Instrumentation for use with radially expanding interbody spinal fusion implant

• US 20050021041A1
• Filed: 08/10/2004
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Michelson, Gary K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,445,636 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• 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 2/446 having a circular or elliptical cross-section substantially parallel to the axis of the spine, e.g. cylinders or frustocones
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30556 for adjusting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30594 slotted, e.g. radial or meridian slot ending in a polar aperture, non-polar slots, horizontal or arcuate slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30858 Threads interrupted by grooves or sidewalls, e.g. flat sidewalls
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30861 having threads of increasing or decreasing height
• 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 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0009 for adjusting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/907 : Composed of particular material or coated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/908 : Bioabsorbable material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/909 : Bone
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/91 : Polymer

Abstract

Interbody spinal fusion implants being at least in part radially expandable at one of the leading or trailing ends to expand both the height and at least a portion of the width of the implant, and instruments and methods for inserting the implants into an implantation space in the spine are disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with a spinal implant having an expander for expanding the height of the implant from a collapsed position to an expanded position, the implant having a leading end for insertion first into a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of the human spine and a trailing end opposite said leading end, the implant having at least upper and lower portions adapted to be moved away from one another by the expander when positioned therebetween, said apparatus comprising:

an elongated shaft having a leading end and a trailing end opposite said leading end, and a mid-longitudinal axis;

an enlarged head proximate said leading end of said shaft configured to be inserted at least in part between the upper and lower portions of the implant, said enlarged head adapted to move apart the upper and lower portions to release the expander therebetween; and

a projection extending from said enlarged head adapted to cooperatively engage the expander for removal of the expander from within the implant.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said projection is a threaded rod configured to threadably engage an opening in the expander.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said trailing end of said shaft is adapted to cooperatively engage a handle.

4. An apparatus for holding a spinal implant having an expander for expanding the height and at least a portion of the width of the implant from a collapsed position to an expanded position, the implant having upper, lower, and side portions comprising a plurality of arms separated by spaces, said apparatus comprising:

a sleeve having a leading end and a trailing end and a passageway from said trailing end to said leading end, said passageway providing access to the implant through said sleeve, said leading end of said sleeve having a plurality of spaced apart portions, said spaced apart portions of said sleeve configured to fit in the spaces between the arms of the spinal implant to cooperatively engage said sleeve to the implant.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a handle proximate said trailing end of said sleeve.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said spaced apart portions of said sleeve are flexible at least in part.

7. An apparatus for use with a spinal implant having an expander for expanding the height of the implant from a collapsed position to an expanded position, the implant having a leading end for insertion first into a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of the human spine and a trailing end opposite said leading end, the implant having at least upper and lower portions adapted to be moved away from one another by the expander when positioned therebetween, said apparatus comprising:

an elongated shaft having a mid-longitudinal axis, a leading end, and a trailing end opposite said leading end, said leading end having a bore therein and an enlarged head with a collar in movable relationship to said head that permits rotational movement of said head independent of said collar, said collar and said head being configured to be inserted at least in part between the upper and lower portions of the implant, said collar adapted to bear against and move apart the upper and lower portions of the implant to release the expander therebetween; and

a post adapted to be inserted at least in part through the trailing end of the spinal implant for guiding the elongated shaft along the mid-longitudinal axis between the upper and lower portions of said implant, said post having a leading end configured to cooperatively engage the implant and a trailing end adapted to be received within said bore of said elongated shaft, said head of said elongated shafted adapted to rotate about said post.