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Spine distraction implant and method

  • US 8,157,840 B2
  • Filed: 06/28/2007
  • Issued: 04/17/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/02/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method, comprising:

  • longitudinally displacing an inner second shaft of an insertion tool relative to an outer first shaft of the insertion tool to retract a distal tip of the second shaft proximally toward a handle of the insertion tool;

    the first and second shafts extending distally from the handle section;

    the second shaft slidably disposed in the first shaft;

    the first shaft extending along a first longitudinal axis and having a first pin oriented generally perpendicular to the first axis;

    the distal tip of the second shaft extending parallel to the first axis;

    while the distal tip is retracted, aligning the first pin of an insertion tool to an interspinous-process implant relative to the insertion tool and displacing the first pin toward the implant in a direction generally perpendicular to the first axis of the tool to couple, at the first pin, the tool with the implant for both distal and proximal movement in a direction parallel to the first axis of the tool;

    thereafter, rotatably engaging the distal tip of the insertion tool to the interspinous-process implant by rotating the second shaft relative to the first shaft;

    thereafter, inserting the interspinous-process implant into a body while the first pin is aligned with the interspinous-process implant and while the distal tip is rotatably engaged with the interspinous-process implant.

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