US6200322B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Minimal exposure posterior spinal interbody instrumentation and technique
Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc
•
Filing: 1999-08-13
•
Granted: 2001-03-13
•
Expires: 2019-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A surgical method for preparing a site for implantation of a spinal implant into a disc space in which the disc space is first distracted by a novel stepped distractor, followed by insertion of a novel guide sleeve including a proximal portion having an uninterrupted side wall and a distal portion having a side wall defining a longitudinal opening extending along its entire length. The guide sleeve is seated adjacent the disc space with the longitudinal opening positioned opposite the dural region of the spine to provide a working channel to the disc space. A cutting tool is then inserted through the guide sleeve to remove tissue and bone laterally extending into the interior of the guide sleeve through the longitudinal opening, but only as much as necessary for passage of the spinal implant. In a further embodiment, a protective barrier, including a pair of overlapping, flexible leaf members, is operably attached to the inside surface of the guide sleeve and positioned across the longitudinal opening to separate the inner region of the guide sleeve from the outer surgical environment.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles L. Branch
- 👤 Lawrence M. Boyd
- 👤 Eddie F. Ray, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B17/17; A61B17/1739; A61B17/1757; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B2017/0256; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/4455; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/2839; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30774; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30795; A61F2002/30797; A61F2002/3085; A61F2002/30866; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2002/4687; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 82
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A guide used in conjunction with the preparation of a vertebral body for spinal surgery, comprising: a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a body; said body defining a first longitudinal passage having a first transverse cross sectional area; said body also defining a second longitudinal passage having a second transverse cross sectional area, said second longitudinal passage in communication with said first longitudinal passage, said second transverse cross sectional area being less than said first transverse cross sectional area; and said sleeve is positionable adjacent the vertebral body to allow removal of vertebral tissue laterally adjacent said second longitudinal passage by an axially displacable cutting tool extending through said first longitudinal passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A guide used in conjunction with the preparation of a vertebral body for spinal surgery, comprising: a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a body; said body defining a first longitudinal passage having a first transverse cross sectional area; said body also defining a second longitudinal passage having a second transverse cross sectional area, said second longitudinal passage in communication with said first longitudinal passage, said second transverse cross sectional area being less than said first transverse cross sectional area; and said sleeve is positionable adjacent the vertebral body to allow removal of vertebral tissue laterally adjacent said second longitudinal passage by an axially displacable cutting tool extending through said first longitudinal passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The guide of claim 1 wherein said first longitudinal passage is sized to guide said cutting tool generally along said longitudinal axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The guide of claim 1 wherein said first transverse cross sectional area is generally circular.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The guide of claim 1 wherein said second transverse cross sectional area is partially circular.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
A guide used in conjunction with the preparation of a vertebral body for spinal surgery, comprising: a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a cylindrical side wall; said side wall including a circumferentially uninterrupted portion defining a first longitudinal passage having a diameter; said side wall also including a circumferentially interrupted portion defining a second longitudinal passage having a maximum width, said width being less than said diameter; and wherein said sleeve is positionable adjacent the vertebral body to allow removal of vertebral tissue laterally adjacent said second longitudinal passage by an axially displacable cutting tool extending through said first longitudinal passage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
A guide used in conjunction with the preparation of a vertebral body for spinal surgery, comprising: a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a cylindrical side wall; said side wall including a circumferentially uninterrupted portion defining a first longitudinal passage having a diameter; said side wall also including a circumferentially interrupted portion defining a second longitudinal passage having a maximum width, said width being less than said diameter; and wherein said sleeve is positionable adjacent the vertebral body to allow removal of vertebral tissue laterally adjacent said second longitudinal passage by an axially displacable cutting tool extending through said first longitudinal passage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The guide of claim 5 wherein said diameter of said first longitudinal passage being sized to guide said cutting tool generally along said longitudinal axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The guide of claim 5 wherein a spinal implant is guidable through said sleeve generally along said longitudinal axis, the implant having an outer diameter substantially equal to said diameter of said first longitudinal passage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
A guide used in conjunction with the preparation of a vertebral body for spinal surgery, comprising: a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and an opposing distal portion, said proximal portion having a continuous side wall, said distal portion having a side wall defining an opening extending longitudinally from a distal end of said sleeve toward said proximal portion, said distal portion being positionable adjacent the vertebral body with vertebral tissue extending transversely into said opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
A guide used in conjunction with the preparation of a vertebral body for spinal surgery, comprising: a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and an opposing distal portion, said proximal portion having a continuous side wall, said distal portion having a side wall defining an opening extending longitudinally from a distal end of said sleeve toward said proximal portion, said distal portion being positionable adjacent the vertebral body with vertebral tissue extending transversely into said opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The guide of claim 8 wherein said sleeve includes an elongated flange projecting from said distal end and positioned generally opposite said opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The guide of claim 9 therein said flange is configured to be slidably received within the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae to maintain a predetermined spacing between said vertebrae.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The guide of claim 10 wherein said sleeve includes at least two engagement members extending longitudinally from said distal end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The guide of claim 11 wherein said engagement members are spiked protrusions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The guide of claim 8 wherein said distal portion defines an interior, said opening being in communication with said interior with vertebral tissue extending transversely through said opening and into said interior, the vertebral tissue within said interior being removable by an axially displacable cutting tool.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
A guide used in conjunction with spinal surgery, comprising: a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and an opposing distal portion, said proximal portion having a continuous side wall, said distal portion having a side wall defining an opening extending longitudinally from a distal end of said sleeve toward said proximal portion, said sleeve including a protective barrier positioned across at least a portion of said opening.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
71 words
A guide used in conjunction with spinal surgery, comprising: a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and an opposing distal portion, said proximal portion having a continuous side wall, said distal portion having a side wall defining an opening extending longitudinally from a distal end of said sleeve toward said proximal portion, said sleeve including a protective barrier positioned across at least a portion of said opening.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The guide of claim 14 wherein said protective barrier includes at least one flexible leaf member operably attached to said sleeve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The guide of claim 15 wherein said protective barrier includes a pair of overlapping, flexible leaf members operably attached to said sleeve.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The guide of claim 14 wherein said protective barrier is metallic.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
88 words
A guide used in conjunction with spinal surgery, comprising: a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and an opposing distal portion, said proximal portion having an uninterrupted side wall, said distal portion having a side wall defining an opening extending longitudinally along the entire length of said distal portion, said sleeve including a barrier means positioned across said opening for separating an inner region of said sleeve from the outer environment; and retention means for retaining adjacent vertebra in position relative to said sleeve.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
88 words
A guide used in conjunction with spinal surgery, comprising: a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and an opposing distal portion, said proximal portion having an uninterrupted side wall, said distal portion having a side wall defining an opening extending longitudinally along the entire length of said distal portion, said sleeve including a barrier means positioned across said opening for separating an inner region of said sleeve from the outer environment; and retention means for retaining adjacent vertebra in position relative to said sleeve.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
82 words
A guide used in conjunction with the preparation of a vertebral body for spinal surgery comprising: a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a cylindrical side wall; said side wall including a circumferentially uninterrupted portion; and said side wall also including a circumferentially interrupted portion defining an opening extending longitudinally from a distal end of said circumferentially interrupted portion toward said circumferentially uninterrupted portion, said circumferentially interrupted being positionable adjacent the vertebral body with vertebral tissue extending transversely into said opening.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
82 words
A guide used in conjunction with the preparation of a vertebral body for spinal surgery comprising: a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a cylindrical side wall; said side wall including a circumferentially uninterrupted portion; and said side wall also including a circumferentially interrupted portion defining an opening extending longitudinally from a distal end of said circumferentially interrupted portion toward said circumferentially uninterrupted portion, said circumferentially interrupted being positionable adjacent the vertebral body with vertebral tissue extending transversely into said opening.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The guide of claim 19 wherein said opening extends across greater than about 30 degrees of the overall circumference of said circumferentially interrupted portion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The guide of claim 19 wherein said opening extends across less than about 180 degrees of the overall circumference of said circumferentially interrupted portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The guide of claim 19 wherein said opening extends across a range of about 30 degrees to 180 degrees of the overall circumference of said circumferentially interrupted portion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The guide of claim 22 wherein said opening extends across about 90 degrees of the overall circumference of said circumferentially interrupted portion.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
The guide of claim 19 wherein said sleeve is used to guide a spinal implant generally along the longitudinal axis, said circumferentially interrupted portion having an inner diameter, the implant having a maximum outer diameter substantially equal to said inner diameter.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The guide of claim 24 wherein said spinal implant is a cylindrically shaped bone dowel.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
47 words
The guide of claim 19 wherein said circumferentially interrupted portion defines an interior, said opening being in communication with said interior with vertebral tissue extending transversely through said opening and into said interior, the vertebral tissue within said interior being removable by an axially displacable cutting tool.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
76 words
A guide used in conjunction with the preparation of a vertebral body for spinal surgery, comprising: a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a guiding portion defining an uninterrupted inner guiding surface and a protecting portion including a protective side wall defining an opening extending longitudinally from a distal end of said protecting portion toward said guiding portion, said protecting portion being positioned adjacent the vertebral body with vertebral tissue extending transversely into said opening.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
76 words
A guide used in conjunction with the preparation of a vertebral body for spinal surgery, comprising: a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a guiding portion defining an uninterrupted inner guiding surface and a protecting portion including a protective side wall defining an opening extending longitudinally from a distal end of said protecting portion toward said guiding portion, said protecting portion being positioned adjacent the vertebral body with vertebral tissue extending transversely into said opening.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The guide of claim 27 wherein said protecting portion includes an elongated flange projecting from said distal end in a longitudinal direction and positioned generally opposite said opening.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The guide of claim 28 wherein said flange is configured to be slidably received within a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae to maintain a predetermined spacing between said vertebrae.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
The guide of claim 27 wherein said protecting portion includes at least two engagement members projecting from said distal end in a longitudinal direction for anchoring said sleeve to vertebral bone.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
The guide of claim 30 wherein said engagement members are spiked protrusions.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The guide of claim 22 wherein said inner guiding surface is configured to guide surgical tools through said sleeve generally along said longitudinal axis.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The guide of claim 27 wherein said protective side wall is positioned adjacent the dural region of the spine.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
40 words
The guide of claim 27 wherein said sleeve is used to guide a spinal implant generally along the longitudinal axis, said protective side wall having an inner diameter, the implant having an outer diameter substantially equal to said inner diameter.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
77 words
A system for lateral removal of tissue in preparation for spinal surgery, comprising: a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a side wall, said side wall defining a first longitudinal passage and a second longitudinal passage; and a cutting tool sized to be received within said first longitudinal passage and having a cutting end for removal of tissue laterally adjacent said second longitudinal passage when said cutting end is axially displaced generally along said longitudinal axis.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
77 words
A system for lateral removal of tissue in preparation for spinal surgery, comprising: a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a side wall, said side wall defining a first longitudinal passage and a second longitudinal passage; and a cutting tool sized to be received within said first longitudinal passage and having a cutting end for removal of tissue laterally adjacent said second longitudinal passage when said cutting end is axially displaced generally along said longitudinal axis.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 35 wherein said cutting tool is a rotary cutting tool.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 36 wherein said rotary cutting tool is a trephine.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 36 wherein said first longitudinal passage has a generally circular cross section and is sized to receive and guide said rotary cutting tool through said sleeve generally along said longitudinal axis.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 38 wherein said rotary cutting tool is a trephine.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 35 further including a spinal distractor having a leading portion and a trailing portion, said trailing portion having an outer diameter sized to be slidably received within said first longitudinal passage, said leading portion having a reduced outer cross section relative to said trailing portion.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
72 words
A guide used in conjunction with spinal surgery comprising: a sleeve having a cylindrical side wall; said side wall including a circumferentially uninterrupted portion, said side wall also including a circumferentially interrupted portion defining an opening extending along the entire length of said circumferentially interrupted portion; an elongated flange projecting from the end of said circumferentially interrupted portion and positioned generally opposite said opening; and a protective barrier positioned across said opening.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
72 words
A guide used in conjunction with spinal surgery comprising: a sleeve having a cylindrical side wall; said side wall including a circumferentially uninterrupted portion, said side wall also including a circumferentially interrupted portion defining an opening extending along the entire length of said circumferentially interrupted portion; an elongated flange projecting from the end of said circumferentially interrupted portion and positioned generally opposite said opening; and a protective barrier positioned across said opening.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
The guide of claim 41 wherein said protective barrier includes at least one flexible leaf member operably attached to said sleeve.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
23 words
The guide of claim 42 wherein said protective barrier includes a pair of overlapping, flexible leaf members operably attached to said side wall.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
11 words
The guide of claim 41 wherein said protective barrier is metallic.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
150 words
A guide sleeve for placement of a spinal implant within a disc space between an upper vertebral surface and a lower vertebral surface, comprising: a proximal portion extending along a longitudinal axis and having an uninterrupted side wall; a distal portion extending along said longitudinal axis and having a side wall defining an interior sized to receive the spinal implant therethrough, said side wall defining an opening extending in a longitudinal direction from a distal end of said distal portion toward said proximal portion and in communication with said interior, said opening being positioned adjacent a lateral vertebral surface with vertebral tissue extending transversely into said opening; and a distracting portion comprising an elongated flange projecting from said distal end in a longitudinal direction and having a height corresponding to said disc space, said flange projecting between said upper and lower vertebral surface to maintain distraction of said disc space.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
150 words
A guide sleeve for placement of a spinal implant within a disc space between an upper vertebral surface and a lower vertebral surface, comprising: a proximal portion extending along a longitudinal axis and having an uninterrupted side wall; a distal portion extending along said longitudinal axis and having a side wall defining an interior sized to receive the spinal implant therethrough, said side wall defining an opening extending in a longitudinal direction from a distal end of said distal portion toward said proximal portion and in communication with said interior, said opening being positioned adjacent a lateral vertebral surface with vertebral tissue extending transversely into said opening; and a distracting portion comprising an elongated flange projecting from said distal end in a longitudinal direction and having a height corresponding to said disc space, said flange projecting between said upper and lower vertebral surface to maintain distraction of said disc space.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
31 words
The guide sleeve of claim 45 wherein said side wall is a partial cylinder defining an inner diameter, the spinal implant having an outer diameter substantially equal to said inner diameter.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
19 words
The guide sleeve of claim 45 wherein said opening is positioned generally opposite the dural region of the spine.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
139 words
A surgical method for implanting a spinal implant into a disc space between an upper and a lower vertebra, comprising: providing a boring tool and a guide sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and an opposing distal portion, said proximal portion having an uninterrupted side wall, said distal portion having a side wall defining an opening extending in a longitudinal direction from a distal end of said sleeve toward said proximal portion; positioning the distal portion adjacent a vertebral body with vertebral tissue extending transversely into the opening; inserting the boring tool through the guide sleeve and forming an implant bore within the disc space; removing the boring tool from the guide sleeve; inserting a spinal implant through the guide sleeve and implanting the spinal implant into the implant bore; and removing the guide sleeve.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
139 words
A surgical method for implanting a spinal implant into a disc space between an upper and a lower vertebra, comprising: providing a boring tool and a guide sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and an opposing distal portion, said proximal portion having an uninterrupted side wall, said distal portion having a side wall defining an opening extending in a longitudinal direction from a distal end of said sleeve toward said proximal portion; positioning the distal portion adjacent a vertebral body with vertebral tissue extending transversely into the opening; inserting the boring tool through the guide sleeve and forming an implant bore within the disc space; removing the boring tool from the guide sleeve; inserting a spinal implant through the guide sleeve and implanting the spinal implant into the implant bore; and removing the guide sleeve.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
52 words
The surgical method of claim 48 wherein the opening is in communication with an interior of said distal portion of said guide sleeve; and further including inserting a cutting tool through the guide sleeve and removing vertebral tissue extending into the interior of the guide sleeve prior to forming the implant bore.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
33 words
The surgical method of claim 48 further including inserting a tapping tool through the guide sleeve to tap a female thread within the implant bore prior to inserting and implanting the spinal implant.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical method of claim 48 including positioning a protective barrier across the opening.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surgical method of claim 51 further including expanding the protective barrier during the inserting of the boring tool or spinal implant.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
48 words
The surgical method of claim 48 wherein the guide sleeve has at least two engagement members projecting from the distal end of the distal portion, and wherein the surgical method further includes anchoring at least one of the engagement members into each of the upper and lower vertebra.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
62 words
The surgical method of claim 48 wherein the guide sleeve has an elongated flange projecting from the distal end of the distal portion, the flange having a width approximately equal to the predetermined spacing between the upper and lower vertebrae and positioned generally opposite the opening, and wherein the surgical method further includes positioning the flange between the upper and lower vertebrae.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
31 words
The surgical method of claim 48 wherein the side wall of the distal portion has an inner diameter, the spinal implant having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical method of claim 48 wherein said opening is positioned generally opposite the dural region of the spine.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
64 words
The surgical method of claim 48 further comprising: providing a spinal distractor; inserting the distractor into the disc space to spread apart the upper and lower vertebra to a predetermined spacing; placing the guide sleeve over the distractor with the opening positioned generally opposite the dural region of the spine; and extracting the distractor from the disc space prior to inserting the boring tool.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
53 words
The surgical method of claim 57 wherein the spinal distractor includes a leading portion and a trailing portion, the trailing portion having an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the proximal portion of the guide sleeve, the leading portion having a reduced outer cross section relative to the trailing portion.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
131 words
A surgical method for preparing an upper and lower vertebra for implantation of a spinal implant into the disc space, comprising: providing a cutting tool and a guide sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and an opposing distal portion, said proximal portion having an uninterrupted side wall, said distal portion having a side wall defining an interior and an opening extending in a longitudinal direction from a distal end of the sleeve toward the proximal portion and in communication the interior; positioning the distal portion adjacent a vertebral body with vertebral tissue extending transversely thorough the opening and into the interior of the distal portion; and inserting the cutting tool through the guide sleeve to remove the vertebral tissue extending into the interior of the distal portion.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
131 words
A surgical method for preparing an upper and lower vertebra for implantation of a spinal implant into the disc space, comprising: providing a cutting tool and a guide sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and an opposing distal portion, said proximal portion having an uninterrupted side wall, said distal portion having a side wall defining an interior and an opening extending in a longitudinal direction from a distal end of the sleeve toward the proximal portion and in communication the interior; positioning the distal portion adjacent a vertebral body with vertebral tissue extending transversely thorough the opening and into the interior of the distal portion; and inserting the cutting tool through the guide sleeve to remove the vertebral tissue extending into the interior of the distal portion.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
20 words
The surgical method of claim 59 wherein the tissue extending into the interior of the distal portion is vertebral bone.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
13 words
The surgical method of claim 60 wherein the vertebral bone is facet material.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
34 words
The surgical method of claim 59 wherein the removing of the vertebral tissue extending into the interior of the distal portion includes the removal of vertebral bone from both the upper and lower vertebrae.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
13 words
The surgical method of claim 60 wherein the vertebral bone is facet material.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
25 words
The surgical method of claim 59 further comprising rotating the cutting tool to remove the vertebral tissue extending into the interior of the distal portion.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
15 words
The surgical method of claim 64 wherein the rotating of the cutting tool involves trephining.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
38 words
The surgical method of claim 64 wherein the rotating uses the uninterrupted side wall of the proximal portion of the guide sleeve to receive and guide the cutting tool through the guide sleeve generally along the longitudinal axis.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
35 words
The surgical method of claim 59 wherein the side wall of the distal portion has an inner diameter, the cutting tool including a cutting head having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
20 words
The surgical method of claim 67 wherein the spinal implant has an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical method of claim 59 wherein said opening is positioned generally opposite the dural region of the spine.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
64 words
The surgical method of claim 59 further comprising: providing a spinal distractor; inserting the distractor into the disc space to spread apart the upper and lower vertebra to a predetermined spacing; placing the guide sleeve over the distractor with the opening positioned generally opposite the dural region of the spine; and extracting the distractor from the disc space prior to inserting the cutting tool.
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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) | 2004-03-12 | 2004-09-11 | 2005-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-12 | 2008-09-11 | 2009-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-12 | 2012-09-11 | 2013-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |