Patent ID: 8936599
Filing Date: 2015-01-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An instrument for spinal procedures comprising: a distraction mechanism having a proximal end and an opposed distal end, wherein the distal end includes opposed first and second end members; a first vertebral endplate spreader including a proximal spreader section mounted to the first end member of the distraction mechanism, and including a distal spreader section operatively connected to the proximal spreader section for movement in a lateral direction relative to the proximal spreader section, wherein the distal spreader section is configured and adapted to engage a first vertebra; a second vertebral endplate spreader mounted to the second end member of the distraction mechanism, the second spreader being configured and adapted to engage a second vertebra, wherein the distraction mechanism is configured and adapted to distract the spreaders apart and to retract the spreaders together along a distraction axis responsive to action imparted on the proximal end of the distraction mechanism, and wherein the distal spreader section of the first spreader is configured to move relative to the second spreader in the lateral direction relative to the distraction axis for correction of vertebral alignment by moving at least one of the first and second vertebrae in the lateral direction, wherein the lateral direction is substantially orthogonal to the distraction axis; a linear actuator engaged with the proximal and distal spreader sections to actuate relative travel of the proximal and distal spreader sections; and a pair of guides each directly engaged with the proximal and distal spreader sections to maintain a parallel relationship between the proximal and distal spreader sections during relative lateral travel of the proximal and distal spreader sections, each guide disposed on respective opposing sides of the linear actuator, wherein the guides are mounted to one of the distal spreader section and the proximal spreader section and are slideably engaged to the other non-mounted section.