Anatomic implants designed to minimize instruments and surgical techniques

Abstract

An apparatus for implanting an intervertebral implant in a void between a pair of vertebral endplates comprises a power source, a drive mechanism coupled to the power source, and an implant adapter driven by the drive mechanism. The intervertebral implant is removably coupled to the implant adapter to create a seat in at least one of the vertebral endplates as the intervertebral implant is moved relative to the at least one vertebral endplate.

1 . An apparatus for implanting an intervertebral implant, having an implant profile, in a void between a pair of vertebral endplates, the apparatus comprising: 
 a power source;    a drive mechanism coupled to the power source; and    an implant adapter driven by the drive mechanism,    wherein the intervertebral implant is removably coupled to the implant adapter to create a seat in at least one of the vertebral endplates as the intervertebral implant is moved relative to the at least one vertebral endplate.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the implant adapter is driven by the drive mechanism in an alternating motion.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the alternating motion is a vibration.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the alternating motion is a rotating motion about a longitudinal axis extending through the vertebral endplates.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a conversion mechanism coupled between the drive mechanism and the implant adapter, the conversion mechanism for converting a first motion provided by the drive mechanism into the alternating motion.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the alternating motion is a rotating motion about an anterior-posterior axis extending through the void between the vertebral endplates.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the seat in the at least one vertebral endplate is created in the impression of the implant profile.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the intervertebral implant comprises a textured surface.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the textured surface abrades the at least one vertebral endplate to create the seat.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the implant adapter further comprises an engagement mechanism to removably couple the intervertebral implant.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the engagement mechanism is adjustable.  
     
     
         12 . A method of implanting a vertebral implant in a void between a pair of vertebral endplates, the method comprising: 
 positioning the vertebral implant between the vertebral endplates;    coupling an implantation tool to the vertebral implant;    actuating the implantation tool to generate alternating motion relative to the vertebral endplates, wherein the alternating motion has a speed and creates a displacement of the vertebral implant;    seating the vertebral implant into a profile formed in at least one of the vertebral endplates;    decoupling the implantation tool from the vertebral implant, wherein the vertebral implant remains implanted in the at least one vertebral endplate.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising forming the profile in the at least one vertebral endplate by using the vertebral implant to abrade the surface of the at least one vertebral endplate.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising embedding bone particles between the vertebral implant and the at least one vertebral endplate during the seating of the vertebral implant.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising varying the speed of the alternating motion.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the vertebral implant comprises a surface feature and the speed of the alternating motion is varied as the surface feature becomes seated in the at least one vertebral endplate.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising varying the displacement of the vertebral implant.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising drawing the vertebral endplates toward each other while seating the vertebral implant.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the displacement is 3 millimeters or smaller.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the alternating motion is a vibration.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the alternating motion is a rotating motion about a longitudinal axis extending through the vertebral endplates.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the alternating motion is a rotating motion about an anterior-posterior axis extending through the void between the vertebral endplates.  
     
     
         23 . An intervertebral implant for implantation between a pair of vertebral endplates, the implant comprising: 
 a first surface for engaging a first vertebral endplate, the first surface including a first textured portion adapted for abrading the first vertebral endplate;    a second surface for engaging a second vertebral endplate; and    a coupling portion for connecting the implant to an implant tool.    
     
     
         24 . The intervertebral implant of  claim 23  wherein the first textured portion includes serrations.  
     
     
         25 . The intervertebral implant of  claim 23  wherein the first textured portion includes pyramidal projections.  
     
     
         26 . The intervertebral implant of  claim 23  wherein the first textured portion includes at least one spike.  
     
     
         27 . The intervertebral implant of  claim 23  wherein the first textured portion includes an abrasive coating.  
     
     
         28 . The intervertebral implant of  claim 23  wherein the first textured portion is adapted for abrading the first vertebral endplate to conform to the first surface.  
     
     
         29 . The intervertebral implant of  claim 23  wherein the coupling portion is adapted for holding the implant to the implant tool as the implant is moved with a reciprocating motion.  
     
     
         30 . The intervertebral implant of  claim 23  wherein the second surface includes a second textured portion adapted for abrading the second vertebral endplate.  
     
     
         31 . The intervertebral implant of  claim 30  wherein the first and second textured portions are adapted for concurrently abrading the first and second vertebral endplates, respectively, to conform to the first and second surfaces, respectively.