Abstract:
A detachable vertical cutter for insertion into a cylinder or tube is formed as a single unitary structure. The single blade has a pair of tool attachment end portions and a cutting blade extending in a loop between the attachment ends. The cutting blade is inclined vertically relative to a longitudinal axis of a cylinder or tube into which the attachment ends can slide into. The cutting blade has a cutting edge, a portion of which when extended free of the cylinder or tube will extend a distance greater than the tube outside diameter. The cutting edge when pushed inwardly and pulled outwardly between adjacent vertebrae scrapes and cuts disc material. When retracted the cutting blade deflects into the cylinder or tube for insertion or extraction into or from the disc space.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an improved tissue and bone surface scraping and cutting device for preparation of the spinal disc space for implantation of a fusion implant device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In open spinal vertebrae surgical procedures, the surgeon makes an incision through the skin and muscle tissue and exposes the area to be worked on using retractors separating the tissue above the adjacent vertebral bodies and the interposed disc. Using cutting devices such as a spoon curette or rongeur, the surgeon cuts away the bone and disc material and prepares a space for a spinal fusion device to be placed. 
         [0003]    In minimal invasive surgery, the large incision is not used and in its place a smaller cut is made just large enough to position a small hollow tube or cylinder into the disc space between the two vertebrae to be fused together. It is through this tube that the cutting tools must pass to remove the disc material and prepare the space for a fusion implant device. The vast majority of these cutting devices operate by rotational cutting of the tissue to be removed. This allows for a circular cross sectional removal of the disc, but requires rather difficult angulation to flatten or widen the space being prepared. A secondary issue is to flex into a tube fitting compressed size; the blades typically have two or more separate cutting blades as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,697. This enables the blades to deflect into a tube, but uses a small pointy tip prone to break when in use leaving metal fragments. 
         [0004]    Very importantly, these rotational devices are limited in vertical reach that can be achieved. In some small patients, this represents little trouble, but in larger boned patients, the vertical space required for the implant can exceed the capacity of the device. 
         [0005]    The present invention as described hereinafter avoids these issues in a new and improved way to provide the surgeon a much simpler and efficient way to prepare the disc space for implantation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A vertical cutter for insertion into a cylinder or tube is formed as a single unitary structure. The single blade has a pair of tool attachment end portions and a cutting blade extending in a loop between the attachment ends. The cutting blade is inclined vertically relative to a longitudinal axis of a cylinder or tube into which the attachment ends can slide into. The cutting blade has a cutting edge, a portion of which when extended free of the cylinder or tube will extend a distance greater than the tube outside diameter. The cutting edge when pushed inwardly and pulled outwardly between adjacent vertebrae scrapes and cuts disc material. When retracted the cutting blade deflects into the cylinder or tube for insertion or extraction into or from the disc space. 
         [0007]    The blade is cut from a flat sheet of shaped memory alloy and heat set to form the loop. The sheet has a nominal thickness of 0.5 mm or greater. The cutting blade has a nominal width of 2.0 mm or greater. The cutting edges are the inclined outer edges at the intersection of the thickness and the width. The cutting blade has curved opposing sides spanning a nominal maximum width between opposite sides a distance of 10.5 mm or greater. 
         [0008]    The cutting blade when withdrawn into the tube or cylinder bends or deflects the curved opposing sides of the cutting blade to fit the inside diameter. This also lowers or bends the flattened end vertical inclination to slide into the tube or cylinder. The cutting blade has flattened distal end portion between the two curved sides along a vertical cutting peak extending at least 3 mm. The cutting blade is configured to fit into a tube or cylinder having a nominal outside diameter of 8 mm. The vertical inclination of the cutting blade extends at least 2 mm or greater above the outside diameter of the tube when the cutting blade is extended free of the tube. 
         [0009]    A vertical cutting tool has a shaft, a tube or cylinder and a single cutting blade. The shaft has the cutting blade attached at one end and is externally threaded at an opposite end. This hollow tube or cylinder is for receiving the shaft internally. A rotatable knot is affixed to the hollow tube and is rotatable independent of the tube or cylinder. The knob has internal threads to engage the threads of the shaft. This rotatable knob adjusts the protruding amount to deploy the cutting blade. The single vertical cutter has a pair of tool attachment end portions and a cutting blade extending in a loop between the attachment ends. The cutting blade is inclined vertically relative to a longitudinal axis of a cylinder or tube into which the attachment ends slide into. The cutting blade has a cutting edge, a portion of which when extended free of the cylinder or tube extends a distance above the tube outside diameter. The cutting edge when pushed inwardly and pulled outwardly scrapes and cuts the disc material, and when retracted deflects into the cylinder or tube for insertion or extraction into or from the disc space. The vertical cutting tool further comprises a push pull knob fixed to the rotatable knob to cut inwardly and outwardly parallel to the tube or cylinder longitudinal axis. 
         [0010]    The vertical cutter of the present invention allows for the method of preparing a void space between adjacent vertebrae for placing a fusion implant device comprises the steps of locating a position on the patient to make an incision; cutting the tissue at the location by making a small incision; placing an outer guide tube having an inside diameter into the incision; inserting a cutting tool with a retracted cutting blade inside a tube sized to pass through the inside diameter of the guide tube while having the cutter stowed internally; extending the tool tube past the guide tube directed toward a disc space; protracting the cutting blade free of the tool tube while orienting the cutting blade vertically up or down relative to a longitudinal axis of the tool tube and wherein the protracted cutting blade has a loop shape with an inclined cutting edge extending several mm above or below the tube; cutting away disc tissue directed at one vertebrae to form a void space by pushing and pulling the tool in an axial direction; scraping the cutting blade along the exposed bone surfaces of the adjacent vertebrae thereby removing an outer layer or layers of bone tissue and laterally inclining the guide tool left or right slightly to widen the void space; turning the tool 180 degrees to repeat the steps of cutting away disc tissue and scraping bone layers of the other vertebra to complete the void space; and retracting the cutting blade and withdrawing the cutting tool. 
         [0011]    The method can further include a step of retracting the cutting blade prior to turning the tool 180 degrees. The method wherein the cutting edge has a flat portion extending at least 3 mm above the tool tube and the tool tube has an outside diameter of 8 mm. The method wherein the cutting edge can cut disc tissue and vertebral bone to form a total maximum void space height over 14 mm, 7 mm upwardly and 7 mm downwardly between two adjacent vertebrae. The method wherein the cutting blade can be partially refracted to cut at lower heights. 
       DEFINITIONS 
       [0012]    As used herein and in the claims: 
         [0013]    A “curette” is a surgical instrument designed for scraping or debriding biological tissue or debris in a biopsy, excision, or cleaning procedure. In form, the curette is a small hand tool, often similar in shape to a stylus; at the tip of the curette is a small scoop, hook, or gouge. 
         [0014]    A “rongeur” is a strongly constructed instrument with a sharp-edged, scoop-shaped tip, used for gouging out bone. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the cutter tool assembly of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1A  is an exploded view of the tool assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  is a plan view of the tooling tube. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2B  is side plan view of the internal shaft. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a plan side view illustrating the rotatable retraction and protraction knob for moving the cutter blade of the cutting tool into and out of the tooling tube. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the cutting blade of the present invention as formed. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4A  is a plan view of the cutting blade, the dashed lines representing the sheet from which the cutting blade can be formed. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4B  is a top view of the cutting blade as formed. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4C  is a partial view taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 4B  showing one portion of the cutting blade, the opposite portion having been removed. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4D  is an end view of the cutting blade illustrating the vertical elevation of the cutting blade relative to the attachment portions. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the cutting blade protracted and extending outward from the tooling tube. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view showing the cutting blade protracted relative to the tooling tube. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a side view showing a portion of the cutting blade with dimensions from the attachment knob to the vertical elevation above the attachment means. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 1A , the cutting tool device  100  of the present invention is illustrated. The device  100  includes a detachable vertical cutter  10 , a tool tube  102 , a rotatable retraction and protraction knob  120  and a push pull knob  130  to provide linear cutting capability as the tool  100  is pushed and pulled inward between two vertebral bodies to remove disc tissue and to scrape the bone exposed end plate surfaces. 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIG. 1A , further illustrated internal to the tool tube  102  is a shaft  112 . The shaft  112  provides a way to attach the vertical cutter  10 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the tube  102  has a “T” shaped end  104  that is adapted to fit in the rotatable knob  120  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The “T” shaped end  104  has a knob  120  mounted thereabout so that the knob  120  can rotate without rotating the tube  102 . The knob  120  has internal threads  122  adapted to engage the threads  110  of the shaft  112  as illustrated in  FIG. 2B . The combination of threads  110 ,  122  are designed so the shaft can be pulled or pushed axially along the longitudinal axis of the tool by the rotation of the knob  120  best illustrated in  FIG. 3 . A slot is provided in the tool in  FIG. 3  exposing the threads  110  of the shaft  112 . The threads  110  can be moved between positions  105  and  103  or further if so desired. This open window  106  provides a means for the surgeon to see the amount of travel that the vertical cutter  10  is making relative to the tool tube  102  when it is positioned inside the vertebral bodies. The shaft  112  has a flat end  116  to which the knob  130  is fixed. 
         [0031]    With particular reference to the detachable vertical cutter  10 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 through 7 , the vertical cutter  10  has attachment ends  12  and  14  with an opening  11  that will conveniently fit on the attachment location  114  of the shaft  112 . The openings  11  are oriented at 90 degrees to attachment locations  114 . The attachment locations  114  are positioned on each side of the shaft  112  such that when the vertical cutter  10  is mounted on the attachment shaft  112  and pulled inside the tube  102  it securely holds the vertical cutter  10  in position so that it can be pulled internally within the tube  102 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the vertical cutter  10  was formed as a single piece, preferably of shaped memory alloy material such as Nitinol wherein the material was cut from a blank sheet approximately 0.5 mm thick. The blank sheet is illustrated by dashed lines in  FIG. 4A . As shown, the attachment ends  12  and  14  are at the extremes of this sheet where the cutting blade  20  is interposed between the attachment ends  12 ,  14 . As shown, the width W B  is approximately 2 mm in the exemplary embodiment. Punched through the attachment ends  12 ,  14  are the attachment holes  11  as illustrated. The cutting blade width W B  is substantially uniform across the cutting blade  20 , however may be slightly narrower at a flat portion  25 . The flat portion  25  extends about 3 mm in length. When the shaped memory alloy material is formed into the desired cutting blade shape which is of a general oval nature as illustrated in the top view of  FIG. 4B , the flat portion  25  will be at the very peak of the vertically inclined cutting blade  20 . As shown, the cutting blade sides  22  and  24  are inclined relative to the attachment ends  12 ,  14  and are offset slightly lower than the center line of the attachment ends  12 ,  14 . This enables the cutting blade  20  when bent in the configuration shown in  FIG. 4B  to take the shape as illustrated. The cutting blade sides  22 ,  24  extend widthwise a distance W T  of approximately 10.5 mm in this exemplary embodiment to form a large oval with a flat top. 
         [0032]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4C , the blade side portion  22  on the attachment end  12  is shown, the other side of the cutting blade  20  has the end portion  24  and  14  (not illustrated) similarly inclined. An acute angle is shown of approximately θ relative to a horizontal plane which can be varied dependent on the length and the amount of height required. However, it is believed important that the angle θ be less than 45 degrees preferably less than 30 degrees as illustrated. 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIG. 4D , the cutting blade portion  20  has the sides  24  and  22  shown inclined to the flat portion  25  inclined and raised upward relative to the attachment ends  12 ,  14  to the flat portion  25 . Again, as previously mentioned, the width of the cutting blade  20  is of substantially uniform thickness W B  of about 2 mm and has a cutting edge that is also generally uniform in thickness of 0.5 mm or less. This provides a substantially strong and yet flexible blade  20  such that it can be retracted and pulled inside the tube  102 . This attachment of the vertical cutter  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 5  where the thickness of the blade  20  is illustrated as dimension t. In the exemplary vertical cutter  10 , t was about 0.5 mm. 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , the vertical cutter  10  is also shown in the protracted position where it is free of the tool tube  102 . The tool tube  102  has an outside diameter OD of approximately 8 mm in this exemplary embodiment with an inside diameter of 6.85 mm. The width of the attachment ends  12 ,  14  is slightly less than the 6.85 mm such that they can slide inwardly to be attached to the shaft  112  at the attachment locations  114 . The vertical cutter  10 , when attached, has a vertical distance from the axis of rotation, this is called the cutting travel distance CT or cutting travel from the axis and it approximately 7.3 mm in the exemplary embodiment. This means that the cutting blade  20  extends above the outside diameter of the tool tube  102  by a distance of approximately 3.3 mm. It is important to note that this distance CV extending vertically above or below the tube  102  on an inclination, as shown, is achieved when the cutting blade  20  is free from the tube  102 . As shown, the cutting blade  20  will extend vertically upward relative to the axis in such a fashion that the flat end  25  cutting edge can reach a maximum level of 7.3 mm in height to the vertebrae surface above it. This allows the cutting blade  20  to cut not only into the disc material, both the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus, but also to be able to scrape along the interior surface of the vertebral plate. The vertebral plate must be remembered to be somewhat of a saucer shape turned upside down wherein the edges conform inwardly slightly while the inner portion of the vertebral plate is raised in a flattened elevated dome shape. This is important in that the cutting blade  20  is designed to be able to scrape not only the disc material, but also the thin layers of this end plate of the vertebral body. By scraping it, microfractures occur and improved bone surface preparation can be achieved for a fusion implant device. As shown, the flat portion  25  has a width of approximately 3 mm or greater. This enables the device to be pushed and pulled into and out of the disc space without any rotational cutting. All cutting is achieved by linear action and to widen this void space required for the implant it is important to remember that one simply can grab the outer tube  200  that has been inserted into a small incision at the direct location and tilt it laterally slightly left or slightly right on a very small inclination. This allows the cutting blade  20  to move slightly laterally and continued pushing and pulling can create a void space approximately 10 to 15 mm for an implant 9 mm wide if so desired. The cutting blade  20  can be held in a slightly retracted position if lowered cutting heights are need. So on initial cutting, the cutting blade  20  can be slightly retracted and pushed and pulled to cut some material away and then continue to be pushed and pulled in a fully retracted condition due to the flexibility of the cutting blade  20 , it will simply scrape along the bones outer edge removing a thin layer and also provide a good planar surface to receive the fusion implant device. 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a similar view to that of  FIG. 6  only showing a side view and only one portion of the blade  20 . It is important to note that since the cutting blade  20  is made in a looped configuration, having a somewhat oval shape flattened at the peak, it provides a substantial amount of width for cutting as the entire cutting edge  21  is on a slight incline meaning that the side surface and the top of the blade  20  form an angulation such that only the edge  21  of the cutting surface is doing the primary cutting, therefore there is no need for a very sharp razor edged blade. This blade  20  will cut at the edge  21  of the width and thickness performing a scraping action to remove both the disc material and the layers of bone material needed to be removed in preparation of the void space. 
         [0036]    This cutting tool  100 , as illustrated, with the vertical cutter  10  provides a unique way of removing disc material and preparing two adjacent vertebrae for receiving any spinal fusion implant device. The surgeon will simply locate a position on the patient&#39;s back to make an end incision. The surgeon cuts the tissue at the location by making a small incision and inserting a solid tapered dilator to allow insertion of an outer guide tube  200  that will hold the tool tube  102  portion of the tool  100 . This outer tube  200  is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . This tube  200  is then placed into the small incision in the desired location and inserted partially therein. This tube  200  will have an outside diameter of approximately 9.2 mm when using a tool tube  102  having an outside diameter of 8 mm. This means that the outer tube  200  has an inside diameter of approximately slightly greater than 8 mm so that the tool tube  102  can slide freely in and out of this outer sheathing or guide tube  200 . As illustrated, the surgeon will insert the cutting tool  100  with the retracted vertical cutter  10  inside the tool tube  102  which has been sized to pass through the inside diameter of the guide tube  200  while having the cutting blade  10  stowed internally. The surgeon will use the outer tube  200  to space the adjacent vertebral bodies wherein the disc material is intended to be removed. This spacing of the vertebrae allows the tool tube  102  to slide inward to the disc material and extending past the guide tube  200  directly towards or into the disc space. At this point the surgeon protracts the vertical cutter  10  by rotating the knob  120 . As the cutting blade  20  extends past the tool tube  102  it will be moved into a free position and the shaped memory alloy cutting blade  20  will return to its free and unrestrained condition. As such the blade  20  will then extend above the inner tube by approximately 3.3 mm as discussed. When this occurs, the surgeon can then push and pull on the cutting blade  10  creating a void surface by removing the disc tissue. This includes the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus of the disc. Once this is removed the surgeon can continue to remove disc material by tilting on a slight lateral angulation, the entire guide tube  200  and tool  100  inside on a very slight angle using a lateral movement. This increases the width that can be cut such that the flat edge  25  can create a void space of at least 10 to 15 mm wide to receive the fusion implant device of 9 mm. Once this has occurred, the surgeon can continue to scrape on the exposed end plate of the vertebral body. By doing this, he or she will create cracks and fissures that will improve the osteoinductivity of the bone material adjacent the implant. This will accelerate the fusion of the bone implant and accelerate the healing time. 
         [0037]    In order to cut the opposite adjacent vertebral body disc material, the surgeon can either retract if so desired or simply rotate the tool  100  such that it lines up with a vertical downward extension if he has previously cut in a vertical upward position. By extending the tool  100  in a downward direction he can now cut the lower vertebral body disc tissue above it and prepare that space by repeating the procedure in a push pull manner completing all the cutting without any requirement for rotational cutting of disc material. In this way, a chamber or void space that is basically rectilinear and ideally suited for receiving a spinal implant device is formed. Once all the material has been cut away and the end plates have been scraped, the device can be retracted and pulled out of the guide tube  200  such that an implant device can be positioned through the guide tube  200  to complete the procedure. While various dimensions have been mentioned for the exemplary embodiment, these dimensions can be varied using the concepts taught herein and will still be within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0038]    Variations in the present invention are possible in light of the description of it provided herein. While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the subject invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the subject invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that changes can be made in the particular embodiments described, which will be within the full intended scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.