Fixed Angle Instrument With Rounded Linkages
AssigneeVB Spine LLC
InventorMichael Barrus
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fixed angle instrument includes an elongate guide extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the guide having a proximal portion extending along a longitudinal axis and a distal portion extending transverse to the longitudinal axis. The instrument further includes a shaft disposed within the guide extending through the proximal portion of the guide along the longitudinal axis. The instrument further includes an intermediate element coupled to the shaft, the intermediate element having at least one bulbous link. The instrument further includes a distal element coupled to a distal end of the intermediate element.
Claims20
A fixed angle apparatus, comprising:
- an outer shaft having a first portion extending along a first axis and a second portion extending along a second axis, the first and second axes being transverse;
- an inner shaft disposed within the first portion;
- a first link disposed within the second portion and coupled to the inner shaft, the first link having a first hemispherical element with a first flat and a first aperture;
- a second link disposed within the second portion, the second link having a second hemispherical element with a second flat and a second aperture, the first flat surface abutting the second flat surface and the first aperture aligning with the second aperture;
- a pin disposed through the first and second apertures;
- and
- a distal element,
- wherein the shaft, the intermediate element, and the distal element are adapted to rotate together relative to the outer shaft.
A fixed angle apparatus, comprising:
- an outer shaft having a first portion extending along a first axis and a second portion extending along a second axis, the first and second axes being transverse;
- an inner shaft disposed within the first portion;
- a first link disposed within the second portion and coupled to the inner shaft, the first link having a first hemispherical element with a first flat and a first aperture;
- a second link disposed within the second portion, the second link having a second hemispherical element with a second flat and a second aperture and a third hemispherical element with a third flat and a third aperture, the first flat surface abutting the second flat surface and the first aperture aligning with the second aperture;
- a third link disposed within the third portion, the third link having a fourth hemispherical element with a fourth flat and a fourth aperture, the third flat surface abutting the fourth flat surface and the third aperture aligning with the fourth aperture;
- a first pin disposed through the first and second apertures;
- a second pin disposed through the third and fourth apertures;
- and
- a distal element coupled to the third link,
- wherein the shaft, the intermediate element, and the distal element are adapted to rotate together relative to the outer shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.