US 12,232,781 B2
Cortical/cancellous bone probes and related surgical methods
John T. Braun, Charlotte, VT (US)
Assigned to BraunVest, LLC, Charlotte, VT (US)
Filed by BaunVest, LLC, Charlotte, VT (US)
Filed on Oct. 5, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/063,674.
Application 17/063,674 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/526,664, filed on Jul. 30, 2019, granted, now 11,648,000.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/910,333, filed on Oct. 3, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/712,158, filed on Jul. 30, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0045784 A1, Feb. 18, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 17/16 (2006.01); A61B 17/70 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/7076 (2013.01) [A61B 90/39 (2016.02); A61B 2017/00075 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00115 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00367 (2013.01); A61B 2090/3966 (2016.02)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vertebral probe for use in spinal surgeries, comprising:
a shaft; and
a tip positioned at a distal end of the shaft and configured to penetrate a vertebral body to facilitate subsequent placement of a bone anchor providing bicortical purchase within the vertebral body, wherein the tip is axially movable relative to the shaft during a spinal surgery, wherein the tip comprises a non-circular shape in cross-section, at least in part, wherein the tip extends from a shelf that faces distally towards the tip, wherein the shelf defines an engaging surface configured to engage an outer surface of cortical wall of the vertebral body during a spinal surgery after the tip has penetrated the cortical wall to increase an insertion force needed for continued advancement of the vertebral probe through the vertebral body following engagement of the outer surface of the cortical wall by the shelf, and wherein the tip is axially movable relative to the shelf.