Instrument set for fitting an intervertebral joint prosthesis

• US 20040177494A1
• Filed: 12/10/2003
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cervitech, Inc. (Nuvasive Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Waldemar Link GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: McAfee, Paul C., Keller, Arnold, Link, Helmut D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,527,629 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/743
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4455 for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages intervertebral discs A61F2/442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4657 Measuring instruments used for implanting artificial joints for surgical instruments A61B90/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4684 Trial or dummy prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/041 having multiple pick-up tools
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/0413 with orientation of the component while holding it; Drive mechanisms for gripping tools, e.g. lifting, lowering or turning of gripping tools
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/0812 the monitoring devices being integrated in the mounting machine, e.g. for monitoring components, leads, component placement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53135 Storage cell or battery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53191 Means to apply vacuum directly to position or hold work part

Abstract

Instrument set for fitting an intervertebral prosthesis, comprising a guide device (4) for an instrument or a prosthesis part, which guide device (4) is to be secured on at least one vertebral body (2). To be able to attach the guide device (4) precisely on the vertebral bodies despite the difficult operating conditions, an adjustment instrument (10) is provided which positions the guide device when this is being arranged on the vertebral body (2). This adjustment instrument (10) expediently comprises an intervertebral plate (11) which is fitted into the intervertebral space so as to be positioned exactly in relation to the vertebral bodies.

Claims

1. An electronic component mounting apparatus comprising:

a component feeding unit feeding an electronic component;

a suction nozzle picking up the electronic component from the component feeding unit and mounting the electronic component on a printed board; and

a position sensor measuring a vertical position of a lower end of the suction nozzle after the suction nozzle releases the electronic component to the printed board.

2. The electronic component mounting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a drive source moving the suction nozzle vertically and a control device determining a range of a vertical movement of the suction nozzle based on the vertical position of the lower end of the suction nozzle measured by the position sensor.

3. The electronic component mounting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a decision device judging that the suction nozzle holds the electronic component when the vertical position of the lower of the suction nozzle measured by the position sensor is lower than a predetermined position.

4. The electronic component mounting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a decision device judging that the suction nozzle is about to fall when the vertical position of the lower of the suction nozzle measured by the position sensor is lower than a predetermined position.

5. The electronic component mounting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a decision device judging that the suction nozzle is missing when the vertical position of the lower of the suction nozzle measured by the position sensor is higher than a predetermined position.

6. The electronic component mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the position sensor comprises a line sensor.

7. An electronic component mounting apparatus comprising:

a plurality of component feeding units feeding electronic components;

a plurality of suction nozzles provided on a mounting head for picking up the electronic components from the component feeding units and mounting the electronic components on a printed board;

a line sensor unit comprising a first light source and a light receiving device, the line sensor being configured to measure a vertical position of a lower end of each of the suction nozzles after the suction nozzles release the electronic components to the printed board;

a second light source provided in the line sensor unit in addition to the first light source; and

a decision device judging that a suction nozzle is about to fall when an amount of light received by the light receiving device from the first and second light sources is below a predetermined amount.

8. The electronic component mounting apparatus of claim 7, wherein the decision device does not judge the suction nozzles that are mounted on the mounting head and have mounted at least one electric component on the printed board.

9. The electronic component mounting apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a nozzle select and switch device replacing a suction nozzle used in a first mounting operation with a suction nozzle selected for a second mounting operation, wherein the decision device does not judge the suction nozzles that are selected by the nozzle selection and switch device and mounted on the mounting head.