Methods and apparatus for insertion of vertebral body distraction and fusion devices
First Claim
1. An inserter apparatus configured to insert and expand a distractible intervertebral body fusion device into an intervertebral disc space defined between adjacent vertebrae of a patient, comprising:
- a frame having a proximal end and a distal end;
a handle extending from the frame between the proximal end of the frame and the distal end of the frame at a non-parallel angle to the frame;
an actuation control positioned along the handle;
a device engagement assembly, including a drive shaft extending longitudinally through the frame and configured to extend distally from the frame and a device interface including a distal portion having a surface adapted to conformably engage an outwardly facing surface of a distractible intervertebral body fusion device,wherein operation of the actuation control along the handle causes the device engagement assembly to engage the distractible intervertebral body fusion device prior to insertion into the intervertebral disc space when the distractible intervertebral body fusion device is positioned proximate the device engagement assembly, and whereinthe drive shaft is configured to engage the distractible intervertebral body fusion device such that rotation of the drive shaft causes the distractible intervertebral body fusion device to expand between a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration after the device has been implanted into the intervertebral disc space.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inserter can be used to implant a distractible intervertebral body fusion device into a disc space and expand the device. The inserter includes a shaft frame and a drive shaft assembly for expanding the device and a support shaft assembly for stabilizing the device extending distally from the shaft frame. A drive housing can be operably connected to the shaft frame and extend outwardly from shaft frame distal of a proximal end of the shaft frame. Drive housing can have an internal passage that provides access into the shaft frame to a proximal end of the drive shaft assembly. An actuation tool can be disposed with the drive housing with a distal end extending through the access into the shaft frame to interface with the proximal end of the drive shaft assembly such that activation of the actuation tool rotates the drive shaft assembly to expand the device.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. An inserter apparatus configured to insert and expand a distractible intervertebral body fusion device into an intervertebral disc space defined between adjacent vertebrae of a patient, comprising:
-
a frame having a proximal end and a distal end; a handle extending from the frame between the proximal end of the frame and the distal end of the frame at a non-parallel angle to the frame; an actuation control positioned along the handle; a device engagement assembly, including a drive shaft extending longitudinally through the frame and configured to extend distally from the frame and a device interface including a distal portion having a surface adapted to conformably engage an outwardly facing surface of a distractible intervertebral body fusion device, wherein operation of the actuation control along the handle causes the device engagement assembly to engage the distractible intervertebral body fusion device prior to insertion into the intervertebral disc space when the distractible intervertebral body fusion device is positioned proximate the device engagement assembly, and wherein the drive shaft is configured to engage the distractible intervertebral body fusion device such that rotation of the drive shaft causes the distractible intervertebral body fusion device to expand between a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration after the device has been implanted into the intervertebral disc space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A method, comprising:
-
providing a distractible intervertebral body fusion device, the device expandable between a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration; providing an inserter including a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle extending from the frame between the proximal end of the frame and the distal end of the frame at a non-parallel angle to the frame, an actuation control positioned along the handle, and a device engagement assembly including a drive shaft extending longitudinally through the frame and configured to extend distally from the frame and a device interface including a distal portion having a surface adapted to conformably engage to an outwardly facing surface of distractible intervertebral body fusion device, the drive shaft configured to engage the distractible intervertebral body fusion device; and engaging the the device engagement assembly with the distractible intervertebral body fusion device, including operating the actuation control; inserting the distractible intervertebral body fusion device into a disc space between adjacent vertebrae of a body of a patient with the inserter with the distractible intervertebral body fusion device in the compressed configuration; and rotating the drive shaft to expand the distractible intervertebral body fusion device from the compressed configuration to the expanding configuration. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification