Patent ID: 6174311
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: A61B,A61F,Y10S

Abstract:
An implant holder for releasable securing a spinal fusion implant, the holder comprising:a shaft defining a proximal end and an opposite distal end with a longitudinal axis extending between said proximal and distal ends, said shaft including an upper branch, a lower branch and a channel therebetween; anda gripping head attached to said distal end, said gripping head including an upper branch extension attached to the upper branch, a lower branch extension attached to the lower branch, wherein the lower branch extension includes an impacting first surface and a second surface abutting the first surface and positioned to lie substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and wherein the upper branch extension defines a distal portion having a first width and a proximal portion having a second width, said first width greater than said second width, and wherein said upper branch extension further includes an impacting third surface abutting said proximal portion and a fourth surface extending from the distal portion to the proximal portion and positioned to lie at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis and adapted to matingly engage one side of a secured implant; anda closure device movably mounted on said shaft, said closure device movable between a holding position urging said upper and lower branches together and a released position allowing movement of said upper and lower branches.