Devices and methods for contouring an intervertebral space between vertebral members
The present application is directed to devices and methods to shape an intervertebral space between vertebral members. In one embodiment, the device includes a guide with an elongated shaft and an enlarged distal section. An outer member may include first and second arms that are spaced a distance apart. Teeth may be positioned on outer surfaces of one or both of the first and second arms. The outer member may be movably positioned along the guide between first and second positions. The first position may include the teeth positioned over the shaft with the first and second arms being positioned a first distance apart. The second position may include the teeth positioned over the distal section with the first and second arms being positioned an expanded second distance apart.
1 . A device to contour endplates of vertebral members comprising:
an inner member with an elongated shaft and an enlarged section;
an outer member comprising first and second arms spaced a distance apart that is greater than the shaft and less than the distal section; and
teeth positioned on outer surfaces of the first and second arms;
the outer member movably positioned along the inner member between a first position with the teeth positioned over the shaft with the first and second arms being positioned a first distance apart, and a second position with the teeth positioned over the distal section with the first and second arms being positioned an expanded second distance apart.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the enlarged section includes first and second convex surfaces.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the outer enlarged section is expandable between a first orientation with a first height and a second orientation with a second larger height.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the enlarged section includes ramped first and second surfaces.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the inner member comprises a first inner member with an enlarged distal end and a second inner member including convex outer surfaces and angled inner surfaces, the first inner member being axially movable relative to the second inner member to adjust an overall height of the inner member.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the outer member is rotatably movable along the inner member.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second arms are flexible and flex outward when the outer member moves from the first position to the second position.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the enlarged section of the inner member is expandable and further comprising a conduit that extends through the shaft to move material into the enlarged section.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the enlarged section is positioned at a distal end of the inner member.
10 . A device to contour endplates of vertebral members comprising:
an inner member with a proximal section and an enlarged distal section;
an outer member comprising an inner surface that faces towards the inner member and an outer surface including teeth that face towards one of the endplates;
the outer member movably positioned along the inner member between a first position with the inner member at a proximal position relative to the outer member with the teeth positioned away from the distal section and positioned a first distance from a centerline of the proximal section, and a second position with the inner member at a distal position relative to the outer member with the teeth positioned over the distal section and positioned a second greater distance from the centerline of the proximal section.
11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the inner surface contacts the distal section of the inner member when moving from the first position to the second position.
12 . A device to contour endplates of vertebral members comprising:
a guide including an enlarged section with first and second angled surfaces;
a member movably engaged with the guide and including a first arm with a first inner surface that moves along the first angled surface and a second arm with a second inner surface that moves along the second angled surface; and
each of the first and second arms including teeth on an outer surface that contour the vertebral members during movement of the member along the enlarged section.
13 . A device to contour endplates of vertebral members comprising:
a guide including first and second convex surfaces;
a member movably engaged with the guide and including a first arm with a first inner surface that moves along the first convex surface and a second arm with a second inner surface that moves along the second convex surface; and
each of the first and second arms including teeth on an outer surface that contour the vertebral members during movement of the member along the first and second convex surfaces.
14 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the first and second convex surfaces include a common length and shape.
15 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the guide includes an extension that extends outward and mates with a notch within one of the first and second arms.
16 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the guide is rigid.
17 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the first and second arms are flexible with the inner surfaces remaining in contact with the first and second convex surfaces during movement of the member along the guide.
18 . The device of claim 13 , wherein one of the first and second arms is divided into first and second sections.
19 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the first and second convex surfaces are positioned on a guide section of the guide, the guide section is expandable between a first orientation with a first reduced height and a second orientation with a second height.
20 . The device of claim 19 , further comprising a pump to move material into the guide section to expand the guide section from the first orientation to the second orientation.
21 . A device to contour endplates of vertebral members comprising:
a guide including a first convex surface positioned at a distal end of a shaft;
an elongated member positioned on an exterior of the guide and including an inner surface that moves along the first convex surface; and
teeth positioned on an outer surface of the arm to contour one of the vertebral members during movement of the elongated member along the guide.
22 . The device of claim 21 , further comprising a sleeve positioned at a proximal end of the arm that extends around the shaft.
23 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the guide includes a second surface that is substantially convex.
24 . A method of contouring an intervertebral space between vertebral members, the method comprising the steps of:
inserting a distal section of a guide within a central section of the intervertebral space;
moving a member axially along a first section of the guide;
contacting an inner surface of the member against an enlarged distal section of the guide and moving the member outward away from the central section and into contact with one of the vertebral members; and
reciprocating the member within the intervertebral space and contouring the vertebral member with teeth positioned on an outer surface of the member.
25 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the step of reciprocating the member within the intervertebral space and contouring the vertebral member with the teeth positioned on the outer surface of the member comprises maintaining the position of the guide and reciprocating the member along the guide.
26 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the step of moving the member axially along a first section of the guide comprises contacting the inner surface of the member against the first section of the guide.
27 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the step of reciprocating the member within the intervertebral space and contouring the vertebral member with the teeth positioned on the outer surface of the member comprises reciprocating the member and the guide within the intervertebral space.
28 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising expanding a width of the distal section of the guide after inserting the distal end within the central section of the intervertebral space.