the second bone prior to twisting the alignment probe.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 6 including the step of: using an imaging instrument during the positioning step to align the post of the alignment probe relative to the first bone and the second bone prior to twisting the alignment probe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the first and second bones are first and second vertebrae and wherein: said positioning step includes positioning said first arm and said second arm of said alignment tool in the disk space between the first and second vertebrae.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 6 including the step of: removing disk material from between the first and second vertebrae prior to positioning the first arm and the second arm of the alignment tool in the disk space.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
The alignment probe of claim 3 wherein said probe is for providing alignment relative to a first vertebra and a second vertebra so that a bore can be created in order to introduce an implant into the disk space between the first vertebra and the second vertebra such that the implant spans the disk space and projects into and engages the first vertebra and the second vertebra.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The alignment probe of claim 3 wherein: said head end has a length of about 13 millimeters to about 21 millimeters.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The alignment probe of claim 3 wherein: said head end has a length selected from one of about 13 millimeters, about 17 millimeters, and about 21 millimeters.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The instrument set of claim 1 including: a spacer with a central bore which fits over said post; and wherein said cutter fits over said spacer and is configured for guidance by said spacer and said alignment probe to a location relative to said spaced bones.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
96 words
The alignment probe of claim 1 for providing alignment between a first vertebra and a second vertebra so that a bore can be created in order to introduce an implant in the disk space between the first vertebra and the second vertebra such that the implant spans the disk space and projects into and engages the first vertebra and the second vertebra, and wherein: said head end is sized so that it can fit into the disk space between the first vertebra and the second vertebra prior to engaging the first vertebra and the second vertebra.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The alignment probe of claim 3 wherein: said first and second sharpened tips are adapted to prevent a cutter from penetrating the bone to a depth that is past said first and second sharpened tips.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The alignment probe of claim 3 wherein: said first cam surface is located about three millimeters to about five millimeters behind the first sharpened tip, and said second cam surface is located about three millimeters to about five millimeters behind the second sharpened tip.
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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) | 2002-05-17 | 2002-11-16 | 2003-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-17 | 2006-11-16 | 2007-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-17 | 2010-11-16 | 2011-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |