Bone preparation instruments and methods

• US 6,641,582 B1
• Filed: 07/06/2000
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc. (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sulzer Spine Tech, Inc.
• Inventors: Seme, Steven J., Hanson, David A., Longhini, Ross A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Ralph A.
• Application Number:
  US09/611,237
• Time in Patent Office: 1,216 Days
• Field of Search: 606/61, 606/79, 606/90, 606/99, 623/17.11
• US Class Current: 606/79
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1604 Chisels; Rongeurs; Punches; Stamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1659 Surgical rasps, files, planes, or scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1735 for rasps or chisels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• 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 2/4465 having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4603 for insertion or extraction of endoprosthetic joints or of accessories thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30131 horseshoe- or crescent- or C-shaped or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30383 made by laterally inserting a protrusion, e.g. a rib into a complementarily-shaped groove
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30599 stackable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3082 Grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30879 Ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30892 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0013 : Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0063 : Nested prosthetic parts

Abstract

Instruments and methods for preparing adjacent bones for fusion are disclosed. In a typical embodiment, the instruments include paddles for spacing the adjacent bones a predetermined distance and a cutting edge to create a channel between the adjacent bones to receive a fusion implant. The instruments and methods are particularly advantageous for preparing a spinal fusion implant site.

Claims

1. A bone cutting instrument comprising:

a proximal end and a distal end spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the instrument;

a first and second paddle at the distal end of the instrument, the first paddle having a first height dimension and the second paddle having a second height dimension, the first and second paddles being diametrically opposed and having a spacing between the paddles; and

a cutting edge configured and arranged to extend beyond the first and second height dimensions of the first and second paddles and having a portion of the cutting edge disposed within the spacing between and fixedly positioned relative to the paddles;

the diametrically opposed paddles extending distally beyond the cutting edge.

2. The bone cutting instrument according to claim 1 wherein the cutting edge is radiused.

3. The bone cutting instrument according to claim 1 wherein the cutting edge is rectangular.

4. The bone cutting instrument according to claim 3 wherein the cutting edge is three-sided.

5. The bone cutting instrument according to claim 1 wherein the first and second paddles each have a tapered distal tip.

6. The bone cutting instrument according to claim 1 further including a first mandrel which is selectively passable between the first and second paddles.

7. The bone cutting instrument according to claim 1 wherein the cutting edge is separable from the first and second paddles.

8. The bone cutting instrument according to claim 1 further comprising a passage through which bone debris can pass.

9. The bone cutting instrument according to claim 1 further including indicator markings to determine depth of cutting.

10. A method for preparing a channel between opposing bone surfaces, the method comprising a step of:

selecting a channeling device, the device comprising;

a. a proximal end and a distal end spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the device;

b. a pair of diametrically opposed paddles fixed in a spaced apart relationship and having a cutting edge disposed between and fixedly positioned relative to said diametrically opposed paddles, the diametrically opposed paddles extending distally beyond the cutting edge;

placing the channeling device such that the diametrically opposed paddles are positioned between the opposing bone surfaces and advancing the device to distract the bone surfaces to a desired distance apart; and

continuing advancing the device such that the paddles and cutting edge advance between the opposing bone surfaces until the cutting edge cuts a notch in the opposing bone surfaces, he notches in the opposing bone surfaces forming a first channel.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the opposing bone surfaces arc opposing end plates of a first and second vertebrae.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the channel is prepared between the first and second vertebrae through an anterior approach.

13. The method according to claim 11 wherein the channel is prepared between the first and second vertebrae through a posterior approach.

14. The method according to claim 10 wherein the channel is formed to receive a first fusion implant.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the fusion implant is bone.

16. The method according to claim 14 wherein the fusion implant is titanium.

17. The method according to claim 10 wherein the cutting edge is radiused.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein after the channel is formed the channel is tapped.

19. The method according to claim 10 wherein the cutting edge is rectangular.

20. The method according to claim 10 further comprising a step of forming a second channel.

21. A unitary bone cutting instrument comprising:

a proximal end and a distal end spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the instrument;

first and second paddles at the distal end of the instrument, the first paddle having a first height dimension and the second paddle having a second height dimension, the first and second paddles being diametrically opposed and having a spacing between the paddles; and

a rounded cutting edge configured and arranged to extend between the first and second paddles and to extend beyond the first and second height dimensions of the first and second paddles;

the diametrically opposed paddles extending distally beyond the cutting edge.

22. A bone cutting instrument comprising:

a proximal end and a distal end spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the instrument;

a first and second paddle at the distal end of the instrument, the first paddle having a first height dimension and the second paddle having a second height dimension, the first and second paddles being diametrically opposed and having a spacing between the paddles; and

a cutting edge configured and arranged to extend beyond the first and second height dimensions of the first and second paddles and having a portion of the cutting edge within the spacing between the paddles, wherein in use the cutting edge moves in concert with the paddles;

the diametrically opposed paddles extending distally beyond the cutting edge.

23. A method for preparing a channel between opposing bone surfaces, the method comprising a step of:

selecting a channeling device, the device comprising;

a. a proximal end and a distal end spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the device;

b. a pair of diametrically opposed paddles fixed in a spaced apart relationship and having a cutting edge between said diametrically opposed paddles, the diametrically opposed paddles extending distally beyond the cutting edge, wherein the cutting edge moves in concert with the paddles;

advancing the diametrically opposed paddles between the opposing bone surfaces to distract the bone surfaces to a desired distance apart; and

continuing advancing the paddles and cutting edge between the opposing bone surfaces until the cutting edge cuts a notch in the opposing bone surfaces, the notches in the opposing bone surfaces forming a first channel.