Tool for implanting expandable intervertebral implant

• US 8,267,939 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2008
• Issued: 09/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings, LLC (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Stryker Spine
• Inventors: Cipoletti, Robert, Alheidt, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): SNOW, BRUCE EDWARD
• Application Number:
  US12/072,912
• Publication Number:
  US 20090222100A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,664 Days
• Field of Search: 606/90, 606/99, 606/246, 606/259, 606/282
• US Class Current: 606/99
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30112 Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners
• 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 2002/30461 sutured, ligatured or stitched
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3052 unrestrained in only one direction, e.g. moving unidirectionally
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30556 for adjusting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30565 having spring elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30772 Apertures or holes, e.g. of circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30904 serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4627 with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4629 connected to the endoprosthesis or implant via a threaded connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0004 Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0009 for adjusting thickness

Abstract

An expandable intervertebral implant and tool for use in implanting same are disclosed. The tool is useful in retaining the implant in a non-expanded state throughout insert of the implant between adjacent vertebral bodies. Among other elements, the tool includes a rod, a sleeve placed over the rod, and a locking knob attached to the rod and the sleeve to fix them with respect to each other. This construct preferably aids in preventing movement of the various components of the implant, including first and second members and first and second wedges. A method of attaching inserting the implant through the use of the tool and attaching the tool to the implant are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An impaction instrument comprising:

a rod having a first threaded end, a second end opposite the first threaded end, and a tapered portion disposed between the first and second ends;

a sleeve having an internal channel, and at least two deformable fingers capable of outward expansion upon placement of the rod through the internal channel; and

a locking knob attached to the second end of the rod for fixing the rod and the sleeve with respect to each other.

2. The impaction instrument of claim 1, wherein the tapered portion of the rod is dimensioned to expand the deformable fingers.

3. The impaction instrument of claim 2, wherein the tapered portion has a diameter that increases in a direction from the second end to the first end.

4. The impaction instrument of claim 1, wherein the rod includes a rod shoulder between the first end and the tapered portion.

5. The impaction instrument of claim 4, wherein the sleeve includes a sleeve shoulder.

6. The impaction instrument of claim 1, wherein the locking knob includes a back portion.

7. The impaction instrument of claim 6, wherein the back portion is provided with a coating to accept shock provided by an impaction force.