Method of preparing for an artificial intervertebral implant using tool

Abstract

This invention relates to tools for preparing vertebral bodies in the spine for the implantation of an artificial vertebral disk replacement and related method. A first tool is disclosed that prepares the vertebral bodies for implantation by cutting offset channels in the vertebral bodies. The second tool holds two plates of the implant during the implantation process. This invention also relates to an artificial vertebral disk replacement, a method of operation, and a method of implanting.

1 . A method of implanting an implant between adjacent vertebral bodies comprising the steps of: 
 a. simultaneously preparing a first slot in an upper vertebral body and a second slot in a lower vertebral body; and    b. implanting keels of an implant in the first slot and the second slot.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of preparing further comprises inserting a cutting tool having an upper blade protruding therefrom to form the first slot and a lower blade protruding therefrom to form the second slot.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of preparing further comprises inserting a cutting tool having a pair of tines between the upper and lower vertebral bodies, each tine having a first blade protruding from an inner surface and a second blade protruding from an outer surface.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of preparing further comprises inserting a cutting tool having an upper blade protruding therefrom to form the first slot and a lower blade protruding therefrom to form the second slot, the cutting tool having a beveled leading edge.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of preparing further comprises inserting a cutting tool having an upper blade protruding therefrom to form the first slot and a lower blade protruding therefrom to form the second slot, wherein the cutting tool includes a retractable blade protector configured to expose at least one of the upper and lower blade when inserted between the vertebral bodies.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of preparing further comprises removing the cutting tool from between the upper and lower vertebral bodies to allow the implant to be inserted therebetween.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of implanting further comprises inserting an implantation tool between the vertebral bodies, wherein the implantation tool is adapted to hold the implant, the implantation tool including a curved surface to at least partially contour an outer edge of the implant.  
     
     
         8 . A method of implanting an artificial disk between adjacent vertebral bodies comprising the steps of: 
 a. distracting an upper vertebral body and a lower vertebral body and simultaneously cutting a first slot in the upper vertebral body and a second slot in the second vertebral body; and    b. inserting an implant between the upper and lower vertebral bodies, wherein a first keel of the implant is inserted into the first slot and a second keel of the implant is inserted into the second slot.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step of distracting further comprises inserting a cutting tool between the upper and lower vertebral bodies, the cutting tool having an upper blade protruding therefrom to form the first slot and a lower blade protruding therefrom to form the second slot.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step of distracting further comprises inserting a cutting tool having a pair of tines between the upper and lower vertebral bodies, each tine having an upper blade protruding from an inner surface and a lower blade protruding from an outer surface.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step of distracting further comprises inserting a cutting tool having an upper blade protruding therefrom to form the first slot and a lower blade protruding therefrom to form the second slot, the cutting tool having a beveled leading edge.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step of distracting further comprises inserting a cutting tool having an upper blade protruding therefrom to form the first slot and a lower blade protruding therefrom to form the second slot, wherein the cutting tool includes a retractable blade protector configured to expose the upper and lower blade when inserted between the vertebral bodies.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step of distracting further comprises removing the cutting tool from between the vertebral bodies to allow the implant to be inserted therebetween.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step of inserting further comprises inserting an implantation tool between the vertebral bodies, wherein the implantation tool is adapted to hold the implant, the implantation tool including a curved surface to at least partially contour an outer edge of the implant.  
     
     
         15 . A method of implanting an artificial disk between adjacent vertebral bodies comprising the steps of: 
 a. selecting a cutting tool having an upper blade protruding therefrom and a lower blade protruding therefrom;    b. inserting the cutting tool between an upper vertebral body and a lower vertebral body, wherein the upper blade forms a first slot in the upper vertebral body and the lower blade forms a second slot in the lower vertebral body; and    c. inserting an implant between the upper and lower vertebral bodies, wherein a first keel of the implant is inserted into the first slot and a second keel of the implant is inserted into the second slot.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the cutting tool further comprises a pair of tines, wherein each tine includes the upper blade protruding from an inner surface and the lower blade protruding from an outer surface.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the cutting tool further comprises a beveled leading edge.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the cutting tool further comprises a retractable blade protector configured to expose the upper and lower blade when inserted between the upper and lower vertebral bodies.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of removing the cutting tool from between the vertebral bodies to allow the implant to be inserted therebetween.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the implant is inserted between the vertebral bodies using an implantation tool, the implantation tool adapted to hold the implant along a curved surface, wherein the curved surface at least partially contours an outer edge of the implant.