TOOLS FOR IMPLANTATION AND EXTRACTION OF POSTERIORLY PLACED LUMBAR ARTICIAL DISCS INCLUDING: A TOTALLY WIRELESS ELECTRONICALLY EMBEDDED ACTION-ENDED ENDOSCOPE UTILIZING DIFFERENTIAL DIRECTIONAL ILLUMINATION WITH DIGITALLY CONTROLLED MIRRORS AND/OR PRISMS, AND A DISC BALL INSERTER , A PLATE EXTRACTOR, AND RESCUE DISC PLATES

• US 20070167678A1
• Filed: 03/12/2007
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Moskowitz Family LLC
• Original Assignee: Mosheh Moskowitz, Nathan C. Moskowitz
• Inventors: Moskowitz, Nathan, Moskowitz, Mosheh
• Granted Patent: US 8,251,891 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00022 removable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00042 for mechanical operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00048 Constructional features of the display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00052 positioned at proximal end of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00114 Electrical cables in or with an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00117 Optical cables in or with an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3135 for examination of the epidural or the spinal space
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2932 Transmission of forces to jaw members
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• 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 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30523 by means of meshing gear teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3069 Revision endoprostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/443 having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component
• 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 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements

Abstract

A hand manipulated endoscopic medical device is disclosed. The medical device includes a body having a proximal end, which is hand manipulated, and a distal end which includes a manipulator. A light emitting device is centrally disposed at the distal end. An imaging device is centrally disposed at the distal end for imaging at least a portion of the region illuminated by the light emitting device. Also disclosed is a tool for extracting an artificial lumbar disc from between a pair of vertebral plates. The extraction tool includes a handle, a member for transmitting force, and a sharpened end, specially configured to be placed between the artificial disc and the vertebral plate. Further disclosed is a tool for implanting or explanting a ball to or from an artificial lumbar disc. The implanter/explanter includes a pinion shaft and a pinion shaft enclosure. A tightening knob is disposed at the proximal end of the shaft enclosure and coupled to the pinion shaft. A pinion is disposed at the distal end of the pinion shaft. A grappling device is disposed at the pinion, and it includes a pair of semi-circular rings. When the pinion is rotated, the semi-circular rings move relative to one another and are capable of grasping or releasing the ball.

Claims

1. A hand manipulated endoscopic medical device, comprising:

a body;

a proximal end, which is hand manipulated;

a distal end which includes a manipulator;

a light emitting device which is centrally disposed at the distal end; and

an imaging device which is centrally disposed at the distal end for imaging at least a portion of the region illuminated by the light emitting device.

2. The medical device according to claim 1 which further includes an electronics unit that controls the light emitting device and the imaging device.

3. The medical device according to claim 2 which further includes a device for transferring data or video from the endoscopic medical device.

4. The medical device according to claim 3 which further includes at least a data transfer device selected from the group consisting of a wireless connection, a wired connection, an optical connection, and a removable memory device.

5. The medical device according to claim 2 wherein the electronics unit includes at least one control selected from the group consisting of an on-off control, a dimmer control, a control for initiating or terminating the transfer of data, and a control for initiating or terminating the saving of data.

6. The medical device according to claim 5 wherein the electronics unit includes a memory device for saving data.

7. The medical device according to claim 6 wherein the memory device is a solid state memory device and the electronics control unit includes at least one slot for the solid state memory device.

8. The medical device according to claim 6 wherein the memory device is a memory drive.

9. The medical device according to claim 1 which further includes a battery compartment for a battery that provides power for the light emitting device and the imaging device.

10. The medical device according to claim 1 wherein the medical device further includes a display disposed on the body.

11. The medical device according to claim 10 wherein the medical device further includes an alpha numeric display.

12. The medical device according to claim 10 wherein the display is positionable relative to the body of the medical device.

13. The medical device according to claim 1 wherein the proximal end includes a pair of digital inserts.

14. The medical device according to claim 1 wherein the angle of attack of the manipulator is adjustable.

15. The medical device according to claim 1 wherein the light emitting device is selected ground the group consisting of a laser, a LED and a bulb.

16. The medical device according to claim 1 wherein the lighting emitting device is a laser and includes a cooling apparatus having a helically wound coolant tube.

17. The medical device according to claim 1 wherein the lighting emitting device is a gas xenon bulb.

18. The medical device according to claim 1 which further includes a helical arrangement of thermoelectric conversion units.

19. The medical device according to claim 1 which further includes high efficiency photovoltaic cells.

20. The medical device according to claim 1 which further includes a hybrid-hydrogen chemical potential cell.

21. The medical device according to claim 1 which further includes a spark voltage generator and magneto circuitry.

22. The medical device according to claim 1 which further includes a plurality of interior optical fibers for transmitting light including visible light or laser radiation.

23. The medical device according to claim 22 which further includes a plurality of exterior optical fibers for transmitting light including visible light or laser radiation.

24. The medical device according to claim 23 which further includes a fiber optic wave guide.

25. The medical device according to claim 22 wherein at least some of the exterior optical fibers or interior optical fibers terminate at elliptical semi-enclosed directive reflectors which can be electronically positioned.

26. The medical device according to claim 22 wherein at least some of the exterior optical fibers or interior optical fibers terminate at Risley prisms or semi-coated mirrors that can be electronically positioned.

27. The medical device according to claim 10 wherein the display includes a connecting ring for adjusting the display.

28. The medical device according to claim 27 wherein the display is gyroscopically adjusted.

29. The medical device according to claim 27 wherein the display is manually adjusted.

30. The medical device according to claim 2 wherein the electronics unit includes a CPU for controlling at least one of a group consisting of a user interface, the imaging device, the illumination device and a power supply.

31. The medical device according to claim 30 wherein the electronic unit further includes at least one of a group consisting of an illumination microcontroller for controlling the illumination device, a video microcontroller for controlling the imaging device, and a power microcontroller for controlling the power supply.

32. The medical device according to claim 31 wherein the illumination microcontroller controls a bulb and fiber optic guide.

33. The medical device according to claim 31 wherein the video microcontroller controls a flash memory and a transmitter.

34. The medical device according to claim 30 wherein the medical device further includes a wireless interface for communicating data to a receiver.

35. The medical device according to claim 30 wherein the medical device further includes a receiver responsive to the electronics unit, and the receiver is capable of communicating with at least one of a group consisting of a handheld unit, Palm Pilot, mobile phone, Bluetooth device, embedded device, set top box, TV, computer, custom device, hospital screen and custom phone.

36. The medical device according to claim 1 wherein the manipulator at the distal end includes an inferior jaw and a superior jaw.

37. The medical device according to claim 36 wherein a selector gear pivots at least one of the inferior and superior jaws.

38. The medical device according to claim 37 wherein a pinion controls the position of at least one of the inferior and superior jaws.

39. The medical device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the inferior jaw and the superior jaw include a transparent midsection.

40. A tool for extracting an artificial lumbar disc from between a pair of vertebral plates, comprising:

a handle;

a member, connected to the handle, for transmitting force;

a sharpened end, specially configured to be placed between the artificial disc and the vertebral plate, and responsive to the force exerted by the member.

41. A tool for implanting or explanting a ball to or from an artificial lumbar disc, comprising:

a pinion shaft;

a pinion shaft enclosure, for enclosing the pinion shaft, and including a pinion shaft key;

a tightening knob disposed at the proximal end of the shaft enclosure and coupled to the pinion shaft;

a pinion disposed at the distal end of the pinion shaft; and

a grappling device, disposed at the pinion, including a pair of semi-circular rings;

wherein the rotation of the pinion causes the semi-circular rings to move relative to one another in order to grasp or release the ball.

42. A tool according to claim 41 wherein the semi-circular rings include spur racks that cooperate with the pinion to move the semi-circular rings.