Orthopedic appliance
First Claim
1. An improved orthopedic appliance consisting of,a pair of brackets each contoured on one surface to closely fit to a vertebral body portion of a human vertebra, which brackets include oppositely threaded holes formed therethrough that are aligned when the brackets are properly installed to the vertebral body portions;
- means for securing each said bracket to a separate vertebral body portion consisting of, a U-shaped staple that includes means for securing it to a saddle portion of each said bracket such that legs of said staple extend outwardly from said bracket contoured surface, and, means, additional to said staple, for connecting each said bracket to said vertebral body portion; and
a spacing adjustment rod having oppositely threaded ends arranged to turn into said oppositely threaded holes in said brackets.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention in an improved orthopedic appliance is for attachment in supporting engagement to a patient'"'"'s spine, during an anterior surgical procedure thereof. The installed appliance provides for decompression of the contents of the spinal canal and/or is to obtain sufficient fusion mass to provide long-term spinal stability. The appliance incorporates a pair of contoured rocker arm brackets that are each attached to a separated vertebral portions of healthy vertebra, with a damaged or diseased vertebra therebetween. Spacing adjustment and columnar support between the brackets is provided by a single spacing adjustment rod whose ends are threaded oppositely and are turned into appropriately threaded portions of the brackets. A second slide rod is preferably provided that also extends between the brackets and is arranged to slide freely therein but preferably is arranged to accommodate nuts, or the like, turned thereon against the brackets to provide columnar support thereacross.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. An improved orthopedic appliance consisting of,
a pair of brackets each contoured on one surface to closely fit to a vertebral body portion of a human vertebra, which brackets include oppositely threaded holes formed therethrough that are aligned when the brackets are properly installed to the vertebral body portions; -
means for securing each said bracket to a separate vertebral body portion consisting of, a U-shaped staple that includes means for securing it to a saddle portion of each said bracket such that legs of said staple extend outwardly from said bracket contoured surface, and, means, additional to said staple, for connecting each said bracket to said vertebral body portion; and a spacing adjustment rod having oppositely threaded ends arranged to turn into said oppositely threaded holes in said brackets. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification