Minimally invasive expanding spacer and method
First Claim
1. A device to space vertebral members comprising:
- first and second linkages each having a first end and a second end with the second linkage having a different length than the first linkage;
a pull arm pivotally connected to the first end of each of the first and second linkages; and
a plate connected to the second end of each of the first and second linkages;
the pull arm being positioned in a first orientation with the second ends spaced a first distance from the pull arm and the plate at a first angle relative to the pull arm, and a second orientation with the second ends spaced a greater distance from the pull arm than the first distance and the plate at a second angle relative to the pull arm at an angle greater than the first angle.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A minimaly invasive spacer for positioning between vertebral members. The spacer is adjustable between a first orientation having a reduced size to facilitate insertion between the vertebral members. A second orientation has an enlarged size for contacting the vertebral members. The spacer includes linkages that are attached to a pair of plates. A pull arm is operatively connected to the linkages for adjusting the spacer from the first orientation to the second orientation. A delivery device is attached to the spacer for insertion between the vertebral members. In one embodiment, the delivery device is detachable to be removed from the spacer once positioned between the vertebral members. Methods of using the spacer include positioning the spacer between the vertebral members while in the first orientation. The spacer is then enlarged to the second orientation, and the delivery device is removed with only the spacer remaining within the patient.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A device to space vertebral members comprising:
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first and second linkages each having a first end and a second end with the second linkage having a different length than the first linkage; a pull arm pivotally connected to the first end of each of the first and second linkages; and a plate connected to the second end of each of the first and second linkages; the pull arm being positioned in a first orientation with the second ends spaced a first distance from the pull arm and the plate at a first angle relative to the pull arm, and a second orientation with the second ends spaced a greater distance from the pull arm than the first distance and the plate at a second angle relative to the pull arm at an angle greater than the first angle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A device to space vertebral members comprising:
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a first plate and a second plate; a first linkage pair pivotally attached to the first plate and the second plate; a second linkage pair pivotally attached to the first plate and the second plate, the second linkage pair being longer than the first linkage pair; a first toothed end of the first linkage pair attached to the first plate mates with a first toothed end of the second linkage pair, and a second toothed end of the first linkage pair attached to the second plate mates with a second toothed end of the second linkage pair when a distance between the first plate and the second plate increases and an angle formed between the first plate and the second plate changes. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A device to space vertebral members comprising:
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a first plate; a second plate; a pull arm positioned between the first plate and the second plate; a first linkage pair and a second linkage pair each comprising a first end connected to the first plate, a second end connected to the second plate, the first linkage pair connected to the pull arm at a first connection point, and the second linkage pair connected to the pull arm at a second connection point, the first linkage pair having a different length than the second linkage pair; the device positionable between a first orientation having a first height and a second orientation having a second height greater than the first height, a distance between the first connection point and the second connection point being greater in the first orientation than in the second orientation and an angle formed between the plates being different in the first orientation and the second orientation. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification