Method and apparatus for minimally invasive insertion of intervertebral implants
AssigneeDePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
InventorFaheem A. Sandhu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. An access cannula may be introduced over the first dilator tube. A drill may be inserted through the access cannula and used to perform a foraminoplasty. Surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.
Claims18
A method for accessing a patient's intervertebral disc to be treated in orthopedic surgery, comprising the steps of:
- introducing a guiding element along a posterolateral trajectory towards the intervertebral disc;
- passing an outer cannula over the guiding element, wherein a distal end of the outer cannula is positioned to allow direct visualization of an exiting nerve;
- performing a foraminoplasty through the outer cannula;
- and
- inserting an inner access cannula through the outer cannula prior to the step of performing the foraminoplasty.
A method for accessing a patient's intervertebral disc to be treated in orthopedic surgery, comprising the steps of:
- introducing a first guiding element along a posterolateral trajectory towards the intervertebral disc;
- passing an outer cannula over the first guiding element, wherein a distal end of the outer cannula is positioned to allow direct visualization of an exiting nerve;
- performing a foraminoplasty through the outer cannula;
- inserting a second guiding element through the outer cannula;
- and
- after performing the foraminoplasty, guiding an inner access cannula along the second guiding element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.