Trial implant and trial implant kit for evaluating an intradiscal space
First Claim
1. A trial implant for evaluating a size of a nucleus cavity portion of an intradiscal space, the nucleus cavity defined by an opposing pair of vertebral bodies and an anulus, the trial implant comprising:
- an elongated central body defining a superior face, an inferior face, opposing side faces and opposing end faces, the central body being formed of a rigid, surgically safe material and having a volume less than a volume of a nucleus cavity; and
a tab associated with the elongated central body for facilitating retrieval of the elongated central body from a nucleus cavity;
wherein a combination of the central body and the tab is sized to be encompassed by the anulus.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A trial implant for evaluating a size of an intradiscal space for subsequent implantation of a prosthetic spinal disc nucleus. The trial implant is comprised of an elongated central body and a retrieving body. The elongated body is formed from a rigid, surgically safe material and preferably has a volume less than a volume of a nucleus cavity portion of the intradiscal space. The retrieving body is associated with the central body and is configured to facilitate retrieval of the trial implant from an enclosed area, such as the nucleus cavity. A plurality of trial implants are included with a trial implant kit, with each of the plurality of trial implants housing a different size and/or shape. During use, the trial implant provides an indication as to whether a similarly sized prosthetic spinal disc nucleus will fit within a particular intradiscal space.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A trial implant for evaluating a size of a nucleus cavity portion of an intradiscal space, the nucleus cavity defined by an opposing pair of vertebral bodies and an anulus, the trial implant comprising:
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an elongated central body defining a superior face, an inferior face, opposing side faces and opposing end faces, the central body being formed of a rigid, surgically safe material and having a volume less than a volume of a nucleus cavity; and a tab associated with the elongated central body for facilitating retrieval of the elongated central body from a nucleus cavity; wherein a combination of the central body and the tab is sized to be encompassed by the anulus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A trial implant for evaluating a size of a nucleus cavity portion of an intradiscal space, the nucleus cavity defined by an opposing pair of vertebral bodies and an anulus, the trial implant comprising:
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an elongated body having a volume less than a volume of a nucleus cavity and being formed from a rigid, non-porous material; and a tab associated with the elongated body for facilitating retrieval of the elongated body from a nucleus cavity. wherein a combination of the elongated body and tab is sized to be encompassed by the anulus. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A kit for use in evaluating a size of a nucleus cavity for receiving a prosthetic spinal disc nucleus, the nucleus cavity defined by an opposing pair of vertebral bodies and an anulus, the kit comprising:
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a container; a first trial implant maintained within the container, the first trial implant being formed of a rigid, surgically safe material and having a predetermined size and shape related to a size and shape of a nucleus cavity; and a second trial implant maintained within the container, the second trial implant being formed of a rigid, surgically safe material and having a predetermined size and shape, wherein the size of the first trial implant is different than the size of the second trial implant. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of evaluating a size of an intradiscal space for receiving a prosthetic spinal disc nucleus, the space including an intradiscal nucleus cavity defined by an opposing pair of vertebral bodies and an anulus, the method comprising:
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creating an opening in the anulus to provide access to the nucleus cavity; inserting a trial implant into the nucleus cavity through the opening, the trial implant being of a rigid, surgically safe material and having a predetermined size and shape; attempting to position the trial implant within a desired area of the nucleus cavity; determining whether the trial implant fits within the desired area of the nucleus cavity; and removing the trial implant from the nucleus cavity. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification