Apparatus for performing a discectomy through a trans-sacral axial bore within the vertebrae of the spine

#The present invention relates generally to spinal surgery, particularly methods and apparatus for forming one or more trans-sacral axial spinal instrumentation/fusion (TASIF) axial bore through vertebral bodies in general alignment with a visualized, trans-sacral anterior or posterior axial instrumentation/fusion line (AAIFL or PAIFL) line in a minimally invasive, low trauma, manner and performing a partial or complete discectomy of an intervertebral spinal disc through the axial bore.

#It has been estimated that 70% of adults have had a significant episode of back pain or chronic back pain emanating from a region of the spinal column or backbone. Many people suffering chronic back pain or an injury requiring immediate intervention resort to surgical intervention to alleviate their pain.

#The spinal column or backbone encloses the spinal cord and consists of 33 vertebrae superimposed upon one another in a series which provides a flexible supporting column for the trunk and head. The vertebrae cephalad (i.e., toward the head or superior) to the sacral vertebrae are separated by fibrocartilaginous intervertebral spinal discs and are united by articular capsules and by ligaments. The uppermost seven vertebrae are referred to as the cervical vertebrae, and the next lower twelve vertebrae are referred to as the thoracic, or dorsal, vertebrae. The next lower succeeding five vertebrae below the thoracic vertebrae are referred to as the lumbar vertebrae and are designated L1-L5 in descending order. The next lower succeeding five vertebrae below the lumbar vertebrae are referred to as the sacral vertebrae and are numbered S1-S5 in descending order. The final four vertebrae below the sacral vertebrae are referred to as the coccygeal vertebrae. In adults, the five sacral vertebrae fuse to form a single bone referred to as the sacrum, and the four rudimentary coccyx vertebrae fuse to form another bone called the coccyx or commonly the “tail bone”. The number of vertebrae is sometimes increased by an additional vertebra in one region, and sometimes one may be absent in another region.

#These and other advantages and features of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, when considered in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate identical structures throughout the several views, and wherein:

#FIGS. 1-3 are lateral, posterior and anterior views of the lumbar and sacral portion of the spinal column depicting the visualized PAIFL and AAIFL extending cephalad and axially from the posterior laminectomy site and the anterior target point, respectively;

#FIG. 4 is a sagittal caudal view of lumbar vertebrae depicting a TASIF axial spinal implant or rod within a TASIF axial bore formed following the visualized PAIFL or AAIFL of FIGS. 1-3;

#The methods and surgical instrumentation and axial spinal implants disclosed in the above-referenced provisional application No. 60/182,748 and in the above-referenced co-pending, commonly assigned, related patent applications can be employed in the practice of the present invention.

#Attention is first directed to the following description of FIGS. 1-6 is taken from the above-referenced parent provisional application No. 60/182,748. The acronyms TASF, AAFL, and PAFL used in the '748 application are changed to TASIF, AAIFL and PAIFL in this application to explicitly acknowledge that instruments can be introduced for inspection or treatments in addition to the fusion and fixation provided by axial spinal implants that may be inserted into the axial bores or pilot holes.

#FIGS. 1-3 schematically illustrate the anterior and posterior TASIF surgical approaches in relation to the lumbar region of the spinal column, and FIGS. 4-5 illustrate the location of the TASIF implant or pair of TASIF implants within a corresponding posterior TASIF axial bore 22 or anterior TASIF axial bore 152 or pair of TASIF axial bores 221, 222 or 1521, 1522. Two TASIF axial bores and axial spinal implants or rods are shown in FIG. 5 to illustrate that a plurality, that is two or more, of the same may be formed and/or employed in side by side relation in parallel alignment with the AAIFL or PAIFL or diverging from the AAIFL or PAIFL in the cephalad direction. Preferred TASIF surgical approaches for providing anterior and posterior trans-sacral access depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and preparing the TASIF axial bores 22 or 152 or 221, 222, or 1521, 1522 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are illustrated in the above-referenced '105 and '748 applications.