Tissue dilator and method for performing a spinal procedure
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 method for performing a surgical procedure on a spine of a patient, comprising:
providing an apparatus having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, a length between the proximal and distal ends, a longitudinal axis extending through the proximal and distal ends, a first portion and a second portion each having a tapered portion at the distal end, the first and second portions being spaced apart from each other, each of the tapered portions having an at least in part arcuate exterior surface spaced from the longitudinal axis, and at least in part arcuate cross sections transverse to the longitudinal axis, the at least in part arcuate cross sections progressively decreasing in area in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end, and each of the first and second portions having a length and a width perpendicular to the length, the lengths of the first and second portions being at least three times the widths of the first and second portions;
placing the apparatus into the patient to provide access to a disc of the spine adjacent the first and second portions;
inserting a first tool through the apparatus and into the spine; and
inserting a second tool through the apparatus and into the spine prior to removing the first tool.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising excising at least part of an intervertebral disc.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first tool is a distractor.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the second tool is a device for removing spinal material.
5. The method of claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising a third portion having a tapered portion at the distal end, the tapered portion having an at least in part arcuate cross section transverse to the longitudinal axis, and the third portion being spaced apart from the first and second portions.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions are the same size and shape.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least in part arcuate cross sections of the tapered portions are arcs of the same circle.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the apparatus is configured to engage a mechanism designed to facilitate placing the apparatus into the patient.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising inserting a bone graft into the spine.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising inserting an implant into the spine.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a cannula.
12. A method for performing a surgical procedure on a spine of a patient, comprising:
providing an apparatus having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, a length between the proximal and distal ends, a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, a first portion and a second portion each having a tapered portion at the distal end, the first and second portions being spaced apart from each other, each of the tapered portions having an at least in part arcuate exterior surface spaced from the longitudinal axis, and at least in part arcuate cross sections transverse to the longitudinal axis, the at least in part arcuate cross sections progressively decreasing in area in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end, and each of the first and second portions having a length and a width perpendicular to the length, the lengths of the first and second portions being at least three times the widths of the first and second portions;
creating a surgical corridor in the patient providing access to a disc of the spine, the surgical corridor having a cross sectional perimeter transverse to the longitudinal axis, at least a portion of the cross sectional perimeter of the surgical corridor being formed by an interior surface of the first and second portions;
accessing the disc through the surgical corridor;
inserting a first implement into the surgical corridor and into the spine; and
inserting a second implement into the surgical corridor and into the spine coincident to the first implement.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising excising at least part of an intervertebral disc.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first implement is a distractor.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second implement is a device for removing spinal material.
16. The method of claim 12 , the apparatus further comprising a third portion having a tapered portion at the distal end, the tapered portion having an at least in part arcuate cross section transverse to the longitudinal axis, and the third portion being spaced apart from the first and second portions.
17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first and second portions are the same size and shape.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the at least in part arcuate cross sections of the tapered portions are arcs of the same circle.
19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the proximal end of the apparatus is configured to engage a mechanism designed to facilitate placing the apparatus into the patient.
20. The method of claim 12 , further comprising inserting an implant into the spine.
21. The method of claim 12 , wherein the apparatus is a cannula.