Methods and instrumentation for vertebral interbody fusion
OwnerJ. Kenneth Burkus, Eddie F. Ray III +1inventors
InventorsJ. Kenneth Burkus, Eddie F. Ray III, James P. Duncan
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Abstract
Methods and instrumentation particularly adapted for disc space preparation for insertion of implants from an anterior approach to the spine are provided. The instruments include a guide sleeve defining a channel having overlapping cylindrical working channel portions and lateral non-distracting extensions extending from reduced thickness wall portions. The guide sleeve has an overall reduced width configuration. A pair of distractors are provided. A first distractor includes a shaft and distal tip, and the second distractor includes a shaft and distal tip. The first and second distractors can be used with the guide sleeve. Methods using the disclosed instruments are also provided.
Claims38
A spinal disc space distractor, comprising:
- a body positionable in a spinal disc space between adjacent vertebrae, said body having a distal end surface, a proximal end and a central axis extending therebetween, said body including:
- a lateral surface extending generally in the direction of said central axis;
- a medial surface opposite said lateral surface and extending generally in the direction of said central axis;
- an upper surface extending generally in the direction of said central axis;
- a lower surface opposite said upper surface and extending generally in the direction of said central axis;
- a first transition surface extending between said distal end surface and said lateral surface, said first transition surface having a first curvature generally corresponding to the curvature of the inner portion of the cortical rim of the vertebral endplates in the axial plane;
- a second upper transition surface extending between said lateral surface and said upper surface and a second lower transition surface extending between said lateral surface and said lower surface, said second upper and lower transition surfaces each having a second curvature generally corresponding to the curvature of the inner portion of the cortical rim of the vertebral endplates in the coronal plane;
- and
- a third upper transition surface extending between said distal end surface and said upper surface and a third lower transition surface extending between said distal end surface and said lower surface, said third upper and lower transition surfaces each having a third curvature generally corresponding to the curvature of the inner portion of the cortical rim of the vertebral endplates in the sagittal plane.
A spinal disc space distractor, comprising:
- a body positionable in a spinal disc space between adjacent vertebrae, said body having a central axis extending therethrough, said body including:
- a distal end surface;
- a lateral surface extending generally in the direction of said central axis;
- a medial surface opposite said lateral surface and extending generally in the direction of said central axis;
- an upper surface extending generally in the direction of said central axis;
- a lower surface opposite said upper surface and extending generally in the direction of said central axis;
- and
- at least a first transition surface extending between said distal end surface and said lateral surface, said first transition surface having a first curvature generally corresponding to the curvature of the inner portion of the cortical rim of the vertebral endplates in the axial plane.
19 The distractor of claim 12, wherein said first curvature is defined by a radius of curvature of 9 millimeters.
A surgical instrument assembly for distracting a spinal disc space, comprising:
- a first shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end;
- a first distractor tip extending from the distal end of said first shaft, said first distractor tip including opposite first and second surfaces defining a first distraction height;
- a second distractor including:
- a second shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end;
- a second distractor tip extending from the distal end of said second shaft, said second distractor tip including opposite first and second surfaces defining a second distraction height substantially equal to said first distraction height;
- a guide sleeve defining a working channel extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said first and second distractors are received in said working channel of said guide sleeve;
- and
- a distractor driver cap coupled to the proximal end of said first and second distractors and said guide sleeve, said distractor driver cap having a side opening wherein said distractor driver cap is side-loaded onto said first and second distractors and said guide sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.