Devices and methods for preparation of vertebral members

A method for preparing an intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of two vertebrae of a spinal column, the method comprising:

• inserting into the intervertebral space a device in a retracted position,
• wherein the device has a retractable tool and an actuator connected to the retractable tool,
• wherein the retractable tool comprises a distal member and a proximal member,
• wherein a distal side of the distal member is fixed in a longitudinal direction and pivotable at a point of rotation,
• wherein a proximal side of the proximal member is connected to the actuator by an adjustable-length connection,
• wherein in the retracted position the distal member is pivotably connected to the proximal member at a pivot axis longitudinally in between the point of rotation and the proximal side of the proximal member, and
• wherein in the retracted position the distal member and the proximal member extend generally along the longitudinal direction;
• adjusting the adjustable-length connection so as to push the proximal member and the distal member such that the proximal member pivots with respect to the actuator and the distal member, the distal member pivots with respect to the proximal member and the point of rotation, and the proximal member and the distal member move laterally outward with respect to the longitudinal direction and across the intervertebral space between the two adjacent vertebral bodies in an extension direction approximately lateral to the spinal column, into an extended position;
• retracting the retractable tool into the retracted position;
• and
• withdrawing the retractable tool from the intervertebral space.

A method for preparing an intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of two vertebrae of a spinal column, the method comprising:

• inserting into the intervertebral space a device in a retracted position,
• wherein the device has a retractable tool and an actuator connected to the retractable tool,
• wherein the retractable tool comprises a distal member and a proximal member,
• wherein a distal side of the distal member is fixed in a longitudinal direction and pivotable at a point of rotation,
• wherein a proximal side of the proximal member is connected to the actuator by an adjustable-length connection,
• wherein in the retracted position the distal member is pivotably connected to the proximal member at a pivot axis longitudinally in between the point of rotation and the proximal side of the proximal member, and
• wherein in the retracted position the distal member and the proximal member extend generally along the longitudinal direction;
• and
• adjusting the adjustable-length connection so as to push the proximal member and the distal member such that the proximal member pivots with respect to the actuator and the distal member, the distal member pivots with respect to the proximal member and the point of rotation, and the proximal member and the distal member move laterally outward with respect to the longitudinal direction and across the intervertebral space between the two adjacent vertebral bodies in an extension direction approximately lateral to the spinal column, into an extended position,
• wherein the adjustable-length connection comprises a threaded connection, and
• wherein adjusting the adjustable-length connection comprises rotating the actuator so that the threaded connection pushes the proximal member and the distal member.

A method for preparing an intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of two vertebrae of a spinal column, the method comprising:

• inserting into the intervertebral space a device in a retracted position,
• wherein the device has a retractable tool and an actuator connected to the retractable tool,
• wherein the retractable tool comprises a distal member and a proximal member,
• wherein a distal side of the distal member is fixed in a longitudinal direction and pivotable at a point of rotation,
• wherein a proximal side of the proximal member is connected to the actuator by an adjustable-length connection,
• wherein in the retracted position the distal member is pivotably connected to the proximal member at a pivot axis longitudinally in between the point of rotation and the proximal side of the proximal member,
• wherein in the retracted position the distal member and the proximal member extend generally along the longitudinal direction, and
• wherein the distal member and/or the proximal member has a longitudinal cutting edge;
• adjusting the adjustable-length connection so as to push the proximal member and the distal member such that the proximal member pivots with respect to the actuator and the distal member, the distal member pivots with respect to the proximal member and the point of rotation, and the proximal member and the distal member move laterally outward with respect to the longitudinal direction and across the intervertebral space between the two adjacent vertebral bodies in an extension direction approximately lateral to the spinal column, into an extended position;
• and
• cutting bone and/or tissue using the longitudinal cutting edge.

A method for preparing an intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of two vertebrae of a spinal column, the method comprising:

• inserting, through an annulotomy, into the intervertebral space, a device in a retracted position,
• wherein the device has:
• a cannula that extends generally along a longitudinal axis, has an elongated cross-sectional shape, and defines an opening located at a distal portion of the cannula and on a wider portion of the cross-sectional shape,
• an actuator rod disposed within the cannula,
• a distal member, and
• a proximal member,
• wherein a distal side of the distal member is pivotably connected at a first point to a distal portion of the cannula,
• wherein a proximal side of the proximal member is pivotably connected to the actuator rod at a second point,
• wherein in a retracted position the distal member is pivotably connected to the proximal member longitudinally in between the first point and the second point,
• wherein in the retracted position the distal member and the proximal member are disposed within the cannula at the opening, extend generally along a longitudinal direction, and face out of the opening in an extension direction, and
• wherein the device is inserted into the intervertebral space with the distal member and the proximal member facing a face of a vertebral body;
• turning the device such that the extension direction in which the distal member and the proximal member face is generally parallel to the face of the vertebral body and such that narrower sides of the cannula at narrow portions of the cross-sectional shape, face the vertebral bodies;
• moving the actuator rod to push the proximal member and the distal member such that the proximal member pivots with respect to the actuator rod and the distal member, the distal member pivots with respect to the proximal member and the first point, and the proximal member and the distal member extend laterally out of the opening in the extension direction;
• and
• with the proximal member and the distal member extending out of the opening, moving the device so that the distal member and/or the proximal member cuts bone and/or tissue.