TRIAL INTERVERTEBRAL DISTRACTION SPACERS
An instrument for holding an intervertebral spacer is provided. The instrument includes a compression assembly and a fixed shaft forming a handle and a compression surface. The compression assembly includes a selectively engageable shaft axially movable relative to a longitudinal axis of the fixed shaft. The engageable shaft forms a hook having a surface complimentary to the compression surface to define an enclosure for engagement with an annular groove of the spacer. The compression assembly includes a compression trigger mechanically connected to the engageable shaft for axially moving the hook from a first position relative to the fixed shaft in which the enclosure engages the spacer such that the spacer is held by the enclosure to a second position relative to the fixed shaft in which the spacer is disengaged from at least one of the hook surface and the compression surface such that the enclosure disengages the spacer.
1 . (canceled)
2 . An instrument for holding an intervertebral spacer having a central trunk and radial flanges extending from opposite ends therefrom to define an annular groove, the instrument comprising:
a fixed shaft forming a handle and a compression surface; and
a compression assembly comprising:
a selectively engageable shaft axially movable relative to a longitudinal axis of the fixed shaft, the selectively engageable shaft having a hook having a surface complimentary to the compression surface, the hook surface and the compression surface defining an enclosure for engagement with the intevertebral spacer in the annular groove; and
a compression trigger mechanically connected to the selectively engageable shaft for axially moving the hook from a first position relative to the fixed shaft in which the enclosure engages the intervertebral spacer such that the intervertebral spacer is held by the enclosure to a second position relative to the fixed shaft in which the intervertebral spacer is disengaged from at least one of the hook surface and the compression surface such that the enclosure disengages the intervertebral spacer.
3 . The instrument of claim 2 , wherein, in the first position, both the hook surface and the compression surface engage the intervertebral spacer.
4 . The instrument of claim 2 , wherein the compression trigger is adjacent to the handle such that upon depressing the compression trigger, the hook moves to the first position and upon release of the compression trigger, the hook moves to the second position.
5 . The instrument of claim 4 , wherein the compression trigger is spring-biased away from the handle to a position corresponding to the second position of the selectively engageable shaft.
6 . The instrument of claim 2 , further comprising a release assembly including a release trigger for engaging the selectively engageable shaft, wherein upon engagement of the release trigger with the selectively engageable shaft and insertion of an intervertebral spacer within the enclosure, the selectively engageable shaft remains in position relative to the fixed shaft.
7 . The instrument of claim 6 , wherein further upon engagement of the release trigger with the selectively engageable shaft, the enclosure maintains a compression of the intervertebral spacer to prevent movement of the intervertebral spacer relative to the instrument.
8 . The instrument of claim 6 , wherein the release trigger includes teeth for engaging corresponding teeth of the selectively engageable shaft such that upon depressing the release trigger, the position of the selectively engageable shaft relative to the fixed shaft is maintained.
9 . The instrument of claim 2 , wherein the selectively engageable shaft is mechanically connected to a plate having a protruding rod, and wherein the protruding rod of the trigger engages a lever of the compression trigger such that when the trigger is engaged, the lever moves the plate which moves the selectively engageable shaft.
10 . The instrument of claim 9 , wherein the protruding rod extends into an aperture defined by the lever for engagement with the lever.
11 . The instrument of claim 9 , wherein when the trigger is engaged, the lever pulls the plate which pulls the selectively engageable shaft to move the hook toward the compression surface for holding the intervertebral spacer.
12 . A system including an intervertebral spacer and an instrument for inserting the intervertebral spacer comprising:
an intervertebral spacer having a central trunk and radial flanges extending from opposite ends therefrom to define an annular groove; and
an instrument for receiving the intervertebral spacer, the instrument comprising:
a fixed shaft forming a handle and a compression surface; and
a compression assembly comprising:
a selectively engageable shaft axially movable relative to a longitudinal axis of the fixed shaft, the selectively engageable shaft having a hook having a surface complimentary to the compression surface, the hook surface and the compression surface defining an enclosure for engaging the intevertebral spacer; and
a compression trigger mechanically connected to the selectively engageable shaft for axially moving the hook from a first position relative to the fixed shaft in which the enclosure engages the intervertebral spacer such that the intervertebral spacer is held by the enclosure to a second position relative to the fixed shaft in which the intervertebral spacer is disengaged from at least one of the hook surface and the compression surface such that the enclosure disengages the intervertebral spacer.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the hook and the compression surface engage the intervertebral spacer such that the intervertebral spacer is held by the enclosure.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the hook and the compression surface compress the spacer to prevent movement thereof relative to the instrument.
15 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the compression trigger is adjacent to the handle such that upon depressing the compression trigger, the hook moves to the first position and upon release of the compression trigger, the hook moves to the second position.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the compression trigger is spring-biased away from the handle to a position corresponding to the second position of the selectively engageable shaft.
17 . The system of claim 12 , further comprising a release assembly including a release trigger for engaging the selectively engageable shaft, wherein upon engagement of the release trigger with the selectively engageable shaft and insertion of an intervertebral spacer within the enclosure, the selectively engageable shaft remains in position relative to the fixed shaft.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the release trigger includes teeth for engaging corresponding teeth of the selectively engageable shaft such that upon depressing the release trigger, the position of the selectively engageable shaft relative to the fixed shaft is maintained.
19 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the proximal end of the selectively engageable shaft is mechanically connected to a plate having a protruding rod, and wherein the protruding rod of the trigger engages a lever of the compression trigger such that when the trigger is engaged, the lever moves the plate which moves the selectively engageable shaft.
20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the protruding rod extends into an aperture defined by the lever for engagement with the lever.
21 . The system of claim 19 , wherein when the trigger is engaged, the lever pulls the plate which pulls the selectively engageable shaft to move the hook toward the compression surface for holding the intervertebral spacer.