The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 04, 1999
Filed:
Jul. 29, 1997
Applicant:
Inventors:
Stephen D Kuslich, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Douglas W Kohrs, Edina, MN (US);
Assignee:
Sulzer Spine-Tech Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A61B / ; A61B / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
606 96 ; 606 80 ;
Abstract
The invention provides a guide system for use in a spinal implant procedure. The system includes a hollow tube for accurately guiding instruments to prepare a site and/or insert a spinal fusion implant between opposing vertebrae. The guide tube can be surrounded by a sheath to reduce the chance of injury during placement of the guide tube.