US6743231B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temporary spinal fixation apparatuses and methods
Assignee: Zimmer Spine Inc
•
Filing: 2000-10-02
•
Granted: 2004-06-01
•
Expires: 2020-10-02
Abstract
Abstract Temporary spinal fixation apparatuses and methods are disclosed for temporarily fixing the relative position of spinal implant assemblies until a permanent fixation position is determined. The disclosed apparatuses and methods enhance the ease of placement of spinal implant assemblies and facilitates the accuracy of positioning of the spinal vertebrae. The invention can reduce the number of steps needed to perform spinal surgery and can decrease the likelihood of post-operative complications.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric L. Gray
- 👤 Paul F. Boschert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7001; A61B17/7074; A61B17/7091; A61B17/7032; A61B17/7035; A61B17/7037; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61B17/8665; A61B2017/867
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for stabilizing the spinal column comprising: anchoring a first bone implant to a first vertebral body, the first bone implant having a first rod receiving arrangement; positioning a stabilizing rod in the first rod receiving arrangement of the first bone implant; applying a first rod securing device to the first bone implant; mounting a temporary fixation apparatus to the first bone implant, the temporary fixation apparatus including a fixing member; fixing the stabilizing rod in position by passing the fixing member of the temporary fixation apparatus through a portion of the first bone implant to secure the stabilizing rod in position; fixing the stabilizing rod in position with the first rod securing device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for stabilizing the spinal column comprising: anchoring a first bone implant to a first vertebral body, the first bone implant having a first rod receiving arrangement; positioning a stabilizing rod in the first rod receiving arrangement of the first bone implant; applying a first rod securing device to the first bone implant; mounting a temporary fixation apparatus to the first bone implant, the temporary fixation apparatus including a fixing member; fixing the stabilizing rod in position by passing the fixing member of the temporary fixation apparatus through a portion of the first bone implant to secure the stabilizing rod in position; fixing the stabilizing rod in position with the first rod securing device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising anchoring a second bone implant to a second vertebral body, the second bone implant having a second rod receiving arrangement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 2 comprising positioning the stabilizing rod in the second rod receiving arrangement of the second bone implant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the rod receiving arrangement of the first bone implant comprises a cradle including a plurality of arms and the fixing member is passed between the arms to rest in the cradle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising a step of removing the temporary fixation apparatus from the fist bone implant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the first rod securing device is a locking nut.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the first bone implant includes a cradle having a plurality of arms having threads on an exterior surface of the arms for threadedly mounting the first rod securing device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the temporary fixation apparatus comprises: an outer cannula having a proximal end, distal end and a first lumen passing therebetween; and an inner cannula having a proximal end, distal end and second lumen passing therebetween; and the fixing member passed through the second lumen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the first bone implant is a pedicle screw.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the first bone implant includes a hook for mounting to the first vertebral body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the first bone implant has a longitudinal axis and the temporary fixation apparatus has a longitudinal axis such that the fixing member fixes the stabilizing rod in position along an axis coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the spinal implant.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising a step of: unsecuring the stabilizing rod; altering the position of a vertebra of the spinal column; and resecuring the stabilizing rod.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for stabilizing the spinal column comprising: anchoring a first bone implant to a first vertebral body, the first bone implant having a first rod receiving arrangement; positioning a stabilizing rod in the first rod receiving arrangement of the first bone implant; applying a rod securing device to the first bone implant; mounting a temporary fixation apparatus to the first bone implant, the temporary fixation apparatus comprising a cannula and a fixing member positioned within the cannula; temporarily fixing the stabilizing rod in position by passing the fixing member through the cannula and a portion of the first bone implant to fix the stabilizing rod in position; securing the stabilizing rod in position with the rod securing device.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for stabilizing the spinal column comprising: anchoring a first bone implant to a first vertebral body, the first bone implant having a first rod receiving arrangement; positioning a stabilizing rod in the first rod receiving arrangement of the first bone implant; applying a rod securing device to the first bone implant; mounting a temporary fixation apparatus to the first bone implant, the temporary fixation apparatus comprising a cannula and a fixing member positioned within the cannula; temporarily fixing the stabilizing rod in position by passing the fixing member through the cannula and a portion of the first bone implant to fix the stabilizing rod in position; securing the stabilizing rod in position with the rod securing device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 13 wherein temporarily fixing the stabilizing rod in position comprises adjusting the position of the stabilizing rod within the implant by tightening or loosening the fixing member against the stabilizing rod while maintaining a position of the cannula mounted to the implant.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-06-01 | 2007-12-01 | 2008-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-06-01 | 2011-12-01 | 2012-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-06-01 | 2015-12-01 | 2016-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |