Patents Assigned to Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.
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Publication number: 20050137593Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2004Publication date: June 23, 2005Applicant: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.Inventors: Eric Gray, Paul Boschert
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Publication number: 20040249460Abstract: A lordotic implant has a frusto-conical shape with external threads. Prior to placement of the implant, vertebrae are distracted in a manner to provide a desired lordosis between the vertebrae. The pre-distracted vertebrae are then tapped to provide a tapped bore having a geometry matching the conical geometry of the implant. The threaded implant is then placed within the pre-tapped conical bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.Inventors: Douglas W. Kohrs, Paul M. Sand
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Publication number: 20040220578Abstract: Bone guides for sizing or shaping bone are disclosed. The guides can be configured and sized for placement on a surgery table, instrument table or similar structure in an operating room. The guides provide for real time preparation of a bone graft during a surgical procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2003Publication date: November 4, 2004Applicant: Sulzer Spine-Tech, Inc.Inventors: Charanpreet S. Bagga, David A. Hanson, Dale L. Brady
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Patent number: 6743231Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2000Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.Inventors: Eric L. Gray, Paul F. Boschert
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Patent number: 6740091Abstract: A lordotic implant has a frusto-conical shape with external threads. Prior to placement of the implant, vertebrae are distracted in a manner to provide a desired lordosis between the vertebrae. The pre-distracted vertebrae are then tapped to provide a tapped bore having a geometry matching the conical geometry of the implant. The threaded implant is then placed within the pre-tapped conical bore.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.Inventors: Douglas W. Kohrs, Paul M. Sand
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Publication number: 20040093021Abstract: A surgical instrument suitable for use in an implant procedure is disclosed. A surgical instrument of the invention can be particularly advantageous for use in grasping, holding and placement of implants in an intervertebral disc space. In a typical embodiment, the surgical instrument has a grasping region to hold the implant, and an impact head for receiving a force in order to insert the implant.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2003Publication date: May 13, 2004Applicant: Sulzer Spine-Tech IncInventor: David A. Hanson
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Publication number: 20040082957Abstract: Spinal fusion implants are inserted into a disc space of disc material separating first and second vertebrae by forming bores between the vertebrae. A distraction spacer is temporarily put in place on one side of the vertebrae while a bore is being formed on an opposite of the vertebrae.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Applicant: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.Inventors: Kuslich D. Stephen, Kohrs W. Douglas
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Publication number: 20040059337Abstract: Instruments and methods for preparing adjacent bones for fusion, and for inserting implants are disclosed. In one embodiment, the instruments include paddles for spacing the adjacent bones a predetermined distance and a cutting edge to create a channel between the adjacent bones to receive a fusion implant. In another embodiment, the instruments include a bone cutting instrument, a rasp, and an implant inserting tool. The instruments and methods are particularly advantageous for preparing a spinal fusion implant site.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Applicant: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.Inventors: David A. Hanson, Ross A. Longhini, Steven J. Seme
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Publication number: 20040015168Abstract: A surgical method and apparatus for implanting a spinal fusion implant includes a rigid centering guide having a distal end sized to be inserted into the disc space with the guide extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal end to a proximal end. The guide includes a first external guide surface which extends at least partially between the distal end and the proximal end. The external guide surface is shaped complimentary to an external guided surface of a drill guide. The external guide surface and the guided surface are nested such that the guided surface slides against the external guide surface along a path of travel parallel to the longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Applicant: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.Inventors: Kenneth S. Yonemura, Douglas W. Kohrs
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Patent number: 6676662Abstract: Bone guides for sizing or shaping bone are disclosed. The guides can be configured and sized for placement on a surgery table, instrument table or similar structure in an operating room. The guides provide for real time preparation of a bone graft during a surgical procedure.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2000Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.Inventors: Charanpreet S. Bagga, David A. Hanson, Dale L. Brady
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Publication number: 20030216744Abstract: Instruments and methods for insertion of one or more spinal implants into an intervertebral space between opposing vertebral bodies are disclosed. Instruments according to the invention include a guide for preparing a spinal fusion implant site, a guide starter, implant depth gauges, reamers, taps and implant drivers. The instruments and methods disclosed provide improved visualization of the surgical field and enhanced precision of placement of spinal fusion implants between vertebral bodies.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Applicant: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.Inventors: Ross Longhini, John J. Grabowski, Kevin V. Guenther, Erik E. Emstad, Peter J. Pohndorf
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Patent number: 6641582Abstract: Instruments and methods for preparing adjacent bones for fusion are disclosed. In a typical embodiment, the instruments include paddles for spacing the adjacent bones a predetermined distance and a cutting edge to create a channel between the adjacent bones to receive a fusion implant. The instruments and methods are particularly advantageous for preparing a spinal fusion implant site.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2000Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.Inventors: David A. Hanson, Ross A. Longhini, Steven J. Seme
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Patent number: 6635060Abstract: Instruments and methods for preparing adjacent bones for fusion, and for inserting implants are disclosed. In one embodiment, the instruments include paddles for spacing the adjacent bones a predetermined distance and a cutting edge to create a channel between the adjacent bones to receive a fusion implant. In another embodiment, the instruments include a bone cutting instrument, a rasp, and an implant inserting tool. The instruments and methods are particularly advantageous for preparing a spinal fusion implant site.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.Inventors: David A. Hanson, Ross A. Longhini, Steven J. Seme
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Patent number: 6626905Abstract: Instruments and methods for spinal stabilization are disclosed. In preferred embodiments, the invention provides greater stabilization of vertebral bodies through methods including combinations of bilateral external fixation systems and intervertebral implants to provide greater fusion stability, greater motion segment stability, faster fusion, reduced pain, reduced chance of migration, reduced chance of subsidence, etc.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2000Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignees: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc., University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher EducationInventors: Daniel G. Schmiel, Rodney L. Houfburg, Daniel D. McPhillips, William C. Welch
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Patent number: 6599320Abstract: An alignment guide for placing an intervertebral spinal implant into a disc space includes a body and a pair of parallel pins spaced at a predetermined distance from one another. The body may be x-ray transparent while the pins are made of material that is visible to x-ray, allowing the guide assembly to imaged in the spine using x-ray.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1999Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.Inventors: Stephen D. Kuslich, Douglas W. Kohrs
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Patent number: 6585749Abstract: A surgical instrument suitable for use in an implant procedure is disclosed. A surgical instrument of the invention can be particularly advantageous for use in grasping, holding and placement of implants in an intervertebral disc space. In a typical embodiment, the surgical instrument has a grasping region to hold the implant, and an impact head for receiving a force in order to insert the implant.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.Inventor: David A. Hanson
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Patent number: 6562041Abstract: A surgical method and apparatus for implanting a spinal fusion implant includes a rigid centering guide having a distal end sized to be inserted into the disc space with the guide extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal end to a proximal end. The guide includes a first external guide surface which extends at least partially between the distal end and the proximal end. The external guide surface is shaped complimentary to an external guided surface of a drill guide. The external guide surface and the guided surface are nested such that the guided surface slides against the external guide surface along a path of travel parallel to the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2000Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.Inventors: Kenneth S. Yonemura, Douglas W. Kohrs
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Publication number: 20030045938Abstract: A lordotic implant has a frusto-conical shape with external threads. Prior to placement of the implant, vertebrae are distracted in a manner to provide a desired lordosis between the vertebrae. The pre-distracted vertebrae are then tapped to provide a tapped bore having a geometry matching the conical geometry of the implant. The threaded implant is then placed within the pre-tapped conical bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2002Publication date: March 6, 2003Applicant: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.Inventors: Douglas W. Kohrs, Paul M. Sand
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Patent number: 6524318Abstract: Instruments and methods for insertion of one or more spinal implants into an intervertebral space between opposing vertebral bodies are disclosed. Instruments according to the invention include a guide for preparing a spinal fusion implant site, a guide starter, implant depth gauges, reamers, taps and implant drivers. The instruments and methods disclosed provide improved visualization of the surgical field and enhanced precision of placement of spinal fusion implants between vertebral bodies.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2000Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.Inventors: Ross Longhini, John J. Grabowski, Kevin V. Guenther, Erik E. Emstad, Peter J. Pohndorf
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Publication number: 20030028216Abstract: A surgical instrument suitable for use in an implant procedure is disclosed. A surgical instrument of the invention can be particularly advantageous for use in grasping, holding and placement of implants in an intervertebral disc space. In a typical embodiment, the surgical instrument has a grasping region to hold the implant, and an impact head for receiving a force in order to insert the implant.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2001Publication date: February 6, 2003Applicant: Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc.Inventor: David A. Hanson