Steerable spine implant insertion device and method

• US 20080140085A1
• Filed: 12/11/2007
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: G & L Consulting LLC.
• Original Assignee: G & L Consulting LLC.
• Inventors: Gelfand, Mark, Gately, Nicholas V.
• Application Number:
  US12/000,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20080140085A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/99
• 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 2002/30133 kidney-shaped or bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30523 by means of meshing gear teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• 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 2002/4629 connected to the endoprosthesis or implant via a threaded connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0015 Kidney-shaped, e.g. bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 for adjusting angular orientation

Abstract

A method to insert a spinal implant into a vertebral space, the method including the steps of: grasping the implant with a distal end of an implant insertion tool; holding a proximal end of the implant insertion tool and inserting the implant toward the vertebral space; and manipulating the proximal end to apply a yaw movement to the implant while the implant is attached to the tool and in the vertebral space.

Claims

1. A method to insert a spinal implant into a vertebral space, the method comprising:

grasping the implant with a distal end of an implant insertion tool;

holding a proximal end of the implant insertion tool and inserting the implant toward the vertebral space, and

manipulating the proximal end to apply a yaw movement to the implant while the implant is attached to the tool and in the vertebral space, wherein the manipulation is applied by shifting a first leg of the tool with respect to an adjacent second leg of the tool.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the shifting includes sliding the first leg with respect to the second leg to apply the yaw movement to the implant.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the tool includes a sheath for the first and second legs, and both legs slide with respect to the sleeve.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the tool includes a handle attached to a proximal end of each of the first and second legs, and the shifting is actuated by tilting the handle.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the handle includes a grasp to receive a hand of an operator and the operator uses the hand to tilt the handle.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second legs are connected by a cross-bar and the legs each pivot with respect to the cross-bar as the first leg is shifted with respect to the second leg.

7. A spinal implant tool comprising:

a pair of rods or bars having distal ends and proximal ends, wherein the distal ends together are adapted to releasably grasp a spinal implant;

a hollow sheath having the pair of rods or bars therein, wherein the rods or bars slide with respect to each other in the sheath, and

a handle coupled to the proximal ends wherein the handle is adapted to slide the bars or rods with respect to each other in the sheath and thereby applies a yaw movement to the implant grasped by the distal ends of the rods or bars.

8. The spinal implant tool of claim 7 wherein the handle includes a grasp to receive a hand of an operator and the operator uses the hand to tilt the handle.

9. A tong spinal implant tool comprising:

a pair of legs extending generally parallel except at a cross-over section where the legs cross each other;

the legs have a distal end adapted to grasp a spinal implant;

a cross-bar between the cross-over section and the distal end of the legs, wherein one end of the cross-bar is pivotably attached to one of the legs and another end of the cross-bar s pivotably attached to the other of the legs, and

a handle at a proximal end of the pair of legs wherein the handle is adapted to offset a lateral position of the proximal ends of the pair of legs to apply a yawing movement to the spinal implant grasped by the distal end of the legs.

a top, wherein at least a portion of the top is configured to contact a first vertebra;

a bottom, wherein at least a portion of the bottom is configured to contact a second vertebra;

a side having a releasable attachment to receive an insertion device, wherein the attachment has a pivot axis about which the implant pivots, and

a ridges on opposite sides of the releasable attachments, wherein the ridges have an outer surface to engage a cam surface spinal insertion tool.