Instruments and methods for inserting artificial intervertebral implants
AssigneeSpineCore, Inc.
InventorMichael W. Dudasik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for preparing a disc space and inserting an intervertebral disc implant therein are disclosed. Among the various instruments disclosed are a midline marker, a reference pin drill and insertion guide, a pin drill guide, a chisel guide, a sizer, a serrated broach, an implant dispenser, and an implant insertion tool. Methods of utilizing these tools are also disclosed.
Claims14
An implant dispenser for holding the top and bottom elements of an intervertebral disc implant, the dispenser comprising:
- a superior arm for contacting the top element of the intervertebral disc implant and having a first notch;
- an inferior arm for engaging the bottom element of the intervertebral disc implant and having a second notch;
- a central support connecting the superior and inferior arms, the central support allowing for the superior and inferior arms to move relative to one another;
- and
- a clip disposed between the superior and inferior arms to prevent the superior and inferior arms from moving towards one another, wherein the clip includes a main body having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end disposed within the first notch and the lower end disposed within the second notch.
An implant dispenser for holding an intervertebral disc implant, the dispenser comprising:
- first and second arms;
- a central support connecting the first and second arms so that ends of the first and second arms are biased toward a first position in which the first and second arms are adapted to hold the intervertebral disc implant therebetween, the central support defining a pivot about which the first and second arms are configured to pivot between the first position and a second position, wherein in the second position, the bias of the first and second arms is overcome to release the intervertebral implant held by the arms in the first position;
- and
- a clip removably engaged to the first and second arms so as to prohibit movement of the first and second arms between the first and second positions,
- wherein when the clip engages first ends of the first and second arms, the intervertebral disc implant is held between second ends of the first and second arms, and the central support is disposed between the first and second ends of the first and second arms.
An implant dispenser for holding first and second elements of an intervertebral disc implant, the dispenser comprising:
- a first arm;
- a second arm, the first and second arms movable with respect to each other between first and second positions;
- a locking mechanism for maintaining the first and second arms in the first position, wherein in the first position, the first and second arms are positioned such that the first and second elements are secured by the first and second arms when the first and second elements are engaged by the dispenser and, in the second position, the first and second arms are positioned such that the first and second elements can be removed from the dispenser
- wherein the locking mechanism is a clip inserted between the first and second arms to prevent the first and second arms from moving towards each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.