Bone fusion device, apparatus and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of operation of a bone fusion system, the method comprising:
- a. spreading fingers of an insertion instrument with a control mechanism of the insertion instrument, wherein one or more of the fingers comprise a fingertip that protrudes laterally from the finger;
b. sliding the fingers of the insertion instrument into one or more surface channels of a fusion body of a bone fusion device and inserting a drive mechanism of the insertion instrument into a positioning aperture of a positioning element of the bone fusion device, wherein each of the surface channels comprise a gripping aperture positioned within the surface channels for receiving the fingertip of the fingers and the fusion body has a front end and an interior cavity, and further wherein the channels are accessible from the front end and extend through a plane perpendicular to the front end;
c. contracting the fingers with the control mechanism such that the fingertips of the fingers move into gripping apertures of the surface channels and the insertion instrument is detachably coupled with the bone fusion device; and
d. positioning the bone fusion device into a desired position with the insertion instrument.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bone fusion method, apparatus and device for insertion between bones that are to be fused together and/or in place of one or more of the bones, such as, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable plates having a central rib. The bone fusion device includes one or more support channels configured to receive an insertion instrument that is then secured to the bone fusion device via a coupling mechanism. As a result, the coupled device is able to be securely positioned between vertebrae using the insertion instrument with minimal risk of slippage.
549 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A method of operation of a bone fusion system, the method comprising:
-
a. spreading fingers of an insertion instrument with a control mechanism of the insertion instrument, wherein one or more of the fingers comprise a fingertip that protrudes laterally from the finger; b. sliding the fingers of the insertion instrument into one or more surface channels of a fusion body of a bone fusion device and inserting a drive mechanism of the insertion instrument into a positioning aperture of a positioning element of the bone fusion device, wherein each of the surface channels comprise a gripping aperture positioned within the surface channels for receiving the fingertip of the fingers and the fusion body has a front end and an interior cavity, and further wherein the channels are accessible from the front end and extend through a plane perpendicular to the front end; c. contracting the fingers with the control mechanism such that the fingertips of the fingers move into gripping apertures of the surface channels and the insertion instrument is detachably coupled with the bone fusion device; and d. positioning the bone fusion device into a desired position with the insertion instrument. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. An insertion instrument for inserting a bone fusion device into a desired location, the instrument comprising:
-
a. an elongated body; and b. a coupling mechanism partially housed by the elongated body and having a control mechanism, a plurality of blocking bodies, a plurality of pins and a plurality of fingers, wherein each of the plurality of fingers is configured to pivot about one of the pins in order to move between a closed position wherein the fingers are close together to a spread position, wherein the fingers are caused to pivot about the pins by the blocking bodies providing a force against angled sides of the fingers as the fingers are slid against the blocking bodies moved based on manipulation of the control mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification