# US 2016/0250041 A1 · Methods and apparatus for intervertebral disc prosthesis insertion > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0250041 A1 - Document ID: US20160250041A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/151,332 - Filed: 2016-05-10 - Published: 2016-09-01 - Earliest claimed: 2004-08-06 - Assignees: Simplify Medical Ptd, Ltd. - Applicants: Simplify Medical Ptd, Ltd. - Inventors: Malan de Villiers; Ulrich Hahnle; David Hovda - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160250041A1 ## CPC - A61F 2/4611: {of spinal prostheses} - A61F 2/442: {Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient (non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455)} - A61F 2/4425: {made of articulated components} - A61F 2/4455: {for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages (intervertebral discs A61F2/442)} - A61F 2/4465: {having a circular or kidney shaped cross-section substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine} - A61B 17/025: {Joint distractors} - A61B 2017/0256: {for the spine} - A61F 2/4603: {for insertion or extraction of endoprosthetic joints or of accessories thereof} - A61F 2002/30518: {with possibility of relative movement between the prosthetic parts} - A61F 2002/30649: {Ball-and-socket joints} - A61F 2002/443: {having two transversal endplates and at least one intermediate component} - A61F 2002/4615: {of spacers} - A61F 2002/4622: {having the shape of a forceps or a clamp} - A61F 2002/4627: {with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument} - A61F 2002/4628: {with linear motion along or rotating motion about an axis transverse to the instrument axis or to the implantation direction, e.g. clamping} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A method for inserting an intervertebral disc prosthesis into a space between two vertebrae involves inserting the prosthesis partway into the space under constraint to prevent endplates of the prosthesis from articulating, releasing the prosthesis from constraint, and inserting the unconstrained prosthesis farther into the space. In some embodiments, the method involves grasping the prosthesis with a grasping device to insert the prosthesis partway under constraint, loosing the grasping device to release the prosthesis from constraint, and pushing the prosthesis farther into the disc space using the grasping device and/or one or more separate pusher devices. A system includes a grasping device, at least one separate pushing device, and optionally a vertebral spreading device and/or a vertebral midline indicator device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An instrument set for inserting an articulating intervertebral prosthesis into a space between two adjacent vertebrae, the set comprising: a prosthesis grasping device configured to grasp two endplates of the prosthesis and hold the prosthesis endplates stationary with respect to one another while pushing the prosthesis into the space; and at least one prosthesis pusher device configured for engaging and pushing the endplates of the prosthesis into the space, wherein the pusher device comprises: an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a concave pusher portion disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft, the concave pusher portion adapted to engage a curved portion of the endplates and to push the endplates into the space; and a handle disposed at the proximal end of the elongate shaft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A set as in claim 1, wherein the grasping device is adapted to grasp the endplates such that they are prevented from articulating about a core of the prosthesis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A set as in claim 1, wherein the grasping member comprises movable opposing jaws adapted to grasp rims of the two endplates. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A set as in claim 3, wherein the grasping device is coupled with an actuator to open and close the opposing jaws. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A set as in claim 1, wherein the grasping device is adapted to push the endplates simultaneously into the space. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A set as in claim 1, further comprising a vertebral spacing device for increasing a height of the space between the two vertebrae, wherein the grasping member is adapted to slide through the vertebral spacing device disposed between the two adjacent vertebrae. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A set as in claim 6, wherein the pusher device is adapted to slide through the spacing device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A set as in claim 1, wherein the concave pusher portion is adapted to push one of the endplates individually into the space. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A set as in claim 1, wherein the pusher device comprises multiple pusher devices of different configurations. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A set as in claim 1, wherein the concave pusher portion includes a concave inner surface configured for pushing against rims of the endplates. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A set as in claim 1, wherein the handle of the pusher is configured to allow a force to be applied manually or by taping the prosthesis into place. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A set as in claim 1, further comprising an articulate intervertebral prosthesis including two endplates the prosthesis configured to be grasped by the prosthesis grasping device and to be pushed into the space by the prosthesis pusher device.