US 12,279,971 B2
Angling inserter tool for expandable vertebral implant
James Himmelberger, Souderton, PA (US); Colm McLaughlin, Glenside, PA (US); and Mark Weiman, Downingtown, PA (US)
Assigned to Globus Medical, Inc., Audubon, PA (US)
Filed by GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC., Audubon, PA (US)
Filed on Mar. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/656,659.
Application 17/656,659 is a continuation of application No. 16/664,980, filed on Oct. 28, 2019, granted, now 11,298,243.
Application 16/664,980 is a continuation of application No. 15/878,601, filed on Jan. 24, 2018, granted, now 10,492,928, issued on Dec. 3, 2019.
Application 15/878,601 is a continuation of application No. 15/139,684, filed on Apr. 27, 2016, granted, now 9,913,735, issued on Mar. 13, 2018.
Application 15/139,684 is a continuation of application No. 14/281,458, filed on May 19, 2014, granted, now 9,345,588, issued on May 24, 2016.
Application 14/281,458 is a continuation of application No. 13/421,411, filed on Mar. 15, 2012, granted, now 8,870,880, issued on Oct. 28, 2014.
Application 13/421,411 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/333,227, filed on Dec. 21, 2011, granted, now 8,591,585, issued on Nov. 26, 2013.
Application 13/333,227 is a continuation in part of application No. 12/758,529, filed on Apr. 12, 2010, granted, now 8,282,683, issued on Oct. 9, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2022/0211520 A1, Jul. 7, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61F 2/46 (2006.01); A61F 2/28 (2006.01); A61F 2/30 (2006.01); A61F 2/44 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 2/4611 (2013.01) [A61F 2/44 (2013.01); A61F 2/4425 (2013.01); A61F 2/4455 (2013.01); A61F 2/4465 (2013.01); A61F 2002/2817 (2013.01); A61F 2002/2835 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3008 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30383 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30393 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30395 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30405 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30477 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30495 (2013.01); A61F 2002/305 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30505 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30507 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30523 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3055 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30571 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30576 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30578 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30579 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30593 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30594 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30601 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30604 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30828 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30843 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30845 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30858 (2013.01); A61F 2/4603 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4625 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4627 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4628 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4629 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4658 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4661 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4668 (2013.01); A61F 2/4684 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00011 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00023 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00131 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An angling inserter tool configured to insert an expandable implant between vertebra, the angling inserter tool comprising:
a base having an outer shaft and an attachment shaft disposed within the outer shaft;
a tip assembly defining a longitudinal axis and a pin axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, the tip assembly rotatably secured to the base by a pin disposed along the pin axis, wherein the tip assembly includes a through-bore and a central shaft disposed in the through-bore, the central shaft rotationally coupled to the attachment shaft and adapted for secure engagement with the expandable implant, the tip assembly including a pivot point laterally offset from the longitudinal axis;
an angling drive shaft disposed along the outer shaft and pivotally coupled to the tip assembly at the pivot point such that the tip assembly is configured to rotate about the pin axis upon longitudinal translation of the angling drive shaft;
a handle coupled to the handle;
wherein the base further comprises:
a primary drive shaft configured to be coaxially received within the angling drive shaft;
a secondary drive shaft configured to be coaxially received within the primary drive shaft;
a primary gear mechanism and a secondary gear mechanism configured to transfer rotation to the central shaft;
wherein the secondary gear mechanism comprises a gear at a distal end of the secondary drive shaft and coaxial with the secondary drive shaft, a central gear configured to engage the gear at the distal end and coaxial with the pin, and a gear portion on the central shaft configured to engage the central gear.