Patent Application
20070161962
Implants are inserted into the body for a variety of applications. One application is an implant positionable between adjacent vertebral members. The implant includes a first surface that is positioned against a first vertebral member, and a second surface that is positioned against a second vertebral member. Once positioned, the implant may be fixedly positioned in the body to accurately space apart the vertebral members.
Because the implants are often positioned within relatively small areas of the body, various tools are necessary for accurately placing the implant. The tools may include movable jaws for grasping and placing the implant within the body. Once placed, the jaws are movable to an open orientation for releasing the implant. The tools may have an elongated shape such that the surgeon can remain distant with only the tool and implant being placed within the patient.
The implants may include a receiving section for receiving fill material. The receiving section may be fixed having a permanent size established by the structure or implant, or may have an expandable size that enlarges upon insertion of the fill material. The receiving section is usually positioned in a manner that is not easily accessible once the implant is inserted within the body. As a result, the normal procedure requires the receiving section to be filled with fill material prior to insertion.
The present application is directed to devices and methods for inserting an implant within a patient. The device generally includes an insertion body, a supply reservoir, and a delivery device. The insertion body is used for moving and positioning the implant within the body. In one embodiment, the implant is mounted to the end of the body prior to movement and positioning. Fill material is maintained within the supply reservoir. The delivery device moves the fill material from the supply reservoir, through the insertion body, and to the implant. The device thus provides for both movement and placement of the implant, and a means for delivering fill material to the implant.
An insertion device, generally illustrated as element 10 in
In one embodiment, the insertion body 20 includes a distal section 21 and a proximal section 22 as illustrated in
In one embodiment, delivery device 40 includes a plunger having a first end 41 and a second end 42. First end 41 is sized to mate with the proximal section 22 of the insertion body 20. Insertion of the first end 41 into the insertion body 20 forces the fill material within the supply reservoir 30 to be expelled from the distal section 21 and into the implant 90. In one embodiment, a section or the entirety of the supply reservoir 30 is threaded to receive the threaded plunger 42. Rotation of the plunger 42 moves the plunger through the reservoir 30 thus expelling fill material from the distal end 21. In another embodiment, an axial force is applied to the delivery device 40 thereby moving the first end 41 through the supply reservoir 30 and expelling fill material from the distal end 21. The second end 42 may include an enlarged surface for receiving an impact force for driving the delivery device 40 through the insertion body 20.
The term “fill material” is used in a general sense throughout to describe osteogenetic material that is inserted into and/or adjacent to the implant 90. The fill material may include autograft, allograft, xenograft, demineralized bone, synthetic and natural bone graft substitutes, such as bioceramics and polymers, and osteoconductive and osteoinductive factors. The fill material has a composition that permits movement from the supply reservoir 30 through the insertion body 20 and to the implant 90.
Use of the device described in
After the implant 90 has been accurately located, the delivery device 40 is moved through all or a section of the supply reservoir 30 to force the fill material to the implant 90. The amount of fill material moved to the implant 90 may vary depending upon the size of the implant 90 and the specific application. The surgeon can tactilely feel the movement of the delivery device 40 moving through the insertion body 20 to roughly control the amount of fill material expelled through the distal end 21. Gauge lines on the delivery device 40 and/or insertion body 20 may also provide visual confirmation regarding the amount of expelled fill material. Once the fill material is moved to the implant 90, the insertion body 20 and delivery device 40 are removed from the body. The implant 90 with fill material then remains permanently positioned within the patient.
A spacer (not illustrated) may be positioned within the supply reservoir 30 between the delivery device 40 and the fill material. Spacer fills a portion of the supply reservoir 40 and limits the amount of needed fill material. The delivery device 40 acts on the spacer which in turn acts on the fill material to expel it from the distal end 21.
The embodiment of
Use of the embodiment in
In another embodiment, insertion body 20 has an arcuate shape to facilitate insertion and placement of the implant 90. The entirety or a limited section or sections of the body 20 may be arcuate. Insertion body 20 may have a bent section again for facilitating insertion and placement. In one specific embodiment, the body has about a 90° bend. A variety of different insertion bodies 20 each having a different bend amount may be available to the surgeon prior to the procedure. The surgeon determines the amount of bend required and selects the appropriate body for the specific procedure. Two or more different bodies may be used during a procedure.
The embodiments illustrated and described are examples of the device and method. The elements of the various embodiments may be inchangeable with other elements described in other embodiments. By way of example, the external supply reservoir of
The implant 90 may have a variety of different shapes and sizes. In one embodiment, implant 90 is substantially kidney shaped. In other embodiments, implant 90 has other shapes including circular, oval, polygonal, etc. In one embodiment, implant 90 is for use in intervertebral space between vertebral members. In other embodiments, implant 90 is positioned within other locations within the patient.
Implant 90 may be inserted into the patient in a variety of different approaches. In one embodiment, implant 90 is inserted in a substantially lateral approach. In other embodiments, implant 90 is inserted with posterior and anterior approaches.
The term “distal” is generally defined as in the direction of the patient, or away from a user of a device. Conversely, “proximal” generally means away from the patient, or toward the user. Spatially relative terms such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, and the like, are used for ease of description to explain the positioning of one element relative to a second element. These terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to different orientations than those depicted in the figures. Further, terms such as “first”, “second”, and the like, are also used to describe various elements, regions, sections, etc and are also not intended to be limiting.
The present invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.
