US6036692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rod introducer forceps
Assignee: SDGI Holdings Inc
•
Filing: 1998-07-07
•
Granted: 2000-03-14
•
Expires: 2018-07-07
Abstract
Abstract Forceps are provided with a bifurcated gripping nose on one end adapted to pivotally engage an implant while a rod passes between the branches of the bifurcated gripping nose. The forceps further define a fulcrum adjacent the gripping nose. The pivotally engaging gripping nose and included fulcrum permit a surgeon to urge the rod into an opening in the implant with a single instrument while securely gripping the implant. With the implant pivotally engaged by the gripping nose, movement of the forceps towards the rod brings the fulcrum into contact with the rod and further movement urges the rod into an opening in the implant. In an alternative form, the gripping nose is laterally offset to urge a laterally offset rod into alignment with the implant upon rotation of the forceps.
Inventors
- 👤 Marc H. Burel
- 👤 David L. Brumfield
- 👤 Thomas Barker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7074; A61B17/7083; A61B17/7086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
Rod introduction forceps for urging a rod into an implant adapted to receive the rod, comprising: a first branch having a first terminal end; a second branch articulated with said first branch, said second branch having a second terminal end, said first and second terminal ends defining a gripping nose, said gripping nose adapted to pivotally engage an implant; and said first and second branches defining a fulcrum for engaging a rod, whereby pivoting of said first and second branches about said gripping nose toward said rod causes said fulcrum to urge the rod toward the implant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
Rod introduction forceps for urging a rod into an implant adapted to receive the rod, comprising: a first branch having a first terminal end; a second branch articulated with said first branch, said second branch having a second terminal end, said first and second terminal ends defining a gripping nose, said gripping nose adapted to pivotally engage an implant; and said first and second branches defining a fulcrum for engaging a rod, whereby pivoting of said first and second branches about said gripping nose toward said rod causes said fulcrum to urge the rod toward the implant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The rod introduction forceps of claim 1, wherein said first branch and said second branch have a longitudinal axis and said gripping nose is offset with respect to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The rod introduction forceps of claim 2, wherein said gripping nose includes at least one projection adapted to be received in a cooperable recess in said implant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The rod introduction forceps of claim 3, wherein said at least one projection is cylindrical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The rod introduction forceps of claim 1, wherein said first terminal and said second terminal ends each include a projection cooperable with corresponding recesses in the implant to pivotally engage the implant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The rod introduction forceps of claim 5, wherein said projections are cylindrical.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The rod introduction forceps of claim 1, further including a ratchet mechanism attached between said first and second branches, said ratchet mechanism maintains said first and second branches in a closed gripping position until released.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rod introduction forceps of claim 1, wherein said fulcrum includes a recess for engaging said rod.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The rod introduction forceps of claim 8, wherein said recess is a concave surface having a radius of curvature corresponding to the approximate external diameter of said rod to be implanted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
The rod introduction forceps of claim 1, wherein said fulcrum has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said rod to be implanted and further including a longitudinal convex curve defining a bearing surface extending along said longitudinal axis, whereby upon insertion of said rod into said implant a point of contact between said rod and said fulcrum moves along said longitudinal bearing surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
The rod introduction forceps of claim 1, wherein said first branch and said second branch have a longitudinal axis and said gripping nose is laterally offset with respect to said longitudinal axis, said first branch including a lateral bearing surface for engaging the rod, whereby pivoting of said first and second branches about said gripping nose toward said rod causes said lateral bearing surface to urge the rod into lateral alignment with the implant.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
A rod introduction device for urging a rod into an implant adapted to receive the rod, said device comprising: a lever having a first end and a second end; a bifurcated gripping nose connected to said first end, said nose adapted to pivotally attach to an implant; and a fulcrum positioned along said lever between said first end and said second end, said fulcrum adapted to engage a rod to urge the rod into an implant adapted to receive the rod.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
A rod introduction device for urging a rod into an implant adapted to receive the rod, said device comprising: a lever having a first end and a second end; a bifurcated gripping nose connected to said first end, said nose adapted to pivotally attach to an implant; and a fulcrum positioned along said lever between said first end and said second end, said fulcrum adapted to engage a rod to urge the rod into an implant adapted to receive the rod.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The rod introduction device of claim 12, wherein said lever includes a longitudinal axis and said bifurcated gripping nose is offset with respect to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The rod introduction device of claim 12, wherein said bifurcated nose includes a pair of diametrically opposed branches spaced to receive an implant therebetween, each branch having an interior surface defining a projection thereon, said projection adapted to be received by a corresponding indent in said implant.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The rod introduction device of claim 12, wherein said lever includes a first branch and a second branch articulated with said first branch, each of said first and second branches defining a portion of said bifurcated gripping nose and fulcrum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4411259A
Cited
US4567884A
Cited
US4927425A
Cited
WO1991016020A1
Cited
US5020519A
Cited
FR2684866A1
Cited
US5364397A
Cited
US5423855A
Cited
US5674228A
Cited
US5817094A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-14 | 2003-09-13 | 2004-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-14 | 2007-09-13 | 2008-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-14 | 2011-09-13 | 2012-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |