Claims
- 1. A distracting and tool comprising:
a first distracting prong and a second distraction prong; a handle that is operatively connected to the first and the second distracting prongs; said handle operable to spread the first and second distracting prongs apart; and the first and second distracting prongs when placed together are about the shape of an implant.
- 2. The tool of claim 1, wherein said first distracting prong has a first slot and said second distracting prong has a second slot, with the first slot facing the second slot, and further wherein said first and second slots are shaped and adapted to accept an implant.
- 3. The tool of claim 1, wherein said first distracting prong has a first slot and said second distracting prong has a second slot, with the first slot facing the second slot, and further wherein said first and second slots are shaped and adapted to accept an implant which has about the same shape as the first and second distracting prongs when the first and second prongs are placed together.
- 4. The tool of claim 1, wherein said first and second distracting prongs can swivel.
- 5. The tool of claim 1, wherein said first and second distracting prongs are located at an angle with respect to the handle.
- 6. The tool of claim 1, wherein said handle can be operated in order to spread apart said first and second distracting prongs in a substantially parallel fashion.
- 7. The tool of claim 1, wherein said first and second distracting prongs are replaceable with a second set of first and second distracting prongs of a different size.
- 8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first and second distracting prongs together define a channel adapted to guide the insertion of an implant.
- 9. The tool of claim 1, wherein said first and second distracting prongs when placed together have the shape of an oval.
- 10. The tool of claim 1, wherein said first and second distracting prongs when placed together have the shape of an ellipse.
- 11. The tool of claim 1, wherein said first and second distracting prongs when placed together have a curved shape.
- 12. The tool of claim 1, wherein said first and second distracting prongs when placed together have the shape of a cylinder.
- 13. The tool of claim 2, wherein the first and second slots define an oval shape.
- 14. The tool of claim 2, wherein the first and second slots define an elliptical shape.
- 15. The tool of claim 2, wherein the first and second slots define a curved shape.
- 16. The tool of claim 2, wherein the first and second slots define a cylindrical shape.
- 17. A distracting tool comprising:
a first distracting prong and a second distraction prong; the first and second distracting prongs when placed together are about the shape of an implant and said first distracting prong has a first slot and said second distracting prong has a second slot, and wherein said first and second slots are shaped and adapted to accept an implant which has about the same shape as the first and second distracting prongs when the first and second prongs are placed together.
- 18. The tool of claim 17, wherein said first and second distracting prongs can swivel.
- 19. The tool of claim 17, wherein said first and second distracting prongs are located at an angle with respect to the handle.
- 20. The tool of claim 17, wherein said first and second distracting prongs are replaceable with a second set of first and second distracting prongs of a different size.
- 21. The tool of claim 17, wherein said first and second distracting prongs when placed together have the shape of an oval.
- 22. The tool of claim 17, wherein said first and second distracting prongs when placed together have the shape of an ellipse.
- 23. The tool of claim 17, wherein said first and second distracting prongs when placed together have a curved shape.
- 24. The tool of claim 17, wherein said first and second distracting prongs when placed together have the shape of a cylinder.
- 25. The tool of claim 17, wherein the first and second slots define an oval shape.
- 26. The tool of claim 17, wherein the first and second slots define an elliptical shape.
- 27. The tool of claim 17, wherein the first and second slots define a curved shape.
- 28. The tool of claim 17, wherein the first and second slots define a cylindrical shape.
- 29. The tool of claim 17, including a gauge connected to the handle that can indicate the distance between the first and the second distracting prongs.
- 30. The tool of claim 29, wherein the gauge connected to the handle can increment the first and the second distracting prongs a known distance.
- 31. A distracting tool comprising:
first means adapted for distracting and sizing a location to receive an implant; and second means adapted for assisting in the insertion of an implant at a location.
- 32. The tool of claim 31, wherein said first means is defined by first and second distracting prongs.
- 33. The tool of claim 31, wherein said first means includes first and second distracting prongs and means for spreading apart said first and second distracting prongs.
- 34. The tool of claim 31, wherein said third means includes first and second slots defined by first and second distracting prongs.
- 35. A combination sizing and distracting tool comprising:
first means adapted for sizing a location to receive an implant; and second means adapted for distracting a location to receive an implant.
- 36. The tool of claim 35, wherein said first means is defined by first and second distracting prongs.
- 37. The tool of claim 35, wherein said first means includes outer surfaces of first and second distracting prongs.
- 38. The tool of claim 35, wherein said first means includes first and second distracting prongs and said second means includes means for spreading apart said first and second distracting prongs.
- 39. A method of sizing, distracting and installing an implant comprising the steps of:
(a) inserting distracting prongs between body elements; (b) distracting the body elements; (c) placing an implant between the distracting prongs; (d) removing the distracting prongs from between the body elements; and (e) leaving the implant in place.
- 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the distracting step (b) includes the step of spreading apart the distracting prongs so that the distracting prongs remain substantially parallel.
- 41. The method of claim 39, further including a step (b-1) after the distracting step (b) of reading a gauge to determine the distance between the distracting prongs.
- 42. A method for determining the size of an opening for installing an implant, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) inserting distracting prongs between body element; (b) distracting the body elements; (c) reading a gauge to determine the distance between the distracting prongs; and (d) removing the distracting prongs from between the body element.
- 43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the distracting step (b) is accomplished by increasing the distance between distracting prongs.
- 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the step (b) of distracting includes spreading apart the distracting prongs so that the distracting prongs remain substantially parallel.
- 45. A distraction device, the device comprising:
a first and a second distracting prong; a handle for manipulating the first and second distracting prong; a linkage to ensure that the first and second distracting prongs remain substantially parallel to each other; and a gauge connected with the handle, indicating the distance between the first and second distracting prongs.
- 46. The device according to claim 45, wherein the linkage contains first and second cross-link elements, each of said first and second cross-link elements has a first end and a second end, and wherein said cross-link elements are pivotally mounted to each other.
- 47. The device according to claim 45, wherein the gauge can further lock the first and second distracting prongs in place.
- 48. The device according to claim 45, wherein the shape of the distracting prongs when placed together is substantially similar to the outer surface of an implant device.
- 49. A distraction device, the device comprising:
first and second distracting prongs; a handle for manipulating the first and second distracting prong; a gauge element connected with the handle, indicating the distance between the first and second distracting prong; and means for ensuring that the first and second distracting prongs remain substantially parallel to each other throughout a range of motion.
- 50. The device according to claim 49, wherein the handle has a first member and a second member pivotally connected with each other.
- 51. The device according to claim 49, wherein the first and second distracting prong each have a slot.
- 52. A device according to claim 49, wherein the shape of the distracting prongs are substantially similar to the outer surface of an implant device.
- 53. A distraction device comprising:
first and second distracting prongs which together form the shape of an implant; and a handle for manipulating the first and second distracting prong.
- 54. The device of claim 53 including:
a linkage to ensure that the first and second distracting prong more substantially parallel to each other.
- 55. A device according to claim 53, wherein the handle further has a gauge to indicate the distance between the first and second distracting prongs.
- 56. A device according to claim 53, wherein the distracting prongs can be placed between body elements in order to distract the body elements.
- 57. A distracting tool comprising:
a first distracting prong; a second distracting prong; a handle operating connected with the first and second distracting prong; a sizing gauge, and a locking mechanism to hold the first and second distracting prong apart.
- 58. The tool of claim 57 including:
a distraction limiter.
- 59. The tool of claim 57 including:
said handle having a hand positioning device.
- 60. The tool of claim 57 including:
said handle having at least one hand positioning device connected with the locking mechanism.
- 61. The tool as recited in claim 57, wherein the first and second distracting prongs extend out at a substantially 90° angle from the handle.
- 62. The tool as recited in claim 57, wherein when the first and second distracting prongs are closed together, the first and second prong form the shape of an implant.
- 63. The tool as recited in claim 57, wherein the gauge allows a physician to determine the diameter of the opening while the first and second distracting elements remain within the opening.
- 64. The tool as recited in claim 57, wherein the distraction limiter prevents the tool from distracting the initial opening to a diameter of more than a defined distance.
- 65. The tool as recited in claim 57, wherein the locking mechanism includes a pawl and ratchet wheel mechanism.
- 66. The tool as recited in claim 65, wherein the pawl is adapted to be controlled by a single digit, allowing the physician to distract an opening with the first and second distracting prongs and subsequently lock the handle using a single hand.
- 67. A distracting tool comprising:
a first distracting prong and a second distracting prong; a handle, capable of controlling the distance between the first and second distracting prongs; a gauge indicating the distance between the first and second distracting prongs; a hand positioning mechanism associated with the handle, the hand grip having a locking mechanism; and wherein the handle is adapted to be urged in closed position and locked using a single hand.
- 68. The tool as recited in claim 67, wherein the first and second distracting prongs substantially form the shape of the implant when the first and second distracting prongs are closed together.
- 69. The tool as recited in claim 67, wherein the locking mechanism includes a pawl and ratchet wheel.
- 70. The tool as recited in claim 67, wherein the gauge has a distraction limiter that prevents the opening from being distracted to a diameter of more than a predetermined distance.
- 71. A distracting tool comprising:
a first distracting prong and a second distracting prong; means for controlling the separation between the first and second distracting prongs; means for determining the distance between the first and second distracting prongs; means for locking the first and second distracting prongs in place; and wherein the means for controlling the separation between the first and second distracting prongs and the means for locking the first and second distracting prongs in place can be operated with one hand.
- 72. The tool as recited in claim 71, wherein the means for determining the distance between the first and second distracting elements are defined by a gauge, indicating whether the first and second distracting elements are six millimeters, eight millimeters, ten millimeters, twelve millimeters or fourteen millimeters apart.
- 73. The tool as recited in claim 71, wherein the means for locking the first and second distracting elements in place is defined by a locking mechanism, having a pawl and a ratchet wheel.
- 74. The tool of claim 1, further including a gauge mounted on said handle that measures the amount of distraction.
- 75. The tool of claim 1, further including gauge mounted on said handle that has indicia for at least some of 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, and 14 mm of distraction.
- 76. The tool of claim 1, wherein said handle has a first handle element connected to the first distraction prong and a second handle element connected to the second distraction prong, with a gauge mounted to one of the handle elements and a pointed mounted to the other of the handle elements.
- 77. The tool of claim 1, further including a distraction stop that is adapted to prevent over-distraction of adjacent spinous processes.
- 78. The tool of claim 1, further including a gauge mounted on said handle that measures the amount of distraction, and wherein a distraction stop is mounted on said gauge that is adapted to prevent over-distraction of adjacent spinous processes.
- 79. The tool of claim 1, wherein said handles including a locking mechanism that can lock the handle in a distracting position.
- 80. The tool of claim 1, further including a locking mechanism that is operable with the one hand that is used to operate the tool.
- 81. The tool of claim 1, further including a locking mechanism that includes pawl and a set of teeth which can be engaged by the pawl.
- 82. A distraction tool comprising:
a first means adapted for distracting a location to receive an implant; a second means for indicating the amount of the distraction of the location.
- 83. The tool of claim 82, further including locking means for locking-in the amount of distraction, which locking means is operable with the sole hand that operates the tool to cause distraction.
- 84. The tool of claim 82, wherein said second means including a gauge means for measuring the amount of distraction.
- 85. The tool of claim 82, wherein said gauge means has indicia for at least some of 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, and 14 mm of distraction.
- 86. The tool of claim 85, wherein said gauge means includes a gauge mounted to a first handle element and a pointed mounted to a second handle element.
- 87. The tool of claim 82, further including a distraction stop means that is adapted for preventing over-distraction of adjacent spinous processes.
- 88. The tool of claim 82, wherein said second means including a gauge means for measuring the amount of distraction, and wherein a distraction stop means is mounted on said gauge means that is adapted for preventing over-distraction of adjacent spinous processes.
- 89. The tool of claim 82 including:
a locking means for locking the tool in a distracting position.
- 90. The tool of claim 82, further including a locking means for locking the tool in a distracting position, which locking mechanism includes pawl and a set of teeth which can be engaged by the pawl.
- 91. A method of distracting a location to receive an implant comprising using one hand to implement the steps of:
(a) inserting distracting prongs between body elements; (b) distracting the body elements; and (c) using a gauge to determine the amount of distraction.
- 92. The method of claim 91, further including the step (d) of using the one hand to lock-in the amount of distraction.
- 93. The tool of claim 1, including a gauge connected to the handle that can indicate the distance between the first and the second distracting prongs.
- 94. The tool of claim 1 including:
said prongs are interchangeable with prongs of different sizes.
- 95. The tool of claim 1 wherein:
said prongs are swivelable.
- 96. The tool of claim 1 including:
sleeves that can fit over said prongs in order to increase the size of the prongs.
- 97. The tool of claim 57 including:
said prongs are interchangeable with prongs of different sizes.
- 98. The tool of claim 57 wherein:
said prongs are swivelable.
- 99. The tool of claim 57 including:
sleeves that can fit over said prongs in order to increase the size of the prongs.
- 100. The tool of claim 67 including:
said prongs are interchangeable with prongs of different sizes.
- 101. The tool of claim 67 wherein:
said prongs are swivelable.
- 102. The tool of claim 67 including:
sleeves that can fit over said prongs in order to increase the size of the prongs.
- 103. The tool of claim 71 including:
said prongs are interchangeable with prongs of different sizes.
- 104. The tool of claim 71 wherein:
said prongs are swivelable.
- 105. The tool of claim 71 including:
sleeves that can fit over said prongs in order to increase the size of the prongs.
Parent Case Info
[0001] continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/474,037 filed on Dec. 28, 1999 and entitled SPINE DISTRACTION IMPLANT, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,190,387, issued Feb. 20, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/175,645 filed on Oct. 20, 1998 and entitled SPINE DISTRACTION IMPLANT, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,630 issued May 30, 2000. All of the above applications and patents are incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60323508 |
Sep 2001 |
US |
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09179570 |
Oct 1998 |
US |
Child |
09999754 |
Oct 2001 |
US |
Continuation in Parts (5)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09799470 |
Mar 2001 |
US |
Child |
09999754 |
Oct 2001 |
US |
Parent |
09799215 |
Mar 2001 |
US |
Child |
09999754 |
Oct 2001 |
US |
Parent |
09473173 |
Dec 1999 |
US |
Child |
09999754 |
Oct 2001 |
US |
Parent |
09474037 |
Dec 1999 |
US |
Child |
09999754 |
Oct 2001 |
US |
Parent |
09175645 |
Oct 1998 |
US |
Child |
09999754 |
Oct 2001 |
US |