Patent · US Expired

Longitudinal plate assembly having an adjustable length

US6689134B2 · kind B2 · utility

233Cited by
8References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 7, 2002
Grant dateFeb 10, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 7, 2022

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.