Method of inserting and preloading spinal implants
First Claim
1. A method for inserting a spinal implant across a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning into the disc space between the adjacent vertebrae a guard having an extension for insertion into the disc space and for bearing against end plates of the adjacent vertebrae to restore the spacing of the disc space between the adjacent vertebrae;
forming, through said guard, an opening across the disc space; and
inserting said implant into the opening.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted, a hollow sleeve having teeth at one end is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve. Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted to restore the normal angular relationship of the vertebrae adjacent to that disc space. An extended outer sleeve having extended portions capable of maintaining the vertebrae distracted in their normal angular relationship is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve.
866 Citations
170 Claims
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1. A method for inserting a spinal implant across a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning into the disc space between the adjacent vertebrae a guard having an extension for insertion into the disc space and for bearing against end plates of the adjacent vertebrae to restore the spacing of the disc space between the adjacent vertebrae; forming, through said guard, an opening across the disc space; and
inserting said implant into the opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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- 5. The method of 1, wherein the positioning step includes the sub-step of inducing angulation to the adjacent vertebrae relative to one another.
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54. A method for inserting a spinal implant between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a spinal distractor into a disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae to provide for proper spacing of the disc space between the vertebrae, said spinal distractor comprising a member terminating in a disc penetrating portion having an uneven height; inserting over said spinal distractor a guard having an extension for insertion into the disc space and for bearing against end plates of the two adjacent vertebrae, said extension having an uneven height; forming, through said guard, an opening across the disc space and into a portion of each of the two adjacent vertebrae; and inserting said implant into the opening. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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64. A method for inserting a spinal implant between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a spinal distractor having a disc penetrating portion with an uneven height into the disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae to provide a predetermined angular relationship between the adjacent vertebrae; placing over said spinal distractor a guard having means for engaging a spine and for maintaining a predetermined angular relationship between the adjacent vertebrae; passing a trephine through said guard and over said spinal distractor to form a hole across the disc space and into a portion of the two adjacent vertebrae; removing the trephine and spinal distractor; and inserting said implant through said guard and into the hole. - View Dependent Claims (65)
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66. A method for inserting a spinal implant between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting at least one spinal distractor into a disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae to provide for proper spacing of the disc space between the vertebrae; inserting over said spinal distractor a guard having at least one extension for insertion into the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae and for bearing against end plates of the adjacent forming, through said guard, an opening across the disc space and into a portion of each of the two adjacent vertebrae; and inserting at least one implant into the vertebrae through said guard; and removing said guard. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79)
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72. The method of clam 66, wherein said guard comprises a pair of tubular members.
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80. A method for inserting spinal implants across a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a guard having an extension into the disc space between adjacent vertebrae so as to bear against end plates of the adjacent vertebrae to restore the spacing of the disc space between the adjacent vertebrae; forming, through said guard, at least one opening across the disc space and into a portion of the two adjacent vertebrae; and inserting said implants into the opening. - View Dependent Claims (81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93)
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94. A method for inserting spinal implants between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:
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(1) inserting a first distractor into a disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae and inserting a second distractor beside said first distractor to provide for proper spacing of the disc space between the vertebrae; (2) placing over said first and second distractors a guard that engages said two adjacent vertebrae; (3) removing said first distractor; (4) forming, through said guard, an opening across the disc space and into a portion of each of the two adjacent vertebrae; (5) inserting one of said implants through said guard and into the opening; (6) removing said second distractor; and
repeating steps (4) and (5).
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95. A method for securing a guard to two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting at least one alignment rod into a disc space intermediate the two adjacent vertebrae to induce angulation to the adjacent vertebrae; placing said guard over said rod, said rod serving to center and align said guard; driving said guard towards the spine to engage the spine; and removing said rod from said guard. - View Dependent Claims (96, 97)
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98. A method for inserting a spinal implant between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a spinal distractor into a disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae to provide for proper spacing of the disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae, said spinal distractor comprising a member terminating in a disc penetrating portion; inserting over the spinal distractor a hollow member having an extension for insertion into the disc space and for bearing against end plates of the two adjacent vertebrae, said extension having an uneven height; removing the spinal distractor from said hollow member; forming through said hollow member a hole across the disc space and into a portion of each of the two adjacent vertebrae; and inserting said implant in the hole through the hollow member. - View Dependent Claims (99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104)
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105. A method for inserting a spinal implant between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a spinal distractor into a disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae to induce angulation to the adjacent vertebrae; positioning a guard over said spinal distractor and into contact with the adjacent vertebrae; forming, through said guard, an opening across the disc space; and inserting said implant into the opening. - View Dependent Claims (106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155)
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156. A method for securing a guard to two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting at least one spinal distractor into a disc space intermediate the two adjacent vertebrae; placing over said spinal distractor a guard having an extension for insertion into the disc space and for bearing against end plates of the adjacent vertebrae; and removing said distractor from said guard. - View Dependent Claims (157, 158, 159)
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- 160. The method of 156, wherein the placing step includes the sub-step of inducing angulation to the adjacent vertebrae.
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163. The method of 156, wherein the placing step includes the sub-step of maintaining the angulation of the adjacent vertebrae.
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164. A method for preloading a spinal fusion implant with fusion promoting material prior to insertion between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning said implant into a press; and compressively loading said implant with fusion promoting material. - View Dependent Claims (165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170)
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Specification