Discectomy instrument
The present invention provides a discectomy instrument that is capable of removing portions of the spinal disc between adjacent vertebrae in a controlled manner that is efficient and easy to use. In an exemplary embodiment, the discectomy instrument includes a handle, a rotary scraper, a barrel, a drive shaft, an outer sleeve and a retaining clip.
1. A surgical method comprising:
creating a pathway to an intervertebral disc;
introducing a discectomy instrument into the pathway, wherein the discectomy instrument includes a rotary scraper, a drive shaft operably attached to the rotary scraper, a ball joint coupled to the rotary scraper at one end and to the drive shaft at the other end, a handle and an outer sleeve, wherein the handle and the entire outer sleeve are coaxial and share a longitudinal axis;
piercing an annulus of the intervertebral disc with the discectomy instrument;
inserting the discectomy instrument into a disc nucleus of the intervertebral disc;
applying torque to the discectomy instrument to transmit a torque to the rotary scraper, thereby causing the rotary scraper to rotate and cut away portions of the disc nucleus of the intervertebral disc; and
removing the cut away portions of the disc nucleus.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the handle is operably attached to the rotary scraper.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rotary scraper is configured to pivot as well as rotate with the drive shaft.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein removing the cut away portions of the disc nucleus comprises using a suction instrument.
5. A surgical method comprising:
creating a pathway to an intervertebral disc;
introducing a discectomy instrument into the pathway, wherein the discectomy instrument includes a drive shaft operably attached to a rotary scraper and a ball joint coupled to the rotary scraper, wherein the rotary scraper is configured to pivot as well as rotate with the drive shaft, wherein the discectomy instrument further comprises a handle and an outer sleeve, wherein the handle and the entire outer sleeve are coaxial and share a longitudinal axis;
inserting the discectomy instrument into a disc nucleus of the intervertebral disc;
applying torque to the discectomy instrument to transmit a torque to the rotary scraper, thereby causing the rotary scraper to rotate and cut away portions of the disc nucleus of the intervertebral disc; and
removing the cut away portions of the disc nucleus.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the outer sleeve receives the drive shaft.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the outer sleeve is connected to the drive shaft via a retainer clip.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the outer sleeve is connected to the drive shaft in a manner so as to allow the drive shaft to rotate with respect to the outer sleeve but not translate with respect to the outer sleeve.
9. The method of claim 5 , further comprising piercing an annulus of the intervertebral disc prior to inserting the discectomy instrument into the disc nucleus.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the piercing of the annulus is performed by the discectomy instrument.
11. A surgical method comprising:
creating a pathway to an intervertebral disc;
introducing a discectomy instrument into the pathway, wherein the discectomy instrument includes a drive shaft operably attached to a rotary scraper, a ball joint coupled to the rotary scraper at one end and to the drive shaft at the other end, and a sleeve for receiving the drive shaft, wherein the sleeve is connected to the drive shaft via a retainer clip, wherein the discectomy instrument further comprises a handle, wherein the handle and the entire sleeve are coaxial and share a longitudinal axis;
inserting the discectomy instrument into a disc nucleus of the intervertebral disc;
using the discectomy instrument to cut away portions of the disc nucleus of the intervertebral disc; and
removing the cut away portions of the disc nucleus.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the rotary scraper comprises a plurality of blades.
13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising piercing an annulus of the intervertebral disc.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein removing portions of disc nucleus comprises using a suction instrument.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the retaining clip engages the sleeve with the drive shaft to connect the drive shaft to the sleeve in a rotatable, non-translatable manner.
16. A surgical method comprising:
creating a pathway to an intervertebral disc;
introducing a discectomy instrument into the pathway, wherein the discectomy instrument includes a rotary scraper, a drive shall operably attached to the rotary scraper, a handle and an outer sleeve, wherein the handle and the entire outer sleeve are coaxial and share a longitudinal axis, and wherein the rotary scraper is configured to pivot as well as rotate with the drive shaft;
piercing an annulus of the intervertebral disc with the discectomy instrument;
inserting the discectomy instrument into a disc nucleus of the intervertebral disc;
applying torque to the discectomy instrument to transmit a torque to the rotary scraper, thereby causing the rotary scraper to rotate and cut away portions of the disc nucleus of the intervertebral disc; and
removing the cut away portions of the disc nucleus.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the outer sleeve is connected to the drive shaft in a manner so as to allow the drive shaft to rotate with respect to the outer sleeve but not translate with respect to the outer sleeve.