Surgical instruments and method of using same

Abstract

Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to surgical instruments particularly suitable for preparing vertebral endplates during spinal interbody surgical procedures. Methods of using such instruments are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument includes a first portion which serves as a rasp, and a second portion serving as a device guide for a reaming device.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to surgical instruments and methods of using such instruments. The instruments are particularly suitable for preparing vertebral endplates during spinal interbody implant procedures. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In the simplest terms, the spine is a column made of vertebrae and discs. The vertebrae provide the support and structure of the spine while the spinal discs, located between the vertebrae, act like cushions or “shock absorbers.” These discs also contribute to the flexibility and motion of the spinal column. Over time, the discs may become diseased, infected, develop deformities such as tears / cracks, or simply lose structural integrity, for example bulge or flatten. These impaired discs can affect the anatomical functions of the vertebrae, due to the resultant lack of proper biomechanical support, and are often associated with chronic back pain. Chronic back pain afflicts a large percentage of the world's population ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention provide for precise and controlled preparation of vertebral endplates using free-hand surgical instruments. Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention also provide for improved safety in addressing features of the vertebral endplate posterior-lateral regions, including the removal of posterior-lateral osteophytes. Still other preferred embodiments allow for improved visualization of the disc space during surgical procedures while minimizing exposure of the operating space.

Problems solved by technology

Over time, the discs may become diseased, infected, develop deformities such as tears / cracks, or simply lose structural integrity, for example bulge or flatten.

These impaired discs can affect the anatomical functions of the vertebrae, due to the resultant lack of proper biomechanical support, and are often associated with chronic back pain.

Chronic back pain afflicts a large percentage of the world's population and often interferes with one's ability participate in regular daily activities.

The vertebral endplates may also have surface irregularities and even bony protuberances, or osteophytes, which can be difficult to remove.

These osteophytes, found predominately about the posterior-lateral portions of the endplate, are especially problematic as they can painfully impinge on nearby anatomical structures and reduce the useable implant-seating surface to primarily the medial-anterior portion of the disc space.

This reduction in seating area may compromise biomechanical integrity by reducing the area in which to distribute mechanical forces, thus increasing the apparent stress experienced by both the implant and vertebral endplate.

One of the many challenges of preparing the endplates is the discrepancy between the shape of the endplates and the implant.

Even when used by the most skilled surgeons, these traditional free-hand instruments may prove difficult to control in order to achieve uniform and reproducible results during endplate preparation.

These previously known “by-hand” methods and instruments are generally cumbersome, lack precision, and may lead to the removal of excessive amounts of vertebral endplate bone stock.

None of these approaches provide a single multi-purpose surgical instrument, as is now taught, for allowing controlled and precise preparation of vertebral endplates while preserving endplate bone stock.

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