Method for inserting spinal implants and for securing a guard to the spine
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for securing a hollow tubular sleeve to two adjacent vertebrae comprising:
- inserting a spinal distractor in the disc space on one side of the vertebrae, said distractor having a flat shoulder portion abutting the vertebrae;
placing said hollow tubular sleeve having on one end engagement means for engaging two adjacent vertebrae and a circumferentially enlarged tubular back end, said back end having a raised crown portion, said sleeve being placed over said distractor, said distractor serving as a centering post and as an alignment rod for said outer sleeve;
engaging a driver cap to said tubular back end, said driver cap having a closed rear surface on one end and a circular front opening at the other end, said driver cap defining a first large recess within said circular opening for engaging the tubular back end of said outer sleeve, and a second smaller recess for engaging said crown portion forming an internal shoulder between said first and second recesses;
applying an impaction force with an impacting means to said driver cap whereby said force is transmitted via said internal shoulder to said outer sleeve until said crown is seated within said second recess;
removing said driver cap from said back end; and
removing said distractor with a distractor pulling means leaving said outer sleeve in place.
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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.
459 Citations
59 Claims
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1. A method for securing a hollow tubular sleeve to two adjacent vertebrae comprising:
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inserting a spinal distractor in the disc space on one side of the vertebrae, said distractor having a flat shoulder portion abutting the vertebrae;
placing said hollow tubular sleeve having on one end engagement means for engaging two adjacent vertebrae and a circumferentially enlarged tubular back end, said back end having a raised crown portion, said sleeve being placed over said distractor, said distractor serving as a centering post and as an alignment rod for said outer sleeve;
engaging a driver cap to said tubular back end, said driver cap having a closed rear surface on one end and a circular front opening at the other end, said driver cap defining a first large recess within said circular opening for engaging the tubular back end of said outer sleeve, and a second smaller recess for engaging said crown portion forming an internal shoulder between said first and second recesses;
applying an impaction force with an impacting means to said driver cap whereby said force is transmitted via said internal shoulder to said outer sleeve until said crown is seated within said second recess;
removing said driver cap from said back end; and
removing said distractor with a distractor pulling means leaving said outer sleeve in place. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for securing a guard to two adjacent vertebrae of a spine, 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 said guard over said distractor;
positioning one end of said guard in contact with the spine; and
removing said distractor from said guard. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for securing a guard to two adjacent vertebrae of a spine, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting at least one alignment rod into a disc space intermediate the tvo adjacent vertebrae;
placing said guard over said rod, said rod serving to center and align said guard;
positioning one end of said guard in contact with the spine; and
removing said rod from said guard. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. 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;
positioning a guard over said spinal distractor and into contact with the two adjacent vertebrae;
forming, through said guard, an opening across the disc space; and
inserting said implant into the opening. - View Dependent Claims (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, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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Specification