Vertebral implant and insertion tool

• US 20070162138A1
• Filed: 12/12/2005
• Published: 07/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: SDGI Holdings Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Heinz, Eric
• Application Number:
  US11/299,580
• Publication Number:
  US 20070162138A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.160
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4465 having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30113 circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30125 elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/302 toroidal, e.g. rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3054 about a connection axis or implantation axis for selecting any one of a plurality of radial orientations between two modular parts, e.g. Morse taper connections, at discrete positions, angular positions or continuous positions
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30565 having spring elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30601 telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30772 Apertures or holes, e.g. of circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4622 having the shape of a forceps or a clamp
• 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 2210/0004 bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0006 circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0008 elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0065 toroidal, e.g. ring-shaped, doughnut-shaped
• 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: A61F 2310/00293 : containing a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00341 : Coral, e.g. aragonite, porite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00359 : Bone or bony tissue

Abstract

A vertebral implant and insertion tool for placing implants in the spine are disclosed. The implant has a tool engaging surface configured for intimate engagement with the insertion tool. The insertion tool configuration is particularly suited for being gripped at a plurality of angles. The insertion tool having a gripping end adapted for intimate engagement with an implant at a plurality of angles.

Claims

1. A spacer for positioning at least partially between two vertebrae, comprising:

an spacer body having an upper bone engaging surface for engaging at least a portion of an upper vertebral body, an opposite lower bone engaging surface for engaging at least a portion of a lower vertebral body, and an spacer axis extending in a horizontal plane located between the upper bone engaging surface and lower bone engaging surface; and

a first tool engagement configuration formed on the spacer body, wherein the tool engagement configuration includes an upper gripping surface and a lower gripping surface, and wherein the first tool engagement configuration is adapted for engagement by an insertion tool at a plurality of angular orientations with respect to the spacer axis.

2. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the spacer is annular.

3. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower gripping surfaces are at least partially convex.

4. The spacer of claim 3, wherein the upper and lower gripping surfaces are recessed with respect to the upper and lower bone engaging surfaces.

5. The spacer of claim 4, wherein the upper and lower gripping surfaces are roughened.

6. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the spacer further includes a plurality of tool engagement configurations adapted for engagement by an insertion tool over a range of angles with respect to a longitudinal axis of the insertion tool.

7. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower engaging surfaces are load bearing surfaces.

8. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower engaging surfaces include a plurality of projections.

9. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the spacer is formed of a material suitable for human implantation.

10. The spacer of claim 9, wherein the spacer is formed of a substantially solid material.

11. The spacer of claim 9, wherein the material is bone.

12. The spacer of claim 9, wherein the material is synthetic.

13. The spacer of claim 3, wherein the upper and lower convex surfaces are arcuate surfaces.

14. The spacer of claim 13, wherein the upper and lower arcuate surfaces have substantially the same radius of curvature.

15. The spacer of claim 14, wherein the spacer has a height between the upper and lower bone engaging surfaces and the radius of curvature forms an arc having a diameter that is greater than the height.

16. The spacer of claim 14, wherein the spacer has a height between the upper and lower bone engaging surfaces and the radius of curvature forms an arc having a diameter that is less than the height.

17. The spacer of claim 3, wherein the gripping surfaces from at least a partially cylindrical surface.

18. The spacer of claim 17, wherein the upper and lower gripping surfaces are spaced from each other by an exterior sidewall having a first height.

19. The spacer of claim 18, wherein the spacer has an interior area and further includes an interior sidewall extending between the upper and lower gripping surfaces, the interior sidewall having a second height.

20. The spacer of claim 19, wherein the first height is substantially equal to the second height.

21. The spacer of claim 19, wherein the first height is greater than the second height.

22. The spacer of claim 19, wherein the first height is less than the second height.

23. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the tool engagement configuration extends at least partially transverse to the spacer axis.

24. The spacer of claim 23, wherein the tool engagement configuration has a curved shape within the horizontal plane.

25. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the spacer has an spacer height extending between the upper and lower bone engaging surfaces and the tool engagement configuration has a gripping height extending between the upper and lower gripping surfaces, the gripping height being less than the spacer height.

26. The spacer of claim 25, wherein the tool engagement configuration is a projection extending at least partially beyond the perimeter of the upper and lower bone engaging surfaces.

27. The spacer of claim 26, wherein the projection is at least partially cylindrical.

28. The spacer of claim 26, wherein the projection is at least partially spherical.

29. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the insertion tool is positionable at an infinite number of angular orientations.

30. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the insertion tool is positionable at a plurality of discrete angular orientations.

31. The spacer of claim 30, wherein the upper and lower gripping surfaces include a plurality of angularly spaced recesses adapted to receive a projection of the insertion tool.

32. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the spacer is a corpectomy device.

33. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the spacer is a nucleus replacement.

34. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the spacer is an artificial disc.

35. A multi-grip insertion tool for holding a spacer for insertion at least partially between two vertebrae, the spacer having an spacer axis, the insertion tool comprising:

a shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion;

a spacer gripping end disposed adjacent the distal portion having a longitudinal axis, the spacer gripping end having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having a first concave inner surface, the lower portion having a second concave inner surface, the first inner surface oriented with the second inner surface so as to facilitate engagement of the spacer at a plurality of angular orientations between the longitudinal axis and the spacer axis.

36. The insertion tool of claim 35, wherein the first and second concave inner surfaces are arcuate surfaces.

37. The insertion tool of claim 36, wherein the first and second arcuate surfaces have substantially the same radius of curvature.

38. The insertion tool of claim 37, wherein the spacer gripping end has a channel height between the upper portion and the lower portion and the radius of curvature forms an arc having a diameter that is greater than the channel height.

39. The insertion tool of claim 37, wherein the spacer gripping end has a channel height between the upper portion and the lower portion and the radius of curvature forms an arc having a diameter that is less than the channel height.

40. The insertion tool of claim 35, wherein the first inner surface includes a projection adapted for engaging a recess of the spacer.

41. The insertion tool of claim 40, wherein the second inner surface includes a projection adapted for engaging a recess of the spacer.

42. The insertion tool of claim 35, wherein the orientation of the first and second inner surfaces forms a substantially cylindrical cavity.

43. The insertion tool of claim 35, wherein the first inner surface includes a first proximal edge and a first distal edge, the first proximal edge being concave and the first distal edge being convex.

44. The insertion tool of claim 43, wherein the first proximal edge and the first distal edge are arcuate.

45. The insertion tool of claim 44, wherein the arcuate edges have substantially the same radius of curvature.

46. The insertion tool of claim 44, wherein the proximal edge has a greater radius of curvature than the distal edge.

47. The insertion tool of claim 43, wherein the second inner surface includes a second proximal edge and a second distal edge, the second proximal edge being concave and the second distal edge being convex.

48. The insertion tool of claim 47, wherein the first and second proximal edges are arcuate and the first and second distal edges are arcuate.

49. The insertion tool of claim 48, wherein the arcuate proximal edges and the arcuate distal edges have substantially the same radius of curvature.

50. The insertion tool of claim 48, wherein the arcuate proximal edges have substantially the same radius of curvature, the arcuate distal edges have substantially the same radius of curvature, and the arcuate proximal edges have a radius of curvature that is greater than the radius of curvature of the arcuate distal edges.

51. The insertion tool of claim 35, wherein the first inner surface is at least partially spherical.

52. The insertion tool of claim 51, wherein the second inner surface is at least partially spherical.

53. The insertion tool of claim 52, wherein the orientation of the first inner surface to the second inner surface forms a substantially spherical cavity.

54. The insertion tool of claim 35, wherein the insertion tool is positionable at an infinite number of angular orientations for engaging the spacer.

55. The insertion tool of claim 35, wherein the insertion tool is positionable at a plurality of discrete angular orientations for engaging the spacer.

56. A multi-grip insertion tool for holding a spacer for insertion at least partially into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae, the spacer having an spacer axis, the insertion tool comprising:

a shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion;

an spacer gripping end disposed adjacent the distal portion having a longitudinal axis; and

a means for selectively engaging a spacer at a plurality of angles between the longitudinal axis and the spacer axis.

57. The insertion tool of claim 56, wherein the means for selectively engaging the spacer includes engaging an exterior surface of the spacer.

58. The insertion tool of claim 57, wherein the exterior surface of the spacer is substantially convex.

59. The insertion tool of claim 56, wherein the means for selectively engaging the spacer includes a movably engaged position.

60. The insertion tool of claim 59, wherein the movably engaged position allows rotational movement of the spacer with respect to the insertion tool.

61. The insertion tool of claim 59, wherein the movably engaged position allows translational movement of the spacer with respect to the insertion tool.

62. The insertion tool of claim 56, wherein the means for selectively engaging the spacer includes engaging a cavity of the spacer.

63. The insertion tool of claim 62, wherein the gripping end further includes an expandable projection and the means for selectively engaging the spacer includes expanding the expandable projection.

64. A multi-grip insertion tool for holding a spacer for insertion at least partially between two vertebrae, the spacer having an spacer axis, the insertion tool comprising:

a shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion;

a movable gripping end disposed adjacent the distal portion having a longitudinal axis, the movable gripping end having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having a first concave inner surface, the lower portion having a second concave inner surface, the first inner surface oriented with the second inner surface so as to facilitate engagement of the spacer at a plurality of angular orientations between the longitudinal axis and the spacer axis, the movable gripping end includes an open position configured to allow passage of the spacer, a movably engaged position configured to retain the spacer yet allowing motion between the spacer and the gripping end, and a locked position configured to prevent movement of the spacer with respect to the gripping end; and

an actuator disposed adjacent the proximal portion, the actuator adapted for selectively moving the movable gripping end between the open, movably engaged, and locked position.

65. The insertion tool of claim 64, wherein the movably engaged position permits rotational movement of the spacer with respect to the insertion tool.

66. The insertion tool of claim 64, wherein the movably engaged position permits translational movement of the spacer with respect to the insertion tool.

67. The insertion tool of claim 65, wherein the movably engaged position permits translational movement of the spacer with respect to the insertion tool.

68. The insertion tool of claim 67, wherein the first and second concave inner surfaces are arcuate surfaces.

69. The insertion tool of claim 68, wherein the first and second arcuate surfaces have substantially the same radius of curvature.

70. The insertion tool of claim 69, wherein the spacer gripping end has a channel height between the upper portion and the lower portion and the radius of curvature forms an arc having a diameter that is greater than the channel height.

71. The insertion tool of claim 69, wherein the spacer gripping end has a channel height between the upper portion and the lower portion and the radius of curvature forms an arc having a diameter that is less than the channel height.

72. The insertion tool of claim 64, wherein the first inner surface includes a first proximal edge and a first distal edge, the second inner surface includes a second proximal edge and a second distal edge, the first and second proximal edges being concave and the first and second distal edges being convex.

73. The insertion tool of claim 72, wherein the first and second proximal edges are arcuate and the first and second distal edges are arcuate.

74. The insertion tool of claim 73, wherein the arcuate proximal edges and the arcuate distal edges have substantially the same radius of curvature.

75. The insertion tool of claim 73, wherein the arcuate proximal edges have substantially the same radius of curvature, the arcuate distal edges have substantially the same radius of curvature, and the arcuate proximal edges have a radius of curvature that is greater than the radius of curvature of the arcuate distal edges.

76. The insertion tool of claim 64, wherein the orientation of the first and second inner surfaces forms a substantially cylindrical cavity.

77. The insertion tool of claim 64, wherein the insertion tool is positionable at an infinite number of angular orientations for engaging the spacer.

78. The insertion tool of claim 64, wherein the insertion tool is positionable at a plurality of discrete angular orientations for engaging the spacer.

79. A combination spacer for insertion at least partially into the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae and a multi-grip insertion tool for gripping the spacer, the combination comprising:

a spacer body having a first multi-angle engagement area and an spacer axis;

an insertion tool with a shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion;

a spacer gripping end disposed adjacent to the distal portion and having a longitudinal axis, the spacer gripping end configured for gripping the first multi-angle engagement area at a plurality of angles between the longitudinal axis and the spacer axis.

80. The combination of claim 79, wherein the spacer body includes a plurality of multi-angle engagement areas and the spacer gripping end is configured for gripping the spacer via any of the plurality of multi-angle engagement areas at a plurality of angles with respect to the longitudinal axis.

81. The combination of claim 79, wherein the first multi-angle engagement area includes a concave portion and the spacer gripping end has a corresponding convex portion.

82. The combination of claim 79, wherein the first multi-angle engagement area includes a convex portion and the spacer gripping end has a corresponding concave portion.

83. The combination of claim 82, wherein the spacer includes an upper convex surface, a lower convex surface, and a horizontal plane between the upper and lower convex surfaces.

84. The combination of claim 83, wherein the plurality of engagement angles are within the horizontal plane.

85. The combination of claim 83, wherein the plurality of engagement angles are oblique to the horizontal plane.

86. The combination of claim 83, wherein the plurality of engagement angles includes angles within and oblique to the horizontal plane.