Patent Description:
During the insertion or placement of a spine cage between vertebrae of a patient it is often necessary to force the cage into a desired position between vertebrae thus requiring a force, such as a mechanical force, to be applied by for example hammering on the end of a cage holder to which a spinal cage is attached.

Known cage holders require repeated application of such a force to be applied to the cage holder to achieve a correct placement or positioning of the spine cage and thus complicates the surgical procedure or increases the risk of injury to the surgeon or patient.

<CIT> discloses an example of a spine cage.

<CIT> discloses an instrument for insertion and positioning of a spinal implant includes an outer member, an inner member, and a first thread. The outer member includes a distal attachment feature configured to engage with the spinal implant, a tubular member, and a proximal housing. The inner member is rotatably disposed within a lumen of the outer member and includes a distal coupling feature for coupling with a proximal end of the spinal implant, an elongated shaft within the tubular member, and a proximal end operably coupled with a handle that rotates relative to the proximal housing. The first thread is disposed on the distal coupling feature and includes a first lead and a first thread pitch greater than a thickness of the proximal end of the spinal implant.

<CIT> discloses a method for promoting spinal fusion using a spinal implant comprises providing a spinal implant, wherein the spinal implant comprises at least one internal chamber being is adapted to receive at least one graft and/or other fill material. In some arrangements, one or more walls of the spinal implant comprise at least one opening or hole that places the internal chamber in fluid communication with an exterior area or portion of the spinal implant. The method additionally includes positioning the spinal implant between two adjacent vertebrae of a patient and directing at least one graft and/or other fill material into the internal chamber of the spinal implant through the access port.

<CIT> discloses a spinal plate selection and positioning system is provided for use in a spinal fusion procedure. The system may comprise an elongated guide member that is removably securable to an interbody cage by a holding rod. An interbody plate may be aligned and positioned above the interbody cage installed in a disc space. A drill guide may also be aligned and positioned above the interbody plate. The drill guide may be utilized to drill pilot holes in the vertebrae defining the disc space. Fasteners to secure the interbody plate may also by installed using the drill guide. The use of the guide member ensures that the interbody plate is properly aligned and positioned with respect to the interbody cage.

<CIT> discloses a multi-component implant insertion system for insertion of an intervertebral implant cage and methods of use thereof. Preferably, the proximal end of a hollow jaw is inserted into the distal end of an inserter. Once inside the inserter, a thread on the jaw engages a corresponding thread inside the inserter, allowing axial advancement of the jaw along the inserter. A ram is inserted through the proximal end of the jaw until the distal end of the ram protrudes at the distal end of the inserter assembly. Optionally, an adjustable stop introduced onto the superior portion of the inserter allows for control over the depth of insertion of the implant. An implant of appropriate size is introduced to the jaw of the inserter assembly and the implant/inserter assembly can be impacted into the vertebral body until the adjustable stop contacts the anterior edge of the vertebral body.

<CIT> relates to implants formed from donor bone for use in lumbar interbody fusion procedures and instruments for performing such procedures. The implants are formed to include a concave surface formed from a portion of the medullary canal of a long bone. The concaved surface defines a recess in the implant that serves as a depot for osteogenic material. Specific instruments for inserting the implants prepared and for preparing the intervertebral space to receive the implants are also provided.

<CIT> relates to systems and methods for spinal fusion procedures that can allow all components of the spinal fusion procedure to be inserted into the wound of a patient at once, and can thus minimize the number of components that must be separately inserted into a wound. This can be accomplished by providing an intervertebral fixation system that allows an intervertebral cage, vertebral fixation plate, and drill guides to be assembled into a single unit prior to insertion into a patient.

The goal of the present invention is to provide a cage holder that overcomes the above-mentioned inconvenience. In particular, a goal of the present invention is to assure that repeated application of such a force is avoided or at least minimized.

The present invention concerns a spinal cage holder according to claim <NUM>.

The present invention is thus a cage holder including an elongated body comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated body extending from the proximal end to the distal end; and means for transferring energy centrally from the proximal end to the distal end through the elongated body. The means for transferring energy centrally can be at least partially enclosed by the elongated body (<NUM>).

The means for transferring energy centrally includes a tube extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the elongated body, the member comprising or consisting of a first material and the elongated body comprising or consisting of a second material different to the first material.

The first material has a higher material density than the second material.

The cage holder according to the present invention advantageously includes means for transferring energy centrally from a proximal end to a distal end through the cage holder. This permits mechanical energy to be channeled through the core of the cage holder and guided directly to the cage for an efficient transfer of energy thus assuring that a repeated application of a force is not required or at least minimized.

Other advantageous features can be found in the dependent claims.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the means for transferring energy is configured to transfer energy centrally through the cage holder in a longitudinal direction of the cage holder from an outer extremity of the proximal end of the cage holder to an outer extremity of the distal end of the cage holder.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the means for transferring energy centrally includes a cage holding or cage attachment means at a distal end.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the member has a higher rigidity or a lower flexibility than the elongated body.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the means for transferring energy centrally includes a tube extending from the proximal end of the cage holder to the distal end of the cage holder.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the tube extends from an outer extremity of the proximal end of the cage holder to an outer extremity of the distal end of the cage holder.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the elongated body delimits a passage in which the tube is located and/or held therein.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the passage extends from an outer extremity of the proximal end of the elongated body to an outer extremity of the distal end of the elongated body.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the tube is or defines a hollow tube; or the tube is a non-hollow solid tube or solid rod.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the means for transferring energy centrally from the proximal end to the distal end through the elongated body further includes an elongated shaft removably held in the cage holder.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the elongated shaft is configured to movably slide within the cage holder from an outer extremity of the proximal end of the cage holder to an outer extremity of the distal end of the cage holder.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the elongated shaft is configured to be received by the tube; or is removably held by the tube.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the elongated shaft is configured to movably slide within the tube from an outer extremity of a proximal end of the tube to an outer extremity of a distal end of the tube.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the elongated shaft is a solid rod or a hollow rod or shaft.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the elongated body comprises or consist of a plastic; and the means for transferring energy centrally from the proximal end to the distal end through the elongated body and/or the member comprises or consists of a metal, and/or the tube comprises or consists of a metal.

The above object, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be best understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Herein, identical reference numerals are used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the Figures.

An exemplary cage holder <NUM> according to the present disclosure is shown, for example, in <FIG>.

The cage holder <NUM> includes an elongated body <NUM> comprising a proximal end <NUM> and a distal end <NUM>, the elongated body <NUM> extending from the proximal end <NUM> to the distal end <NUM>.

The elongated body <NUM> is for example made of, comprises or consists of a plastic or a polymer. The elongated body <NUM> is for example made of, comprises or consists of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, a polyester, polycarbonate, polyetherether ketone (PEEK), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) or polyarylamide.

The elongated body <NUM> may include, for example, a handle 8A and the proximal end <NUM> of the elongated body <NUM> is located at the end of the handle <NUM>. The elongated body <NUM> may also include, for example, a sleeve 8B.

The cage holder <NUM> further includes means <NUM> for transferring energy centrally from the proximal end <NUM> to the distal end <NUM> and centrally through the full length of the elongated body. The means <NUM> for transferring energy is configured to transfer energy centrally through the cage holder <NUM> in a longitudinal direction of the cage holder <NUM>. The means <NUM> for transferring energy is configured to transfer energy centrally through the cage holder in a longitudinal direction L (see <FIG>) of the cage holder <NUM> from a proximal end <NUM> of the cage holder <NUM> to a distal end <NUM> of the cage holder <NUM>. The longitudinal direction L extends in a direction running along or parallel to the length or extension of the elongated body <NUM>.

The means <NUM> for transferring energy is, for example, partially or fully enclosed by the elongated body <NUM>.

The means <NUM> for transferring energy is configured to transfer energy centrally through the cage holder <NUM> in the longitudinal direction L from an outer extremity of the proximal end <NUM> of the cage holder <NUM> to an outer extremity of the distal end <NUM> of the cage holder <NUM>. As a result, this energy or force is efficiently transferred to a spine cage when located or attached at the extremity of the cage holder <NUM> to allow an easier insertion of the cage into a desired position between vertebrae.

The distal end <NUM> of the cage holder <NUM> is configured to hold or attach a spinal cage.

The means <NUM> for transferring energy centrally includes a cage holder, or a cage holding means or a cage attachment means <NUM> at the distal end (see in particular <FIG>). The cage holding means or cage attachment means <NUM> can include, for example, one or more projections configured to, for example, cooperate with or be received by corresponding sockets of the cage (for example a spine cage, for example, as shown in <FIG>). The cage can be, for example, attached by sliding or inserting the projections into the sockets of the cage.

The means <NUM> can be or include a core or central member located centrally in the cage holder and extending from the proximal end <NUM> to the distal end <NUM> of the cage holder <NUM>. The core or central member is configured to transfer or guide energy centrally in the core of the cage holder <NUM> from the proximal end <NUM> to the distal end <NUM> of the cage holder <NUM>. Mechanical energy applied at the proximal end <NUM> is channeled through the core of the cage holder to the proximal end. Dissipation or loss of the energy in non-central regions of the device is avoided permitting an optimum quantity of energy to be transferred to the cage.

The means <NUM> for transferring energy centrally includes a member <NUM> extending from the proximal end <NUM> to the distal end <NUM> of the elongated body <NUM>. The member <NUM> comprises or consists of a first material and the elongated body <NUM> comprises or consists of a second material that is different to the first material. Alternatively, but not claimed, the first and second material may also the same material.

Alternatively or additionally, the member <NUM> may have a higher rigidity or a lower flexibility than the elongated body <NUM>.

The member <NUM> or the means <NUM> for transferring energy centrally (or the core or central member) includes or is, for example, a tube <NUM>. The tube <NUM> for is, for example, partially or fully enclosed by the elongated body <NUM>.

The tube <NUM> extends from the proximal end <NUM> to the distal end <NUM> of the elongated body <NUM>, and can extend beyond the distal end <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

The tube <NUM> can extend from the proximal end <NUM> of the cage holder <NUM> to the distal end <NUM> of the cage holder <NUM>. The tube <NUM> can extend from an outer extremity of the proximal end <NUM> of the cage holder <NUM> to an outer extremity of the distal end <NUM> of the cage holder <NUM>.

The elongated body <NUM> delimits a passage in which the tube is located and/or held therein (see for example <FIG>). The passage extends from an outer extremity of the proximal end <NUM> of the elongated body <NUM> to an outer extremity of the distal end <NUM> of the elongated body <NUM>.

The tube <NUM> can define a hollow tube. Alternatively, but not claimed, the tube can be a non-hollow solid tube or solid rod.

The tube <NUM> can be, for example, a metallic tube. The tube <NUM> can be made of, comprises or consists of, for example, stainless steel, or titanium, or tantalum, or platinium, or palladium or aluminum.

The tube <NUM> can be discontinuous in parts but extends continuously from the proximal end to the distal end for efficient energy transfer.

The tube <NUM> is preferably cylindric but may also have other shapes.

The tube <NUM> is preferably located in proximity to the central longitudinal axis L of the cage holder <NUM>. The tube <NUM>, for example, encircles the central longitudinal axis L of the cage holder <NUM> or the central longitudinal axis L extends longitudinally through the tube.

An external wall of the tube is, for example, located at a distance between <NUM> and <NUM> from a central longitudinal axis L of the cage holder <NUM>.

The central longitudinal axis L of the cage holder <NUM> is located, for example, at a geometric center or center of symmetry of the cage holder <NUM> and/or the elongated body <NUM>.

The external wall of the tube <NUM> directly contacts a wall of the elongated body <NUM> defining the passage in the elongated body <NUM>.

The means <NUM> for transferring energy centrally may further include an elongated shaft <NUM> removably held in the cage holder <NUM>. The elongated shaft <NUM> is configured to movably slide within the cage holder <NUM> from an outer extremity of the proximal end <NUM> of the cage holder to an outer extremity of the distal end <NUM> of the cage holder.

The cage holder <NUM> can thus further include the elongated shaft <NUM> or elongated central shaft <NUM> (see for example <FIG>) configured to be received by the means <NUM> for transferring energy centrally, for example, the member or tube <NUM>. In such a case the tube <NUM> is hollow.

The elongated shaft <NUM> is configured to be received by the tube (<NUM>) and is removably held by the tube <NUM>. The elongated shaft <NUM> is configured to movably slide within the tube <NUM> from an outer extremity of a proximal end of the tube <NUM> to an outer extremity of a distal end of the tube <NUM>.

The elongated shaft <NUM> can be for example a solid rod or a hollow shaft. The shaft <NUM> can be made of, comprises or consists of, for example, stainless steel, or titanium, or tantalum, or platinium, or palladium or aluminum.

The elongated shaft has, for example, a complementary shape to that of the means (tube) <NUM> to fit snuggly therein for an efficient transfer of energy.

The elongated shaft <NUM> may include a knob <NUM> at a first end. The elongated shaft <NUM> can include a cage holding means or cage attachment means <NUM> at a second end. The second end is opposite the first end.

The cage holding means or cage attachment means <NUM> can include, for example, a threaded extremity or a projection configured to, for example, cooperate with or be received by corresponding sockets or threaded sockets of the cage (for example, a cage as shown on the left in <FIG>).

A force may be applied to the shaft <NUM> via, for example, the knob <NUM>, and the energy is transferred from the proximal end to the distal end of the cage holder <NUM> via both the shaft <NUM> and the tube <NUM>. The means for transferring energy centrally may thus additionally include the shaft <NUM>.

The cage holder may be part of an instrument kit.

Claim 1:
Spine cage holder (<NUM>) including:
- an elongated body (<NUM>) comprising a proximal end (<NUM>) and a distal end (<NUM>), the elongated body (<NUM>) extending from the proximal end (<NUM>) to the distal end (<NUM>),
- means (<NUM>) for transferring mechanical energy centrally from the proximal end (<NUM>) to the distal end (<NUM>) through the elongated body (<NUM>), said means (<NUM>) being at least partially enclosed by the elongated body (<NUM>), the means (<NUM>) for transferring energy being configured to transfer energy centrally through the cage holder (<NUM>) in a longitudinal direction of the cage holder (<NUM>), wherein the means (<NUM>) for transferring mechanical energy centrally includes a tube (<NUM>) extending from the proximal end (<NUM>) to the distal end (<NUM>) of the elongated body (<NUM>), the tube (<NUM>) comprising or consisting of a first material and the elongated body (<NUM>) comprising or consisting of a second material different to the first material, the first material having a higher material density than the second material.