Surgical instrument for the introduction of a multi-component intervertebral prosthesis

Abstract

A surgical instrument for the introduction of an intervertebral prosthesis ( 10 ) including at least three components, namely, two prosthesis plates ( 14, 16 ) and a prosthesis core ( 12 ). The surgical instrument can include a U-shaped holder ( 30 ) at the distal end of a gripping element ( 20 ) into which the intervertebral prosthesis ( 10 ) with all the components can be detachably introduced, whereby the individual components are aligned with respect to one another in a fixed manner, wherein the two holder elements ( 50, 52 ) of the U-shaped holder ( 30 ) are connected via a parallel guidance, which can be opened as well as closed via an elbow or bell-crank lever ( 70 ).

1 . A surgical instrument for introduction of an intervertebral prosthesis ( 10 ) having at least three components, namely two prosthesis plates ( 14 ,  16 ) and a prosthesis core ( 12 ), the instrument comprising: 
 a U-shaped holder ( 30 ) at the distal end of a grip element ( 20 ), in which the intervertebral prosthesis ( 10 ) with all its components can be inserted releasably, and where the individual components are arranged fixed in relation to each another;    wherein the U-shaped holder ( 30 ) is comprised of two holder elements ( 50 ,  52 ); and    wherein the two holder elements ( 50 ,  52 ) of the U-shaped holder ( 30 ) are connected via a parallel guidance, which can be opened as well as closed via an elbow or bell-crank lever ( 70 ).    
     
     
         2 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the elbow or bell-crank lever ( 70 ) is operably coupled with a threaded rod ( 76 ) extending through the grip element ( 20 ), which threaded rod is actuatable via a rotatable knob ( 66 ) located at the proximal end of the grip element ( 20 ).  
     
     
         3 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the U-shaped holder ( 30 ) has clamping elements for the intervertebral prosthesis ( 10 ).  
     
     
         4 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 3 , wherein the clamping elements are designed as two leaf springs ( 32 ) running on the inside along the legs ( 30   a ,  30   b ) of the U-shaped holder ( 30 ).  
     
     
         5 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 3 , wherein the clamping elements hold the prosthesis core ( 12 ).  
     
     
         6 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein an inside contour ( 36 ) of the U-shaped holder ( 30 ) is designed corresponding to an outside contour of the prosthesis core ( 12 ).  
     
     
         7 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 6 , wherein the inside contour ( 36 ) of the U-shaped holder ( 30 ) is designed as a circular arc of about 200°.  
     
     
         8 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 4 , wherein two guide tracks ( 34 ) are formed in a plane of the U-shaped holder ( 30 ) on the inside of each leg ( 30   a ,  30   b ) of the U-shaped holder ( 30 ) to hold the prosthesis plates ( 14 ,  16 ).  
     
     
         9 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 8 , wherein the guide tracks ( 34 ) run parallel to one another.  
     
     
         10 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 8 , wherein the guide tracks ( 34 ) are arranged on both sides of the leaf springs ( 32 ) running along the legs ( 30   a ,  30   b ) of the U-shaped holder  30 .  
     
     
         11 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 8 , wherein a stop ( 40 ) is arranged at the end of the U-shaped holder ( 30 ) and can be moved along the axis of the grip element ( 20 ).  
     
     
         12 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 11 , wherein the stop ( 40 ) is arranged perpendicular to the plane of the U-shaped holder ( 30 ).  
     
     
         13 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 11 , wherein the stop ( 40 ) of the grip element ( 20 ) goes perpendicularly and protrudes on both sides of the grip element ( 20 ).  
     
     
         14 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 10 , wherein a thread ( 24 ) engages in stop ( 40 ), which runs along the axis of the grip element ( 20 ) and can be adjusted with the aid of a screwing element ( 26 ).  
     
     
         15 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 10 , wherein the two holding elements ( 50 ,  52 ) of the U-shaped holder ( 30 ) each have, on their side facing away from each other, a guide track ( 34 ) on the inside of the legs ( 30   a ,  30   b ) for holding the prosthesis plates ( 14 ,  16 ).