Spacer having a variable axial length

• US 20040049271A1
• Filed: 07/02/2003
• Published: 03/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biedermann Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Biedermann Motech GmbH
• Inventors: Biedermann, Lutz, Ostermann, Peter, Harms, Jurgen
• Granted Patent: US 7,547,325 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4465 having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30148 lozenge- or diamond-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30235 tubular, e.g. sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30471 connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30479 using a locking ball
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30525 Worm gears
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30528 Means for limiting said movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3055 for adjusting length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30601 telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30774 internally-threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30787 inclined obliquely with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30892 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0091 connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0017 Angular shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 cylindrical

Abstract

A space keeper for insertion between two vertebrae which has a variable axial length is provided. The space keeper possesses a sleeve-like first member (2) and a second member (3) guided in the latter and movable relative to the first member in the axial direction for adjusting an overall length. In order that adjustability during operating is facilitated the two members (2, 3) are connected to one another by a lever (7, 8), wherein one centre of motion (16) of the lever is connected to one member (3) and the other centre of motion (18) is connected in terms of action to the other member (2).

Claims

1. Space keeper (1) for insertion between two vertebrae which has a variable axial length with a sleeve-like first member (2) and a second member (3) guided in the latter and movable relative to the first member (2) in the axial direction for adjusting an overall length, characterised in that the two members (2, 3) are connected to one another by a lever (7, 8) one of whose centres of motion (16) is connected to one member (3) and whose other centre of motion (18) is connected in terms of action to the other member (2).

2. Space keeper according to claim 1, characterised in that the lever (7, 8) is of double-arm construction, wherein the two ends remote from the centres of motion (16, 20) are connected to a threaded sleeve (10) guided on a setting screw (9) guided in an oblong hole (11) of the wall of the first member (2).

3. Space keeper according to claim 1, characterised in that the other centre of motion (18) is connected to a threaded sleeve (10′

) guided on a setting screw guided in a bore (23) of the wall of the first member (2).

4. Space keeper according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that on the side located opposite the hole (11, 23) the wall of the second member (3) has a longitudinal recess extending in its longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the space keeper into which recess the free end of the setting screw (9) freely projects.

5. Space keeper according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the second member (3) on its outer wall facing towards the first member (2) has a section extending in the axial direction with a catch (4) having a plurality of depressions (5) arranged adjacent to one another in the axial direction and bounding one another and the first member (2) has a fixing part (6) acting together with the catch (4) for locking at a desired length.

6. Space keeper according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the walls of the first and second member (2, 3) have apertures (24) distributed over the surface for improving ingrowing.