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. 18, 2014
Filed:
Aug. 05, 2008
Michael J. Funk, North Bend, WA (US);
Thomas J. Mcleer, Redmond, WA (US);
Teena M. Augostino, Redmond, WA (US);
Richard J. Broman, Kirkland, WA (US);
Leonard J. Tokish, Jr., Issaquah, WA (US);
Michael J. Funk, North Bend, WA (US);
Thomas J. McLeer, Redmond, WA (US);
Teena M. Augostino, Redmond, WA (US);
Richard J. Broman, Kirkland, WA (US);
Leonard J. Tokish, Jr., Issaquah, WA (US);
GMEDELAWARE 2 LLC, Audubon, PA (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides tools and methods designed to aid in the placement of artificial facet joints at virtually all spinal levels. One aspect of the present invention is a measurement tool for installing an artificial cephalad facet joint including a fixation measurement element and a support arm element. This measurement tool assists in the selection and/or configuration of an artificial cephalad facet joint for implantation in a patient. Another aspect is a measurement tool for installing a caudad facet joint including a stem element and a trial caudad bearing surface element. This measurement tool assists in the selection and/or configuration of a caudad facet joint for implantation in a patient. Yet another aspect is a measurement tool holder including a measurement surface connected to a holder element. This tool holder assists in determining the measurements obtained with the caudad facet joint measurement tool.