# US 11,896,268 B2 · Expandable spinal rack gear jack for installation between upper and lower succeeding superior articular processes

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- Number: US 11,896,268 B2
- Document ID: US11896268B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/073,750
- Filed: 2022-12-02
- Published: 2023-07-27
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2022-01-24
- Assignees: Linares Spinal Devices, LLC
- Applicants: Linares Spinal Devices, LLC
- Inventors: Miguel A. Linares
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896268B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/7065: {Devices with changeable shape, e.g. collapsible or having retractable arms to aid implantation; Tools therefor}
- A61F 2/30749: {Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body}
- A61B 17/7062: {Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral processes, vertebral facets or ribs (rib fixation devices A61B17/8076); Tools for such devices}
- A61F 2/4405: {for apophyseal or facet joints, i.e. between adjacent spinous or transverse processes (devices implanted between spinous or transverse processes A61B17/7062)}
- A61F 2002/30143: {hexagonal}
- A61F 2002/30166: {H-shaped or I-shaped}
- A61F 2002/30329: {Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements}
- A61F 2002/30523: {by means of meshing gear teeth}
- A61F 2002/3055: {for adjusting length}
- A61F 2002/30601: {telescopic}
- A61F 2002/30841: {Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes}
- A61F 2002/30892: {parallel}
- A61F 2002/30904: {serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)

## Abstract

A spinal jack adapted for installation between first and second vertebral processes, including a three dimensional and arcuate ergonomic main body constructed from first and second subset body portions, from which is displaceable an upper body between retracted and expanded positions. Each of the jack halves further includes gripping portions adapted for engaging the vertebral processes. A geared mechanism is provided for expanding or retracting the jack halves in order to establish a corrected adjusted orientation between the processes.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A spinal jack adapted for installation between first and second vertebral processes, comprising:
a main body constructed from first and second assembled subset body portions;
an upper body supported upon said main body and displaceable relative to said main body between retracted and expanded positions;
said upper body further including a pair of downwardly extending stems seating within interior channels defined in said main body;
each of said main and upper bodies further including gripping portions adapted for engaging the vertebral processes; and
a geared mechanism seated within opposing arcuate shaped cavities formed in said first and second subset body portions, said arcuate shaped cavities extending from opposing end faces of said subset body portions which align upon assembly for receiving and rotatably supporting each of a tool bit engageable drive gear and an inter-engaging driven gear, said interior channels within said main body for seating said downwardly extending stems communicating with said arcuate shaped cavity formed in said first body portion, said gears each engaging linearly teethed ends of said stems for displacing said stems and said upper body relative to said main body to adjust an orientation between the processes, an inlet aperture to said drive gear further including opposing and semi-circular shaped rim portions configured within said subset body portions which align between opposing end faces of said subset body portions such that, upon assembly, said rim portions define a circular passageway for communicating the tool bit with the drive gear.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The spinal jack of claim 1, said bodies further comprising any medical grade metal or plastic.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The spinal jack of claim 1, said gripping portions each further comprising a “U” shaped configuration including spaced apart sides and an interconnected recessed end defining a pocket adapted to receive the vertebral process therebetween.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The spinal jack of claim 3, said pockets each further including textured surfaces adapted for providing additional gripping of the vertebral processes.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The spinal jack of claim 1, said drive gear further comprising a bit receiving location not limited to a hex key profile.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The spinal jack of claim 1, said upper body further comprising lateral outermost lips for supporting said downwardly extending stems.