Instruments and methods for implanting nucleus replacement material in an intervertebral disc nucleus space

An instrument for implanting a nucleus replacement disc, the instrument comprising:

• a first channel member having a first end region and a second end region, the first channel member defining a first passageway from the first end region to the second end region, the first passageway being defined by at least one sidewall;
• a first post extending radially inward from the at least one sidewall of the first channel member, the first post being located at the first end region of the first channel member;
• a second channel member having a first end region and a second end region, the second channel member defining a second passageway from the first end region to the second end region thereof, the second passageway being defined by at least one sidewall of the second channel member;
• a second post extending radially inward from the at least one sidewall of the second channel member, the second post being located at the first end region of the second channel member;
• wherein the first channel member and the second channel member are pivotally connected at their respective first end regions, and wherein the instrument assumes a loading configuration when the first channel member and the second channel member are pivoted to define an angle of less than 180 degrees, and assumes an implanting configuration when the first channel member and the second channel member are pivoted to define an angle of approximately 180 degrees, wherein in the implanting configuration the first passageway and the second passageway align to form a single aligned passageway;
• and
• wherein the second end region of the first channel member comprises a conical-shaped outer surface and the aligned passageway exits through a side surface of the first channel member at the second end region thereof at other than the apex of the conical-shaped outer surface, wherein a nucleus replacement disc passing through the aligned passageway exits into an intervertebral disc nucleus space when the passageway exit at the second end region of the first channel member is at least partially disposed in the intervertebral disc nucleus space.

An instrument for implanting nucleus replacement material, the instrument comprising:

• an inserter defining a passageway effective for passing nucleus replacement material therethrough, the inserter having a proximal end region and a distal end region, and comprising a first channel member and a second channel member pivotally connected together at respective first ends thereof, wherein the inserter assumes a loading configuration when the first channel member and the second channel member are pivoted to define an angle of less than 180 degrees, and assumes an implanting configuration when the first channel member and the second channel member are pivoted to define an angle of approximately 180 degrees, and wherein the first and second channel members define the passageway when the inserter is in the implanting configuration;
• and
• a cover locking mechanism comprising a first cover plate and a second cover plate, the first cover plate comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the first cover plate being pivotally connected to the first channel member near the first end thereof, and wherein the second cover plate comprises a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the second cover plate being pivotally connected to the second channel member near the first end thereof and the distal end of the second cover plate being pivotally connected to the first cover plate intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the first cover plate, and wherein the first cover plate is configured with a latching tab at the proximal end thereof, and the second cover plate is configured with a tab receiving landing, the latching tab and the tab receiving landing being sized and configured to mate and lock the first cover plate and second cover plate together as the inserter assumes the implanting configuration.

A method of implanting material in an intervertebral disc nucleus space, the method comprising:

• providing a disc nucleus implant instrument including:
• an inserter including a passageway effective for passing a material for replacing or augmenting an intervertebral disc nucleus, the inserter having a proximal end region and a distal end region;
• and
• wherein the distal end region of the inserter comprises a conical-shaped outer surface, and wherein the passageway exits through a side surface of the inserter in the distal end region thereof at other than the apex of the conical-shaped outer surface, the distal end region of the inserter with the conical-shaped outer surface being sized to function as a dilator;
• providing a material suitable for replacing or augmenting an intervertebral disc nucleus in the passageway of the inserter;
• providing a hole in the annulus of a disc receiving the material for replacing or augmenting the intervertebral disc nucleus, the hole having an undilated size that is smaller than a cross-sectional size of the material for replacing or augmenting the intervertebral disc nucleus, the hole having a dilated size that is larger than the cross-sectional size of the material for replacing or augmenting the intervertebral disc nucleus;
• introducing the dilating distal end region of the inserter into the hole in the disc annulus to dilate the hole in the disc annulus, the introducing comprising positioning the passageway exit of the distal end region of the inserter at least partially within the intervertebral disc nucleus space;
• passing the material for replacing or augmenting the intervertebral disc nucleus through the passageway exit in the side surface of the inserter in the distal end region;
• and
• withdrawing the inserter, and allowing the hole in the disc annulus to return to a smaller size than its dilated size.

A method of implanting material in an intervertebral disc nucleus space, the method comprising:

• providing a disc nucleus implant instrument comprising:
• an inserter including a passageway effective for passing material for replacing or augmenting an intervertebral disc nucleus, the inserter having a proximal end region and a distal end region, and comprising a first channel member and a second channel member pivotally connected together at respective first ends thereof, wherein the inserter assumes a loading configuration when the first channel member and the second channel member are pivoted to define an angle of less than 180 degrees, and assumes an implanting configuration when the first channel member and the second channel member are pivoted to define an angle of approximately 180 degrees, and wherein the first and second channel members define the passageway when the inserter is in the implanting configuration;
• and
• a cover locking mechanism comprising a first cover plate and a second cover plate, the first cover plate comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the first cover plate being pivotally connected to the first channel member near the first end thereof, and wherein the second cover plate comprises a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the second cover plate being pivotally connected to the second channel member near the first end thereof and the distal end of the second cover plate being pivotally connected to the first cover plate intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the first cover plate, and wherein the first cover plate is configured with a latching tab at the proximal end thereof, and the second cover plate is configured with a tab receiving landing, the latching tab and the tab receiving landing being sized and configured to mate and lock the first cover plate and the second cover plate together as the inserter assumes the implanting configuration;
• providing a material suitable for replacing or augmenting an intervertebral disc nucleus in the passageway of the inserter while the inserter is in the loading configuration;
• transitioning the inserter from the loading configuration to the implanting configuration, the transitioning comprising pivoting the first channel member and the second channel member to define the angle of approximately 180 degrees, and simultaneous therewith, pivoting the first cover plate towards the second cover plate so that the latching tab of the first cover plate mates and locks with the tab receiving landing of the second cover plate;
• providing a hole in the annulus of a disc receiving the material for replacing or augmenting an intervertebral disc nucleus;
• introducing the distal end region of the inserter into the hole in the disc annulus, the introducing comprising positioning the distal end region of the inserter within the intervertebral disc nucleus space;
• passing the material for replacing or augmenting the intervertebral disc nucleus through a passageway exit in the distal end region of the inserter;
• and
• withdrawing the distal end region of the inserter from the intervertebral disc nucleus space.