US 2012/0239151 A1Published application

Method of using instruments and interbody spinal implants to enhance distraction

AssigneeTitan Spine, LLC

InventorsPeter F. Ulrich, JR., Chad J. Patterson

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Abstract

A method of using an interbody spinal implant by implanting the spinal implant into a patient in need of the spinal implant. The method includes accessing the disc space of the patient and locating the center of the disc space. The disc space is incised by making a window in the annulus of the disc space for insertion of the spinal implant. The endplates are cleaned of all cartilage and the disc structure, which is encapsulated by the annulus, is removed while avoiding damage to the endplate structure of the vertebrae. Optionally a size-specific rasp is selected and the disc space is cleared of all soft tissue and cartilage. Optionally the disc space is distracted by sequentially expanding it with distractors of progressively increasing heights. A spinal implant having a pre-determined size sufficient to balance frictional fit and elongation of the annulus is selected and seated in the disc space.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of using an interbody spinal implant by implanting the spinal implant into a patient in need of the spinal implant, the method comprising:

(a) accessing the disc space of the patient;
(b) locating the center of the disc space;
(c) incising the disc space by making a window in the annulus of the disc space for insertion of the spinal implant;
(d) cleaning the endplates of all cartilage and removing the disc structure which is encapsulated by the annulus while avoiding damage to the endplate structure of the vertebrae;
(e) optionally selecting a size-specific rasp and clearing the disc space of all soft tissue and cartilage;
(f) optionally distracting the disc space by sequentially expanding it with distractors of progressively increasing heights;
(g) selecting a spinal implant having a pre-determined size sufficient to balance frictional fit and elongation of the annulus, the spinal implant having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposing lateral sides, and opposing anterior and posterior portions defining a substantially hollow center and a single vertical aperture, the single vertical aperture (i) extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, (ii) having a size and shape predetermined to maximize the surface area of the top surface and the bottom surface available proximate the anterior and posterior portions while maximizing both radiographic visualization and access to the substantially hollow center, and (iii) defining a transverse rim;
and
(h) seating the spinal implant in the disc space.

6 more elements

A method of using an interbody spinal implant by implanting the spinal implant into a patient in need of the spinal implant, the method comprising:

(a) accessing the disc space of the patient;
(b) locating the center of the disc space;
(c) incising the disc space by making a window in the annulus of the disc space for insertion of the spinal implant;
(d) cleaning the endplates of all cartilage and removing the disc structure which is encapsulated by the annulus while avoiding damage to the endplate structure of the vertebrae;
(e) selecting a rasp having the smallest height that touches both endplates which define the disc space and clearing the disc space of all soft tissue and cartilage;
(f) distracting the disc space by sequentially expanding it with distractors of progressively increasing heights;
(g) selecting a spinal implant having a pre-determined size sufficient to balance frictional fit and elongation of the annulus, the spinal implant having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposing lateral sides, and opposing anterior and posterior portions defining a substantially hollow center and a single vertical aperture, the single vertical aperture (i) extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, (ii) having a size and shape predetermined to maximize the surface area of the top surface and the bottom surface available proximate the anterior and posterior portions while maximizing both radiographic visualization and access to the substantially hollow center, and (iii) defining a transverse rim;
(h) filling the spinal implant with autologous bone graft or bone graft substitute;
and
(i) seating the spinal implant in the disc space.

7 more elements

A method of using an interbody spinal implant by implanting the spinal implant into a patient in need of the spinal implant, the method comprising:

(a) accessing the disc space of the patient;
(b) locating the center of the disc space;
(c) incising the disc space by making a window in the annulus of the disc space for insertion of the spinal implant;
(d) cleaning the endplates of all cartilage and removing the disc structure which is encapsulated by the annulus while avoiding damage to the endplate structure of the vertebrae;
(e) selecting a rasp having the smallest height that touches both endplates which define the disc space and clearing the disc space of all soft tissue and cartilage;
(f) distracting the disc space by sequentially expanding it with distractors of progressively increasing heights;
(g) checking the centering location of the final distractor;
(h) selecting a spinal implant having a pre-determined size sufficient to balance frictional fit and elongation of the annulus and surfaces treated to enhance the biological activities within the healing fusion, the spinal implant having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposing lateral sides, and opposing anterior and posterior portions defining a substantially hollow center and a single vertical aperture, the single vertical aperture (i) extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, (ii) having a size and shape predetermined to maximize the surface area of the top surface and the bottom surface available proximate the anterior and posterior portions while maximizing both radiographic visualization and access to the substantially hollow center, and (iii) defining a transverse rim;
(i) filling the spinal implant with autologous bone graft or bone graft substitute;
and
(j) seating the spinal implant in the disc space under C-arm fluoroscopic visualization.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/480,761Filed 25 May 2012
Priority: 6 May 2005
Published: 20 Sep 2012
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification31 codes

A61F 2/4465
For the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages: having a circular or kidney shaped…
A61F 2/4611
For insertion or extraction of endoprosthetic joints or of accessories thereof: of spinal prostheses
A61B 2017/922
Impactors or extractors, e.g. for removing intramedullary devices: devices for impaction, impact element
A61F 2/30965
Designing or manufacturing processes: reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping

Family

Application11/123,359Continuation in part · filed 6 May 2005
Application12/151,198Continuation in part · filed 5 May 2008
Application13/480,761Continuation in part
US 2006/0265065 A1Published application
US 2008/0262623 A1Published application
US 7,662,186 B2Related patent
US 8,262,737 B2Related patent
US 8,545,568 B2Related patent
US 2012/0239151 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.