Spinal implant inserter utilizing offset striking arms
OwnerJonathan M. Deweyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for inserting a spinal implant into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae. An elongated inserter defines a first axis and has an implant securing or clamping device at a distal end, holding the implant. An arcuate striking arm is pivotally connected at one end to the inserter. A slap hammer has a shaft. The second end of the striking arm is connected to the slap hammer. A force applied to the slap hammer defines an axis of force, moving the slap hammer shaft along the axis of force. The striking arm moves and pivots with respect to the inserter. The motion of the striking arm translates motion to the inserter and to the implant clamping device. An otherwise offset axis of the implant aligns with a desired direction of travel into the disc space.
Claims20
A spinal implant and an implant insertion apparatus for inserting the spinal implant into a desired implantation position between two adjacent vertebral bodies, the two adjacent vertebral bodies defining a disc space of a patient, the spinal implant and the apparatus comprising:
- a spinal implant defining an axis therethrough;
- and
- an implant insertion apparatus comprising:
- an elongated inserter, the inserter including a proximal end, an opposite distal end, a non-movable portion extending from the distal end to the proximal end, and a movable portion extending from the distal end to an intermediate position intermediate the proximal end and the distal end, the movable portion and the non-movable portion being movably engaged to one another proximate the intermediate position;
- an implant securing device defined at the distal end, the implant securing device being configured to secure the spinal implant to the inserter, the axis of the spinal implant being offset from a desired path of travel into the desired implantation position while the spinal implant is secured in the securing device and positioned in a pre-implantation position, the pre-implantation position being one of proximate the disc space and within the disc space;
- a striking arm, the striking arm having a first end and a second end, one of the first and second ends being attached to the inserter, the other of the first and second ends defining a connector;
- and
- a slap hammer, the slap hammer including a shaft, the shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, an attachment portion defined at the distal end, the attachment portion configured to engage the connector on the striking arm;
- wherein application of a force to the slap hammer moves the slap hammer shaft in a direction substantially corresponding to the desired path of travel, the force being translated via the striking arm and the inserter to the spinal implant, thereby moving the axis of the spinal implant into the desired path of travel.
An implant insertion apparatus for inserting a spinal implant into a desired implantation position between two adjacent vertebral bodies, the two adjacent vertebral bodies defining a disc space of a patient, the implant insertion apparatus comprising:
- an elongated inserter, the inserter including a proximal end, an opposite distal end, a non-movable portion extending from the distal end to the proximal end, and a movable portion extending from the distal end to an intermediate position intermediate the proximal end and the distal end, the movable portion and the non-movable portion being movably engaged to one another proximate the intermediate position;
- a securing device defined at the distal end, the securing device being configured to secure a spinal implant to the inserter;
- a striking arm, the striking arm having a first end and a second end, one of the first and second ends being attached to the inserter, the other of the first and second ends defining a connector;
- and
- a slap hammer, the slap hammer including a shaft, the shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, an attachment portion defined at the distal end, the attachment portion configured to engage the connector on the striking arm;
- wherein application of a force to the slap hammer moves the slap hammer shaft in a first direction and causes the force to be translated to the striking arm and the inserter to move the striking arm and the inserter in a second direction corresponding to the first direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.