Methods for explantation of intervertebral disc implants

• US 20060095045A1
• Filed: 11/01/2004
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: SDGI Holdings Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Trieu, Hai H.
• Application Number:
  US10/976,893
• Publication Number:
  US 20060095045A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/99
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/14 Surgical saws A61B17/1637 takes precedence; tooth saws A61C3/12 ; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/149 Chain, wire or band saws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1633 Sleeves, i.e. non-rotating parts surrounding the bit shaft, e.g. the sleeve forming a single unit with the bit shaft A61B17/1644 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1642 for producing a curved bore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32007 with suction or vacuum means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320075 single edge blade, e.g. for cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320077 double edge blade, e.g. reciprocating
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30075 swellable, e.g. when wetted
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4619 for extraction
• 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 2002/4641 for disconnecting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/465 using heating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4696 optical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0061 swellable

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for the explantation of spinal implants. A cutting tool may be extended into the spinal implant. The spinal implant may be disintegrated into pieces and the pieces removed.

Claims

1. A method for explanting spinal implants, comprising:

inserting a cutting tool through an opening in the annulus fibrosis;

disintegrating the implant into pieces smaller than the opening in the annulus fibrosis; and

removing the pieces through the opening in the annulus fibrosis.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening in the annulus fibrosis is a pre-existing condition that is not created through the exercise of the method.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening in the annulus fibrosis is not enlarged while inserting the cutting tool, disintegrating the implant, and removing the pieces.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the cutting tool is guided to the opening in the annulus fibrosis inside a protective sleeve.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the protective sleeve is thermally and electrically insulated.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the protective sleeve is extensible and retractable.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the cutting tool comprises a mechanical cutting element.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the mechanical cutting element comprises a flat blade, curved blade, saw blade, pointed probe, angle blade, saw tip, knife tip, hook tip, or C-tip.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the cutting tool comprises a heating element.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the heating element is an electric resistance heater, a source of ultrasonic vibrations, or a laser.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein removing the pieces comprises irrigating, vacuuming, or a combination thereof.

12. A method for explanting spinal implants, comprising:

guiding a retractable protective sleeve and internal cutting tool to the spinal implant;

retracting the protective sleeve;

projecting the cutting tool into the spinal implant;

disintegrating the spinal implant into pieces using the cutting tool; and

removing the pieces.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the cutting tool is projected into the spinal implant through an opening in the annulus fibrosis.

14. The method of claim 13, where the opening in the annulus fibrosis is a pre-existing condition that is not created through the exercise of the method.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the opening in the annulus fibrosis is not enlarged while guiding the retractable protective sleeve, retracting the protective sleeve, projecting the cutting tool, disintegrating the spinal implant, and removing the pieces.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the protective sleeve is thermally and electrically insulated.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the cutting tool comprises a heating element.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the heating element is an electric resistance heater, a source of ultrasonic vibrations, or a laser.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the cutting tool comprises a mechanical cutting element.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the mechanical cutting element comprises a flat blade, curved blade, saw blade, pointed probe, angle blade, saw tip, knife tip, hook tip, or C-tip.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein disintegrating the spinal implant into pieces comprises cutting the spinal implant, melting the spinal implant, or a combination thereof.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein removing the pieces comprises irrigating, vacuuming, or a combination thereof.

23. The method of claim 12, wherein the pieces are removed through a defect in the annulus fibrosis.

24. A spinal implant explantation device, comprising:

a protective sleeve;

a cutting tool inside the protective sleeve;

a power source; and

a handle to which the cutting tool, protective sleeve, and power source are attached.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the cutting tool comprises a heating element.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the heating element is an electric resistance heater, a source of ultrasonic vibrations, or a laser.

27. The device of claim 24, wherein the cutting tool comprises a mechanical cutting element.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the mechanical cutting element comprises a flat blade, curved blade, saw blade, pointed probe, angle blade, saw tip, knife tip, hook tip, or C-tip.

29. The device of claim 27, wherein the cutting tool comprises mechanical means to gyrate, rotate, oscillate, or reverberate the mechanical cutting element.

30. The device of claim 24, wherein the protective sleeve is separable and disposable.

31. The device of claim 24, wherein the protective sleeve is retractable and extensible.

32. The device of claim 24, wherein the cutting element is separable and disposable.

33. The device of claim 24, wherein the power source is a battery.

34. The device of claim 28, wherein the battery is encased inside the handle.