Medical installation tool
US6478800B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 12, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2230/0069
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A tool for installing an object, such as an artificial disk prosthesis, between adjacent vertebrae includes a pair of opposed levers separated by a fulcrum. Blade tips are disposed at the distal end of the levers. A pusher block is disposed distally of the fulcrum, and upon actuation by forward movement of a pusher rod, the pusher block moves the artificial disk prosthesis distally. The blade tips may be inserted between adjacent vertebral bodies as the disk moves forward thus causing the vertebral bodies to be separated until the disk is disposed therebetween. In one embodiment, the length of the blade tips may be selectively adjusted.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.