Expandable worm screw jack for installation between upper and lower succeeding articular processes
AssigneeLinares Spinal Devices, LLC
InventorMiguel A. Linares
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A spinal jack adapted for installation between first and second vertebral processes and includes a three dimensional and arcuate ergonomic main body constructed from a first and second portions, from which is displaceable an upper body between each of retracted and expanded positions. Each of the jack halves includes gripping portions adapted for engaging the vertebral processes. A worm gear mechanism includes a central horizontally arrayed and rotatable worm gear supported within the main body and accessible through an inlet aperture. A tool bit is engageable with a bit receiving location of the worm gear which is accessible through the inlet aperture.
Claims18
A spinal jack adapted for installation between first and second vertebral processes, comprising:
- a main body constructed from first and second subset body portions;
- an upper body supported upon said main body between retracted and expanded positions;
- said upper body further including a pair of downwardly extending stems seating within said main body;
- each of said bodies further including gripping portions adapted for engaging the vertebral processes;
- a worm gear mechanism having a rotatable worm gear supported within said main body and accessible through an inlet aperture for rotating a pair of outer gears which in turn interact with said stems for expanding or retracting said upper body relative to said main body in order to establish a corrected adjusted orientation between the processes;
- and
- each of said first and second subset portions of said main body further including an opposing base within which is configured a recessed cavity for receiving said worm gear and said outer gears, said recessed cavity further including a central cavity location and adjoining peripheral cavity locations defined in said first subset body portion, said inlet aperture further including aligning subset rim portions defined in said first and second subset body portions.
A spinal jack adapted for installation between first and second vertebral processes, comprising:
- a three dimensional and arcuate ergonomic main body constructed from first and second subset body portions;
- an upper body supported upon said main body between retracted and expanded positions;
- said upper body further including a pair of downwardly extending stems seating within said main body;
- each of said bodies further including gripping portions adapted for engaging the vertebral processes;
- a worm gear mechanism having a rotatable worm gear supported within said main body and accessible through an inlet aperture provided for expanding or retracting said upper body relative to said main body in order to establish a corrected adjusted orientation between the processes, said rotatable worm gear including a spiral array of teeth extending along its generally horizontal length, wherein said spiral array of teeth form a crosswise bevel with annular gear teeth arranged upon each of a pair of outer gears arranged upon opposite sides;
- each of said first and second subset portions of said main body further including an opposing base within which is configured a recessed cavity for receiving said worm gear and said outer gears, said recessed cavity further including a central cavity location and adjoining peripheral cavity locations defined in said first subset body portion, said inlet aperture further including aligning subset rim portions defined in said first and second subset body portions;
- and
- bottom extending portions of said stems each further comprising additional worm gear configurations which rotatably engage inner spiraling threads configured in said outer gears.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.