Method and instrumentation for implant insertion

A system for drilling a bore in adjacent vertebrae to facilitate the insertion of a fusion implant, which comprises:

• a surgical retractor including a sleeve member having proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal opening, the distal end portion configured for insertion at least partially into an intervertebral space between adjacent opposed vertebrae to distract the adjacent vertebrae, the sleeve member including an internal threaded portion;
• a drill instrument positionable within the longitudinal opening of the surgical retractor, the drill instrument including a drill member having a distal cutting head and an external threaded portion engageable with the internal threaded portion of the retractor whereby rotation of the drill instrument causes distal translation of the drill instrument relative to the surgical retractor.

A surgical retractor instrument comprising an elongated member defining an outer wall portion and having proximal and distal end portions, the elongated member defining a longitudinal passage for reception of a surgical instrument, the distal end portion having first and second retractor arms extending in a general longitudinal direction, the retractor arms being stationary with respect to the outer wall portion of the elongated member, each retractor arm having first and second supporting surfaces for engaging opposed tissue portions, each retractor arm defining a dimension between the first and second supporting surfaces sufficient to distract the opposed tissue portions upon insertion thereof, and at least one anchoring member mounted to the elongated member and moveable relative to the elongated member to facilitate mounting to the tissue portion.

A surgical retractor comprising an elongated member having proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal passage for reception of a surgical instrument, the distal end portion having first and second retractor arms extending in a general longitudinal direction, each retractor arm having first and second supporting surfaces for engaging opposed tissue portions, each retractor arm defining a dimension between the first and second supporting surfaces sufficient to distract the opposed tissue portions upon insertion thereof, and at least one anchoring member mounted, to the elongated member and moveable relative to the elongated member to facilitate mounting to the tissue portion, the at least one anchoring member having a distal screw thread wherein rotation of the one anchoring member advances the screw thread into the tissue portion.

A surgical retractor comprising an elongated member having proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal passage for reception of a surgical instrument, the distal end portion having first and second retractor arms extending in a general longitudinal direction, each retractor arm having first and second supporting surfaces for engaging opposed tissue portions, each retractor arm defining a dimension between the first and second supporting surfaces sufficient to distract the opposed tissue portions upon insertion thereof;

• at least one anchoring member mounted to the elongated member and moveable relative to the elongated member to facilitate mounting to the tissue portion;
• and
• an outer rail extending longitudinally along an outer surface of the elongated member, the rail defining a longitudinal opening for at least partial reception of the at least one anchoring member.

A surgical drill instrument for drilling a bore in bony tissue comprising an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passageway and a drill member positioned within the longitudinal passageway of the elongate member and mounted for rotational movement therein, the elongate member defining at least one distal cutting surface dimensioned to cut bony tissue, the drill member including a distal cutting head, the drill member operatively connected to the elongate member such that rotation and advancement of the drill member causes corresponding advancement of the elongate member such that the one distal cutting head surface of the elongate member and the distal cutting head of the drill head cooperate to form a substantially elliptical bore in the bony tissue upon advancement therein.