Patent · US Expired

Methods and apparatus for intervertebral disc prosthesis insertion

US7585326B2 · kind B2 · utility

51Cited by
115References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 6, 2004
Grant dateSep 8, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 12, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61F2002/4628
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method for inserting an intervertebral disc prosthesis into a space between two vertebrae involves inserting the prosthesis partway into the space under constraint to prevent endplates of the prosthesis from articulating, releasing the prosthesis from constraint, and inserting the unconstrained prosthesis farther into the space. In some embodiments, the method involves grasping the prosthesis with a grasping device to insert the prosthesis partway under constraint, loosing the grasping device to release the prosthesis from constraint, and pushing the prosthesis farther into the disc space using the grasping device and/or one or more separate pusher devices. A system includes a grasping device, at least one separate pushing device, and optionally a vertebral spreading device and/or a vertebral midline indicator device.

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