Mating insertion instruments for spinal implants and methods of use
First Claim
1. A method for inserting a main body assembly into a spine of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. selecting a main body assembly insertion device, including;
i. an elongated body;
ii. a proximal end having a handle; and
iii. a distal end including an engaging element adapted to engage for implantation the main body assembly, the engaging element comprising at least one alignment pin and an engaging device;
b. selecting the main body assembly for insertion into the spine, the main body assembly comprising;
i. a body portion having a first end, a second end, and a first wing at said first end, said first wing including at least one alignment hole;
ii. a spacer adjacent to the first wing, rotatable about a longitudinal axis; and
iii. a tissue expander at the second end of the main body assembly;
c. operably engaging the main body assembly insertion device with the main body assembly to create an operably engaged assembly by;
i. inserting said at least one alignment pin of said engaging element through said at least one alignment hole of the first wing;
ii. inserting the engaging device into an engaging hole of the main body assembly;
d. using the operably engaged assembly to urge the tissue expander between adjacent spinous processes and to position the spacer between the spinous processes and the first wing adjacent to the spinous processes; and
e. disengaging said main body assembly insertion device from said main body assembly.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Insertion instruments and a main body assembly and a universal wing to be inserted are provided, along with methods of using these instruments for the insertion of the spinal implants in patients to relieve the symptoms of, for example, spinal stenosis, injuries, and degenerative diseases of the spine. The instruments are simply designed and can be disassembled, making cleaning and sterilization easy and convenient. The instruments are designed to engage with and disengage from spinal implants easily, and use of the instrument in spinal implant surgery can be carried out with minimal surgical intervention and does not require general anesthesia. The main body assembly and the universal wing are designed to conveniently be secured to the insertion instruments. In an alternative embodiment the instrument can be nested and at least one instrument can include a handle provided at an angle.
282 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for inserting a main body assembly into a spine of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. selecting a main body assembly insertion device, including; i. an elongated body; ii. a proximal end having a handle; and iii. a distal end including an engaging element adapted to engage for implantation the main body assembly, the engaging element comprising at least one alignment pin and an engaging device; b. selecting the main body assembly for insertion into the spine, the main body assembly comprising; i. a body portion having a first end, a second end, and a first wing at said first end, said first wing including at least one alignment hole; ii. a spacer adjacent to the first wing, rotatable about a longitudinal axis; and
iii. a tissue expander at the second end of the main body assembly;c. operably engaging the main body assembly insertion device with the main body assembly to create an operably engaged assembly by; i. inserting said at least one alignment pin of said engaging element through said at least one alignment hole of the first wing; ii. inserting the engaging device into an engaging hole of the main body assembly; d. using the operably engaged assembly to urge the tissue expander between adjacent spinous processes and to position the spacer between the spinous processes and the first wing adjacent to the spinous processes; and e. disengaging said main body assembly insertion device from said main body assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for inserting a second wing on a main body assembly implanted between adjacent spinous processes of a spine of a patient, the method comprising:
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a. positioning a main body assembly comprising a spacer located between a first wing and a tissue expander between adjacent spinous processes, the first wing adjacent to one side of the spinous processes, and the tissue expander protruding on the opposite side of the spinous processes; b. selecting a second wing insertion device adapted to removably engage the second wing, the second wing insertion device comprising; i. at least one alignment pin; and ii. a rotatable driver; c. selecting the second wing, the second wing comprising; i. at least one alignment pin hole adapted to receive the at least one alignment pin of the second wing insertion device; and ii. a second wing locking mechanism; d. engaging the second wing with the second wing insertion device by engaging the driver with the second wing; and
mating the at least one alignment pin with the at least one alignment pin hole;e. using the second wing insertion device to urge said engaged second wing into engagement with the main body assembly; f. securing the second wing to the main body assembly by rotating the driver; and g. disengaging the second wing insertion device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of using a plurality of tools to insert a distraction implant laterally between adjacent spinous processes, the method comprising the steps of:
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engaging a first tool with a main body assembly of a distraction implant; using the engaged first tool to insert the main body assembly between adjacent spinous processes; mounting a wing on a second tool; aligning the first and second tools to align the wing with the main body assembly by mating a member on one of the first tool and the second tool, with a recess on the other of the first tool and the second tool; securing the wing to the main body assembly; disengaging the first tool and the second tool; and inserting a bolt through a bore defined by a mounting ring of the wing before the mounting step. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A method of using a plurality of tools to insert a distraction implant laterally between adjacent spinous processes, the method comprising the steps of:
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engaging a first tool with a main body assembly of a distraction implant; using the engaged first tool to insert the main body assembly between adjacent spinous processes; mounting a wing on a second tool; aligning the first and second tools to align the wing with the main body assembly by mating a member on one of the first tool and the second tool, with a recess on the other of the first tool and the second tool; securing the wing to the main body assembly; disengaging the first tool and the second tool; and wherein an insertion tip of the first tool engages the main body assembly by additional steps comprising; retracting a spring loaded insertion rod that extends to form both a locking pin and an engagement pin protruding at the insertion tip; engaging at least one alignment pin of the insertion tip with an alignment hole in a first wing at a first end of the main body assembly; and allowing the spring-loaded locking pin to spring forward into a locking pin hole in the first wing, and the engagement pin to spring forward into an engagement hole on a spacer of the main body assembly located adjacent to the first wing.
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26. A method of using a plurality of tools to insert a distraction implant laterally between adjacent spinous processes, the method comprising the steps of:
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engaging a first tool with a main body assembly of a distraction implant; using the engaged first tool to insert the main body assembly between adjacent spinous processes; mounting a wing on a second tool; aligning the first and second tools to align the wing with the main body assembly by mating a member on one of the first tool and the second tool, with a recess on the other of the first tool and the second tool; securing the wing to the main body assembly; disengaging the first tool and the second tool; and wherein the mounting step involving the second tool and the wing comprises the additional steps of; retracting a spring-loaded insertion rod of the second tool, the insertion rod comprising a driver wherein the insertion rod is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the insertion rod; aligning at least one alignment pin on the insertion tip of the second tool with at least one alignment hole on the universal wing; and allowing the insertion rod of the second tool to spring forward and to bring the driver operably into contact with the wing. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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Specification