Trial implant and trial implant kit for evaluating an intradiscal space
US6113639A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2230/0084
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A trial implant for evaluating a size of an intradiscal space for subsequent implantation of a prosthetic spinal disc nucleus. The trial implant is comprised of an elongated central body and a retrieving body. The elongated body is formed from a rigid, surgically safe material and preferably has a volume less than a volume of a nucleus cavity portion of the intradiscal space. The retrieving body is associated with the central body and is configured to facilitate retrieval of the trial implant from an enclosed area, such as the nucleus cavity. A plurality of trial implants are included with a trial implant kit, with each of the plurality of trial implants housing a different size and/or shape. During use, the trial implant provides an indication as to whether a similarly sized prosthetic spinal disc nucleus will fit within a particular intradiscal space.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.