Distraction instrument and method for distracting an intervertebral site
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A distraction instrument for distracting an intervertebral site, comprising;
- a) a drive rod;
b) a driver mechanism coupled to the drive rod; and
c) a pair of arms linked to the drive mechanism.
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Abstract
A distraction instrument includes a drive rod, a driver mechanism coupled to the drive rod, and a pair of arms linked to the driver mechanism. A method of implanting an artificial disc or a fusion implant in an intervertebral site includes preparing the intervertebral site, actuating a gear mechanism of a distraction instrument to distract the intervertebral site, and inserting at least a core of the artificial disc or fusion implant into the intervertebral site.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A distraction instrument for distracting an intervertebral site, comprising;
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a) a drive rod;
b) a driver mechanism coupled to the drive rod; and
c) a pair of arms linked to the drive mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A distraction instrument comprising:
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a) a pair of arms;
b) a housing linking the pair of arms;
c) a driver mechanism within the housing;
d) a drive rod engaging the driver mechanism; and
e) an implant holder coupled to the drive rod, whereby actuation of the gear mechanism causes the implant holder to move toward an intervertebral site until the implant holder abuts vertebral bodies of the intervertebral site, at which point continued actuation of the gear mechanism causes the arms to move away from the intervertebral site, thereby disengaging the distraction instrument from the vertebral bodies.
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15. A distraction instrument comprising:
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a) a pair of arms;
b) a housing linking the pair of arms;
c) a gear mechanism within the housing;
d) a drive rod engaging the gear mechanism; and
e) a head at one end of the drive rod, whereby actuation of the gear mechanism causes the head to move the distraction instrument from a reduced position to a distraction position, thereby causing distraction of vertebrae at an intervertebral site into which a portion of the arms distal to the housing have been inserted.
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16. A method of implanting an artificial disc or a fusion implant in an intervertebral site, comprising the steps of:
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a) preparing an intervertebral site;
b) actuating a gear mechanism of a distraction instrument to distract the intervertebral site; and
c) inserting at least a core of the artificial disc or a spacer of the fusion implant into the intervertebral site. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification