US 12,690,856 B2 · Insertion instruments

Abstract

The insertion instrument 10 for inserting a modular intervertebral fusion device or components thereof into an intervertebral space comprises at least one superior arm 16, 18 mounted on a superior support 12 such that the at least one superior arm extends from the superior support. The insertion instrument further comprises at least one inferior arm 20, 22 mounted on an inferior support 14 such that the at least one inferior arm extends from the inferior support. The superior and inferior supports 12, 14 are mechanically coupled to each other whereby: the at least one superior arm 16, 18 and the at least one inferior arm 20, 22 extend in generally a same direction such that, in use, each of the distal ends of the superior and inferior arms engage at a respective location on a modular intervertebral fusion device or component thereof; and the superior and inferior supports 12, 14 rotate relative to each other to provide relative rotation of: the at least one superior arm; and the at least one inferior arm, whereby there is movement together and apart of the at least one superior arm and the at least one inferior arm at their distal ends. One of: the at least one superior arm 16, 18; and the at least one inferior arm 20, 22 is unarticulated between its distal end and the respective superior or inferior support 12, 14. The other one of: the at least one superior arm 16, 18; and the at least one inferior arm 20, 22 comprises a hinge 32 between its distal end and the respective superior or inferior support. The hinge 32 rotates the distal end of the other one of the superior arm and the inferior arm towards or away from the one of the superior arm and the inferior arm.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An insertion instrument for inserting a modular intervertebral fusion device or components thereof into an intervertebral space, the insertion instrument comprising:

a superior arm mounted on and extending from a superior support;
an inferior arm mounted on and extending from an inferior support, the superior and inferior supports coupled to each other for movement together and apart of the superior and inferior arms;
a gripper comprised in each of the superior and inferior arms, each gripper comprising first and second gripper members extending from a distal end of the respective arm and moving relative to each other to, in use, change between gripping and releasing a respective component of the modular intervertebral fusion device;
and
a gripper control comprised in each of the superior and inferior arms, each gripper control user operable to move the respective first and second gripper members relative to each other, wherein:
at least one of the superior and inferior arms is an articulated arm comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion extends from a respective one of the superior and inferior supports, the distal portion extends to the distal end of the articulated arm, and the proximal and distal portions are rotatably coupled to each other, whereby the distal end of the articulated arm rotates towards or away from the distal end of the other of the superior and inferior arms;
and
at least one of the gripper controls comprises first and second gripper drivers, the first gripper driver comprised in the distal portion and operable to move the first and second gripper members relative to each other, and the second gripper driver comprised in the proximal portion and coupled to the first gripper driver whereby user operation of the second gripper driver operates the first gripper driver to change between gripping and releasing the respective component of the modular intervertebral fusion device.

5 more elements

A method of inserting a modular intervertebral fusion device or components thereof into an intervertebral space with an insertion instrument comprising a superior arm mounted on and extending from a superior support and an inferior arm mounted on and extending from an inferior support, wherein the superior and inferior supports are coupled to each other for movement together and apart of the superior and inferior arms, the method comprising:

gripping a respective component of the modular intervertebral fusion device between first and second gripper members which extend from a distal end of each of the superior and inferior arms;
inserting the distal ends of the superior and inferior arms into the intervertebral space;
and
moving relative to each other the first and second gripper members of each of the superior and inferior arms to release the respective components of the modular intervertebral fusion device from the grip of the first and second gripper members, wherein:
a gripper control is comprised in each of the superior and inferior arms, each gripper control user operable to move the respective first and second gripper members relative to each other;
at least one of the superior and inferior arms is an articulated arm comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion extending from a respective one of the superior and inferior supports, the distal portion extending to the distal end of the articulated arm, and the proximal and distal portions rotatably coupled to each other, whereby the distal end of the articulated arm rotates towards or away from the distal end of the other of the superior and inferior arms;
and
at least one of the gripper controls comprises first and second gripper drivers, the first gripper driver comprised in the distal portion and operable to move the first and second gripper members relative to each other, and the second gripper driver comprised in the proximal portion and coupled to the first gripper driver whereby user operation of the second gripper driver operates the first gripper driver to change between gripping and releasing the respective component of the modular intervertebral fusion device by movement of the first and second gripper members relative to each other.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Insertion instruments

Life of this patent

Insertion instruments

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20