Arthroplasty revision device and method

Abstract

A surgical instrument for revising/removing an artificial disc or removing/replacing a core of an artificial disc includes a pair of tips, each tip having a pair of tines and a stop defining a proximal end of each tine. The stop of at least one tip is abutted against an interior surface of an implanted endplate of an artificial disc, whereby tines of the tip can support the artificial disc. The tip is separated from another, opposing tip, whereby opposing implanted endplates, each of which is supported by pairs of tines of a tip, are separated, thereby distracting vertebrae between which the endplates are implanted. Upon distracting the disc space, the core can be revised or removed from between the endplates of the artificial disc. Following core removal, the endplates of the artificial disc are revised (repositioned), removed or replaced.

1 . A method for manipulating an artificial disc, comprising:
 a) abutting the stop of at least one tip against an outer surface of an implanted endplate of the artificial disc, whereby tines of the tip support the artificial disc; and   b) separating the tip from another, opposing tip, whereby opposing implanted endplates, each of which is supported by a pair of tines of a tip, are separated, thereby distracting vertebrae between which the endplates are implanted, thereby manipulating the artificial disc.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of removing or replacing a core of the artificial disc. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the core is removed, and further including the step of revising at least one of the endplates. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the core is removed and further including the step of replacing at least one of the endplates of the artificial disc. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the core is replaced with a core of different size. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stop of each of a pair of tips abuts each of a pair of opposing implanted endplates. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the tips are abutted against the endplates simultaneously. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the tips are abutted against the endplate while the tips are in a nested position. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tips are separated from each other by actuating a double-action forceps to which the tips are attached or of which they are a component. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tips are separated from each other by actuating a parallel-action forceps to which the tips are attached or of which they are a component. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further including the step of releasing the forceps, whereby the endplates each rest against the core.