US6290724B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods for separating and stabilizing adjacent vertebrae
Assignee: Nuvasive Inc
•
Filing: 1999-05-26
•
Granted: 2001-09-18
•
Expires: 2019-05-26
Abstract
Abstract A method for separating and stabilizing adjacent vertebrae ( 50 and 52 ), comprising: introducing insert ( 20 ) between vertebrae ( 50 and 52 ); rotating insert ( 20 ) to engage cam surfaces ( 32 and 34 ) thereon against vertebrae ( 50 and 52 ) to move vertebrae ( 50 and 52 ) apart; and anchoring insert ( 20 ) between vertebrae ( 50 and 52 ). A posterolateral and percutaneous method of separating and stabilizing adjacent vertebrae ( 50 and 52 ), comprising: percutaneously introducing a first insert ( 19 a ) and a second insert ( 19 b ) between adjacent vertebrae ( 50 and 52 ) with rotational axes ( 26 a and 26 b ) of insert ( 19 a ) and 19 b ) being at a generally right angle to one another. An intervertebral insert ( 20 ) comprising a body having a posterior end ( 22 ), an anterior end ( 24 ), a rotational axis ( 26 ) between ends ( 22 and 24 ), and a pair of outwardly facing convexly curved surfaces ( 32 and 34 ) which are disposed generally parallel to rotational axis ( 26 ) and which are adapted to engage and separate opposed vertebral surfaces ( 50 and 52 ) when insert ( 20 ) is placed between adjacent vertebrae ( 50 and 52 ) and rotated.
Inventors
- 👤 James F. Marino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B2017/0256; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2821; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30125; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/30235; A61F2002/30261; A61F2002/30266; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/4485; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2/4657; A61F2002/4666; A61F2002/4667; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0008; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2230/0082; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00017; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00161; A61F2310/00179
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for separating and stabilizing adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising: introducing a first insert between the vertebrae, the first insert having a pair of opposite outwardly facing convexly curved camming surfaces and a pair of opposite generally flattened vertebral support surfaces, and wherein the outwardly facing convexly curved camming surfaces are positioned adjacent the vertebrae; and rotating the first insert to engage the outwardly facing convexly curved camming surfaces against the vertebrae to move the vertebrae apart.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for separating and stabilizing adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising: introducing a first insert between the vertebrae, the first insert having a pair of opposite outwardly facing convexly curved camming surfaces and a pair of opposite generally flattened vertebral support surfaces, and wherein the outwardly facing convexly curved camming surfaces are positioned adjacent the vertebrae; and rotating the first insert to engage the outwardly facing convexly curved camming surfaces against the vertebrae to move the vertebrae apart.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as in claim 1 , further comprising anchoring the insert between the vertebrae.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as in claim 1 , wherein the insert is inserted percutaneously.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as in claim 3 , wherein percutaneous insertion of the insert comprises introducing a cannula and introducing the insert therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as in claim 3 , wherein the cannula has a non-symmetrical passage therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as in claim 5 , wherein the non-symmetrical passage is oval or racetrack-shaped.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as in claim 1 , further comprising: introducing a second insert between the vertebrae, wherein the second insert is laterally spaced apart from the first insert; and rotating the second insert to support separation of the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as in claim 7 , further comprising anchoring the first and second inserts between the vertebrae.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as in claim 2 or 8 , wherein anchoring comprises embedding penetrating elements on the insert into opposed surfaces of the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as in claim 9 , wherein anchoring comprises rotating the insert until the penetrating elements are fully embedded.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as in claim 7 , wherein the first and second insert are oriented at an angle to one another.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as in claim 11 , wherein the angle is in the range from 70 and 135 degrees.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as in claim 1 , wherein the method is performed without prior distraction of the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as in claim 1 , wherein the insert is inserted posterolaterally.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as in claim 1 , further comprising measuring the torque required to rotate the implant.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the outwardly facing convexly curved camming surfaces each have a degree of curvature corresponding to an arc section defined by an angle in the range of 15° to 40°.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein the convexly curved camming surfaces each have a degree of curvature corresponding to an arc section defined by an angle of about 20°.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of positioning a first and a second insert between adjacent vertebrae along a spinal axis, comprising: introducing the first insert between adjacent vertebrae, the first insert having a cross-section having a long axis and a short axis, wherein the first insert is inserted while oriented with its short axis being generally aligned with the spinal axis; introducing the second insert between adjacent vertebrae, the second insert having a cross-section having a long axis and a short axis, wherein the second insert is inserted while oriented with its short axis being generally aligned with the spinal axis; wherein the first insert and second insert are oriented at opposite posterolateral angles to one another.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of positioning a first and a second insert between adjacent vertebrae along a spinal axis, comprising: introducing the first insert between adjacent vertebrae, the first insert having a cross-section having a long axis and a short axis, wherein the first insert is inserted while oriented with its short axis being generally aligned with the spinal axis; introducing the second insert between adjacent vertebrae, the second insert having a cross-section having a long axis and a short axis, wherein the second insert is inserted while oriented with its short axis being generally aligned with the spinal axis; wherein the first insert and second insert are oriented at opposite posterolateral angles to one another.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of positioning a first and a second insert between adjacent vertebrae, as in claim 18 , wherein the inserts are inserted percutaneously.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of positioning a first and a second insert between adjacent vertebrae, as in claim 19 , wherein precutaneous insertion of the insert comprise introducing the first insert through a first cannula and introducing the second insert through a second cannula.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of positioning a first and a second insert between adjacent vertebrae, as in claim 20 , wherein the cannulae have a non-symmetrical passage therethrough.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of positioning a first and a second insert between adjacent vertebrae, as in claim 18 , wherein the inserts are inserted posterolaterally.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of positioning a first and a second insert between adjacent vertebrae, as in claim 18 , further comprising, rotating the first insert such that cam surfaces of the first insert separates the adjacent vertebrae; and rotating the second insert such that cam surfaces of the second insert separates the adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of positioning an insert between adjacent vertebrae, as in claim 18 , wherein the angle is in the range from 70 to 180 degrees.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for inserting a plurality of inserts in a patient's intervertebral space, comprising: advancing a first insert through a first cannula into the intervertebral space; rotating the first insert, thereby positioning the first insert between adjacent vertebrae; advancing a first push rod through a second cannula to move the first insert away from the distal end of the first cannula; advancing a second insert through the second cannula into the intervertebral space; rotating the second inserter; and advancing a second push rod through the first cannula to move the second insert in an direction away from a distal end of the second cannula.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for inserting a plurality of inserts in a patient's intervertebral space, comprising: advancing a first insert through a first cannula into the intervertebral space; rotating the first insert, thereby positioning the first insert between adjacent vertebrae; advancing a first push rod through a second cannula to move the first insert away from the distal end of the first cannula; advancing a second insert through the second cannula into the intervertebral space; rotating the second inserter; and advancing a second push rod through the first cannula to move the second insert in an direction away from a distal end of the second cannula.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein, the directions away from the distal ends of the first and second cannulae are anterior directions.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 25 , further comprising: advancing a third insert through the first cannula into the intervertebral space; rotating the third insert, thereby positioning the third insert between adjacent vertebrae; and advancing the first push rod through the second cannula to move the third insert away from the distal end of the first cannula.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 25 , further comprising: advancing a fourth insert through the second cannula into the intervertebral space; rotating the fourth insert, thereby positioning the fourth insert between adjacent vertebrae; and advancing the second push rod through the first cannula to move the fourth insert away from the distal end of the second cannula.
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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) | 2004-09-17 | 2005-03-19 | 2005-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-09-17 | 2009-03-19 | 2009-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-09-17 | 2013-03-19 | 2013-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |