Kit of spine gauge blocks and a tool assembly

Abstract

An assembly of a gauge block and tool for determining the size and shape of space between two adjacent vertebrae. There are a plurality of gauge blocks of different sizes and shapes for determining the vertebral space for subsequent insertion of a permanent artificial spinal disc. As such, a kit with vertebral gauge blocks is disclosed. A method of providing the assembly is also included herein.

1 . A method for determining a distance between two adjacent spinal vertebrae comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a spinal gauge block having a predefined height from a plurality of spinal gauge blocks;    inserting the selected spinal gauge block within a space between the two adjacent spinal vertebrae;    determining whether the predefined height of the selected spinal gauge block sufficiently occupies the space between the two adjacent spinal vertebrae for a desired spinal supportive action; and    removing the selected spinal gauge block from the space between the two adjacent spinal vertebrae.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steps of inserting and removing the selected spinal gauge block comprise connecting an elongate tool to the selected spinal gauge block and using the elongate tool for inserting and removing the selected spinal gauge block.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of connecting the elongate tool is performed by threading a portion of the elongate tool to the selected spinal gauge block at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the selected spinal gauge block.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of inserting the selected spinal gauge block is completed by inserting the elongate tool at an angle with respect to an anterior position of a spine.  
     
     
         5 . A method for determining the distance and angulation between two adjacent spinal vertebrae comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a spinal gauge block having a predefined height and angulation from a plurality of spinal gauge blocks;    inserting the selected spinal gauge block within a space between the two adjacent spinal vertebrae;    determining whether the predefined height and angulation of the selected spinal gauge block sufficiently occupies the space between the two adjacent spinal vertebrae for a desired spinal supportive action; and    removing the selected spinal gauge block from the space between the two adjacent spinal vertebrae.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the steps of inserting and removing the selected spinal gauge block comprise connecting an elongate tool to the selected spinal gauge block and using the elongate tool to insert and remove the selected spinal gauge block.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of connecting the elongate tool is performed by threading a portion of the elongate tool to the selected spinal gauge block at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the selected spinal gauge block.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of inserting the selected spinal gauge block is completed by inserting the elongate tool at an angle with respect to an anterior position of a spine.  
     
     
         9 . A method for gauging the space between two adjacent surfaces on two adjacent vertebrae comprising the steps of: 
 providing a kit including a plurality of spinal gauge blocks with each spinal gauge block having a direction of taper and being of different sizes from each other, the kit further including an elongate tool individually connectable to each of said spinal gauge blocks, the elongate tool having an elongated axis;    providing connection accommodations on each of said spinal gauge blocks for connection with said elongate tool at respective angles relative to the direction of taper of said spinal gauge blocks; and    alternately connecting said elongate tool with said connection accommodations for positioning said tool elongated axis in separate locations while placing one of said spinal gauge blocks between said two adjacent surfaces.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further including the step of providing distance markings along said elongate tool and relative to the position of said spinal gauge block.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further including the step of providing said spinal gauge blocks with cylindrical shapes on an axis extending transverse to the direction of taper.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of providing connection accommodations on each of said spinal gauge blocks comprises providing a first connection accommodation with a first axis and a second connection accommodation with a second axis, wherein the first axis is parallel to the direction of the taper of said spinal gauge block and the second axis extends transversely to the direction of taper of said spinal gauge block.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further including the step of threadedly connecting said elongate tool separately to selected ones of said connection accommodations.  
     
     
         14 . A method for gauging the dimensions of a space between two adjacent spinal vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a spinal gauge block having an upper block surface and a lower block surface, the upper and lower block surfaces extending in a non-parallel manner to form a height and a taper angle;    inserting the spinal gauge block into the space from a predetermined approach angle; and    confirming that the height and taper angle of the gauge block conform to the lordotic distance and angulation of vertebral surfaces that define the space.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of inserting the spinal gauge block into the space from a predetermined approach angle comprises connecting an elongate tool to the spinal gauge block and using the elongate tool for inserting the selected spinal gauge block.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined approach angle lies in the anterior-posterior direction.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined approach angle is oblique to the anterior-posterior direction.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of selecting a spinal gauge block comprises selecting said spinal gauge block from a plurality of spinal gauge blocks, each having a different height.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of selecting a spinal gauge block comprises selecting said spinal gauge block from a plurality of spinal gauge blocks, each having a different taper angle.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising the step of comparing the dimensions and taper angle of the selected spinal gauge block with the dimensions and taper of an artificial disc implant.