Patent US6719760B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6719760B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Devices and methods for implanting fusion cages
Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc
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Filing: 2003-06-17
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Granted: 2004-04-13
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Expires: 2023-06-17
Abstract
Abstract Methods and instrumentation for spinal interbody fusion are disclosed. The instruments and methods are particularly adapted for interbody fusion in an unreamed disc space. One instrument is a distractor assembly including a first distractor and a second distractor configured to be inserted in side-by-side relation in the disc space. Fusion cages adapted for insertion into an unreamed disc space are provided to enhance load distribution between adjacent vertebral bodies and lateral stability of the spinal column. The fusion cages may be inserted after distracting the disc space with the distractor assembly. Instruments for preparing the disc space through the inserted fusion cages or for use with the distractor assembly are also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 John D. Dorchak
- 👤 Eddie F. Ray, III
- 👤 John L. White
- 👤 Bret M. Berry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B17/1659; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B17/1662; A61B17/1671; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/4455; A61F2/446; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61B17/17; A61B17/1739; A61B17/1757; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/32002; A61B2017/0256; A61B90/00; A61B90/03; A61B2090/033; A61B2090/036; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30744; A61F2/442; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2817; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/30205; A61F2002/3021; A61F2002/30217; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30405; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30593; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30774; A61F2002/30777; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/30787; A61F2002/30789; A61F2002/3082; A61F2002/3085; A61F2002/30858; A61F2002/30861; A61F2002/30873; A61F2002/448; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4627; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0067
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for distracting a spinal disc space, the method comprising: inserting a first distractor in the spinal disc space; inserting a second distractor in the spinal disc space; and maintaining a spacing between the first distractor and the second distractor during insertion with a guide surface medially offset from one of the first and second distractors.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for distracting a spinal disc space, the method comprising: inserting a first distractor in the spinal disc space; inserting a second distractor in the spinal disc space; and maintaining a spacing between the first distractor and the second distractor during insertion with a guide surface medially offset from one of the first and second distractors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second distractors have a central axis extending therethrough when in side-by side relation and the guide surface is offset from the central axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the first distractor and inserting the second distractor distracts the disc space to a desired disc space height.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein one of the first and second distractors includes a medially extending portion extending therealong that includes the guide surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising anchoring at least one of the first and second distractors to an adjacent vertebrae.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: removing one of the first and second distractors; and guiding insertion of at least one implant into a distraction channel formed in the spinal disc space after withdrawal of the one of the first and second distractors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the first distractor includes a body portion having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, the first distractor including a connecting portion extending from the trailing end of the body portion; and the second distractor includes a body portion having a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, the second distractor including a connecting portion extending from the trailing end of the body portion, the connecting portion of the second distractor including a guide member extending proximally therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the guide member includes the guide surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the guide surface includes a concave shape.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for distracting a spinal disc space, comprising: providing a first distractor including a guide surface extending therealong; providing a second distractor; assembling the first and second distractors with the second distractor abutting the guide surface to form a distractor assembly, the distractor assembly having a central axis with the guide surface of the first distractor offset from the central axis; and inserting the first and second distractors into the spinal disc space.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for distracting a spinal disc space, comprising: providing a first distractor including a guide surface extending therealong; providing a second distractor; assembling the first and second distractors with the second distractor abutting the guide surface to form a distractor assembly, the distractor assembly having a central axis with the guide surface of the first distractor offset from the central axis; and inserting the first and second distractors into the spinal disc space.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the first distractor comprises a medially extending portion including the guide surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10 , further including preparing a starter channel at the anterior lip of the spinal disc space adjacent the distractor insertion locations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 10 , further comprising removing the second distractor from the spinal disc space to form a distraction channel in the spinal disc space at the second distractor location.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising: providing a fusion cage having a trailing end and a leading end; and inserting the fusion cage in the spinal disc space while maintaining lateral positioning of the fusion cage in the spinal disc space with the guide surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 14 , further comprising further comprising removing the first distractor from the spinal disc space to form a distraction channel in the spinal disc space at the first distractor location.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 15 , further comprising: providing a second fusion cage having a leading end and a trailing end; and inserting the second fusion cage in the spinal disc space in the distraction channel of the removed first distractor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein the inserted fusion cages each include at least one opening providing communication between a hollow interior of the cage and the adjacent vertebral endplates and further comprising removing bony material from the adjacent vertebral endplate through the opening.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17 , further comprising placing bone growth material in the hollow interior of the fusion cages.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
109 words
A distractor assembly for performing a surgical procedure in a spinal disc space, the distractor assembly having a central axis extending therethrough, said distractor assembly comprising: first distractor insertable in the spinal disc space at a first implant location offset to a first side of the central axis; and a second distractor positionable adjacent said first distractor and insertable in the spinal disc space at a second implant location offset to a second side of the central axis, at least one of said first and second distractors including a medially extending portion to separate said first and second distractors from one another on opposite sides of the central axis.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
109 words
A distractor assembly for performing a surgical procedure in a spinal disc space, the distractor assembly having a central axis extending therethrough, said distractor assembly comprising: first distractor insertable in the spinal disc space at a first implant location offset to a first side of the central axis; and a second distractor positionable adjacent said first distractor and insertable in the spinal disc space at a second implant location offset to a second side of the central axis, at least one of said first and second distractors including a medially extending portion to separate said first and second distractors from one another on opposite sides of the central axis.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The distractor assembly of claim 19 , wherein said medially extending portion includes a guide surface offset a distance from the central axis toward the other of said first and second distractors.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
The distractor assembly of claim 19 , wherein said first distractor includes a first shaft and a first body portion at a distal end of said first shaft and said second distractor includes a second shaft and a second body portion at a distal end of said second shaft.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
The distractor assembly of claim 21 , wherein said first body portion includes a first width at a trailing end thereof and said second body portion includes a second width at a trailing end thereof, said first width being greater than said second width.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The distractor assembly of claim 21 , wherein each of said first and second body portions includes a tapered leading end to facilitate insertion of said body portion into the spinal disc space.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The distractor assembly of claim 21 , wherein each of said first and second body portions includes upper and lower surfaces, said upper and lower surfaces being roughened therealong to contact adjacent vertebral endplates.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The distractor assembly of claim 21 , wherein said medially extending portion extends from one of said first and second shafts.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The distractor assembly of claim 25 , wherein said first and second shafts are removably attached to said body portions.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
67 words
The distractor assembly of claim 21 , wherein each of said first and second body portions includes a lateral spacer extending therefrom opposite the other of said first and second body portions, said lateral spacers each including a width that tapers from a maximum width at a trailing end of said body portion thereof to a minimum width at a distal end of said body portion thereof.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The distractor assembly of claim 27 , wherein said medially extending portion extends from one of said first and second body portions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The distractor assembly of claim 21 , wherein said medially extending portion extends from one of said first and second body portions.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
57 words
The distractor assembly of claim 29 , wherein each of said first and second body portions includes a length extending between a leading end and a trailing end, said each of said first and second body portions further including a height along said length sufficient to distract the spinal disc space to a desired disc space height.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The distractor assembly of claim 30 , wherein said medially extending portion includes a height less than the height of said first and second body portions of said one of said first and second distractors.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
44 words
The distractor assembly of claim 31 , wherein said medially extending portion extends from said trailing end of said one of said first and second body portions to a position proximate said leading end of said one of said first and second body portions.
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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) | 2007-04-13 | 2007-10-13 | 2008-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-04-13 | 2011-10-13 | 2012-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-04-13 | 2015-10-13 | 2016-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |