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. 31, 2016
Filed:
Aug. 14, 2012
Qi-bin Boa, Marquette, MI (US);
Jeffrey L. Trudeau, Marquette, MI (US);
Brian Patrick Janowski, Marquette, MI (US);
Matthew N. Songer, Marquette, MI (US);
Hansen A. Yuan, Fayetteville, NY (US);
Thomas S. Kilpela, Marquette, MI (US);
Gregory Berrevoets, Skandia, MI (US);
Qi-Bin Boa, Marquette, MI (US);
Jeffrey L. Trudeau, Marquette, MI (US);
Brian Patrick Janowski, Marquette, MI (US);
Matthew N. Songer, Marquette, MI (US);
Hansen A. Yuan, Fayetteville, NY (US);
Thomas S. Kilpela, Marquette, MI (US);
Gregory Berrevoets, Skandia, MI (US);
PIONEER SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY, INC., Marquette, MI (US);
Abstract
An artificial disc device for replacing a damaged nucleus is disclosed. In one form, the device may be inserted in components such that the device may be assembled within and retained by the natural annulus therein. In another form, the device may be inserted into the natural annulus in a collapsed or compressed state or arrangement and then be expanded within and retained by the annulus therein. In a further form, the device may be provided with a releasable connection so that the device may be connected in an insertion configuration and may be released in an operable configuration. Insertion tools and methods are also disclosed.