Flexible shaft components
US6447518B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 10, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2316/10
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved flexible shaft used in the reaming of the medullary space in bones is described. The shaft is comprised of a solid element with a longitudinal bore the entire length and an appropriately formed slot which extends spirally around the shaft either continuously or segmentally. Attached to the shaft's opposite ends respectively, are a cutting head and a means of connecting the shaft to a driving mechanism. Additionally, an improved anthropomorphic spinal element and vertebral body replacement implant are described. The anthropomorphic spinal element is composed of a solid element with a longitudinal bore and an appropriately formed slot that extends spirally around the shaft either continuously or segmentally and is completely or partially filled with an elastomeric material. The vertebral body replacement implant is composed of a suitable implant material with a longitudinal bore the entire length and an appropriately formed slot which extends spirally around the shaft either continuously or segmentally. Attached to the central section's opposite ends are a means of attachment to the adjacent vertebra allowing for height and angular adjustment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.