US 8,133,282 B2 · Systems and methods for vertebral disc replacement

Abstract

Methods and instrumentation for implantation of an intervertebral disc prosthesis are provided. A guide tool with sagittal and coronal reference features guides placement of guide pins relative to a sagittal plane and a coronal plane of the vertebrae. A retainer lockable to the guide pins has a ratcheting mechanism providing distraction or compression. A rasp, planer or other tools may be aligned to the retainer and inserted into the intervertebral space to prepare the vertebral endplates. An interoperatively adjustable trial is alignable to the retainer and measures an angularity of the intervertebral space. A prosthesis with keying features may be mounted to a prosthesis inserter with complementary features, held by pivotable arms and compressed between prongs. The inserter may be aligned to the retainer and advanced to implant the prosthesis in the intervertebral space. A prosthesis remover may grip one prosthetic end plate and extract the entire prosthesis.

Claims36

Dependent claims

A method for replacing an intervertebral disc in an intervertebral space between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body, the method comprising:

positioning a guide tool to span the intervertebral space, the guide tool comprising a head portion, the head portion comprising:
a first open end and a second open end;
a first wall extending from the first open end to the second open end;
a second wall parallel to and displaced from the first wall, the second wall extending from the first open end to the second open end;
a first reference feature and a second reference feature;
observing the first reference feature to determine the orientation of the head portion relative to a central midline axis of the first and second vertebral bodies;
adjusting the head portion to a preliminary orientation parallel to the central midline axis;
observing the second reference feature to determine the orientation of the head portion relative to a coronal plane of the first and second vertebral bodies;
adjusting the head portion to a preferred orientation parallel to the central midline axis and perpendicular to the coronal plane;
passing a first distal end of a first guide pin through the first and second open ends;
implanting the first distal end of the first guide pin in the first vertebral body;
passing a second distal end of a second guide pin through the first and second open ends;
and
implanting the second distal end of the second guide pin in the second vertebral body such that the second guide pin is co-planar with the first guide pin.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for vertebral disc replacement

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for vertebral disc replacement

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims36