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:
Dec. 22, 2015
Filed:
Feb. 10, 2009
Jeffrey L. Trudeau, Marquette, MI (US);
Thomas S. Kilpela, Marquette, MI (US);
Qi-bin Bao, Marquette, MI (US);
Weston Pernsteiner, Marquette, MI (US);
Jeffrey L. Trudeau, Marquette, MI (US);
Thomas S. Kilpela, Marquette, MI (US);
Qi-Bin Bao, Marquette, MI (US);
Weston Pernsteiner, Marquette, MI (US);
PIONEER SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY, INC., Marquette, MI (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for making a size measurement within an intervertebral space by placing an expandable and contractible device into the intervertebral space, expanding the device, measuring a size characteristic of the space, contracting the device and then removing it. The measurement may be accomplished by an external x-ray or other imaging device imaging the expanded device in situ or by mechanically operated devices. An expansion and contraction mechanism such as fluid containing bladder or mechanically shifted members expands the device which later contracts in a controlled manner to the contracted size. An apparatus and method is provided for the measuring of the intervertebral space at a controlled distraction force. The apparatus includes an expandable device for providing a measurement within the intervertebral space and facilitating the measurement of the angulations of the lordotic curve of the intervertebral space.