Surgical tool and method with an actuation mechanism for controlling reciprocation and locking of an anti-rotation member relative to an engagement member for facilitating positioning of an intervertebral device

A surgical tool for positioning an intervertebral device between vertebral members, the surgical tool comprising:

• an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends defining a first longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the distal end of the elongate shaft comprising a threaded engagement member adapted to releasably engage an intervertebral device;
• an impaction cap physically connected to the proximal end of the elongate shaft, wherein impacting force applied to the impaction cap is transferred to the elongate shaft, and hence to the threaded engagement member at the distal end thereof;
• an elongate anti-rotation sleeve having proximal and distal ends defining a second longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the second longitudinal axis of the elongate anti-rotation sleeve being coaxial with the first longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft, and wherein the elongate anti-rotation sleeve is movably mounted to the elongate shaft and reciprocates relative thereto between a retracted position and an extended position, the distal end of the elongate anti-rotation sleeve comprising an anti-rotation member;
• and
• an actuation mechanism for controlling positioning and reciprocation of the elongate anti-rotation sleeve relative to the elongate shaft between the retracted position and the extended position and for locking the elongate anti-rotation sleeve relative to the elongate shaft, wherein when the intervertebral device is releasably engaged by the threaded engagement member at the distal end of the elongate shaft, and the elongate anti-rotation sleeve is in the extended position, the anti-rotation member at the distal end of the elongate anti-rotation sleeve engages the intervertebral device and prevents rotation of the intervertebral device when releasing the threaded engagement member from engagement with the intervertebral device.

A method of positioning an intervertebral device between vertebral members, the method comprising:

• employing a surgical tool having:
• an elongate shaft with proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the distal end of the elongate shaft comprising an engagement member adapted to releasably engage the intervertebral device;
• an elongate anti-rotation sleeve having proximal and distal ends, the elongate anti-rotation sleeve being movably mounted to the elongate shaft and reciprocating relative thereto between a retracted position and an extended position, the distal end of the elongate anti-rotation sleeve comprising an anti-rotation member;
• and
• an actuation mechanism for controlling positioning and reciprocation of the elongate anti-rotation sleeve relative to the elongate shaft between the retracted and extended positions, and for locking the elongate anti-rotation sleeve relative to the elongate shaft;
• wherein employing the surgical tool comprises:
• employing the engagement member at the distal end of the elongate shaft of the surgical tool to releasably engage the intervertebral device;
• employing the actuation mechanism of the surgical tool to position the elongate anti-rotation sleeve in the extended position to engage the intervertebral device and to lock the elongate anti-rotation sleeve relative to the elongate shaft;
• inserting the intervertebral device between the vertebral members of a patient employing the surgical tool;
• releasing the engagement member at the distal end of the elongate shaft from engagement with the intervertebral device;
• and
• thereafter, retracting the anti-rotation member from engagement with the intervertebral device.