Surgical instrument for applying implants

#The invention proceeds from a surgical instrument for applying implants, in particular bone grafts in the region of the vertebral column, consisting of a shank, a handle and a holder for the implant, which forms the distal instrument part.

#With known instruments of this type, for example, the holder for the implant, which is formed as a spike, is rigidly connected to the shank of the instrument, i.e., in an unchangeable alignment to the instrument longitudinal axis. This is also the case with the instrument which is disclosed in FR-A 2 764 795 and described as a key, with which a support body may be implanted between neighboring vertebral bodies and with which the holder is formed as a threaded stem to which the implant is connected by screwing.

#With the use of these surgical instruments it is necessary for the location of the defect concerned and the access thereto to lie in the axis direction of the instrument for the purpose of introducing the implant, which makes its application more difficult and demands an exact alignment of the instrument onto the location of operation.

#The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

#In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a total view of the instrument according to the invention in a part longitudinal section;

#The instrument consists according to FIG. 1 of a shank 1 with a handle 2 arranged proximally on the shank, of a holder 3 for the implant, which is arranged on the distal end of the shank, and of an actuation rod 4.

#The shank 1 is formed tubular and comprises at its distal end an annular surface 5 whose contour is shaped spherically (see FIG. 2), but may also be shaped conically. The shank 1 and the handle 2 are non-releasably connected to one another. In a channel 6 of the shank an actuation rod 4 is arranged in an axially displaceable manner. This is provided at its distal end with an insert 7 whose end-face region comprises a spherical recess 8. On the proximal end of the actuation rod 4 there is seated a clamping head 9 with a threaded projection, which is screwed into a corresponding inner thread 11 on the proximal end of the handle 2. Thus, by rotating the clamping head 9 in a first direction, the actuation rod 4 with the insert 7 are moved distally, and by rotating the clamping head in another second direction, the rod 4 and insert 7 are moved proximally.

#At the distal-side end of the shank 1 there is mounted the holder 3. This is provided with an essentially spherical bearing body 12 which, via a cylindrical extension 13, blends into a distally tapering, conical, threaded spike, at whose foot there is provided an annular shoulder 15 as an abutment for the implant. The bearing body 12 is provided with a groove 16 which runs on a circular path of more than 180°, into which engage pins 17 fastened on the shank 1 and lying on the same axis.