Spinal implant insertion instrument for spinal interbody prostheses

(54) SPINAL IMPLANT INSERTION

INSTRUMENT FOR SPINAL INTERBODY
PROSTHESES

(75) Inventor: Joseph C. Cauthen, Gainesville, FL
(US)

(73) Assignee: Cauthen Research Group, Inc.,

Gainesville, FL (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/570,648

(22) Filed: May 15, 2000

Related U.S. Application Data

(60) Provisional application No. 60/160,711, filed on Oct. 20, 1999.

(51) Int. CI.7 A61B 17/58

(52) U.S. CI 606/99; 606/86; 606/90;

606/96; 600/219; 600/235

(58) Field of Search 606/53, 90, 57,

606/86, 60, 61, 99, 104; 600/201, 204-206, 210, 213-216, 218-222, 224-226, 235;

623/17.16

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FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

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WO 9801091 1/1998

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WO 0001293 1/2000

* cited by examiner

Primary Examiner—David J. Isabella

Assistant Examiner—Umi Chattopadhyay

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Saliwanchik, Lloyd &

Saliwanchik

(57) ABSTRACT

A spinal implant insertion instrument for intervertebral implant surgery formed from a hollow first element of various external diameters, including a channel to accommodate and incorporate a vertebral pedicle, and a second element joined by a hinge to the first element, allowing reduction of the external diameter of the leading edge of the spinal implant insertion element sufficient to allow the passage of the spinal implant insertion instrument into the inteivertebral disc space in a safe fashion, as the first maneuver, to be followed by activation of the second element upon the first, restoring the internal diameter of the spinal implant insertion instrument to a sufficient radius to allow successive passage of cutting, reaming, tapping instruments, and subsequent implantation of a spinal interbody implant device. The design of this instrument reduces traction uponsensitive neural elements, allows controlled removal of the medial portion of the vertebral pedicle, distracts the intervertebral disc space, and allows safe passage of reaming, tapping, and spinal implant insertion devices through the expanded bore of the spinal implant insertion instrument.

10 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets