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US 2003/0149438 A1Published application
Insertion instrument
AssigneeHowmedica Osteonics Corp.
InventorsDavid Nichols, John R. Pepper
Life of this patent
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AssigneeHowmedica Osteonics Corp.
InventorsDavid Nichols, John R. Pepper
Estimating the term…
There is provided an insertion instrument that has a first, partially hollow elongated member and a second elongated member that can be positioned relative to the first member. The two members can be locked together and dissociated from each other via a turnbuckle locking mechanism. Each member has a tine protruding at its distal end. When the two members are locked together, the two tines form a fork-like front end for holding an implant during insertion. One tine may be retracted to release the implant in a desired position. There is also provided a method for holding, accurately positioning and inserting the implant into an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae. There is further provided a mechanism and method for releasing the implant between adjacent vertebrae, and easily and safely removing the insertion instrument.
A surgical instrument for inserting an implant between a pair of bone structures comprising:
An implant insertion apparatus for inserting a bone implant between a pair of adjacent vertebrae comprising:
An implant for insertion between adjacent bone structures comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.