Insertion device for use with an expandable cage

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9498350-B2
Application number	US-201314060060-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 22, 2013
Priority date	Oct 22, 2012
Publication date	Nov 22, 2016
Grant date	Nov 22, 2016

Abstract

An insertion device includes a first engagement arm having a first body portion and a first proximal extension, a second engagement arm including a second body portion and a second proximal extension, and an adjustment mechanism. The second proximal extension is disposed about the first proximal extension and is slidable therealong to vary a spacing between the first and second engagement arms. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment screw rotatably coupled to the first proximal extension and an adjustment cylinder coupled to the second proximal extension. The adjustment cylinder is configured to receive the adjustment screw in threaded engagement therewith such that rotation of the adjustment screw relative to the adjustment cylinder urges the second proximal extension to translate along the first proximal extension to vary the spacing between the first and second engagement arms.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An insertion device configured for use in spinal surgery, the insertion device comprising:
a first engagement arm including a first body portion and a first proximal extension, the first body portion configured to engage a first support member of an expandable cage;
a second engagement arm including a second body portion and a second proximal extension, the second body portion configured to engage a second support member of the expandable cage, the second proximal extension disposed about the first proximal extension and slidable therealong from a free end of the first proximal extension to a fixed end of the first proximal extension to vary a spacing between the first and second engagement arms; and
an adjustment mechanism operably coupling the first and second proximal extensions of the respective first and second engagement arms to one another, the adjustment mechanism including:
an adjustment screw rotatably coupled to the first proximal extension, the adjustment screw including a shank defining threading; and
an adjustment cylinder coupled to the second proximal extension, the adjustment cylinder defining a threaded passageway configured to receive the shank of the adjustment screw in threaded engagement therewith, wherein rotation of the adjustment crew relative to the adjustment cylinder urges the second proximal extension to translate along the first proximal extension to vary the spacing between the first and second engagement arms.

2. The insertion device according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment screw further includes a head configured to facilitate rotation of the adjustment screw relative to the adjustment cylinder.

3. The insertion device according to claim 1 , wherein the first engagement arm includes at least one protrusion configured for engagement within at least one aperture defined within the first support member of the expandable cage to engage the first support member at a distal end of the first engagement arm.

4. The insertion device according to claim 1 , wherein the second engagement arm includes a distal shaft extending distally from the second engagement arm, the distal shaft including a threaded distal end configured for engagement within a threaded aperture defined within the second support member of the expandable cage to engage the second support member at a distal end of the second engagement arm.

5. The insertion device according to claim 4 , wherein the second engagement arm defines a longitudinal bore extending therethrough, and wherein the distal shaft is disposed partially within and extends distally from the longitudinal bore, the longitudinal bore further including a proximal shaft disposed therein and a linkage member disposed therein, the linkage member interconnecting the proximal and distal shafts.

6. The insertion device according to claim 5 , wherein the proximal and distal shafts are laterally offset relative to one another and wherein the linkage member transfers rotational motion of the proximal shaft to rotational motion of the distal shaft.

7. The insertion device according to claim 5 , wherein the linkage member transfers rotational motion of the proximal shaft to rotational motion of the distal shaft and wherein the longitudinal bore of the second engagement arm is configured to receive an engagement tool configured to rotate the proximal shaft, thereby rotating the linkage member and the distal shaft for threadingly engaging the threaded distal end of the distal shaft with the threaded aperture of the second support member.

8. The insertion device according to claim 1 , wherein the first engagement arm defines a longitudinal bore extending therethrough, the longitudinal bore including a screw member disposed therein and an indicator stop member partially disposed therein and extending distally therefrom, the screw member and the indicator stop member coupled to one another such that rotation of the screw member effects translation of the indicator stop member relative to the first engagement arm to set an insertion depth limit of the expandable cage within an intervertebral space.

9. The insertion device according to claim 8 , wherein the longitudinal bore of the first engagement arm is configured to receive a driver configured to rotate the screw member, thereby translating the indicator stop member relative to the first engagement arm.

10. The insertion device according to claim 8 , wherein the indicator stop member visually indicates the insertion depth limit of the expandable cage within the intervertebral space.

11. The insertion device according to claim 1 , further comprising an engagement tool including a clip member engagement portion configured to couple to a clip member of the expandable cage at a distal end of the clip member engagement portion.

12. The insertion device according to claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second engagement arms defines a track configured to guide insertion of the engagement tool to guide the clip member between the first and second support members of the expandable cage.

13. The insertion device according to claim 1 , further comprising a handle portion extending from one of the first and second engagement arms, the handle portion configured to facilitate manipulation of the insertion device.

14. A method of performing spinal surgery, comprising:
preparing an intervertebral space;
engaging first and second engagement arms of an insertion device to first and second support members, respectively, of an expandable cage;
advancing the expandable cage, under control of the insertion device, into the intervertebral space;
adjusting a relative spacing between the first and second engagement arms to adjust a height of the expandable cage within the intervertebral space;
coupling a clip member to a clip member insertion tool;
moving the clip member insertion tool relative to the insertion device such that at least a portion of the clip member insertion tool is guided by the insertion device to guide the clip member into engagement between the first and second support members of the expandable cage;
disengaging the clip member insertion tool from the clip member and withdrawing the clip member insertion tool; and
disengaging the first and second engagement arms of the insertion device from the first and second support members of the expandable cage and withdrawing the insertion device.

Assignees

• K2M Inc

Inventors

• Theofilos Charles
• Wassinger Adam
• Wallenstein Todd
• Donohoe John

Classifications

• A61F2/4603

  for insertion or extraction of endoprosthetic joints or of accessories thereof · CPC title

• A61F2002/30593

  hollow · CPC title

• A61F2002/30836

  knurled · CPC title

• A61F2002/30774

  internally-threaded · CPC title

• A61F2/4455

  for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages (intervertebral discs A61F2/442) · CPC title