Vertebral distraction stabilizer

• US 20020087163A1
• Filed: 01/02/2002
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Altus Partners LLC, Specialist Properties, LLC
• Original Assignee: Donald J. Hackman, Robert A. Dixon
• Inventors: Dixon, Robert A., Hackman, Donald J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,663,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine

Abstract

This invention comprises a device and a method of maintaining distraction and providing tool guidance in the preparation of an intervertebral space for an implant. It provides a means for attaching a tube, to guide tools that will prepare the vertebra for accepting an implant. At any time during the procedure the tube may be removed to inspect or remove debris from the disc space and the vertebral end plates without disturbing the distraction. The system has multiple tube diameters which can be attached to a common flange to increase the dowel size during the procedure without redistracting.

Claims

1. A device and a method for distracting and maintaining the distraction of vertebrae in a human spine and for providing tool guidance in preparation for spinal graft implantation or fusion comprising:

(a) a vertebral distractor means with an alignment gauging section, and

(b) a flange attachable to said vertebra with means to align said flange with said alignment gauging section of said distractor or spreader and to maintain distraction of said vertebrae, and

(c) one or more guidance tubes, open at each end, which removably attaches to said flange, and guide preparation tools and implantation of graft material, and

(d) tools and machining means for preparation of vertebral end plates for implantation of said graft material.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said vertebral distractor utilizes a flat paddle, which may be fully inserted into the intervertebral space before distraction, then rotated to cause distraction.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said vertebral distractor means utilizes a cone or bullet shaped device, which distracts while being engaged into said intervertebral space.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said alignment gauging section is a circular disk with which the said flange may be positioned for alignment with the vertebral end plates.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said flange is attachable to said vertebra with screws, nails, spikes, or other means to maintain distraction of said vertebra.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said flange is fitted with clearance notches or undercuts to clear or avoid contact of vertebral protrusions.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said guidance tubes align and guide tools for implant preparation and implantation.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said guidance tubes may be detached and removed from said flange for the purpose of inspecting the quality of the machining of the vertebrae.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said guidance tubes may be detached and removed from said flange for the purpose of attaching larger or smaller tubes for guiding larger or smaller tools without removing said flange.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said guidance tubes may be detached and removed from said flange for the purpose of inspection of or removal of debris.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said guidance tubes engage threads in said flange.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein said tools may include drills, reamers, taps, or graft installation tools.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein said graft material may include;

metals, nonmetals, bones, or polymers.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein said tools cut cylindrical arcs in the vertebral end plates.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein said vertebral distractor utilizes a flat paddle, which may be fully inserted into the intervertebral space before distraction, then rotated to cause distraction.

17. The device of claim 15 wherein said vertebral distractor means utilizes a cone or bullet shaped device, which distracts while being engaged into said intervertebral space.

18. The device of claim 15 wherein said alignment gauging section is a circular disk with which the said flange may be positioned for alignment with the vertebral end plates.

19. The device of claim 15 wherein said flange is attachable to said vertebra with screws, nails, spikes, or other means to maintain distraction of said vertebra.

20. The device of claim 15 wherein said flange is fitted with clearance notches or undercuts to clear or avoid contact of vertebral protrusions.

21. The device of claim 15 wherein said guidance tubes align and guide said tools for implant preparation and implantation.

22. The device of claim 15 wherein said guidance tubes may be detached and removed from said flange for the purpose of inspecting the quality of the machining of the vertebrae and for the purpose of inspection of or removal of debris.

23. The device of claim 15 wherein said guidance tubes may be detached and removed from said flange for the purpose of attaching larger or smaller tubes for guiding larger or smaller tools without removing said flange.

24. The device of claim 15 wherein said guidance tubes engage threads in said flange.

25. The device of claim 15 wherein said tooling may include drills, reamers, taps, or graft installation tools.

15. A device for distracting and maintaining the distraction of vertebrae, in a human spine, for the purpose of providing tool guidance in preparation for spinal graft implantation or fusion comprising:

(a) a vertebral distractor means with an alignment gauging section, and

(b) a flange attachable to said vertebra with means to align said flange with said alignment gauging section of said distractor and to maintain distraction of said vertebrae, and

(c) one or more guidance tubes, open at each end, which removably attach to said flange, to guide preparation tools and implantation of graft material.