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Surgical instruments useful for endoscopic spinal procedures

  • US 5,697,889 A
  • Filed: 05/05/1995
  • Issued: 12/16/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An endoscopic surgical instrument for spreading vertebrae comprising:

  • a handle portion including an actuation member for manipulating an actuation mechanism;

    an elongated endoscopic section defining a longitudinal axis and extending distally from said handle portion;

    said actuation mechanism at least partially extending within said elongated endoscopic section and movable in response to movement of said actuation member; and

    a vertebrae spreading mechanism operatively associated with a distal end of said endoscopic section and movable between open and closed positions by said actuation mechanism in response to movement of said actuation member, said vertebrae spreading mechanism including at least two vertebrae spreading arm members having exterior tissue contacting surfaces, each tissue contacting surface longitudinally extending along a major portion of the length of a respective arm member, said tissue contacting surfaces obliquely oriented relative to said longitudinal axis when in said closed position of said vertebrae spreading mechanism to define a reduced profile of said vertebrae spreading mechanism to facilitate insertion within adjacent vertebrae.

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