SPINAL IMPLANT FOR USE DURING RETROPERITONEAL LATERAL INSERTION PROCEDURES

• US 20120010717A1
• Filed: 09/21/2011
• Published: 01/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Scott Spann
• Original Assignee: Scott Spann
• Inventors: Spann, Scott
• Application Number:
  US13/239,053
• Publication Number:
  US 20120010717A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/02 for holding wounds open; Tractors specula A61B1/32 ; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4455 for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages intervertebral discs A61F2/442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/446 having a circular or elliptical cross-section substantially parallel to the axis of the spine, e.g. cylinders or frustocones
• 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 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4684 Trial or dummy prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30772 Apertures or holes, e.g. of circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30784 Plurality of holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30843 Pyramidally-shaped
• 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 2250/0006 for adjusting angular orientation

Abstract

A method is disclosed for introducing a spinal disc implant into an intervertebral space of a subject. The subject is placed in a lateral position, and the anterior face of the spinal disc intervertebral space is accessed, between the L5 and S1 vertebrae, from an anterior and lateral retroperitoneal approach. An operative corridor to the anterior face of the spinal disc space is established by introducing a retractor instrument anterolaterally to the spinal disc space between the anterior superior iliac spine and the anterior inferior iliac spine. The damaged spinal disc contents are removed from the intervertebral space through the operative corridor, and the implant is advanced into the intervertebral space at an oblique angle and pivoted to position the implant substantially laterally within the intervertebral space. Elongated retractor and insertion instruments, as well as a modified disc implant, are also disclosed for carrying out the method.

Claims

1-34. -34. (canceled)

35. A spinal implant configured to be disposed with an intervertebral space of a spine of subject, comprising:

a body;

a rotating member pivotably coupled to the body, the rotating member comprising a threaded hole configured to be engaged by a threaded rod of an insertion instrument to secure the spinal implant to the insertion instrument during use;

a plurality of docking recesses formed in the body which engage one or more complementary coupling pins of the insertion instrument when the implant is coupled to the insertion instrument;

wherein the body is configured to rotate about a rotational axis passing through the rotating member,

wherein engagement of one or more of the complementary coupling pins to at least one of the plurality of docking recesses inhibits rotation of the body of the spinal implant relative to the insertion instrument.

36. The spinal implant of claim 35, wherein the body comprises an elongate body having a longitudinal axis along its length, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the body is substantially orthogonal to the rotational axis.

37. The spinal implant of claim 35, wherein one or more of the coupling pins engage at least one of the plurality of docking recesses when the threaded hole is engaged with the threaded rod.

38. The spinal implant of claim 35, wherein engagement of one or more of the complementary coupling pins with at least one of the plurality of docking recesses places the implant in a position such that a longitudinal axis of the body is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the insertion instrument.

39. The spinal implant of claim 35, wherein engagement of one or more of the complementary coupling pins with at least one of the plurality of docking recesses places the implant in a position such that a longitudinal axis of the body is oblique to a longitudinal axis of the insertion instrument.

40. The spinal implant of claim 35, wherein engagement of one or more of the complementary coupling pins with at least one of the plurality of docking recesses places the implant in a position such that a longitudinal axis of the body is at an angle about forty-five degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the insertion instrument.

41. The spinal implant of claim 35, wherein the spinal implant comprises a spinal fusion implant configured to be disposed between L5 and S1 vertebrae of the subject.

42. The spinal implant of claim 35, wherein the body tapers in height from front face to the rear face, and is elongated in a direction transverse to the direction of tapering height.

43. The spinal implant of claim 35, wherein the body is made from an elastomeric material.

44. The spinal implant of claim 35, further comprising one or more openings extending between top and bottom faces of the body.

45. The spinal implant of claim 35, further comprises protuberances extending from top and bottom faces of the body.

46. The spinal implant of claim 35, wherein the plurality of docking recesses comprise a first row of docking recesses positioned proximate to a top face of the body and a second row of docking recesses positioned proximate to a bottom face of the bottom, wherein the docking recesses of the first row are substantially aligned with the docking recesses of the second row.

47. The spinal implant of claim 46, wherein the first row of docking recesses and the second row of docking recesses define an opening, wherein the threaded hole is substantially aligned with the defined opening.

48. The spinal implant of claim 46, wherein at least one of the plurality of docking recesses in the first row engage a first complementary coupling pin of the insertion instrument when the implant is coupled to the insertion instrument, and wherein at least one of the plurality of docking recesses in the second row engage a second complementary coupling pin of the insertion instrument when the implant is coupled to the insertion instrument.