Variable angle spinal surgery instrument

Abstract

An instrument for use in a procedure for inserting a spinal implant between human vertebrae may include a shaft and an end member. The end member may rotate with respect to the shaft. An angle of the end member with respect to the shaft may be varied when the end member is in a disc space between the human vertebrae. The instrument may include a slide for securing the end member at selected angles relative to the shaft. The end member may be separable from the shaft when the end member is in a selected orientation with the shaft. An instrument kit may include a shaft assembly and modular end members for various steps in a surgical procedure, such as disc space preparation, disc space evaluation, and spinal implant insertion.

Description

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 623,274, filed on Oct. 29, 2004, hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to the field of medical devices. Some embodiments of the invention relate to instruments used during surgical procedures to install a spinal implant in a human spine. Some embodiments of the invention relate to instruments used in evaluating and / or preparing a disc space for a spinal implant. Some embodiments of the invention relate to an instrument used to manipulate and / or position a spinal implant between human vertebrae. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] An intervertebral disc may degenerate. Degeneration may be caused by trauma, disease, and / or aging. An intervertebral disc that becomes degenerated may have to be partially or fully removed from a spinal column. Partial or full removal of an intervertebral disc ma...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] An instrument may be used in a procedure to insert a spinal implant. In some embodiments, the spinal implant may be inserted into an intervertebral disc space. The spinal implant may provide stability and promote fusion of adjacent vertebrae. In an embodiment, an instrument may include a shaft assembly and an end member. The end member may rotate with respect to the shaft assembly. In some embodiments, an angle of the end member relative to the shaft assembly may be varied while the end member is in a disc space. The ability to rotate an end member relative to a shaft assembly may simplify and facilitate positioning of the end member at a desired location in the disc space. The ability to rotate the end member relative to the shaft assembly may decrease the size of an incision and opening needed to provide room for preparing a disc space and inserting a spinal implant in the disc space.

[0017] In certain embodiments, an end member of an instrument may be a trial member for evaluating a size and / or shape of a disc space. An instrument set may include trial members of various sizes that can be removably coupled to a shaft assembly. Sizes of the trial members may correspond to the sizes of implants available to a surgeon. In an embodiment, a surgeon may vary an angle of the trial member with respect to the shaft assembly to facilitate positioning of the trial member in the disc space.

[0018] In some embodiments, an end member of an instrument may be a tamp for positioning a spinal implant in a disc space. The tamp may include an end that engages the spinal implant to advance the spinal implant in the disc space. In an embodiment, a surgeon may vary an angle of the tamp with respect to a shaft assembly during insertion to facilitate positioning of the spinal implant in a desired location.

Problems solved by technology

Partial or full removal of an intervertebral disc may destabilize the spinal column.

Destabilization of a spinal column may result in alteration of a natural separation distance between adjacent vertebrae.

Excessive pressure applied to the nerves may cause pain and / or nerve damage.

Spinal surgery may be complex due in part to the proximity of the spinal cord and / or the cauda equina.

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