# US 2016/0256148 A1 · Disc Space Sizing Devices And Methods Of Using The Same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0256148 A1 - Document ID: US20160256148A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/157,457 - Filed: 2016-05-18 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-09 - Assignees: Benvenue Medical, Inc. - Applicants: Benvenue Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Andrew Huffmaster; Patricia Hsin-Yi Ho; Jeffrey L. Emery; Laurent Schaller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160256148A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/025: {Joint distractors} - A61B 17/66: {Alignment}, compression or distraction mechanisms - A61B 90/06: {Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for} - A61F 2/4657: {Measuring instruments used for implanting artificial joints (for surgical instruments A61B90/06)} - A61F 2/4684: {Trial or dummy prostheses} - A61B 2017/0256: {for the spine} - A61B 2090/061: {for measuring dimensions, e.g. length} - A61F 2/442: {Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient (non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455)} - A61F 2/4455: {for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages (intervertebral discs A61F2/442)} - A61F 2002/4658: {for measuring dimensions, e.g. length} - 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 Devices and methods are provided for measuring and/or adjusting the distance between two opposing surfaces of a work space, such as two vertebral bodies separated by a disc space. A sizing device may include at least one distraction member, an actuator, and an actuator controller. The actuator controller is movable to move the actuator, with movement of the actuator changing the height dimension of the distraction member. The amount of movement of the actuator controller is generally linearly related to the change of the height dimension of the distraction member. The amount of expansion force applied by the distraction member is also generally linearly related to the amount of movement of the actuator controller. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sizing device for measuring and/or adjusting the spacing between two opposing surfaces, comprising: at least one distraction member cooperatively associated with a distal end of the spacing sizing device, adapted for at least partial insertion into a space between two surfaces, and movable between a first configuration for insertion into the space in which the at least one distraction member has a height dimension and a second configuration in which the at least one distraction member has a larger height dimension for measuring and/or adjusting the spacing between the two surfaces; an actuator associated with the at least one distraction member and movable to change the height dimension of the at least one distraction member; and an actuator controller associated with the actuator and movable to move the actuator, wherein the amount of movement of the actuator controller is generally linearly related to the change of the height dimension of the at least one distraction member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sizing device of claim 1, wherein the height dimension of the at least one distraction member is infinitely adjustable between the height dimensions of the first and second configurations. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sizing device of claim 1, further comprising a second distraction member, wherein the distraction members are movable toward and away from each other in response to movement of the actuator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The sizing device of claim 3, wherein the actuator is movable between the distraction members. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The sizing device of claim 3, further comprising a force measurement assembly associated with the actuator for measuring a reaction force applied by the two surfaces on the distraction members. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The sizing device of claim 5, further comprising a clutch assembly associated with the force measurement assembly, wherein the clutch assembly is configured to slip to limit the movement of the distraction members if the reaction force measured by the force measurement assembly reaches and/or exceeds a pre-selected force level. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The sizing device of claim 6, wherein the clutch assembly is configured to slip at the same reaction force, regardless of the height dimension of the distraction members. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sizing device of claim 1, wherein the actuator controller is configured for rotational movement and the actuator is configured for translational movement. ### Claim 9 (canceled) ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The sizing device of claim 8, wherein the actuator controller is rotatable about an axis oriented at an angle with respect to a direction of movement of the actuator. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The sizing device of claim 8, wherein the actuator controller is rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the actuator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The sizing device of claim 1, further comprising a readout indicator for displaying a value indicative of the height dimension of the at least one distraction member. ### Claim at position 13 13-20. (canceled) ### Claim 21 A sizing device for measuring and/or adjusting the spacing between two opposing surfaces, comprising: first and second distraction members cooperatively associated with a distal end of the sizing device, adapted for at least partial insertion into a space between two surfaces, and movable between a first configuration for insertion into the space in which each distraction member has a height dimension and a second configuration in which each distraction member has a larger height dimension for measuring and/or adjusting the spacing between the two surfaces; an actuator associated with the distraction members and movable to change the height dimensions of the distraction members; an actuator controller associated with the actuator and movable to move the actuator; and a force measurement assembly associated with the actuator for measuring a reaction force applied by the two surfaces on the distraction members. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The sizing device of claim 21, further comprising a clutch assembly associated with the force measurement assembly, wherein the clutch assembly is configured to slip to limit the movement of the distraction members if the reaction force measured by the force measurement assembly reaches and/or exceeds a pre-selected force level. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The sizing device of claim 22, wherein the clutch assembly is configured to slip at the same reaction force, regardless of the height dimension of the distraction members. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The sizing device of claim 21, wherein the actuator controller is configured for rotational movement. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The sizing device of claim 24, wherein the actuator is configured for translational movement, and the actuator controller is rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the actuator. ### Claim 26 A sizing device for measuring and/or adjusting the spacing between two opposing surfaces, comprising: at least one distraction member cooperatively associated with a distal end of the sizing device, adapted for at least partial insertion into a space between two surfaces, and movable between a first configuration for insertion into the space in which the at least one distraction member has a height dimension and a second configuration in which the at least one distraction member has a larger height dimension for measuring and/or adjusting the spacing between the two surfaces; an actuator associated with the at least one distraction member and movable to change the height dimension of the at least one distraction member; and an actuator controller associated with the actuator and movable to move the actuator, wherein the actuator controller is configured such that the amount of force applied to the actuator controller to move the actuator is generally constant throughout the entire range of motion of the actuator. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The sizing device of claim 26, wherein the actuator controller is configured for rotational movement and the force applied to the actuator controller to move the actuator comprises torque. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The sizing device of claim 27, wherein the actuator controller is rotatable about an axis oriented at an angle with respect to a direction of movement of the actuator. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The sizing device of claim 27, wherein the actuator controller is rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the actuator.