Nerve protecting tube
First Claim
1. A nerve protecting tube for use on human nerve fibers, comprising:
- a lining tube with a lining tube wall which defines a first channel which runs the length of said lining tube, and which includes one or more lining tube gripping means said gripping means comprises a socket in the rim of said lining tube, configured for interfitting relationship with a tube rotation tool with a pin, and an outer tube gripper;
an outer tube which surrounds said lining tube, and which has an outer tube wall which defines a second channel which runs the length of said outer tube, and which is configured for rotation around said lining tube;
a lock closed means for locking said lining tube and said outer tube in a closed position in which said first channel is not congruent with said second channel;
wherein said nerve protecting tube is configured for positioning on a segment of human nerve when in an open position with said first and second channels congruent, and for closing on said nerve to a closed position with said lining and outer tubes rotated in relation to each other to make said channels non congruent, in which position said lock closed means engages to hold said lining and said outer tube in said closed position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The device is a tube for placement around a living, human nerve fiber to protect the nerve from external damage. The device includes two concentric tubes, each of which are semi-circular in cross section. The lining tube rotates within the outer tube. Each of the lining tubes has a channel that extends the length of the tube. When the channels of the two tubes are aligned, the spine-protecting device can be slipped over a nerve without injuring the nerve. Once the nerve is safely inside the lining tube, the two tubes can be rotated relative to each other and locked into place, thus forming a protective tube that extends 360 degrees around a section of nerve. This device can be inserted into the opening between the vertebrae through which the nerve extends. Other runs of nerve in the human body can also be protected.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A nerve protecting tube for use on human nerve fibers, comprising:
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a lining tube with a lining tube wall which defines a first channel which runs the length of said lining tube, and which includes one or more lining tube gripping means said gripping means comprises a socket in the rim of said lining tube, configured for interfitting relationship with a tube rotation tool with a pin, and an outer tube gripper; an outer tube which surrounds said lining tube, and which has an outer tube wall which defines a second channel which runs the length of said outer tube, and which is configured for rotation around said lining tube; a lock closed means for locking said lining tube and said outer tube in a closed position in which said first channel is not congruent with said second channel; wherein said nerve protecting tube is configured for positioning on a segment of human nerve when in an open position with said first and second channels congruent, and for closing on said nerve to a closed position with said lining and outer tubes rotated in relation to each other to make said channels non congruent, in which position said lock closed means engages to hold said lining and said outer tube in said closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A nerve protection system comprising:
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a lining tube with a lining tube wall which defines a first channel which runs the length of said lining tube, and which includes one or more lining tube gripping means; an outer tube which surrounds said lining tube, and which has an outer tube wall which defines a second channel which runs the length of said outer tube, and which is configured for rotation around said lining tube; a lock closed means for locking said lining tube and said outer tube in a closed position in which said first channel is not congruent with said second channel; a tube rotation tool, which is configured for gripping said outer tube and said lining gripping means, and rotating said tubes into a closed position; wherein said lining tube and said outer tube are configured for positioning on a segment of nerve when in an open position when said first and second channels are congruent, and said tube rotation tool is configured for closing said tubes on said nerve in a closed position when said lining and said outer tubes are rotated in relation to each other to make said first and second channels non congruent, in which position said lock closed means engages to hold said lining and said outer tube in said closed position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification