Instrument for probing and reaming a pedicle

• US 5,573,537 A
• Filed: 02/10/1995
• Issued: 11/12/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Chaim Rogozinski
• Original Assignee: Chaim Rogozinski
• Inventors: Rogozinski, Chaim
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael Powell
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRUONG, KEVIN THAO
• Application Number:
  US08/386,765
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 606/79, 606/80, 606/81, 606/86, 606/96, 606/97, 606/98, 606/72, 606/73, 606/61, 408/225, 408/224
• US Class Current: 606/80
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7092 for checking pedicle hole has correct depth or has an intact wall pedicle drill depth limiters A61B17/1626
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/9065 with central lead

Abstract

A unitary instrument for providing a step-down screw hole in a pedicle is provided. The tool includes an end member for rotatable connection with a power source, the probe for providing a pilot hole in the pedicle and a side-cutting reamer member for providing an anchor hole for a pedicle screw positioned about the pilot hole. The arrangement is such that the instrument is self-centering in part due to the presence of the probe in the pilot hole.

Claims

1. A method for providing a screw hole in a pedicle, said pedicle having a relatively hard cortical outer portion and a relatively soft cancellous inner portion wherein said method comprises:

(i) providing a unitary instrument, said instrument having

(a) an elongated probe member,

(b) a side-cutting reamer member, and

(c) an end member for rotatable connection to a rotating power source

wherein said side-cutting reamer member is positioned between said probe member and said end member, and

wherein said probe member, said reamer member and said end member rotate as a unit when said end member is operatively connected to an activated rotating power source;

(ii) identifying a location for a screw hole on the surface of said relatively hard cortical outer portion of said pedicle;

(iii) providing, at said location for a screw hole, an opening for said probe member in said relatively hard cortical outer portion of said pedicle;

(iv) introducing said probe member into said opening and urging said probe member to penetrate said relatively soft cancellous inner portion of said pedicle; and

(v) rotating said unitary instrument,

wherein probe and reamer member are self-centered to provide a screw hole in said pedicle, said self-centering being consequent from deflection, as said rotating proceeds, by said relatively hard outer cortical portion of said pedicle, of said elongated probe member and said side-cutting reamer member.

2. A unitary surgical instrument for providing a screw hole in a human pedicle, said pedicle having a relatively hard cortical outer portion and a relatively soft cancellous inner portion, said instrument having:

(a) an elongated probe member sized for penetration of said soft cancellous inner portion of said pedicle,

(b) a side-cutting reamer member sized to define a portion of said screw hole in said relatively hard cortical outer portion of said pedicle, and

(c) an end member for rotatable connection to a rotating power source,

wherein said unitary instrument is self-centering as said unitary surgical instrument is rotated to provide said screw hole, said self-centering being consequent from deflection, by said relatively hard cortical outer portion of said pedicle, of said elongated probe member and said reamer member.