Implant insertion apparatus and method of use

• US 20060195097A1
• Filed: 02/16/2006
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synthes USA LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Synthes USA LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Evans, David E., Kephart, Douglas S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,722,622 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/86.00A
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30383 made by laterally inserting a protrusion, e.g. a rib into a complementarily-shaped groove
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30405 made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30476 locked by an additional locking mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30571 Leaf springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30601 telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30617 Visible markings for adjusting, locating or measuring
• 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 2002/4628 with linear motion along or rotating motion about an axis transverse to the instrument axis or to the implantation direction, e.g. clamping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0097 Visible markings, e.g. indicia

Abstract

An apparatus for use with a spinal implant includes a handle structure with a passage. A shaft with a screw thread is moveable within the passage in the handle structure. A pusher block is linked to the shaft, and has a forward surface configured to engage the spinal implant. A screw-threaded clutch member is supported on the handle structure for movement into and out of engagement with the screw thread on the shaft.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with a spinal implant, comprising:

a handle structure having a longitudinal axis and a passage;

a shaft movable within the passage and at least a portion having a first screw thread;

a pusher block operably connected to the shaft and having a forward surface configured to engage the spinal implant; and

a clutch member supported on the handle structure for movement into and out of engagement with the first screw thread of the shaft.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the handle structure has an internal screw thread, and the shaft has a second screw thread movable along the longitudinal axis into engagement with the internal screw thread on the handle structure when the clutch member is either engaged or disengaged with the first screw thread of the shaft.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a pair of paddles projecting from an end of the handle and at least a portion of the shaft located between the paddles.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the pusher block has a receiving portion, the receiving portion being sized and configured to receive an ejector rod.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the ejector rod comprises a central portion having a longitudinal axis and two arms extending from the central portion.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the arms are offset from the longitudinal axis of the central portion.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the central portion of the ejector rod comprises a plurality of indentations and a groove, the pusher block comprising at least one fastener for engaging the indentations and groove such that the ejector rod is rotatable relative to the pusher block.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a pair of paddles extending from the handle, the paddles have a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end of the paddles are sized and configured to be positioned between adjacent vertebrae and wherein the proximal end of the paddles are sized and configured to be operably attached to the handle.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein at least one paddle has at least one ridge at the distal end thereof.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the clutch member comprises an opening therethrough having a first portion and a second portion.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the first portion comprises a threaded portion and the second portion comprises an unthreaded portion.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the clutch member further comprises a first side portion and at least a pair of pockets on the side portion, the handle having a first fastener for selectively engaging only one of the pair of pockets at a time.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein the clutch member further comprises a second side portion and a second pair of pockets on the second side portion, the handle having a second fastener for selectively engaging only one of the second pair of pockets at a time.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the first and second fasteners are ball detents positioned through the handle.

15. An apparatus for use with a spinal implant, comprising:

a handle structure having a passage therethrough;

a shaft moveable within the passage, at least a portion of the shaft comprising screw threads;

a pair of paddles having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the paddles being operably connected to the handle structure, wherein at least one of the pair of paddles has a slot;

a pusher block moveable with the shaft and linked to the shaft, the pusher block having a forward surface configured to engage the spinal implant; and

an ejector rod having at least one arm, wherein the ejector rod is operably connected to the pusher block, the at least one arm being moveable in the slot between the distal and proximal ends of at least one paddle;

wherein the handle has an internal thread and the shaft has at least a portion having a first screw thread spaced from the internal thread such that the shaft slides axially through a first range of movement in the passage, and at least a different portion of the shaft having a second screw thread, the second screw thread moveable into engagement with the internal thread such that the shaft is only rotated through a second range of movement in the passage.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein the paddles are configured so that the distal ends of the paddles move away from each other as the pusher block moves from the proximal end of the paddles to the distal end of the paddles.

17. The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein the shaft is configured for the second range of movement to follow the first range of movement when the shaft is moved forward through the passage.

18. The apparatus as defined in claim 15, further comprising a clutch member having at least a portion with screw threads, wherein the clutch member is supported on the handle for movement into and out of engagement with the first screw thread on the shaft such that the shaft only rotates through the first range of movement in the passage when the clutch member is engaged with the first screw thread.

19. The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein the ejector rod is releasably connected to the pusher block.

20. The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein at least one paddle has at least one stop structure for engage at least one vertebrae, the at least one stop structure is configured to prevent over penetration of the distal end of the paddles into adjacent vertebrae.

21. An apparatus for inserting an implant comprising:

a handle structure having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end and a passage therethrough;

a shaft moveable within the passage and projecting from the first and second ends of the handle;

a pusher block linked to the shaft and having a forward surface configured to engage the implant; and

a clutch mechanism supported on the handle structure for movement between a first position, wherein the shaft is capable of sliding within the handle parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a second position, wherein the shaft is capable of moving within the handle in a second manner different than longitudinal movement.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the second different manner of movement includes at least in part by rotating the shaft.

23. An apparatus for use with a spinal implant, comprising:

a handle structure having a passage;

a pair of paddles each having proximal and distal ends, the proximal ends of the paddles operably connected to the handle structure, the paddles configured such that the distal ends are biased together;

a shaft movable within the passage and through the proximal ends of the paddles, at least a portion of the shaft having a screw thread;

a pusher block operably connected to the shaft and having a forward surface configured to engage the spinal implant; and

an ejector rod operably connected and disengageable from the pusher block.

24. The apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein at least one of the paddles comprises an opening such that when the ejector rod is positioned in the opening, the ejector rod is disengageable from the pusher block.

25. The apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein at least one of the paddles comprises an opening such that when the ejector rod is positioned in the opening, the ejector rod is rotatable with respect to the pusher block.

26. A method of inserting an implant between adjacent vertebrae comprising:

providing an implant inserter comprising;

a handle structure having a longitudinal axis and a passage;

a pair of paddles extending from the handle, the paddles having a distal end and a proximal end;

a shaft movable within the passage and at least a portion having a first threaded portion;

a pusher block operably connected to the shaft and having a forward surface configured to engage the spinal implant; and

a clutch member, at least a portion of which has screw threads for selectively

engaging the threaded portion of the shaft;

inserting an implant against the pusher block and in between the paddles;

inserting the distal ends of the paddles in between adjacent vertebrae;

moving the shaft through the passage of the handle such that the implant moves towards the distal end of the paddles and spreads the paddles apart; and

withdrawing the paddles from in between adjacent vertebrae.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising moving the screw threads of the clutch member into engagement with the first threaded portion of the shaft.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the shaft further comprises a second threaded portion and the handle comprises an internal thread, the method further comprising:

engaging the second threaded portion of the shaft with the internal thread of the handle; and

rotating the shaft relative to the handle to move the pusher block between the paddles.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising moving the paddles apart as the implant moves towards the distal ends of the paddles.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the implant inserter further comprises an ejector rod operably connected to the pusher block, the method further comprising engaging the ejector rod with at least one vertebrae such that as the shaft rotates the distal ends of the paddles move out from in between adjacent vertebrae.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein the implant inserter further comprises an ejector rod operably connected to the pusher block and at least one of the paddles comprises an opening, the method further comprising rotating the ejector rod within the opening.