Methods and apparatuses for minimally invasive replacement of intervertebral discs
US7655012B2 · kind B2 · utility
46Cited by
138References
26Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 2004 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2310/00359
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In one embodiment, an access device is inserted through an incision in skin of a patient. The access device is expanded from a first configuration to a second configuration, the second configuration having an enlarged cross-sectional area at a distal portion of said access device such that the distal portion extends across at least a portion of the interbody space. A prosthetic spinal disc implant is then delivered through the access device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.