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US 2011/0218575 A1Published application
Method and apparatus for spinal fixation
AssigneeInterventional Spine, Inc.
InventorsBrad S. Culbert, Larry Khoo, Bob Flower
Life of this patent
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AssigneeInterventional Spine, Inc.
InventorsBrad S. Culbert, Larry Khoo, Bob Flower
Estimating the term…
Fusion of cervical spinal vertebrae with one or more fixation devices can be accomplished with the described tools and methods. For example, a guidewire introducer can include a tubular introducer cannula and a handle. The handle can be angularly offset from the introducer cannula such that positioning of the introducer on the cervical spine does not interfere with a patient's head. A sheath assembly can include inner and outer sheath bodies and a handle. The handle is angularly offset from the sheath bodies such that the sheath assembly can be applied to the cervical spine without interference to the patient's head. The sheath body can be curved or straight. Various tools such as drills, tapping devices, compression tools, and pin release tools can be applied to the cervical spine through the sheath body to apply the fixation device. The tools can include elongate flexible shafts.
A system for coupling a first superior vertebra of a cervical spine to a second inferior vertebra, the system comprising:
A system for establishing access for a fixation device configured to extend between a first superior vertebra of a cervical spine to a second inferior vertebra, the system comprising:
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A method of providing spinal fixation in a cervical spine, the method comprising:
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A method of placing a guidewire near a cervical portion of the spine, the method comprising:
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The system of claim 22, wherein the fascia cutter comprises an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen having a distal opening at the distal end and a proximal opening at the proximal end, and a plurality of cutting elements positioned on the distal end of the elongated body, each of the plurality of cutting elements defining a cutting edge that extends generally radially from the distal end of the lumen.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.