Instruments and methods for spinal implant revision

Abstract

Instruments and methods are provided for re-positioning and extracting spinal implants in a space between vertebrae. The instruments can include rotater instruments, hook instruments, and extractor instruments engageable to the implant.

1 . An assembly for spinal implant revision, comprising:
 an elongate shaft extending along a longitudinal axis;   a proximal handle extending from a proximal end of said shaft;   a distal end member at a distal end of said shaft, said distal end member including a first foot including a first width extending from said longitudinal axis and a second foot including a second width extending from said longitudinal axis in a direction opposite said first foot, said first width being greater than said second width;   a concave distal end wall extending along said first and second feet; and   an implant sized and shaped for positioning in a space between vertebrae and including a wall and at least a portion of said wall including a convex shape that corresponds to a shape of said concave distal end wall.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said distal end wall is concavely curved along said first and second feet. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said concavely curved distal end wall extends along an arc defined by a radius. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second feet diverge distally relative to one another and away from said longitudinal axis along an angle extending between said feet. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said angle is 90 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said first foot extends distally along a first angle measured from said longitudinal axis and said second foot extends distally along a second angle measured from said longitudinal axis, said first angle being substantially less than said second angle. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said shaft includes a distal portion along said longitudinal axis and a proximal portion offset from said longitudinal axis and extending generally parallel to said distal portion. 
     
     
         8 . An assembly for spinal implant revision, comprising:
 an elongate shaft extending along a longitudinal axis;   a proximal handle extending from a proximal end of said shaft;   a distal hook member extending distally from said shaft, said hook member including an elongate arm extending along said longitudinal axis and a hooked end at a distal end of said arm; and   an implant sized and shaped for positioning in a space between vertebrae, said implant including a receptacle and said hooked end is positioned in said receptacle in engagement with said implant.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising an adjustment member extending outwardly from said shaft distally of said handle. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a tuning instrument including a fork-shaped end positionable about said shaft in contact with said adjustment member. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said hook member includes a linear arm extending along said longitudinal axis and said hooked end includes a first portion extending transversely to said arm to a second portion of said hooked end extending proximally from said first portion in a generally parallel relationship with said linear arm. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said hook member includes an angled arm including a proximal section extending along said longitudinal axis and a distal section obliquely oriented to said proximal section, wherein said hooked end extends from a distal end of said distal section. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said hooked end includes a first portion extending transversely to said distal section to a second portion of said hooked end, said second portion extending proximally from said first portion in parallel relation to said distal section of said angled arm. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said hook member includes a square cross-section along at least said hooked end. 
     
     
         15 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method for manipulating a spinal implant in a space between vertebrae, comprising:
 positioning a spinal implant in the space between vertebrae;   engaging the spinal implant with a hook member at a distal end of a hook instrument;   pulling the spinal implant toward an opening into the space between the vertebrae;   grasping the spinal implant with an engaging assembly of an extractor instrument; and   removing the spinal implant from the space with the extractor instrument.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 pivoting the spinal implant in the space to a desired orientation in the space with a rotater instrument.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein pulling the spinal implant includes pivoting the spinal implant with the hook instrument. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein engaging the spinal implant with the hook member includes positioning the hook member in a receptacle in a wall of the spinal implant. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein engaging the spinal implant with the hook member includes selecting between a first hook instrument with a hook member formed by a linear arm and a hooked end at a distal end of said linear arm and a second hook instrument with a hook member formed by an angled arm and a hooked end at a distal end of said angled arm. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein grasping the spinal implant with the engaging assembly includes positioning a support member of the engaging assembly in a receptacle of the spinal implant and linearly advancing a clamping member into a second receptacle of the spinal implant to clampingly engage the spinal implant between the support member and the clamping member. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled)