Laparoscopic spinal stabilization method

• US 5,700,291 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 12/23/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc. (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Spine-Tech, Inc. (Sulzer Medica)
• Inventors: Kohrs, Douglas W., Kuslich, Stephen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Application Number:
  US08/488,375
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 623/17, 606/61, 606/87, 606/90, 606/96, 606/99, 606/104
• US Class Current: 606/96
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30723 Plugs or restrictors for sealing a cement-receiving space tools for inserting plugs A61F2/4614; sealing collars for use during cementing A61B17/8808
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30744 End caps, e.g. for closing an endoprosthetic cavity
• 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 2/4455 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 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4637 for connecting or disconnecting two parts of a prosthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2835 Bone graft implants for filling a bony defect or an endoprosthesis cavity, e.g. by synthetic material or biological material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30235 tubular, e.g. sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/305 Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30672 temporary
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30787 inclined obliquely with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3085 with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30861 having threads of increasing or decreasing height
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30868 Square, rectangular or rhomboidal threads
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/448 : comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4681 : by applying mechanical shocks, e.g. by hammering
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical

Abstract

Spinal fusion implants are laparoscopically placed in a disk space separating two vertebrae. Implant tools, including distraction spacers, boring tools and implants, are passed through a cannula toward the disk space.

Claims

1. A method for laparoscopic placement of an implant into a disk space separating a first vertebra and a second vertebra, said method comprising:

placing a cannula in alignment with a first location at said disc space;

selecting a distraction spacer having a rigid body with diametrically opposite surfaces separated by a distance equal to a desired distraction of said vertebrae;

passing said distraction spacer through said cannula to said first location;

urging said distraction spacer from said cannula into said disc space at said first location with said spacer distracting said disc space by said rigid body being urged into said disk space and with said opposite surfaces bearing against end plates of said vertebrae to urge said vertebrae apart to said desired distraction;

placing said cannula in alignment with a second location at said disc space;

passing a guide tube through said cannula to said second location with an axis of said guide tube centrally positioned between said end plates;

passing a boring tool through said guide tube to said second location and with said boring tool and guide tube having cooperating surfaces to prevent lateral movement of said boring tube relative to said guide tube as said boring tool is moved axially relative to said guide tube;

boring a bore with said boring tool at said second location into said disc space and at least partially into each of said first vertebra and said second vertebra;

removing said boring tool through said cannula;

passing an implant through said cannula to said second location;

inserting said implant into said bore at said second location;

placing said cannula at said first location;

removing said spacer through said cannula;

passing a boring tool through said cannula to said first location;

boring a bore with said boring tool at said first location into said disc space and at least partially into each of said first vertebra and said second vertebra;

removing said boring tool through said cannula;

passing an implant through said cannula to said first location;

inserting said implant into said bore at said first location.

2. A method for placement of an implant into a disk space separating a first vertebra and a second vertebra, said method comprising:

laparoscopically placing a hollow tube having an open first end and an open second end with said tube placed with said first end positioned against said disc space at a desired implant location;

selecting a boring tool having a guide pin on a distal end thereof with said guide pin having a radial dimension sized to approximate a desired distraction of said disc space and smaller than a radial dimension of a cutting portion of said tool at said distal end, said guide pin attached to said boring tool for movement therewith and prevented from movement independent from said boring tool;

simultaneously inserting said distal end and said attached guide pin into said second end of said tube and passing said distal end and said attached guide pin through said tube to said desired implant location;

advancing said guide pin into said disc space with said pin urging against opposing surfaces of said first vertebra and said second vertebra;

rotating a proximal end of said boring tool external of said tube to cause rotation of said cutting portion with said cutting portion boring into said opposing surfaces;

advancing said distal end into said disc space while continuing said rotation and with said guide pin guiding said distal end by advancing into said disk space simultaneous with an advancement of said cutting portion to maintain an axis of said distal end in parallel and equidistant spacing between said opposing surfaces.