Systems and methods for moving anatomical elements
First Claim
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1. A method positioning a spinal construct in a patient, comprising:
- providing a separation instrument having a feedback system operable to provide objective data regarding at least one separation characteristic of anatomical elements;
making an incision in the patient to provide first and second anatomical elements;
positioning the separation instrument in contact with at least one of the first and second anatomical elements;
separating the first and second anatomical elements with the separation instrument;
objectively measuring the at least one separation characteristic with the feedback system, wherein the at least one separation characteristic includes a force applied to separate the first and second anatomical elements;
comparing the measured separation characteristic with a desired separation characteristic; and
positioning a construct in the space between the separated anatomical elements when the measured separation characteristic corresponds to the desired separation characteristic.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for measuring a separation characteristic of separated anatomical elements include a separator contactable with first and second anatomical elements. A sensor provides an indication of the separation characteristic of the anatomical elements. The measured separation characteristic can be compared with a desired or predetermined separation characteristic, and subsequent surgical procedures can be performed based on the measured separation characteristic.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method positioning a spinal construct in a patient, comprising:
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providing a separation instrument having a feedback system operable to provide objective data regarding at least one separation characteristic of anatomical elements;
making an incision in the patient to provide first and second anatomical elements;
positioning the separation instrument in contact with at least one of the first and second anatomical elements;
separating the first and second anatomical elements with the separation instrument;
objectively measuring the at least one separation characteristic with the feedback system, wherein the at least one separation characteristic includes a force applied to separate the first and second anatomical elements;
comparing the measured separation characteristic with a desired separation characteristic; and
positioning a construct in the space between the separated anatomical elements when the measured separation characteristic corresponds to the desired separation characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for separating first and second vertebral bodies, comprising:
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positioning a separation instrument in contact with the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body, the separation instrument including a feedback system associated therewith to provide objective data regarding at least one separation characteristic of the first and second vertebral bodies;
separating the first and second vertebral bodies;
determining a separation characteristic associated with the separated first and second vertebral bodies, wherein the separation characteristic includes an objective indication of a force applied to separate the first and second vertebral bodies;
determining if the separation characteristic substantially corresponds to a predetermined separation characteristic; and
adjusting the separation characteristic based on the determination. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A system for moving first and second soft tissue elements relative to one another, comprising:
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a connector having an engageable portion extending between opposite ends;
a first member extending from said connector contactable with a first soft tissue element;
a second member extending from said connector and contactable with a second soft tissue element spaced from the first soft tissue element, said second member being movable relative to said first member; and
a system associated with at least one of said first member and said second member operable to determine an actual separation characteristic associated with separation of the first and second soft tissue elements and provide objective feedback regarding the same, wherein said first member and said second member are movable relative to one another to adjust said actual separation characteristic in accordance with the objective feedback to obtain a desired separation characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification