Pivoting implant holder
First Claim
1. A medical implant inserter tool, comprising:
- an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween;
a pivoting element coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and movable between a first position, in which the pivoting element is longitudinally aligned with the shaft, and a second position, in which the pivoting element is substantially transverse to the shaft, wherein the pivoting element includes a threaded engagement mechanism rotatably disposed therein and adapted to releasably engage a medical implant;
an actuator mechanism coupled to the proximal end of the elongate shaft and effective to move the pivoting element between the first and second positions; and
a driver shaft coupled to the elongate shaft and including a distal end that is effective to rotate the threaded engagement mechanism in the pivoting element, wherein the driver shaft is separated from the threaded engagement mechanism when the pivoting element is in the second position, and the driver shaft is coupled to and effective to rotate the threaded engagement mechanism when the pivoting element is in the first position.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical inserter tool is provided for introducing medical implants into a surgical site, preferably using minimally invasive techniques. The inserter tool can have a variety of configurations, but in general, the inserter tool should be effective to engage and manipulate the implant into two or more positions. In an exemplary embodiment, the tool includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a pivoting element that is coupled to the distal end of the shaft and that is adapted to engage a spinal implant. In use, the pivoting element is movable between first and second positions to allow an implant to be introduced through a percutaneous access device in a lengthwise orientation, and to be manipulated subcutaneously to be positioned in a desired orientation.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A medical implant inserter tool, comprising:
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an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; a pivoting element coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and movable between a first position, in which the pivoting element is longitudinally aligned with the shaft, and a second position, in which the pivoting element is substantially transverse to the shaft, wherein the pivoting element includes a threaded engagement mechanism rotatably disposed therein and adapted to releasably engage a medical implant; an actuator mechanism coupled to the proximal end of the elongate shaft and effective to move the pivoting element between the first and second positions; and a driver shaft coupled to the elongate shaft and including a distal end that is effective to rotate the threaded engagement mechanism in the pivoting element, wherein the driver shaft is separated from the threaded engagement mechanism when the pivoting element is in the second position, and the driver shaft is coupled to and effective to rotate the threaded engagement mechanism when the pivoting element is in the first position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A medical implant inserter tool, comprising:
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an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; a pivoting element coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and movable between a first position, in which the pivoting element is longitudinally aligned with the shaft, and a second position, in which the pivoting element is substantially transverse to the shaft, wherein the pivoting element includes a threaded engagement mechanism rotatably disposed therein and adapted to releasably engage a medical implant; an actuator mechanism coupled to the proximal end of the elongate shaft and effective to move the pivoting element between the first and second positions; and a driver shaft coupled to the elongate shaft and including a distal end that is effective to rotate the threaded engagement mechanism in the pivoting element, wherein the elongate shaft includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the pivoting element being pivotally coupled to the lower portion, and the driver shaft extending between the upper and lower portions.
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13. A medical implant inserter tool, comprising:
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an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; a pivoting element coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and movable between a first position, in which the pivoting element is longitudinally aligned with the shaft, and a second position, in which the pivoting element is substantially transverse to the shaft, the pivoting element including a threaded engagement mechanism rotatably disposed therein adapted to releasably engage a medical implant; a pusher shaft slidably disposed through the elongate shaft and effective to move the pivoting element between the first and second positions; and a driver shaft coupled to the elongate shaft and including a distal end that is effective to rotate the threaded engagement mechanism in the pivoting element, wherein the driver shaft is separated from the threaded engagement mechanism when the pivoting element is in the second position, and the driver shaft is coupled to and effective to rotate the threaded engagement mechanism when the pivoting element is in the first position. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification