Methods and Devices For Treating Intervertebral Disc Disease

Abstract

An aiming plate for orienting tools toward target features of an implant. The aiming plate features a first and a second surface and has a reversible attachment mechanism for attaching to an implant to orientate one of the first and second surfaces to face the implant. The aiming plate also features first and second through holes. The first through hole for receiving a tool extends along a first hole axis from the first surface to the second surface. The second through hole for receiving a tool is positioned adjacent the first through hole and extends along a second hole axis from the first surface to the second surface. The through holes arranged so that the first hole axis is divergent with respect to the second hole axis.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . An aiming system for orienting tools toward target features of an implant, comprising:
 an implant extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a first set of target features;   an aiming plate comprising:   a reversible attachment mechanism,   a first surface and a second surface,
 a first through hole for receiving a tool, the first through hole extending along a first hole axis from the first surface to the second surface, and 
 a second through hole for receiving a tool, the second through hole extending along a second hole axis from the first surface to the second surface; and 
   an aiming arm for attaching the aiming plate to the implant, the aiming arm extending from a first end including a first joining mechanism engageable with the proximal end of the implant and a second end including a second joining mechanism engageable with the reversible attachment mechanism;   wherein, in a first configuration, the aiming arm is engaged with the reversible attachment mechanism to orientate the first through hole to direct a tool towards a desired target feature on the implant and the second through hole is arranged to direct a tool away from the desired target feature and,   in a second configuration, the aiming arm is engaged with the reversible attachment mechanism to orientate the second through hole to direct a tool towards a desired target feature on the implant and the first through hole is arranged to direct a tool away from the desired target feature.   
     
     
         14 . The system of claim  11 , further comprising a drilling bushing extending from a first end to a second end, the drill bushing positionable in a through hole. 
     
     
         15 . The system of claim  11 , wherein the intramedullary nail includes a fourth joining mechanism engageable with the second joining mechanism of the aiming arm to releasably attach the aiming arm to the intramedullary nail. 
     
     
         16 . The system of claim  11 , wherein the aiming arm is configured such that, when the aiming plate and the implant are engaged with the aiming arm, a longitudinal axis of the implant is substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces of the aiming plate. 
     
     
         17 . A method of aligning a through hole for receiving a tool with a desired feature of an implant, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) identifying a type of implant to be coupled to an aiming plate;   b) determining a correct configuration of an aiming plate according to the identified implant type; and   c) coupling the aiming plate to an implant of the identified implant type in the determined correct configuration;   wherein the determined correct configuration is one of:   a first configuration in which a first through hole is directed towards a first target feature on a first implant type and a second through hole is directed away from the first target feature, and   a second configuration in which the second through hole is directed towards a second target feature on a second implant type and the first through hole is directed away from the second target feature.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of determining further comprises comparing the identified implant type to a marking on the aiming plate to determine whether to couple the aiming plate in the first or in the second configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein when the first and second implant types are the same implant type, the step of determining further comprises the step of identifying whether an implant is to be used in a left hand configuration or a right hand configuration; and wherein the first target feature is different to the second target feature on the implant.