Patent · US Expired

Longitudinal plate assembly having an adjustable length

US6402756B1 · kind B1 · utility

290Cited by
8References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 15, 2001
Grant dateJun 11, 2002
Priority date—
Expiry dateFeb 15, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S606/902
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An orthopedic device including a longitudinal plate assembly having an adjustable length and two ends. Each of the ends includes a feature that can be used to couple the end to a body structure, such as, for example, a vertebral bone. Preferably, the assembly includes two longitudinal plates that can translate longitudinally with respect to one another through a plurality of positions and be secured with respect to one another at one of the positions, thereby enabling the length of the assembly to be adjusted. Inasmuch as the length of the plate assembly can be adjusted, the surgeon can set the length to the most clinically appropriate length for effective coupling of the plate assembly to the body structure.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.