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:
Jan. 29, 2013
Filed:
Mar. 26, 2007
Elizabeth Watson Edmond, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Elizabeth Watson Edmond, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
U.S. Spine, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT (US);
Abstract
Spinal distraction apparatus includes at least one plate member having upper and lower surfaces adapted for placement between opposing upper and lower spinous processes having outer lateral surfaces. A pair of scissoring elements are hingedly affixed to the plate member to engage with the lateral surfaces of the spinous processes. A device is provided for locking the scissoring elements in position once a desired degree of contact is made. In a preferred configuration, the scissoring elements are sandwiched between a pair of opposing plate members, each having upper and lower surfaces adapted for placement between opposing upper and lower spinous processes, and the inner surfaces of the scissoring elements are concave. The device for locking the scissoring elements in position is a fastener that extends through a central portion of both scissoring elements and the plate members. The apparatus may further include a retractor with upper and lower plates for spreading the upper and lower spinous processes apart to receive the plate with scissoring element(s), and wherein the upper and lower surfaces of the plate member have notches to accommodate the upper and lower plates.