Insertion tool for Inter-body Vertebral Prosthetic Device With Self-Deploying Screws

An apparatus for inserting an intervertebral prosthesis within a spine of a mammal, comprising:

• a handle disposed at a proximal end of the tool and including a drive nut operating to produce rotational torque in response to user-input about a central axis;
• and
• a first drive shaft including proximal and distal ends;
• the proximal end in communication with the drive nut, receiving rotational torque therefrom, and imparting rotational torque to the first drive shaft about a first axis, which is laterally offset from the central axis;
• and the distal end of the first drive shaft including a first drive head,
• wherein the first drive head engages a first gear of the intervertebral prosthesis, such that rotation of the first gear causes rotation and deployment of a first anchoring element of the intervertebral prosthesis.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a tool for inserting an intervertebral prosthesis within a spine of a mammal, including:
• a handle disposed at a proximal end of the tool and including a drive nut operating to produce rotational torque in response to user-input;
• and
• a first drive shaft including proximal and distal ends;
• the proximal end being in communication with the drive nut, receiving rotational torque therefrom, and imparting rotational torque to the first drive shaft about a first axis;
• and the distal end of the first drive shaft including a first drive head;
• and
• the intervertebral prosthesis, including:
• a body including first and second spaced apart major surfaces and at least anterior and posterior sidewalls extending therebetween, the first major surface for engaging an endplate of a first vertebral bone of the spine, and the second major surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent, second vertebral bone of the spine, and the first and second major surfaces defining a longitudinal axis extending substantially normal to said surfaces;
• a first aperture extending from within the body, transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis, and opening at the first major surface;
• a first anchoring element disposed within the first aperture and including a threaded shaft having proximal and distal ends;
• and
• a first gear disposed adjacent to and in meshed, threaded communication with the threaded shaft of the first anchoring element such that rotation of the first gear causes rotation of the first anchoring element,
• wherein the first drive head operates to engage the first gear of the intervertebral prosthesis, such that a driving rotational force on the first gear causes the first anchoring element to rotate, deploy from the body, and thread into the first vertebral bone in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body and the spine.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a tool for inserting an intervertebral prosthesis within a spine of a mammal, including:
• a handle disposed at a proximal end of the tool and including a drive nut operating to produce rotational torque in response to user-input;
• and
• a drive shaft including proximal and distal ends;
• the proximal end being in communication with the drive nut, receiving rotational torque therefrom, and imparting rotational torque to the drive shaft about a first axis;
• and the distal end of the drive shaft including a drive head;
• and
• the intervertebral prosthesis, including:
• a body including first and second spaced apart major surfaces and at least anterior and posterior sidewalls extending therebetween, the first major surface for engaging an endplate of a first vertebral bone of the spine, and the second major surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent, second vertebral bone of the spine, and the first and second major surfaces defining a longitudinal axis extending substantially normal to said surfaces;
• one or more apertures extending from within the body, transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis, and opening at one or more of the first and second major surfaces;
• one or more anchoring elements disposed within the apertures and including respective threaded shafts having proximal and distal ends;
• and
• at least one gear disposed adjacent to and in meshed, threaded communication with the threaded shafts of the one or more anchoring elements such that rotation of the at least one gear causes rotation of the one or more anchoring elements,
• wherein the drive head operates to engage the at least one gear of the intervertebral prosthesis, such that a driving rotational force on the gear causes the one or more anchoring elements to rotate, deploy from the body, and thread into one or more of the vertebral bones in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body and the spine.