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:
Mar. 28, 2000
Filed:
May. 20, 1998
Charles D Ray, Williamsburg, VA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A vertebral spacer apparatus includes an elongated member having proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal axis and a vertebral spacer which is releasably mounted to the elongated member. The vertebral spacer includes an insertion end portion and a trailing end portion. The insertion end portion is configured to at least span an intervertebral space defined between adjacent vertebrae. The trailing end portion defines a dimension greater than a corresponding dimension of the insertion end portion and is sized to prevent entry thereof within the intervertebral space. The insertion end portion preferably includes first and second opposed support surfaces wherein a dimension defined between the first and second support surfaces at least spans the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae. A method for implanting a fusion implant with the vertebral spacer apparatus is also disclosed.