Implant inserter

Abstract

An apparatus for inserting an implant between vertebrae includes a body having a through bore, a central shaft movable within the through bore, the central shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The apparatus includes a pair of distractor arms having proximal portions and distal portions, the proximal portions pivotally coupled to the body and distal portions for engagement between the vertebrae. Tracking slots are formed in and extend through surfaces of and along a longitudinal axes of the distractor arms and an attachment tip is operably connected to the central shaft, the attachment tip is configured to grip the implant. The apparatus includes a single guide member projecting outward from the attachment tip and the attachment tip is removably connectable to the central shaft in multiple configurations.

1 . An instrument for inserting an implant between adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising:
 an elongate body having a bore;   a central shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and received in the bore;   an attachment tip attached to the distal end of the central shaft to releasably secure the implant;   an upper distractor arm extending distally from the body;   a lower distractor arm extending distally from the body and spaced from the upper distractor arm to receive the secured implant therebetween, the upper and lower distractor arms configured to move apart during insertion of the secured implant to distract the adjacent vertebral bodies;   wherein at least one of the distractor arms has a pair of elongate extensions each having a proximal end attached to the body and a free distal end such that the free distal ends of the extensions are independent movable relative to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the bore has an internal threading; and   the central shaft is configured to rotationally move through the bore.   
     
     
         3 . The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment tip includes a screw thread tip to engage the implant. 
     
     
         4 . The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the pair of elongate extensions define a tracking which extends along a longitudinal axes of the distractor arms; and   the attachment tip includes a guide member projecting radially outward to be received in the tracking slot.   
     
     
         5 . The instrument of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the distal end of the central shaft has a tip adapter extending therefrom; and   the attachment tip is connectable to the tip adapter.   
     
     
         6 . The instrument of  claim 5 , wherein the attachment tip includes a bore configured to receive the tip adapter. 
     
     
         7 . The instrument of  claim 1 , further comprising a dial located at a proximal end of the central shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The instrument of  claim 7 , wherein the dial is configured to rotate a screw thread tip of the attachment tip to either secure or release the implant. 
     
     
         9 . The instrument of  claim 8 , further comprising a handle connected to the central shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The instrument of  claim 9 , wherein rotation of the handle causes rotation of the central shaft. 
     
     
         11 . An instrument for inserting an implant between adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising:
 a body having a bore;   a central shaft, having a proximal end and a distal end, configured to move through the bore;   a pair of distractor arms configured to move apart during rotational movement of the central shaft to distract the adjacent vertebral bodies, each distractor arm having a pair of elongate extensions with each extension having a proximal end attached to the body and a free distal end such that the free distal ends of the extensions are independent movable relative to each other;   an attachment tip attached to the distal end of the central shaft to releasably connect the implant to the instrument, wherein the attachment tip engages the implant.   
     
     
         12 . The instrument of  claim 11 , further comprising tracking slots defined by the extensions and extending through surfaces of and along a longitudinal axes of the distractor arms. 
     
     
         13 . The instrument of  claim 12 , further comprising a guide member projecting outward from the attachment tip. 
     
     
         14 . The instrument of  claim 11 , wherein the distal end of the central shaft has a tip adapter extending therefrom. 
     
     
         15 . The instrument of  claim 14 , wherein the attachment tip is connectable to the tip adapter. 
     
     
         16 . The instrument of  claim 15 , wherein the attachment tip includes a bore configured to receive the tip adapter. 
     
     
         17 . The instrument of  claim 11 , further comprising a dial located at a proximal end of the central shaft. 
     
     
         18 . The instrument of  claim 17 , wherein the dial is configured to rotate the screw thread tip to either engage or release the implant. 
     
     
         19 . The instrument of  claim 18 , further comprising a handle connected to the central shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The instrument of  claim 19 , wherein rotation of the handle causes rotation of the central shaft.