Intervertebral spacer and insertion tool

Abstract

An implant for placing in the spine is disclosed. The implant has a tool engaging surface on its trailing end configured for intimate engagement with an insertion tool. The insertion tool configuration is particularly suited for implants made of brittle materials including bone and bone substitutes. Also disclosed is an insertion tool having a gripping end adapted for intimate engagement with an implant. In one embodiment, the insertion tool is operable by axial movement of one gripping arm with respect to the other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an implant according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the implant of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the implant of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the implant of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5A-5A of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5B is a partial cross-sectional view of the implant shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an implant insertion tool according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the implant insertion tool of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8A is a partial perspective view of the implant of FIG. 1 partially engaged with the inserter of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8B is a partial cross-sectional view of the implant and insertion tool combination of FIG. 8A taken along section line 8B-8B.

FIG. 9A is a partial perspective view of the implant and insertion tool of FIG. 8A shown in a gripping position.

FIG. 9B is a partial cross-sectional view of the implant and inserter combination of FIG. 9A taken along section lines 9B-9B.

FIG. 10 shows the implant and insertion tool being positioned in the disc space between adjacent vertebrae.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of an interbody spacer according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a bottom top view of the spacer of FIG. 11 in combination with an alternative insertion tool.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an implant according to the present invention.

FIG. 13B is a bottom view of the implant of FIG. 13A in combination with a alternative embodiment of an insertion tool.

FIG. 14A is a partial cross-sectional view of the implant and inserter combination of FIG. 13B taken along section line 14A-14A.

FIG. 14B shows the embodiment of FIG. 14A with the locking mechanism in an open position.

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of an implant according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15B is an alternative perspective view of the implant of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of the gripping end of an implant insertion tool according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view of the implant of FIG. 15A in combination with the insertion tool of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18A is a side view of a further embodiment of an implant according to the present invention.

FIG. 18B is an enlarged partial side view of a surface projection formed on the implant of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 19A is a side view of still a further implant according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19B is an enlarged partial side view of a surface projection of the implant of FIG. 19A.

Claims

1. An implant for positioning at least partially in the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae, comprising: an upper bone engaging surface for engaging at least a portion of an upper vertebral body and an opposite lower bone engaging surface for engaging at least a portion of a lower vertebral body;a first end surface extending between said upper and lower bone engaging surfaces and an opposite second end surface extending between said upper and lower bone engaging surfaces;a first side surface extending between said upper and lower bone engaging surfaces and an opposite second side surface extending between said upper and lower bone engaging surfaces; andan insertion tool engagement configuration formed in at least said first side surface and said second side surface, said insertion tool engagement configuration including a first groove on one of said first and second side surfaces for engaging an insertion tool and an opposing unrecessed area for engaging an insertion tool on the opposite one of said first and second side surfaces.

2. The implant of claim 1, wherein said groove has at least a partially concave surface extending into the implant.

3. The implant of claim 1, wherein said implant includes a longitudinal axis extending along said insertion tool engagement configuration, said unrecessed area extends at least partially along and parallel to said longitudinal axis and said groove extends along a second axis set at an angle with respect to said longitudinal axis.

4. The implant of claim 3, wherein said angle is less than about 20 degrees.

5. The implant of claim 4, wherein said angle is less than about 5 degrees.

6. The implant of claim 5, wherein said angle is between 1 to 3 degrees.

7. The implant of claim 1, wherein said tool engagement configuration is formed adjacent to said first end.

8. The implant of claim 7, wherein said implant is formed of a substantially solid material.

9. The implant of claim 1, wherein said implant is formed of a material suitable for human implantation.

10. The implant of claim 9, wherein said material is brittle.

11. The implant of claim 9, wherein said material is bone.

12. The implant of claim 9, wherein said material is synthetic.

13. The implant of claim 9, wherein said material includes hydroxyapetite.

14. The implant of claim 9, wherein said material includes biphasic calcium.

15. The implant of claim 9, wherein said material is resorbable.

16. The implant of claim 9, wherein said material includes a ceramic component.

17. The implant of claim 9, wherein said material includes coral.

18. The implant of claim 12, wherein said material is PLDLA.

19. The implant of claim 11, wherein said implant is formed of at least two pieces of human bone.

20. The implant of claim 19, wherein said at least two pieces of human bone include at least two bores extending there through at non-parallel angles, and at least two pins extending through said bores.

21. An implant for insertion at least partially into the disc space between a first vertebra and a second vertebra, comprising: an implant body having a first surface for engaging the first vertebra and a second surface for engaging the second vertebra; andan insertion tool engaging configuration formed on said implant body, said configuration including a first engagement surface oriented along a first axis and an opposed second engagement surface oriented along a second axis, the first surface spaced from the opposed second surface by a distance, said second axis offset by a first angle with respect to said first axis such that said distance varies along said insertion tool engaging configuration.

22. The implant of claim 21, wherein said first angle is less than about 15 degrees.

23. The implant of claim 22, wherein said first angle is less than about 10 degrees.

24. The implant of claim 23, wherein said first angle is less than about 5 degrees.

25. The implant of claim 24, wherein said first angle is between 1 and 3 degrees.

26. An implant insertion tool configured for grasping an interbody spinal implant for insertion between two adjacent vertebrae, comprising: a shaft having a length and a longitudinal axis extending along at least a portion of said length; andan implant grasping end, the implant grasping end including a first stationary portion joined to said shaft and a second movable portion coupled to said shaft, the first stationary portion having a first internal surface configured for engagement with an implant, said second movable portion having a second internal surface configured for gripping an implant, wherein said second movable portion is movable with respect to said first stationary portion substantially along said longitudinal axis from an open position for releasing and receiving the implant to a closed position with said first internal surface axially disposed adjacent to said second internal gripping surface for gripping the implant therebetween.

27. The insertion tool of claim 26, wherein said second movable portion includes an implant engaging surface, said implant engaging surface extends parallel to said longitudinal axis.

28. The insertion tool of claim 26, wherein said second internal gripping surface includes a convex projection.

29. The insertion tool of claim 26, wherein said first internal gripping surface is substantially planar.

30. A combination implant for insertion at least partially into the disc space between a first vertebra and a second vertebra and an insertion tool for grasping the implant, the combination comprising: an implant body having a first surface for engaging the first vertebra and a second surface for engaging the second vertebra;a first engagement surface on said implant body oriented along a first axis and an opposed second engagement surface on said implant body oriented along a second axis, said second axis offset by a first angle with respect to said first axis;an insertion tool with a shaft including a length and a longitudinal axis extending along at least a portion of said length;an implant grasping end disposed adjacent a distal end of said shaft, the implant grasping end including a first stationary portion joined to said shaft and a second movable portion movably coupled to said shaft, the first stationary portion having a first internal surface configured for engagement with said first engagement surface of said implant, said second movable portion having a second internal surface configured for engagement with said second engagement surface, said second internal surface extending substantially along said first axis, wherein said second movable portion is movable with respect to said first stationary portion substantially along said longitudinal axis from an open position for releasing and receiving said implant to a closed position with said first internal surface axially disposed adjacent said second engagement surface of said implant.

31. The combination of claim 30, wherein said implant is formed of a relatively soft material and said insertion tool is formed of a harder material, wherein advancement of said second movable portion from said open position to said closed position at least partially deforms said implant.

32. The combination of claim 30, wherein said second engagement surface is a groove in said implant and said movable portion is at least partially received within said groove.

33. An insertion tool for holding an implant for insertion at least partially into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae, comprising: a shaft having a length with a distal portion and a proximal portion, a longitudinal axis extending at least partially between said distal portion and said proximal portion, said shaft including a first fixed portion and a second movable portion, said second movable portion configured for axial displacement along said longitudinal axis with respect to said first fixed portion;an implant gripping end disposed adjacent said distal portion defining a channel to receive the implant;a locking mechanism for holding the implant within said channel, said locking mechanism having a fixed lateral dimension, wherein said locking mechanism is operable by axial movement of said second movable portion between a locked position for holding the implant and an unlocked position without increasing said lateral dimension.

34. The insertion tool of claim 33, wherein said channel is a fixed socket and said locking mechanism includes a projection moveable into said socket.

35. The insertion tool of claim 33, wherein said channel is formed by a pair of opposed arms defining said channel, a first arm fixed to said fixed portion and a second arm coupled to said movable portion.

36. An implant for insertion at least partially into the disc space between a first vertebra and a second vertebra, comprising: an implant body having a first surface for engaging the first vertebra and a second surface for engaging the second vertebra, a first side wall extending between said first surface and said second surface and a second side wall extending between said first surface and said second surface; andan insertion tool engaging configuration formed on said implant body, said tool engaging configuration includes at least a first channel formed in one of said first side wall or said second side wall and a recess formed in said first channel.

37. The implant of claim 36, wherein said tool engaging configuration includes a second channel opposing said first channel and formed in the opposing one of said first side wall and said second side wall.

38. The implant of claim 36, wherein said recess is a substantially spherical detent.