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Patent US6740119B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6740119B2
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Method of distracting vertebral bones
Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp
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Filing: 2002-08-16
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Granted: 2004-05-25
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Expires: 2022-08-16
Abstract
Abstract A surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies to their proper anatomical spacing including sequentially inserting and removing a series of progressively wider cylindrical spacer elements into the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bones until the distance between the vertebral bones is anatomically appropriate.
Inventors
- 👤 James D. Ralph
- 👤 Stephen Tatar
- 👤 Thomas J. Errico
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/025; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/44; A61F2/442; A61F2/4455; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611; A61F2/4684; A61B2017/0256; A61B2017/564; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30113; A61F2002/30159; A61F2002/30166; A61F2002/30199; A61F2002/302; A61F2002/30224; A61F2002/3023; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30383; A61F2002/30385; A61F2002/3039; A61F2002/30392; A61F2002/30395; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/305; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30574; A61F2002/30604; A61F2002/30616; A61F2002/30617; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30672; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/3082; A61F2002/30822; A61F2002/4625; A61F2002/4628; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0006; A61F2230/0028; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0065; A61F2230/0069; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/0096; A61F2250/0097; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
A surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies comprising sequentially inserting and removing a series of progressively wider spacer elements into a, intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bones until a desired distance between the vertebral bones is established.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
37 words
A surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies comprising sequentially inserting and removing a series of progressively wider spacer elements into a, intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bones until a desired distance between the vertebral bones is established.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said series of progressively wider spacer elements includes at least one spacer element having upper and lower surfaces which are substantially parallel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies as set forth in claim 2 , wherein at least one of said progressively wider spacer elements comprises a solid metal disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies as set forth in claim 2 , wherein at least one of said progressively wider spacer elements comprises a porous metal disc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies as set forth in claim 2 , wherein at least one of said progressively wider spacer elements comprises a non-porous organic implantable material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies as set forth in claim 2 , wherein at least one of said progressively wider spacer elements comprises a porous organic implantable material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said series of progressively wider spacer elements includes at least one lapered spacer element, said tapered spacer element being defined by upper and lower surfaces which are non-parallel such that said tapered spacer element comprises a wedge-shaped member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies as set forth in claim 3 , wherein at least one of said progressively wider spacer elements comprises a solid metal disc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies as set forth in claim 3 , wherein at least one of said progressively wider spacer elements comprises a porous metal disc.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies as set forth in claim 7 , wherein at least one of said progressively wider spacer elements comprises a non-porous organic implantable material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical treatment for distracting vertebral bodies as set forth in claim 3 , wherein at least one of said progressively wider spacer elements comprises a porous organic implantable material.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
50 words
A method for placing a spinal column in a desired configuration, comprising: exposing an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bones; and distracting the space by sequentially inserting therein and subsequently removing therefrom a plurality of intervertebral spacers, each having a respective thickness, the thicknesses increasing from one spacer to another.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
50 words
A method for placing a spinal column in a desired configuration, comprising: exposing an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bones; and distracting the space by sequentially inserting therein and subsequently removing therefrom a plurality of intervertebral spacers, each having a respective thickness, the thicknesses increasing from one spacer to another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein each of the spacers has parallel upper and lower support surfaces.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein each of the spacer has non-parallel upper and lower support surfaces.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein each of the spacers has an annular groove for engagement therein by an orthopedic instrument.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the instrument holds each spacer so that it is immovable relative to the instrument, such that the held spacer may be rotated within the intervertebral space in accordance with a corresponding manipulation of the instrument.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the instrument rotationally freely holds at least one of the spacers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein each spacer comprises at least one of solid metal, porous metal, non-porous organic implantable material, and porous organic implantable material.
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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) | 2007-05-25 | 2007-11-24 | 2008-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-05-25 | 2011-11-24 | 2012-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-05-25 | 2015-11-24 | 2016-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |