Interspinous implant insertion instrument with staggered path implant deployment mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12588935-B2
Application number	US-202217944101-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 13, 2022
Priority date	Apr 14, 2016
Publication date	Mar 31, 2026
Grant date	Mar 31, 2026

Abstract

An insertion instrument for inserting an implant includes an elongated main body having a proximal handle and a distal portion that selectively couples to the implant. A plunger is slidably engaged in a central passage of the elongated main body configured to fix the implant to the elongated main body by selectively filling the central passage within the distal portion. A hex nut driver is concentrically located about the plunger and elongated main body to deploy an actuation plunger of the implant. The proximal handle portion of the main body includes a staggered path therethrough for accepting a tab of the plunger therein. Advancement and retraction of the plunger tab within the staggered path alternates the insertion instrument between an unlocked position configured to mount the implant on the distal portion of the elongated main body, a locked position configured to lock the implant on the distal portion, and a deployed position configured to secure the implant.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An insertion instrument for inserting an implant into a patient, the insertion instrument comprising:
a handle portion having an elongated main body extending distally therefrom, the elongated main body having a distal portion configured to attach to the implant and a central passage extending therethrough,
wherein the handle portion comprises a staggered path therethrough, the staggered path including at least two parallel linear paths having a perpendicular transition wall therebetween; and
a plunger extending from a plunger knob disposed proximally to the handle portion and through the central passage of the elongated main body,
wherein the plunger comprises at least one plunger tab being received within the staggered path disposed on the handle portion, and
wherein movement of the at least one plunger tab within the staggered path transitions the insertion instrument between an unlocked position, a locked position, and a deployed position.

2 . The insertion instrument of claim 1 , further comprising:
a driver engaging the handle portion, the driver comprising an intermediate portion and a drive shaft,
wherein the intermediate portion receives and engages a section of the drive shaft therein, and
wherein the intermediate portion and the drive shaft define a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, the lumen receiving the elongated main body and the plunger.

3 . The insertion instrument of claim 2 , wherein the drive shaft comprises a slot receiving a pin disposed in the intermediate portion, the pin and the slot regulating movement of the drive shaft within the intermediate portion.

4 . The insertion instrument of claim 3 , further comprising a spring housed within the intermediate portion, the spring distally biasing the drive shaft.

5 . The insertion instrument of claim 4 , further comprising an adapter configured to attach to a distal end of the driver, the adapter configured to engage a portion of the implant.

6 . The insertion instrument of claim 1 , wherein the plunger rotatably receives the plunger knob, and wherein rotation of the plunger knob causes movement of the at least one plunger tab within the staggered path.

7 . The insertion instrument of claim 6 , wherein the staggered path comprises:
a first stop disposed within a first parallel linear path; and a second stop disposed within a second parallel linear path,
wherein abutment of the at least one plunger tab against the first stop places the insertion instrument in the unlocked position,
wherein abutment of the at least one plunger tab against the perpendicular transition wall places the insertion instrument in the locked position, and
wherein abutment of the at least one plunger tab against the second stop places the insertion instrument in the deployed position.

8 . A system for inserting a spinal implant into a patient, comprising:
an insertion instrument, comprising:
a driver comprising an intermediate portion and a drive shaft,
wherein the intermediate portion receives and engages a section of the drive shaft therein, and
wherein the intermediate portion and the drive shaft define a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough;

a main body portion comprising a handle and an elongated main body,
wherein the handle engages a proximal end of the intermediate portion,
wherein the elongated main body extends through the lumen of the driver, and
wherein the elongated main body defines a central passage therethrough;

a plunger being received within the central passage of the elongated main body, the plunger comprising one or more tabs being received within a staggered path disposed on the handle,
wherein the staggered path comprises a first parallel linear path and a second parallel linear path connected at a perpendicular transition wall; and

a plunger knob rotatably coupled to the plunger,
wherein rotation of the plunger knob causes longitudinal translation of the plunger within the central passage.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the insertion instrument further comprises:
a first end cap disposed at the proximal end of the driver; and a second end cap disposed at the plunger knob,
wherein the first end cap is configured to secure the proximal end of the driver to the handle, and
wherein the second end cap is configured to secure the plunger knob to the handle.

10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the elongated main body further comprises a tip at a distal portion, the tip comprising one or more flexible arms extending distally therefrom.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein rotation of the plunger knob in a first direction translates the one or more tabs distally along the first parallel linear path and towards the perpendicular transition wall, and wherein upon the one or more tabs reaching the perpendicular transition wall, a distal pushing end of the plunger is received within the tip of the elongated main body.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein reception of the distal pushing end within the tip of the elongated main body biases the one or more flexible arms radially outwards.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein upon rotation of the one or more tabs into the second parallel linear path, rotation of the plunger knob in the first direction translates the one or more tabs distally along the second parallel linear path, thereby causing the distal pushing end of the plunger to extend distally past the one or more flexible arms.

14 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the staggered path comprises:
a first stop disposed within the first parallel linear path; and a second stop disposed within the second parallel linear path,
wherein abutment of the one or more tabs against the first stop places the insertion instrument in an unlocked position,
wherein abutment of the one or more tabs against the perpendicular transition wall places the insertion instrument in a locked position, and
wherein abutment of the one or more tabs against the second stop places the insertion instrument in a deployed position.

15 . A spinal surgical system, comprising:
an insertion instrument and a spinal implant,
the insertion instrument comprising:
a plunger knob;
a plunger rotatably receiving the plunger knob at a proximal end, the plunger extending distally therefrom,
wherein the plunger comprises at least one tab;

a main body portion defining a handle disposed proximally to an elongated main body extending distally therefrom,
wherein the elongated main body defines a central passage receiving the plunger therein,
wherein the handle defines a staggered path comprising two parallel linear paths connected at a perpendicular transition wall, the at least one tab being received in the staggered path; and

a driver engaging a distal end of the handle and defining a lumen therethrough, the lumen receiving the elongated main body and the plunger therein;

the spinal implant comprising:
an elongated body defining an interior and a proximal internal recess for accessing the interior;
a distal anchor comprising one or more deployable blades; and
a proximal anchor configured to engage the driver of the insertion instrument,
wherein the distal anchor and the proximal anchor are configured to anchor the elongated main body between spinal processes.

16 . The spinal surgical system of claim 15 , wherein the spinal implant further comprises:
an implant plunger housed within the interior and being translatable therein,
wherein distal translation of the implant plunger is configured to deploy the one or more deployable

Assignees

• Spinal Simplicity Llc

Inventors

• Snell Douglas
• Barnds Annaria
• Frock Adam

Classifications

• A61F2002/4635

  using minimally invasive surgery · CPC title

• A61F2002/4627

  with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument · CPC title

• A61F2002/4615

  of spacers · CPC title

• A61F2/4611

  of spinal prostheses · CPC title

• A61B2017/00862

  elastic or resilient · CPC title