Methods and Apparatus for Insertion of Implant Material

Abstract

Various surgical devices and methods for facilitating distraction of adjacent vertebrae and/or insertion of an intervertebral implant material therebetween are disclosed. The devices include an elongated barrel having a cannula. Implant materials may be inserted through the cannula. The barrel is expandable to distract the adjacent vertebrae. In one embodiment, the barrel includes a first section and a second section. In one embodiment, an inner member is reciprocally positioned within the barrel. Advancement of the inner member within the cannula causes distraction of the barrel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical device to provide access to an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae of a patient, comprising:
 an elongated barrel with an operative end which is expandable transverse to a longitudinal axis of the barrel;   a cannula leading from a proximally-located portion of the barrel to an opening at the operative end, the opening to access the intervertebral space;   an inner member reciprocable within the barrel to expand the barrel and distract anatomical features of the patient; and   an access portal selectively positionable within the barrel to maintain a desired distraction of the anatomical features.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the access portal includes:
 a first leg;   a second leg; and   a slider movable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the barrel to alter an orientation of each of the first and second legs relative to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         3 . The surgical device of  claim 2 , wherein the access portal is rotatable around the longitudinal axis to select an axis of distraction. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical device of  claim 2 , wherein retraction of the slider in a direction away from the operative end forces distally located ends of the first and second legs to move away from the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical device of  claim 2 , further comprising a linkage, wherein proximal portions of the first and second legs are pivotally interconnected to the linkage. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , further comprising a distal end of the access portal configured to guide an implant through the barrel in a desired orientation. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , further comprising a distal end of the access portal that is selectively removably from the access portal. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the access portal is rotatable with respect to the barrel to achieve a desired orientation of distraction. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , further including a second inner member reciprocable within the barrel to further expand the barrel. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical device of  claim 9 , wherein the inner member is received within an aperture of the second inner member when the second inner member as advanced within the barrel. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner member is advanced by a ratcheting mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical device of  claim 11 , wherein the ratcheting mechanism is actuated by a trigger mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is for disposing implant material into the intervertebral space. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner member is a rod which is tapered. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the barrel includes a first barrel section expandable with respect to a second barrel section. 
     
     
         16 . The surgical device of  claim 15 , wherein the first barrel section partially overlaps the second barrel section. 
     
     
         17 . A surgical device, comprising:
 an elongated barrel including a first barrel portion and a second barrel portion which are movably arranged relative to a longitudinal axis of the barrel;   an operative end of the barrel having a transverse dimension which is expandable;   a cannula leading from a proximally-located portion of the barrel to an opening at the operative end; and   an inner member selectively positionable within the cannula, wherein the inner member has a transverse dimension selected to distract the operative end when the inner member is advanced within the cannula toward the operative end.   
     
     
         18 . The surgical device of  claim 17 , further comprising an access portal selectively positionable within the cannula for maintaining distraction of the operative end. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical device of  claim 18 , wherein the access portal includes:
 a first leg;   a second leg; and   a slider movable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the barrel to alter an orientation of the first leg relative to the second leg.   
     
     
         20 . The surgical device of  claim 17 , further comprising a trigger mechanism configured to advance the inner member within cannula to cause distraction of the operative end when the trigger is actuated