US6235030B1 — Spine distraction implant

Claim 1

Independent Claim 128 words

An implant for relieving pain associated with at least one of spine and surrounding tissues and structures, which implant is positionable between spinous processes of the spine, the implant comprising: a first wing adapted to be positioned adjacent the spinous processes with a central body extending therefrom, said central body having a longitudinal axis and said central body adapted to be positioned between the spinous processes, said first wing of a sufficient dimension to prevent said first wing from slipping between the spinous processes; and a sleeve positioned over said central body with said sleeve being able to rotate about said longitudinal axis of said central body so as to be positionable relative to said central body in order to aid in positioning said implant between spinous processes.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 128 words

An implant for relieving pain associated with at least one of spine and surrounding tissues and structures, which implant is positionable between spinous processes of the spine, the implant comprising: a first wing adapted to be positioned adjacent the spinous processes with a central body extending therefrom, said central body having a longitudinal axis and said central body adapted to be positioned between the spinous processes, said first wing of a sufficient dimension to prevent said first wing from slipping between the spinous processes; and a sleeve positioned over said central body with said sleeve being able to rotate about said longitudinal axis of said central body so as to be positionable relative to said central body in order to aid in positioning said implant between spinous processes.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 23 words

The implant of claim 1 wherein: said sleeve has an elliptical cross-section in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 76 words

The implant of claim 1 including: a second wing; said central body having an end located distally from said first wing; a first sleeve guide extending from said first wing; and a first groove provided in said sleeve, such that with the sleeve received over said central body said first groove receives said first sleeve guide from said first wing so that said sleeve can rotate about said central body guided by said first sleeve guide.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

The implant of claim 3 wherein said first guide include first and second pins extending from said first wing respectively.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 11 words

The implant of claim 3 wherein said first grooves are curved.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 12 words

The implant of claim 1 wherein said sleeve has a circular cross-section.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 1 wherein said sleeve has a cylindrical cross-section with a curved peripheral edge.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 12 words

The implant of claim 1 wherein said sleeve is cylindrical in shape.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 14 words

The implant of claim 1 wherein said sleeve is spaced from said central body.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 14 words

The implant of claim 1 wherein said sleeve is comprised of a super-elastic material.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 21 words

The implant of claim 1 wherein said sleeve is comprised of a material that is repeatably deflectable toward said central body.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 28 words

The implant of claim 1 wherein said sleeve is spaced from said central body in order to allow for the deflection of said sleeve toward said central body.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 1 wherein said sleeve is comprised of an alloy of nickel and titanium.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 34 words

The implant of claim 1 wherein: said sleeve can rotate as the implant is inserted between spinous processes from a posterior position to an anterior position closer to vertebral bodies of the spinal column.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 23 words

The implant of claim 1 wherein: said sleeve has a circular cross-section in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 29 words

The implant of claim 1 wherein: said sleeve has a cross-section in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, which cross-section has a curved peripheral edge.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 76 words

An implant for relieving pain associated with at least one of the spine and surrounding tissues and structures, which implant is positionable between spinous processes of the spine, the implant comprising: first means for positioning and retaining said implant relative to spinous processes; second means for adjusting said implant to the anatomical shape of the spinous processes; and said second means extends substantially perpendicular to the first means and including a sleeve rotatable about an axis.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 76 words

An implant for relieving pain associated with at least one of the spine and surrounding tissues and structures, which implant is positionable between spinous processes of the spine, the implant comprising: first means for positioning and retaining said implant relative to spinous processes; second means for adjusting said implant to the anatomical shape of the spinous processes; and said second means extends substantially perpendicular to the first means and including a sleeve rotatable about an axis.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 17 words

The implant of claim 17 wherein said sleeve is positionable relative to said positioning and retaining means.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 22 words

The implant of claim 17 wherein said sleeve has a shape which has a preferred orientation with respect to the spinous processes.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 41 words

The implant of claim 17 wherein said sleeve can move relative to the positioning and retaining means as the implant is inserted between spinous processes from a posterior position to an anterior position closer to vertebral bodies of the spinal column.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 115 words

An implant for relieving pain associated with at least one of the spine and surrounding tissues and structures, which implant is positionable between spinous processes of the spine, the implant comprising: a first member that retains the implant relative to the spinous processes; a second member that is movable relative to said first member such that the second member can be repositioned relative to the first member as the implant is inserted relative to the spinous processes in order for the implant to adjust to the anatomical shape of the spinous processes; and said second member extends substantially perpendicular to the first member along an axis and said second member is rotatable about said axis.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 115 words

An implant for relieving pain associated with at least one of the spine and surrounding tissues and structures, which implant is positionable between spinous processes of the spine, the implant comprising: a first member that retains the implant relative to the spinous processes; a second member that is movable relative to said first member such that the second member can be repositioned relative to the first member as the implant is inserted relative to the spinous processes in order for the implant to adjust to the anatomical shape of the spinous processes; and said second member extends substantially perpendicular to the first member along an axis and said second member is rotatable about said axis.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 40 words

The implant of claim 21 wherein: said second member can move relative to the first member as the implant is inserted between spinous processes from a posterior position to an anterior position closer to vertebral bodies of the spinal column.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 111 words

An implant for relieving pain associated with at least one of the spine and surrounding tissues and structures, which implant is positionable between adjacent spinous processes of the spine, the implant comprising: a first unit including a central body, a guide and a first wing, said first wing located at a first end of said central body and said guide extending from a second end of said central body located distally from said first wing; said central body having a longitudinal axis; a sleeve provided over said central body, said sleeve rotatable about said central body; a second wing; and a device that secures the second wing to the first unit.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 111 words

An implant for relieving pain associated with at least one of the spine and surrounding tissues and structures, which implant is positionable between adjacent spinous processes of the spine, the implant comprising: a first unit including a central body, a guide and a first wing, said first wing located at a first end of said central body and said guide extending from a second end of said central body located distally from said first wing; said central body having a longitudinal axis; a sleeve provided over said central body, said sleeve rotatable about said central body; a second wing; and a device that secures the second wing to the first unit.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 16 words

The implant of claim 23 wherein: said sleeve is cylindrical and is oval in cross-sectional shape.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 22 words

The implant of claim 23 wherein: said sleeve is cylindrical and has a cross-section with a major dimension and a minor dimension.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 14 words

The implant of claim 23 wherein: said sleeve is comprised of a super-elastic material.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 18 words

The implant of claim 23 wherein: said sleeve is comprised of a super-elastic alloy of nickel and titanium.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 30 words

The implant of claim 23 wherein: said guide is pointed in order to allow the central body to be urged between two spinous processes without alteration to the spinous processes.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 95 words

An implant for relieving pain associated with at least one of the spine and surrounding tissues and structures, which implant is positionable between adjacent spinous processes of the spine, the implant comprising: a first unit including a central body, a guide located at a first end of the central body and a stop located at a second end of the central body; said central body having a longitudinal axis; a sleeve provided over said central body, said sleeve rotatable about said central body; and said sleeve held in place between said guide and said stop.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 95 words

An implant for relieving pain associated with at least one of the spine and surrounding tissues and structures, which implant is positionable between adjacent spinous processes of the spine, the implant comprising: a first unit including a central body, a guide located at a first end of the central body and a stop located at a second end of the central body; said central body having a longitudinal axis; a sleeve provided over said central body, said sleeve rotatable about said central body; and said sleeve held in place between said guide and said stop.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 19 words

The implant of claim 29 wherein: said sleeve has a cross-section with a major dimension and a minor dimension.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 14 words

The implant of claim 29 wherein: said sleeve is comprised of a super-elastic material.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-05-21	2004-11-20	2005-05-22	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-05-21	2008-11-20	2009-05-22	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-05-21	2012-11-20	2013-05-22	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Spine distraction implant

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