System and method of mating implants and vertebral bodies
US6736821B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 18, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/564
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method of contouring a perimeter surface of a vertebral body. The invention includes positioning a reference mechanism relative to one or more vertebral bodies. In one embodiment, the reference mechanism is positioned relative to the disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies. The reference mechanism may have a variety of forms, including mechanical, computerized, and visual. A bone removal mechanism is aligned with the reference mechanism to contour the vertebral body or bodies. A predetermined relationship exists between the bone removal mechanism and the reference mechanism. The predetermined relationship provides for the bone removal mechanism to contour the vertebral body or bodies in a precise fashion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.