Surgical instrument for distracting a spinal disc space
View Patent ↗Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted, a hollow sleeve having teeth at one end is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve. Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted to restore the normal angular relationship of the vertebrae adjacent to that disc space. An extended outer sleeve having extended portions capable of maintaining the vertebrae distracted in their normal angular relationship is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve.
1. A surgical instrument for distracting a spinal disc space, comprising:
a distractor having a length and including:
a shaft and a first distractor tip connected to an end of said shaft, including:
a first surface and an opposite second surface defining a distraction height; and
a recessed area extending between said first and second surfaces along at least a portion of said length, wherein said shaft includes a first passage and a second passage extending therethrough along a substantial portion of said length of said distractor, said distractor tip extending outwardly from said shaft from between said first and second passages.
2. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said first surface and said second surface are substantially parallel.
3. The instrument of claim 2 , wherein said first surface and said second surface are each substantially planar.
4. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said distractor tip is integrally formed with said shaft.
5. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said recessed area is a concave surface extending between said first and second surfaces.
6. A surgical instrument for distracting a spinal disc space, comprising:
a distractor having a length and a longitudinal axis extending along the length, and including:
a shaft and a first distractor tip connected to an end of said shaft, including:
a first surface and an opposite second surface defining a distraction height; and
opposed recessed surfaces extending between said first and second surfaces along at least a portion of said length, said opposed recessed surfaces being spaced apart from one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said distractor, and said opposed recessed surfaces being parallel to one another along at least a portion of the length of said distractor.
7. The instrument of claim 6 , wherein edges are formed at intersections of said opposed recessed surfaces with said first and second surfaces, said edges being aligned with the longitudinal axis of said distractor.
8. The instrument of claim 6 , wherein said opposed recessed surfaces each include a maximum length aligned with the longitudinal axis of said distractor.
9. The instrument of claim 6 , wherein said opposed recessed surfaces have concave curvatures.
10. The instrument of claim 9 , wherein said concave curvatures of portions of said opposed recessed surfaces have identical radius of curvatures.
11. The instrument of claim 6 , wherein said opposed recessed surfaces are each curved in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said distractor.
12. The instrument of claim 11 , wherein said opposed recessed surfaces have identical radius of curvatures in the perpendicular plane.
13. The instrument of claim 6 , wherein said first surface and said second surface are substantially parallel.
14. The instrument of claim 13 , wherein said first surface and said second surface are each substantially planar.
15. A surgical instrument for distracting a spinal disc space, comprising:
a distractor having a length and a longitudinal axis extending along the length, and including:
a shaft and a first distractor tip connected to an end of said shaft, including:
a first surface and an opposite second surface defining a distraction height; and
opposed recessed surfaces extending between said first and second surfaces along at least a portion of said length, portions of each of said opposed recessed surfaces being at least in part concave, said opposed recessed surfaces each including a maximum length aligned with the longitudinal axis of said distractor, the maximum lengths of said opposed recessed surfaces being aligned with one another.
16. The instrument of claim 15 , wherein said concave portions of said opposed recessed surfaces having identical radius of curvatures.
17. The instrument of claim 15 , wherein said first surface and said second surface are substantially parallel.
18. The instrument of claim 17 , wherein said first surface and said second surface are each substantially planar.