Surgical instrument for introducing intervertebral implants

• US 20020045904A1
• Filed: 07/26/2001
• Published: 04/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aesculap AG (Lonza Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Aesculap AG (Lonza Group AG)
• Inventors: Eckhof, Stephan, Fuss, Franz Konstantin, Sabitzer, Ronald J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,599,294 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/99
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/02 for holding wounds open; Tractors specula A61B1/32 ; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0206 with antagonistic arms as supports for retractor elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30724 Spacers for centering an implant in a bone cavity, e.g. in a cement-receiving cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4465 having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4601 for introducing bone substitute, for implanting bone graft implants or for compacting them in the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4603 for insertion or extraction of endoprosthetic joints or of accessories thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2835 Bone graft implants for filling a bony defect or an endoprosthesis cavity, e.g. by synthetic material or biological material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30112 Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30125 elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30153 rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30774 internally-threaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30787 inclined obliquely with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/448 comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4615 of spacers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4622 having the shape of a forceps or a clamp
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4627 : with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4635 : using minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4687 : Mechanical guides for implantation instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0004 : Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0008 : elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0019 : rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 : for adjusting angular orientation

Abstract

In order, in the case of a surgical instrument for introducing intervertebral implants into the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bodies, to facilitate the introduction of the intervertebral implant even when access is difficult, it is proposed that the surgical instrument comprises two mutually opposing guide bodies, which each have a guide directed towards the other guide body and together form between them a guideway, along which an intervertebral implant is insertable laterally into the intervertebral space.

Claims

1. Surgical instrument for introducing intervertebral implants (2) into the intervertebral space (14) between adjacent vertebral bodies (15), comprising two mutually opposing guide bodies (5), which each have a guide (10, 11) directed towards the other guide body (5) and together form between them a guideway, along which an intervertebral implant (2) is insertable laterally into the intervertebral space (14), characterized in that the guide bodies (5) are adjustable in terms of their mutual distance.

2. Surgical instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the guideway in the plane of displacement extends in the shape of an arc.

3. Surgical instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the space between the guide bodies (5) is open at least at one side along the guideway.

4. Surgical instrument according to claim 2, characterized in that the space between the guide bodies (5) is open at least at one side along the guideway.

5. Surgical instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide bodies (5) have a free end and, there, carry extensions (13), which are placeable against vertebral bodies (15) forming the intervertebral space (14) and which are disposed next to the guideway in such a way that the intervertebral implant (2), which is fed forward along the guideway, at the end of the guideway next to the extension (13) is placeable against the adjacent vertebral bodies (15).

6. Surgical instrument according to claim 5, characterized in that the extensions (13) take the form of prongs projecting pairwise in the direction of displacement from the end of the guideway in continuation thereof.

7. Surgical instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the guideway is delimited at the top and at the underside by two guide surfaces (10) and at the sides by side walls (11), which between them maintain a slot-shaped space (12) so that an intervertebral implant (2) conveyed between the guide bodies (5) is guided in the guideway even when the distance between the guide bodies (5) increases.

8. Surgical instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide bodies (5) have a free end and are pivotally connected to one another at the opposite end (7) to the free end.

9. Surgical instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that each guide body (5) comprises a flat bearing surface (10) for the intervertebral implant (2) and said bearing surface has laterally delimiting guide walls (11), which extend parallel to one another along the guide body (5) and project in the direction of the other guide body (5) beyond the bearing surface (10).

10. Surgical instrument according to claim 8, characterized in that each guide body (5) comprises a flat bearing surface (10) for the intervertebral implant (2) and said bearing surface has laterally delimiting guide walls (11), which extend parallel to one another along the guide body (5) and project in the direction of the other guide body (5) beyond the bearing surface (10).

11. Surgical instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide bodies (5) have a free end and that the guideway at its opposite end to the free end of the guide bodies (5) exits laterally from the instrument so that an intervertebral implant (2) is insertable into the guideway there.

12. Surgical instrument according to claim 8, characterized in that both guide bodies (5) are firmly connected to gripping branches (6), which extend beyond the hinged connecting point (7) of the guide bodies (5).

13. Surgical instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that on it is disposed a stop (9) for maintaining a minimum distance between the two guide bodies (5).

14. Surgical instrument according to claim 13, characterized in that the stop (9) is adjustable.

15. Surgical instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that supported between the two guide bodies (5) so as to be displaceable along the guideway formed by the latter is a forward feed body (24), which comprises a releasable holding device for the intervertebral implant (2).

16. Surgical instrument according to claim 15, characterized in that the forward feed body (24) comprises a receiving space (25), which is open towards the—

in forward feed direction—

front end of said forward feed body, for the intervertebral implant (2).

17. Surgical instrument according to claim 16, characterized in that the receiving space (25) is delimited by two side walls (26), which extend along the guideway.

18. Surgical instrument according to claim 15, characterized in that the releasable holding device comprises elastic detent devices (27), which spring into recesses (28).

19. Surgical instrument according to claim 16, characterized in that the forward feed body (24) at its—

in forward feed direction—

rear end has an access opening (37) for a retaining element (36), which is placeable against the intervertebral implant

20. Surgical instrument according to claim 19, characterized in that the retaining element (36) is curved in accordance with the guideway.

21. Surgical instrument according to claim 15, characterized in that the forward feed body (24) is connected to a curved forward feed rod (29), which is displaceable along the guideway.

22. Surgical instrument according to claim 21, characterized in that the connection (33, 34) between forward feed body (24) and forward feed rod (29) is releasable.

23. Surgical instrument according to claim 21, characterized in that the forward feed rod (29) takes the form of a toothed rack, which meshes with a toothed wheel (30) rotatably supported on a guide body (5).

24. Surgical instrument according to claim 21, characterized in that the forward feed rod (29) comprises a longitudinal groove (35) for receiving and guiding a retaining element (36) for the intervertebral implant.

25. Surgical instrument according to claim 8 and intervertebral implant (2) insertable through said instrument into an intervertebral space, characterized in that the guide bodies (5) from their swivel bearing point (7) up to their free end are at a decreasing distance from one another, which at the—

in forward feed direction—

rear insertion end of the guideway is greater than the height of the intervertebral implant and optionally of the forward feed body (24) but at the—

in forward feed direction—

front outlet end of the guideway is smaller than the height of the intervertebral implant and/or of the forward feed body (24).

26. Surgical instrument according to claim 25, characterized in that the forward feed body (24) and/or the guide bodies (5) at the surfaces, which are in mutual contact, are made of a low-friction material.