Patent US6589247B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6589247B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Distraction instrument with fins for maintaining insertion location
Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc
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Filing: 2001-07-30
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Granted: 2003-07-08
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Expires: 2021-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A tip for a medical device that distracts two opposing vertebral bodies. The tip has a hub, a boss, and a first longitudinal fin. The boss is attached the hub and has a body, a tapered portion, and a vertex. The first fin is attached to the boss, and projects from at least a portion of the boss's external surface. The first fin then extends over at least a portion of the length of the body and substantially extends over the length of the tapered portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas V. McGahan
- 👤 Steven D. DeRidder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B2017/0256
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A distraction member for distracting a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising: a distraction tip adapted for insertion between the adjacent vertebral bodies to distract the disc space; and at least one fin secured to said distraction tip, at least a portion of the at least one fin extending transversely from said distraction tip and adapted to engage a corresponding one of the adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A distraction member for distracting a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising: a distraction tip adapted for insertion between the adjacent vertebral bodies to distract the disc space; and at least one fin secured to said distraction tip, at least a portion of the at least one fin extending transversely from said distraction tip and adapted to engage a corresponding one of the adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The distraction member of claim 1 , wherein portions of the at least one fin extend transversely from opposite sides of said distraction tip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The distraction member of claim 1 , wherein said at least one fin extends beyond a distal end of said distraction tip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
A distraction member for distracting a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising: a distraction tip adapted for insertion between the adjacent vertebral bodies to distract the disc space, said distraction tip having a tapered distal portion; and at least one fin, at least a portion of the fin extending transversely from said distraction tip and adapted to engage a corresponding one of the adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A distraction member for distracting a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising: a distraction tip adapted for insertion between the adjacent vertebral bodies to distract the disc space, said distraction tip having a tapered distal portion; and at least one fin, at least a portion of the fin extending transversely from said distraction tip and adapted to engage a corresponding one of the adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The distraction member of claim 4 , said tapered distal portion of said distraction tip defines a vertex.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The distraction member of claim 5 , wherein said at least one fin is coterminous with said vertex.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The distraction member of claim 5 , wherein a portion of said at least one fin projects distally beyond said vertex.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The distraction member of claim 4 , wherein said at least one fin extends beyond a distal end of said distraction tip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
82 words
A distraction member for distracting a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising: a distraction tip adapted for insertion between the adjacent vertebral bodies to distract the disc space; a hub extending axially from said distraction tip, a portion of said hub extending transversely beyond said distraction tip to form a shoulder; and at least one fin, at least a portion of the fin extending transversely from said distraction tip and adapted to engage a corresponding one of the adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
82 words
A distraction member for distracting a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising: a distraction tip adapted for insertion between the adjacent vertebral bodies to distract the disc space; a hub extending axially from said distraction tip, a portion of said hub extending transversely beyond said distraction tip to form a shoulder; and at least one fin, at least a portion of the fin extending transversely from said distraction tip and adapted to engage a corresponding one of the adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The distraction member of claim 9 , wherein said at least one fin extends beyond a distal end of said distraction tip.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for establishing a disc space height between two adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising: providing a distraction member having a distraction tip and at least one longitudinally extending fin secured to said tip; positioning the tip against the adjacent vertebral bodies; and advancing the distraction tip between the adjacent vertebral bodies to restore the disc space height, the fin in intimate engagement with at least one of the adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for establishing a disc space height between two adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising: providing a distraction member having a distraction tip and at least one longitudinally extending fin secured to said tip; positioning the tip against the adjacent vertebral bodies; and advancing the distraction tip between the adjacent vertebral bodies to restore the disc space height, the fin in intimate engagement with at least one of the adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the tip includes a distal end and the fin extends beyond the distal end, and the positioning includes inserting the distal end of the fin into the disc space prior to the distraction tip entering the disc space.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the distraction tip includes an atramatic leading tip and the fin extends above the surface of the atramatic tip such that upon advancement into the disc space, the fin engages at least one of the upper and lower vertebral bodies prior to engagement with the atramatic insertion tip.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 11 , further including providing a second distraction member having a fin; positioning the second distraction member with a fin adjacent the disc space laterally spaced from and in substantial alignment with the first distraction member; and advancing the first and second distraction members into the disc space.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for distracting a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising: providing a distraction member having a distraction tip sized for insertion within the disc space and at least one longitudinally extending fin secured to the distraction tip; inserting the distraction tip between the adjacent vertebral bodies; and engaging the fin with a corresponding one of the adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for distracting a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising: providing a distraction member having a distraction tip sized for insertion within the disc space and at least one longitudinally extending fin secured to the distraction tip; inserting the distraction tip between the adjacent vertebral bodies; and engaging the fin with a corresponding one of the adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the fin extends beyond a distal end of the distraction tip; and further comprising positioning the distal end of the fin into the disc space prior to the inserting.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the fin extends transversely from the distraction tip, and wherein the engaging occurs prior to the inserting.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the engaging comprises cutting into the at least one of the adjacent vertebral bodies.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the engaging maintains an orientation of the distraction tip during the inserting.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the distraction member includes an atramatic tip and the fin extends above a surface of the atramatic tip such that upon advancement into the disc space, the fin engages at least one of the adjacent vertebral bodies prior to engagement with the atramatic tip.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-07-07 | 2007-01-06 | 2007-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-07-07 | 2011-01-06 | 2011-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-07-07 | 2015-01-06 | 2015-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |