Spinal compression and distraction devices and surgical methods
First Claim
1. A spinal distraction device, comprising:
- a body having a vertebral endplate engagement end, an opposite end and a length between said engagement end and said opposite end, said body defininga chamber along said length and an opening at said opposite end in communication with said chamber, anda gear bore at a location along said length, said gear bore in communication with said chamber and having an axis perpendicular to said length;
a rack slidably disposed through said opening and within said chamber, said rack havinga first end, a second end and a foot projecting transversely from said first end, said foot having a vertebral engaging surface, said rack slidable betweena retracted position with said second end of said rack adjacent said vertebral engaging end of said body and said foot adjacent said opposite end of said body anda number of extended positions wherein said foot is at a distance from said opposite end of said body,said rack defining an engagement member between said first end and said second end, said engagement member defining an engagement surface exposed to said gear bore; and
a pinion-locking member rotatably and slidably disposed within said gear bore, said member includinga pinion portion defining a pinion surface complementary to said engagement surface and rotatable within said gear bore to mesh with said engagement surface to convert rotary motion of the member to reciprocating motion of the rack, anda locking portion at an end of said member, said locking portion preventing rotation of said member within said gear bore;
said member slidable between a pinion position in which said pinion portion is disposed within said gear bore and a locked position in which said locking portion is disposed within said gear bore.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spinal distraction device is provided that includes a body, a rack and a pinion-locking member. The body has a vertebral endplate engagement end and an opposite end. The body defines a chamber along its length and an opening at the opposite end in communication with the chamber. A gear bore is defined in communication with the chamber and has an axis perpendicular to the length. The rack is slidably disposed through the opening and within the chamber. The rack is slidable between a retracted position with the first end of the rack adjacent the vertebral engaging end of the body and the foot adjacent the opposite end of the body and a number of extended positions wherein the foot is at a distance from the opposite end of the body. The rack defines an engagement member with an engagement surface exposed to the gear bore. The pinion-locking member is rotatable within the gear bore to mesh with the engagement surface to convert rotary motion of the member to reciprocating motion of the rack. The member also includes a locking portion at one end of the member, which prevents rotation of the member within the gear bore. The member is slidable between a pinion position in which the pinion portion is disposed within the gear bore and a locked position in which the locking portion is disposed within the gear bore. The member is preferably biased to the locked position.
476 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A spinal distraction device, comprising:
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a body having a vertebral endplate engagement end, an opposite end and a length between said engagement end and said opposite end, said body defining a chamber along said length and an opening at said opposite end in communication with said chamber, and a gear bore at a location along said length, said gear bore in communication with said chamber and having an axis perpendicular to said length; a rack slidably disposed through said opening and within said chamber, said rack having a first end, a second end and a foot projecting transversely from said first end, said foot having a vertebral engaging surface, said rack slidable between a retracted position with said second end of said rack adjacent said vertebral engaging end of said body and said foot adjacent said opposite end of said body and a number of extended positions wherein said foot is at a distance from said opposite end of said body, said rack defining an engagement member between said first end and said second end, said engagement member defining an engagement surface exposed to said gear bore; and a pinion-locking member rotatably and slidably disposed within said gear bore, said member including a pinion portion defining a pinion surface complementary to said engagement surface and rotatable within said gear bore to mesh with said engagement surface to convert rotary motion of the member to reciprocating motion of the rack, and a locking portion at an end of said member, said locking portion preventing rotation of said member within said gear bore; said member slidable between a pinion position in which said pinion portion is disposed within said gear bore and a locked position in which said locking portion is disposed within said gear bore. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A spinal distraction device comprising:
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a pair of opposite vertebral endplate engagement feet, each having a vertebral engaging surface configured for engaging a vertebral endplate; a rack and pinion mechanism disposed between said pair of feet and operable to vary the distance between vertebral endplates contacting said feet; and means for locking said rack and pinion mechanism with the vertebral endplates at a fixed distance apart. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification