An inserter includes a knob at its proximal end. The knob actuates linear motion of a slide at the distal end of the inserter. The linear motion of the slide separates two pins that project from a distal end of the inserter. The pins engage and release corresponding holes defined in the faceplate of an implant. The pins can project at an oblique angle from the longitudinal axis of the inserter. The angle of projection of each pin can be different so that a jaw-like action is provided, which securely grasps the implant via the holes in the faceplate.

FIELD

The present invention generally relates to devices used in orthopedic surgeries, and more particularly to instruments used to insert surgical implants that are implanted in orthopedic surgeries.

BACKGROUND

In surgical procedures it is desirable to minimize the surgical access opening in the patient, thereby preserving the patient's anatomy and decreasing trauma to surrounding vascular and muscular tissue. The instruments used to place implants can be bulky, requiring larger surgical access to the patient, than the implant itself would require. However, the implanting instruments need to securely grasp the implant. Thus, there is a need for an improved insertion instrument that minimizes the required surgical access opening while maintaining the implant grasping performance.

SUMMARY

The disclosure includes an insertion instrument that engages the faceplate of a surgical implant. The disclosure also includes an insertion instrument that engages and releases from screw holes in the faceplate of a surgical implant. The disclosure further includes a method of engaging an insertion instrument to a surgical implant. The disclosure additionally includes a system to insert a surgical implant.

Insertion tools are used to insert implants into patients during surgery. Often, the insertion tool engages to the outer edges of an implant. This creates a need for a larger than necessary surgical access opening, disrupting the patient's anatomy. The present invention allows the insertion tool to engage the face of the implant, such that the inserter portion that passes through the access opening is no wider than the implant.

In one of the disclosed examples, the inserter (the insertion instrument) includes a knob at its proximal end. The knob actuates linear motion of a slide at the distal end of the inserter. The linear motion of the slide separates two pins that project from a distal end of the inserter. The pins engage and release corresponding holes defined in the faceplate of an implant. The pins can project at an oblique angle from the longitudinal axis of the inserter. The angle of projection of each pin can be different so that a jaw-like action is provided.

The disclosure also includes a surgical implant insertion tool. The tool includes a slide defined at a distal end of the insertion tool, an actuator mechanically linked to the slide, a first pin disposed at the distal end of the insertion tool, and a second pin coupled to the slide. Both the first and second pins project distally from the distal end of the insertion tool. The slide is constrained to move linearly so that the second pin vertically separates from the first pin when the actuator is moved in a first direction.

The second pin can vertically contract towards the first pin when the actuator is moved in a second direction that is the opposite of the first direction. The first pin can be fixed in place so that it does not move when the slide moves. Each of the first and second pins can project laterally from the longitudinal axis of the insertion tool at an oblique angle. Each of the first and second pins can project in vertically opposite directions from one another.

The actuator can be a knob. The actuator can be mechanically linked to the slide via a shaft extending from the knob to the shaft.

A hollow tube can be disposed between the actuator and the slide, wherein the shaft extends through the hollow tube.

A handle can be disposed adjacent to the actuator.

The slide can be constrained to move perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the insertion tool. A drive pin can travel along a slot defined in the slide.

The disclosure further includes an implant system that includes an implantable device and an insertion tool releasably securable to the implantable device. The implantable device includes a faceplate with a first and a second hole defined into the faceplate. The insertion tool includes a first pin and a second pin, each disposed at a distal end of the insertion tool. The second pin is linearly movable in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the insertion tool. Both the first and second pins project distally from the distal end of the insertion tool. The first and second pins together secure the implantable device by grasping a respective first and second hole of the implant when the second pin is moved in a direction away from longitudinal axis of the insertion tool.

The first pin can be coupled to a slide member. The insertion tool can include an actuator to selectively move the second pin perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the insertion tool. Each of the first and second pins can project laterally from the longitudinal axis of the insertion tool at an oblique angle. Each of the first and second pins can project in vertically opposite directions from one another.

The implantable device can be an intervertebral spacer or any other implantable body.

The distal end of the surgical implant insertion tool can have a vertical height that is less than that of the implantable device.

The disclosure still further includes a method of grasping a surgical implant with an implant insertion tool. The tool can have a vertical height that is less than that of the surgical implant. The method includes inserting a first pin of the implant insertion tool into a first hole defined into a faceplate of the surgical implant, inserting a second pin of the implant insertion tool into a second hole defined into the faceplate of the surgical implant, moving the second pin linearly away from a longitudinal axis of the implant insertion tool until the first and second pins securely grip the surgical implant. The method can further include actuating an actuator to move a slide member perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the implant insertion tool in order to actuate the movement of the second pin moving linearly away from a longitudinal axis of the implant insertion tool.

The detailed technology and preferred embodiments implemented for the subject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the claimed invention. It is understood that the features mentioned hereinbefore and those to be commented on hereinafter may be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following descriptions, the present invention will be explained with reference to example embodiments thereof. However, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to any specific example, embodiment, environment, applications or particular implementations described in these embodiments. Therefore, description of these embodiments is only for purpose of illustration rather than to limit the present invention. It should be appreciated that, in the following embodiments and the attached drawings, dimensional relationships among individual elements in the attached drawings are illustrated only for ease of understanding, but not to limit the actual scale unless specifically claimed as such.

As is shown inFIGS. 1-4, the inserter100(also referred to as the insertion tool or just the tool) includes a knob102provided at the proximal end of the inserter. The inserter100is generally elongated, so it defines a longitudinal axis in its longest length direction. The knob102is mechanically coupled or linked via a shaft104to a slide106disposed within the distal end portion of the tool100. The knob102can be threadably engaged to shaft104.

A handle103can be defined adjacent to the knob102. In one embodiment, a portion of the handle103is the knob. In other embodiments, such as shown inFIG. 1, the knob102and handle103are separate.

A hollow tube105can be provided between the handle103and slide106. The shaft104extends through the tube105.

Rotation of the knob102moves the shaft which causes vertical linear motion of the slide member106at the distal end of the tool100. The motion of shaft104is limited by an intersecting drive pin108that travels along a slot110on slide106. The resulting vertical linear motion of slide106separates two pins112and114(or jaw portions) that engage and release corresponding holes in a faceplate of an implant as will be discussed below.

Other actuators besides a rotational knob can be provided. For example, a hand-actuated trigger or handle can be provided, or other means of actuating the shaft can be provided.

In one embodiment, pin114is stationary. For example, it is welded in place. Thus, only pin112moves with slide106. The linear actuation of center shaft104therefore creates a vertical reaction at the pins112,114as illustrated in the transition fromFIG. 2toFIG. 3. In other embodiments, both pins can move.

In use, as knob102is turned, center shaft104advances upward or downward. Drive pin108intersects center shaft104traveling along slot110in slide106. Slide106moves perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tool100, causing pins112,114to relatively move apart or closer together, depending on the direction the knob102is being turned.

FIG. 2illustrates that as center shaft104is advanced, drive pin108moves along slot110on slide106(shown by arrow). As drive pin108travels slot110, pins112,114separate.FIG. 3illustrates that pin112, attached to slide106, has moved vertically downward (shown by arrow) with respect to pin114.

FIG. 4illustrates pin guides116a,116b,116cand116d(see arrows). These pin guides travel along grooves defined in the tube105that houses the shaft104in order to keep slide106in place and prevent slide106from having more than one degree of freedom.

FIG. 5depicts an example of an implant200having holes202aand202bdefined into the implant's faceplate204. The implant200shown in the figures is an intervertebral spacer but other types of surgical implants can be used as well.

As is shown inFIGS. 6-8, the separation of pins112,114allows jaws112,114to employ a tension grip on the implant due to the protrusion and separation of the pins within the holes202of faceplate204.

In use, the pins112,114are aligned with the respective holes in the faceplate of the implant. Then the knob102is turned to shift the slide106, thereby separating the pins112,114, which results in the pins extending into the holes in the implant. This extension securely grasps the implant. Thus, the implant can be securely grasped with an insertion tool that can pass the distal end portion through a patient access opening that is no wider than the implant.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is, therefore, desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.