Devices and methods for explantation of intervertebral disc implants

• US 20060095046A1
• Filed: 04/27/2005
• 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., Li, Lehmann K.
• Application Number:
  US11/115,230
• Publication Number:
  US 20060095046A1
• 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 cut 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;

projecting the cutting tool into or around the implant;

cutting the implant into pieces smaller than the opening in the annulus fibrosis by using a heated wire or blade; and

removing the pieces through the opening in the annulus fibrosis.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cutting tool is guided to the opening in the annulus fibrosis inside a longitudinal element.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the longitudinal element is thermally and electrically insulated.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the cutting tool is positioned within an axial bore disposed within the longitudinal element.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the cutting tool comprises a heated wire.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the mechanical cutting element comprises a saw blade.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein removing the pieces comprises attaching an anchor to the cut-away portions, and extracting the pieces by displacing the anchor away from the disc space.

8. A method for explanting spinal implants, comprising:

providing a cutting tool having a retractable cutting wire or saw blade positioned within a lumen;

advancing the cutting wire or blade on or around the spinal implant;

applying energy to cause the wire to become hot, or the blade to reciprocate, whereby the heat from the wire melts the areas of the implant in and around the points of contact with the wire, or the movement of the blade cuts the areas of the implant in and around the points of contact with the blade;

retracting the wire or blade toward the lumen, thereby cutting through the impant.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the cutting tool is advanced into the spinal implant through an opening in the annulus fibrosis.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the cutting tool comprises a heated wire.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising removing the pieces cut by the cutting tool.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein removing the pieces comprises attaching an anchor to the cut-away portions, and extracting the pieces by displacing the anchor away from the disc space.

13. A spinal implant explantation device, comprising:

a longitudinal element;

an axial bore positioned within the longitudinal element, the axial bore containing a cutting tool;

a cutting tool comprised of a wire or a blade;

means for advancing the cutting tool in or around the implant;

means for activating the cutting tool; and

means for causing the cutting tool to cut through the implant.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the cutting tool comprises a heated wire.

15. The device of claim 13, further comprising a handle attached to the longitudinal element, the handle further comprising a trigger and an indicator movably positionable between positions enabling the device to carry out the means for advancing, the means for activating, and the means for causing the cutting tool to cut through the implant.

16. The device of claim 13, further comprising a power source.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the power source is a battery.

18. The device of claim 13, further comprising at least one anchor having a wire or rod at the proximal end, and a barb at the distal end;

a means for advancing the anchor into the implant; and

a means for activating barbs into their extraction position.

19. The device of claim 13, wherein the longitudinal element further comprises an additional element longitudinally displaceable within the longitudinal element.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein depressing the trigger carries out the means for advancing, the means for activating, and the means for causing the cutting tool to cut through the implant, depending on the position of the indicator.