US6613054B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Systems and methods for placing materials into bone
Assignee: Orthophoenix LLC
•
Filing: 2001-03-12
•
Granted: 2003-09-02
•
Expires: 2021-03-12
Abstract
Abstract Systems and methods for delivering material into bone deploy a cannula through soft tissue to establish a subcutaneous path into bone. A material is introduced into bone through the cannula. The systems and methods advance a tamping instrument through the cannula to urge material residing in the cannula into bone. The introducing step delivers material at a pressure no greater than about 360 psi.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Scribner
- 👤 Michael L Reo
- 👤 Mark A Reiley
- 👤 Ryan Boucher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4601; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/88; A61B17/8802; A61B17/8805; A61B17/8816; A61B17/8822; A61B17/8833; A61B17/885; A61B17/8852; A61B17/8855; A61B17/16; A61B17/1662; A61B17/1671; A61B17/34; A61B17/3472; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7097; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/0046; A61B2017/00464; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61B50/00; A61B2050/005; A61B2050/0065; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/062; A61B50/30; A61B50/33; A61B90/39; A61F2/44; A61F2/4603; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/3008; A61F2/4657; A61F2002/4662; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/0096; A61F2250/0098; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00353
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 112
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone and including at least one radiopaque marker, and a tamping instrument having a tamping terminus, the tamping instrument being sized and configured for manipulation independent of the cannula to enable insertion of the tamping instrument into the cannula, advancement of the tamping terminus in the cannula to urge material residing in the cannula into bone, and withdrawal of the tamping terminus from the cannula.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone and including at least one radiopaque marker, and a tamping instrument having a tamping terminus, the tamping instrument being sized and configured for manipulation independent of the cannula to enable insertion of the tamping instrument into the cannula, advancement of the tamping terminus in the cannula to urge material residing in the cannula into bone, and withdrawal of the tamping terminus from the cannula.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cannula has a length, and wherein the length of the tamping instrument exceeds the length of the cannula.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a removable handle is carried by the proximal end of the cannula.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein handle is carried by the proximal end of the tamping instrument.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein, when the tamping instrument is fully inserted into the cannula, the handle is adjacent the proximal end of the cannula.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cannula comprises a generally rigid material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tamping instrument comprises a generally rigid material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tamping instrument has a blunt distal end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cannula has a blunt distal end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tamping instrument and the cannula each have a blunt distal end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a delivery device to convey material into the cannula.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tamping instrument includes at least one marking to visually gauge the advancement the terminus relative to the distal end of the cannula.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the at least one marking indicates when the distal end of the tamping instrument is aligned with the distal end of the cannula instrument.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tamping instrument includes a set point marking spaced from the terminus at a distance generally equal to the length of the cannula.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the tamping instrument includes at least one additional marking to visually gauge advancement of the terminus relative to the distal end of the cannula.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in the tamping instrument includes at least one radiopaque marker.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cannula is plastic.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the tamping instrument is plastic.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tamping instrument has a substantially constant diameter along its length.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the material is bone cement.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the material comprises autograft material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the material comprises allograft material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the material comprises calcium carbonate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the material comprises demineralized bone matrix material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the material comprises calcium phosphate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone, and a tamping instrument having a tamping terminus and including at least one marking to visually gauge the advancement of the terminus relative to the distal end of the cannula, the tamping instrument being sized and configured for manipulation independent of the cannula to enable insertion of the tamping instrument into the cannula, advancement of the tamping terminus in the cannula to urge material residing in the cannula into bone, and withdrawal of the tamping terminus from the cannula.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone, and a tamping instrument having a tamping terminus and including at least one marking to visually gauge the advancement of the terminus relative to the distal end of the cannula, the tamping instrument being sized and configured for manipulation independent of the cannula to enable insertion of the tamping instrument into the cannula, advancement of the tamping terminus in the cannula to urge material residing in the cannula into bone, and withdrawal of the tamping terminus from the cannula.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the at least one marking indicates when the distal end of the tamping instrument is aligned with the distal end of the cannula instrument.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the tamping instrument includes a set point marking spaced from the terminus at a distance generally equal to the length of the cannula.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the tamping instrument includes at least one additional marking to visually gauge advancement of the terminus relative to the distal end of the cannula.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone, the cannula including at least one radiopaque marker and being sized and configured to accept insertion and withdrawal of a first instrument in the cannula, and a tamping instrument separate from the first instrument having a tamping terminus, the tamping instrument being sized and configured for manipulation independent of the cannula to enable insertion of the tamping instrument into the cannula and advancement of the tamping terminus in the cannula to urge material residing in the cannula into the bone.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone, the cannula including at least one radiopaque marker and being sized and configured to accept insertion and withdrawal of a first instrument in the cannula, and a tamping instrument separate from the first instrument having a tamping terminus, the tamping instrument being sized and configured for manipulation independent of the cannula to enable insertion of the tamping instrument into the cannula and advancement of the tamping terminus in the cannula to urge material residing in the cannula into the bone.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone, the cannula being sized and configured to accept insertion and withdrawal of a first instrument in the cannula, and a tamping instrument separate from the first instrument having a tamping terminus, the tamping instrument including at least one marking to visually gauge the advancement of the terminus relative to the distal end of the cannula and being sized and configured for manipulation independent of the cannula to enable insertion of the tamping instrument into the cannula and advancement of the tamping terminus in the cannula to urge material residing the cannula into bone.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone, the cannula being sized and configured to accept insertion and withdrawal of a first instrument in the cannula, and a tamping instrument separate from the first instrument having a tamping terminus, the tamping instrument including at least one marking to visually gauge the advancement of the terminus relative to the distal end of the cannula and being sized and configured for manipulation independent of the cannula to enable insertion of the tamping instrument into the cannula and advancement of the tamping terminus in the cannula to urge material residing the cannula into bone.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein the at least one marking indicates when the distal end of the tamping instrument is aligned with the distal end of the cannula instrument.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein the tamping instrument includes a set point marking spaced from the terminus at a distance generally equal to the length of the cannula.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the tamping instrument includes at least one additional marking to visually gauge advancement of the terminus relative to the distal end of the cannula.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone and including at least one radiopaque marker; and a tamping instrument for advancement through the cannula comprising a body portion and a handle portion, the handle portion having a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the body portion.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone and including at least one radiopaque marker; and a tamping instrument for advancement through the cannula comprising a body portion and a handle portion, the handle portion having a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the body portion.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone; and a tamping instrument for advancement through the cannula including at least one marking to visually gauge the advancement of the terminus relative to the distal end of the cannula and comprising a body portion and a handle portion, the handle portion having a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the body portion.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone; and a tamping instrument for advancement through the cannula including at least one marking to visually gauge the advancement of the terminus relative to the distal end of the cannula and comprising a body portion and a handle portion, the handle portion having a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the body portion.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 36 wherein the at least one marking indicates when the distal end of the tamping instrument is aligned with the distal end of the cannula instrument.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 36 wherein the tamping instrument includes a set point marking spaced from the terminus at a distance generally equal to the length of the cannula.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 38 wherein the tamping instrument includes at least one additional marking to visually gauge advancement of the terminus relative to the distal end of the cannula.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone and including at least one radiopaque marker; and a tamping instrument for advancement through the cannula comprising a body portion and a handle portion, the body portion being sized and configured to substantially fill the cannula when the tamping instrument is fully inserted into the cannula.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone and including at least one radiopaque marker; and a tamping instrument for advancement through the cannula comprising a body portion and a handle portion, the body portion being sized and configured to substantially fill the cannula when the tamping instrument is fully inserted into the cannula.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone; and a tamping instrument for advancement through the cannula including at least one marking to visually gauge the advancement of the terminus relative to the distal end of the cannula, and comprising a body portion and a handle portion, the body portion being sized and configured to substantially fill the cannula when the tamping instrument is fully inserted into the cannula.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone; and a tamping instrument for advancement through the cannula including at least one marking to visually gauge the advancement of the terminus relative to the distal end of the cannula, and comprising a body portion and a handle portion, the body portion being sized and configured to substantially fill the cannula when the tamping instrument is fully inserted into the cannula.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 41 wherein the at least one marking indicates when the distal end of the tamping instrument is aligned with the distal end of the cannula instrument.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 41 wherein the tamping instrument includes a set point marking spaced from the terminus at a distance generally equal to the length of the cannula.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 43 wherein the tamping instrument includes at least one additional marking to visually gauge advancement of the terminus relative to the distal end of the cannula.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone and including at least one radiopaque marker; and a tamping instrument for advancement through the cannula comprising a body portion and a handle portion, the body portion having a substantially constant diameter along its length.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone and including at least one radiopaque marker; and a tamping instrument for advancement through the cannula comprising a body portion and a handle portion, the body portion having a substantially constant diameter along its length.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone; and a tamping instrument for advancement through the cannula including at least one marking to visually gauge the advancement of the terminus relative to the distal end of the cannula and comprising a body portion and a handle portion, the body portion having a substantially constant diameter along its length.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone; and a tamping instrument for advancement through the cannula including at least one marking to visually gauge the advancement of the terminus relative to the distal end of the cannula and comprising a body portion and a handle portion, the body portion having a substantially constant diameter along its length.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 46 wherein the at least one marking indicates when the distal end of the tamping instrument is aligned with distal end of the cannula instrument.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone; and a tamping instrument for advancement through the cannula including a set point marking spaced from the terminus at a distance generally equal to the length of the cannula and comprising a body portion and a handle portion, the body portion having a substantially constant diameter along its length.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone; and a tamping instrument for advancement through the cannula including a set point marking spaced from the terminus at a distance generally equal to the length of the cannula and comprising a body portion and a handle portion, the body portion having a substantially constant diameter along its length.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 48 wherein the tamping instrument includes at least one additional marking to visually gauge advancement of the terminus relative to the distal end of the cannula.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone, the cannula comprising a generally rigid material and including at least one radiopaque marker, a tamping instrument comprising a generally rigid material and having a tamping terminus, the tamping instrument being sized and configured for manipulation independent of the cannula to enable insertion of the tamping instrument into the cannula, advancement of the tamping terminus in the cannula to urge material residing in the cannula into bone, and withdrawal of the tamping terminus from the cannula, and a handle carried by the proximal end of the tamping instrument.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for delivering material into bone comprising a cannula for establishing a subcutaneous path into bone, the cannula comprising a generally rigid material and including at least one radiopaque marker, a tamping instrument comprising a generally rigid material and having a tamping terminus, the tamping instrument being sized and configured for manipulation independent of the cannula to enable insertion of the tamping instrument into the cannula, advancement of the tamping terminus in the cannula to urge material residing in the cannula into bone, and withdrawal of the tamping terminus from the cannula, and a handle carried by the proximal end of the tamping instrument.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 50 wherein the tamping instrument has a blunt distal end.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 51 wherein the cannula is sized and configured to accept insertion and withdrawal of a first instrument in the cannula, and wherein the tamping instrument is separate from the first instrument.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 52 wherein the handle carried by the tamping instrument has a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the tamping terminus of the tamping instrument.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 53 wherein the tamping instrument is sized an configured to substantially fill the cannula.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 54 wherein the tamping instrument has a substantially constant diameter along its length.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 50 wherein the cannula has a length, and wherein the length of the tamping instrument exceeds the length of the cannula.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 56 wherein the tamping instrument has a substantially blunt distal end.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 57 wherein the cannula is sized and configured to accept insertion and withdrawal of a first instrument in the cannula, and wherein the tamping instrument and the first instrument are different instruments.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 58 wherein the handle carried by the tamping instrument has a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the tamping terminus of the tamping instrument.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 59 wherein the tamping instrument is sized and configured to substantially fill the cannula.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 60 wherein the tamping instrument has a substantially constant diameter along its length.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 61 wherein, when the tamping instrument fully occupies the cannula, the handle carried by the tamping instrument is adjacent the proximal end of the cannula.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 62 wherein the cannula has a blunt distal end.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 63 wherein a removable handle is carried by the proximal end of the cannula.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 64 wherein the tamping instrument has a generally blunt distal end.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 65 wherein the cannula is sized and configured to accept insertion and withdrawal of a first instrument in the cannula, and wherein the tamping instrument is separate from the first instrument.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 66 wherein the handle carried by the tamping instrument has a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the tamping terminus of the tamping instrument.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 67 wherein the tamping instrument is sized and configured to substantially fill the cannula.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 68 wherein the tamping instrument has a substantially constant diameter along its length.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 50 wherein, when the tamping instrument fully occupies substantially the entire cannula, the handle carried the tamping instrument is adjacent the proximal end of the cannula.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 70 wherein the tamping instrument has a blunt distal end.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 71 wherein the cannula is sized and configured to accept insertion and withdrawal of a first instrument in the cannula, and wherein the tamping instrument is separate from the first instrument.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 72 wherein the handle carried by the tamping instrument has a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the tamping terminus of the tamping instrument.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 73 wherein the tamping instrument is sized and configured to substantially fill the cannula.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 74 wherein the tamping instrument has a substantially constant diameter along its length.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 70 wherein the cannula has a blunt distal end.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 76 wherein a removable handle is carried by the proximal end of the cannula.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 77 wherein the tamping instrument has a blunt distal end.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 78 wherein the cannula is sized and configured to accept insertion and withdrawal of a first instrument in the cannula, and wherein the tamping instrument is separate from the first instrument.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 79 wherein the handle carried by the tamping instrument has a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the tamping terminus of the tamping instrument.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 80 wherein the tamping instrument is sized and configured to substantially fill the cannula.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 81 wherein the tamping instrument has a substantially constant diameter along its length.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 50 wherein the cannula has a blunt distal end.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 83 wherein the tamping instrument has a blunt distal end.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 84 wherein the cannula is sized and configured to accept insertion and withdrawal of a first instrument in the cannula, and wherein the tamping instrument is separate from the first instrument.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 85 wherein the handle carried by the tamping instrument has a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the tamping terminus of the tamping instrument.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 86 wherein the tamping instrument is sized and configured to substantially fill the cannula.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 87 wherein the tamping instrument has a substantially constant diameter along substantially its entire length.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 83 wherein a removable handle is carried by the proximal end of the cannula.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 89 wherein the tamping instrument has a blunt distal end.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 90 wherein the cannula is sized and configured to accept insertion and withdrawal of a first instrument in the cannula, and wherein the tamping instrument is separate from the first instrument.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 91 wherein the handle carried by the tamping instrument has a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the tamping terminus of the tamping instrument.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 92 wherein the tamping instrument is sized and configured to substantially fill the cannula.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 93 wherein the tamping instrument has a substantially constant diameter along its length.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 50 wherein a removable handle is carried by the proximal end of the cannula.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 95 wherein the tamping instrument has a blunt distal end.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 95 wherein the cannula is sized and configured to accept insertion and withdrawal of a first instrument in the cannula, and wherein the tamping instrument is separate from the first instrument.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 95 wherein the handle carried by the tamping instrument has a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the tamping terminus of the tamping instrument.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 95 wherein the tamping instrument is sized and configured to substantially fill the cannula.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 95 wherein the tamping instrument has a substantially constant diameter along its length.
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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) | 2006-09-01 | 2007-03-03 | 2007-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-09-01 | 2011-03-03 | 2011-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-09-01 | 2015-03-03 | 2015-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |