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US 8,523,874 B2Granted
Instruments and techniques for separating bony structures
AssigneeWarsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
InventorsTodd C. Bonvallet, Eric C. Lange, Tom J. Francis, Steven D. DeRidder
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Instruments and techniques separate or spread adjacent bony structures by inserting a distal spreader assembly into the space between the adjacent bony structures and actuating the spreading members with a proximal actuator assembly.
Claims20
An instrument for separating bony structures, comprising:
- an actuator assembly comprising a first handle and a second handle;
- a spreader assembly at a distal end of said actuator assembly, wherein said spreader assembly includes first and second spreading members positionable between the bony structures and movable away from and toward one another with said actuator assembly, wherein said first and second spreading members each include:
- a coupling portion extending from and removably engaged to said actuator assembly;
- a body portion extending from said coupling portion;
- a first extension member extending distally from a first side of said body portion, said first extension member including a bone contacting surface therealong for engaging the bony structure positioned thereagainst;
- and
- a second extension member spaced from said first extension member and extending distally from a second side of said body portion, said second extension member including a bone contacting surface therealong for engaging the bony structure positioned thereagainst;
- and
- a linkage assembly comprising a first link member pivotally coupled to the first and second handles and a second link member pivotally coupled to the first and second handles, the first and second link members being pivotally coupled to one another,
- wherein at least one of said first and second spreading members includes a stepped region extending vertically from said coupling portion to said body portion, said stepped region vertically spacing said body portion and said first and second extension members of said at least one of said first and second spreading members from said body portion and said first and second extension members of the other of said first and second spreading members when said actuator assembly is in an unactuated position to place said spreading members at a minimum height relative to one another.
7 more elements
An instrument for separating bony structures, comprising:
- an actuator assembly comprising a first handle and a second handle;
- a spreader assembly at a distal end of said actuator assembly, wherein said spreader assembly includes first and second spreading members movable away from and toward one another with said actuator assembly, said spreading members each including a body portion and a pair of extension members extending distally from said body portion, said spreading members further each including a support surface extending from a proximal end of said body portion through a distal end of said body portion and on each of said pair of extensions for guiding a cutting instrument between said pair of extension members, wherein said support surfaces of said first and second spreading members face away from one another in opposite directions;
- and
- a linkage assembly comprising a first link member coupled to the first and second handles and a second link member coupled to the first and second handles, the first and second link members being pivotally coupled to one another.
1 more element
An instrument for separating adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
- an actuator assembly comprising a first handle and a second handle;
- a spreader assembly at a distal end of said actuator assembly, wherein said spreader assembly includes first and second spreading members positionable between the adjacent vertebrae and movable away from and toward one another with said actuator assembly, said spreading members each including a body portion and first and second extension members spaced from one another and extending distally from said body portion, said first extension member including a length that is greater than a length of said second extension member;
- and
- a linkage assembly comprising a first link member coupled to the first and second handles and a second link member coupled to the first and second handles, the first and second link members being pivotally coupled to one another.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.