Methods and instrumentation for vertebral interbody fusion
AssigneeSDGI Holdings, Inc.
InventorsEddie F. Ray, III, James P. Duncan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and instrumentation for vertebral interbody fusion are provided. Sleeve assemblies can be provided with a reduced width portion adjacent the distal end to limit the amount of retraction of the surrounding vascular and neural structures required for the procedure. A sleeve assembly can be provided with a guide sleeve removably engaged to a guide sleeve housing. The guide sleeve can be removed during surgery to improve the surgeon's viewing of the operative site while the guide sleeve housing maintains disc space distraction. Methods and instruments for inserting and using the guide sleeve housing are also provided.
Claims47
A spinal instrument assembly, comprising:
- a central distractor having a distractor tip coupled to a shaft, said distractor tip having upper and lower distraction surfaces defining a distraction height therebetween to maintain distraction of a spinal disc space;
- a guide sleeve housing having a distal portion and a proximal portion, said guide sleeve housing defining a working channel in which said central distractor is centrally located, wherein said guide sleeve housing is positionable in an operative position with respect to the spinal disc space;
- and
- a guide sleeve having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said guide sleeve removably engageable to said guide sleeve housing.
The instrument assembly of 13, wherein said ratio is in the range of about 5:1 to about 10:1.
A guide sleeve assembly for defining a protected passageway to a disc space, comprising:
- a guide sleeve extending between a distal end and a proximal end, said guide sleeve defining a first working channel and a second working channel extending therethrough between said distal and proximal ends;
- and
- a guide sleeve housing have a first working channel port and a second working channel port extending therethrough alignable with a respective one of said first working channel and said second working channel of said guide sleeve with said guide sleeve housing removably engaged to said distal end of said guide sleeve.
The instrument assembly of 39, wherein said ratio is in the range of about 5:1 to about 10:1.
A method of preparing a spinal disc space between adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
- providing a guide sleeve housing and a central distractor;
- accessing the disc space;
- inserting the central distractor into the disc space between the adjacent vertebrae;
- positioning the guide sleeve housing in an operative position with respect to the disc space with the central distractor in the disc space;
- engaging a guide sleeve to the guide sleeve housing;
- and
- performing surgical procedures through the guide sleeve and guide sleeve housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.