US6059790A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for spinal stabilization
Assignee: Zimmer Spine Inc
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Filing: 1998-07-16
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Granted: 2000-05-09
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Expires: 2018-07-16
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure provides a surgical method and apparatus for implanting a spinal fusion implant into an intervertebral disc space. In one embodiment, the invention includes an alignment guide having a distal end sized to be inserted into the disc space with the guide extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal end to a proximal end and a multi-lumen drill tube that can be passed over the alignment guide. Other tools and methods of use are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul M. Sand
- 👤 Douglas W. Kohrs
- 👤 Richard A. Erickson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B17/16; 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; A61B2017/0256; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/062; A61B90/39; A61F2/442; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30235; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30593; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/30787; A61F2002/3085; A61F2002/30868; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/914
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A surgical method for implanting a spinal fusion implant into a disc space separating a first vertebra and a second vertebra, said method comprising: inserting a distal end of a centering guide into said disc space with said centering guide extending along a longitudinal axis from said distal end to a proximal end exterior of said disc space; selecting a multi-lumen drill tube comprising first and second elongate lumens having a guiding arrangement therebetween; passing said multi-lumen drill tube over a portion of said centering guide extending from said disc space such that said centering guide is positioned within said guiding arrangement between said first and second lumens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A surgical method for implanting a spinal fusion implant into a disc space separating a first vertebra and a second vertebra, said method comprising: inserting a distal end of a centering guide into said disc space with said centering guide extending along a longitudinal axis from said distal end to a proximal end exterior of said disc space; selecting a multi-lumen drill tube comprising first and second elongate lumens having a guiding arrangement therebetween; passing said multi-lumen drill tube over a portion of said centering guide extending from said disc space such that said centering guide is positioned within said guiding arrangement between said first and second lumens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising selecting said distal end to be sized to distract said disc space upon insertion of said distal end into said disc space and distracting said disc space by insertion of said distal end into said disc space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 2 comprising inserting said distal end from an anterior approach and selecting said distal end to have opposite side edges defining an angle approximate to a desired angle of lordosis between said disc space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising: inserting a drill through a first lumen of said multi-lumen drill tube and boring a first bore; inserting an implant into said first bore; inserting a drill through a second lumen of said multi-lumen drill tube and boring a second bore; and inserting an implant into said second bore.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said centering guide includes a plurality of x-ray detectable indicia at a plurality of positions at said distal end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A multi-lumen drill tube for implanting a spinal fusion device between opposing vertebral bodies, said multi-lumen drill tube comprising: a first elongate lumen; a second elongate lumen; and a guiding arrangement between said first and second elongate lumens configured for receiving an alignment guide positioned between said opposing vertebral bodies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A multi-lumen drill tube for implanting a spinal fusion device between opposing vertebral bodies, said multi-lumen drill tube comprising: a first elongate lumen; a second elongate lumen; and a guiding arrangement between said first and second elongate lumens configured for receiving an alignment guide positioned between said opposing vertebral bodies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The multi-lumen guide according to claim 6 wherein said guiding arrangement is a channel passing between said first and second elongate lumens.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The multi-lumen guide according to claim 7 wherein said channel includes diametrically opposed concave surfaces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The multi-lumen drill tube according to claim 6 having a first end with an anchoring arrangement for securing said multi-lumen drill tube to said vertebral bodies.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The multi-lumen drill tube according to claim 9 wherein said anchoring arrangement comprises at least two teeth.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The multi-lumen drill tube according to claim 6 wherein said first elongate lumen is defined by a first wall and said second elongate lumen is defined by a second wall, said first wall having a first wall opening and said second wall having a second wall opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The multi-lumen drill tube according to claim 9 wherein said first end further comprises at least one lateral paddle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The multi-lumen drill tube according to claim 12 wherein said first end comprises two diametrically opposing lateral paddles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A multi-lumen drill tube according to claim 6 wherein said alignment guide is a centering guide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
A kit for placement of a spinal implant between opposing vertebral bodies, the kit comprising: a centering guide for insertion into a disc space between opposing vertebral bodies; and a multi-lumen drill tube comprising: (i) a first elongate lumen; (ii) a second elongate lumen; and (iii) a guiding arrangement between said first and second elongate lumens configured for receiving an aligning guide positioned between said opposing vertebral bodies.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
68 words
A kit for placement of a spinal implant between opposing vertebral bodies, the kit comprising: a centering guide for insertion into a disc space between opposing vertebral bodies; and a multi-lumen drill tube comprising: (i) a first elongate lumen; (ii) a second elongate lumen; and (iii) a guiding arrangement between said first and second elongate lumens configured for receiving an aligning guide positioned between said opposing vertebral bodies.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
A kit according to claim 15 further comprising a spacer cap.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
A kit according to claim 16 wherein said spacer cap comprises: a hollow oval body having (i) a first end and a second end; (ii) an interior surface and an exterior surface, said interior surface having an axially projecting shoulder; (iii) a first longitudinal wall diametrically opposite a second longitudinal wall; and (iv) a first curved wall diametrically opposite a second curved wall.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
A kit according to claim 17 wherein said first curved wall has a slot therethrough.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A kit according to claim 18 wherein a width dimension of said slot is less than a width of a proximal end of said multi-lumen drill tube.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
79 words
An insertion tool for attaching to an alignment guide, said insertion tool comprising: a proximal end having a handle; a distal end, said distal end comprising: (a) a female receptacle; and (b) a sleeve having a first position and a second position such that when said sleeve is in said first position at least one detent protrudes into said female receptacle and when in said second position said at least one detent does not protrude into said female receptacle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
79 words
An insertion tool for attaching to an alignment guide, said insertion tool comprising: a proximal end having a handle; a distal end, said distal end comprising: (a) a female receptacle; and (b) a sleeve having a first position and a second position such that when said sleeve is in said first position at least one detent protrudes into said female receptacle and when in said second position said at least one detent does not protrude into said female receptacle.
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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) | 2003-05-09 | 2003-11-08 | 2004-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-09 | 2007-11-08 | 2008-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-09 | 2011-11-08 | 2012-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |