Apparatus and Kit for Distraction of Tissue Surfaces
First Claim
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1. A kit for use in the distraction of tissue surfaces in a given direction, comprising;
- a plurality of elements adapted to be inserted in contact with each other between tissue surfaces to be distracted and to form upon insertion a stacked support structure that generates sufficient outward force to distract said tissue surfaces, wherein each of said elements includes a leading end and a trailing end, the leading end of at least one of said elements comprising a lifting surface, said elements comprising complementary cooperating interfaces configured to restrain elements from slipping out of the structure; and
an inserter for consecutively inserting a plurality of elements between said tissue surfaces in a manner such that such elements are placed in contact with each other in a direction generally extending in the given direction with the lifting surface of said at least one element placed against the trailing end of a preceding element, said inserter comprising a delivery track for supporting said elements linearly one behind the other, said inserter further comprising a pusher to move said elements into said tissue.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for distracting, in a given direction, and supporting two tissue surfaces. A plurality of wafers are consecutively inserted between the two tissue surfaces to create a column of wafers. The column of wafers is oriented between the tissue surfaces so as to expand in the given direction as the wafers are consecutively added to the column.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A kit for use in the distraction of tissue surfaces in a given direction, comprising;
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a plurality of elements adapted to be inserted in contact with each other between tissue surfaces to be distracted and to form upon insertion a stacked support structure that generates sufficient outward force to distract said tissue surfaces, wherein each of said elements includes a leading end and a trailing end, the leading end of at least one of said elements comprising a lifting surface, said elements comprising complementary cooperating interfaces configured to restrain elements from slipping out of the structure; and an inserter for consecutively inserting a plurality of elements between said tissue surfaces in a manner such that such elements are placed in contact with each other in a direction generally extending in the given direction with the lifting surface of said at least one element placed against the trailing end of a preceding element, said inserter comprising a delivery track for supporting said elements linearly one behind the other, said inserter further comprising a pusher to move said elements into said tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for sequentially inserting wafers, stackable consecutively to form a stack extending in a given direction into a body tissue space to be distracted, the apparatus comprising;
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a source comprising a plurality of wafers an inserter configured to sequentially individually advance each of said wafers from a said source of wafers into the space to be distracted, said inserter having a distal end for extending into said body tissue space; a first wafer supported by said inserter at said distal end, said first wafer defining a support surface for supporting, and a stop surface for preventing movement of, subsequent wafers received from said inserter; and a connection mechanism releasably connecting said first wafer to said inserter. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A kit for use in the distraction of tissue surfaces in a given direction, comprising;
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a plurality of elements adapted to be inserted in contact with each other between tissue surfaces to be distracted and to form upon insertion a stacked support structure that generates sufficient outward force to distract said tissue surfaces, said elements comprising complementary cooperating interfaces configured to restrain elements from slipping out of the structure, wherein said cooperating interfaces of elements are defined by a concave surface on one element and a mating convex surface on the adjacent contacting element; and an inserter for consecutively inserting a plurality of elements between said tissue surfaces in a manner such that such elements are placed in contact with each other in a direction generally extending in the given direction, said inserter comprising a delivery track for supporting said elements linearly one behind the other, said inserter further comprising a pusher to move said elements into said tissue.
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27. An apparatus for sequentially inserting a plurality of elements into a body tissue space to be distracted, the apparatus comprising;
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a plurality of elements; an inserter configured to support a said elements in a linear array and to sequentially individually advance each of said elements into the space to be distracted, said inserter having a distal end for extending into said body tissue space; a first element supported by said inserter at said distal end, said first element defining a contact surface for contacting at least one of said subsequent elements received from said inserter; and a connection mechanism releasably connecting said first element to said inserter and holding said first element in place relative to said inserter while said subsequent elements are inserted. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification