Bone structure coupling systems and methods of use

Abstract

Bone structure coupling devices and methods are provided herein. An example method includes positioning a tubular retraction guide body into a patient, the tubular retraction guide body having two prongs that are positioned in a joint between two adjacent bone structures, creating a hemispherical groove on each of the two adjacent bone structures using a drill bit passed through the tubular retraction guide body, incising out the hemispherical grooves with a broach passed through the tubular retraction guide body, and inserting a graft body having a generally rectangular cross sectional area into the angular grooves to couple the two adjacent bone structures together.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device, comprising:
 a graft body comprising a generally rectangular cross sectional area, a first end, and a second end, the graft body comprising a plurality of rows of teeth;   a head extending from the first end of the graft body; and   an adaptor extending from the second end, the adaptor being spaced apart from a last of the plurality of rows of teeth to form an inserter device groove, the adaptor terminating with an inserter device interface, wherein the inserter device interface is configured to mate with an adaptor interface of an inserter device, wherein the plurality of rows of teeth are oriented so as to prevent migration or ejection of the graft body when inserted into a pilot hole created in adjacent bone structures.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the graft body comprises one or more apertures that provide a pathway for bone growth through the graft body. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the plurality of rows of teeth are oriented in a first direction and a second portion of the plurality of rows of teeth are oriented in a second direction that is opposite of the first direction, the first portion of the plurality of rows of teeth being configured to remove bone as the graft body is inserted into the pilot hole, the second portion of the plurality of rows of teeth being configured to prevent retraction of the graft body from disengaging from the bone. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the inserter device interface comprises a plurality of arcuate shaped sidewalls that form a protrusion. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , further comprising the inserter device, wherein the inserted device comprises:
 the inserter device body having a first end and a second end; and   the first end comprising the adaptor interface, the adaptor interface comprising:
 a plurality of resiliently biased tabs that are spaced apart from one another so as to allow for independent movement; and 
 wherein each of the plurality of resiliently biased tabs comprises:
 a groove that receives one of the plurality of arcuate sidewalls of the inserter device interface of the adaptor; and 
 a detent that engages with the inserter device groove of the graft. 
 
   
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the second end of the inserter device comprises an annular stop. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , further comprising a retraction guide that comprises a tubular retraction guide body having an inner sidewall surface, the retraction guide body having two prongs that are positionable in a space between two adjacent bone structures. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , further comprising a drill bit that is configured to create a hemispherical groove on each of the two adjacent bone structures with one pass, wherein the hemispherical grooves form a spaced-apart aperture based on a joint space that exists between the two adjacent bone structures. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , further comprising a broach comprising:
 a broach body having a first end and a second end;   a broach tip disposed on the first end of the broach body, the broach tip comprising a generally cylindrical head that is configured to insert within the spaced-apart aperture formed by the drill bit; and   an incising member comprising a plurality of rectangular, circumferential cutting teeth positioned behind the generally cylindrical head, the plurality of rectangular circumferential cutting teeth incise out the hemispherical grooves to create an angular grooves, each with a vertex.   
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the vertex is approximately orthogonal to a surface of a bone structure. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of rectangular, circumferential cutting teeth comprise an initial set rectangular, circumferential cutting teeth that are proximate the broach tip, each of the initial set comprising four surfaces, wherein each corner of where the four surfaces meet comprise an arcuate chamfered edge. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the initial set increases in outer-peripheral area based on a distance from the broach tip. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1 , further wherein the head is blunt, tapered polygonal sided head. 
     
     
         14 . A method, comprising:
 positioning a tubular retraction guide body into a patient, the tubular retraction guide body having two prongs that are positioned in a joint between two adjacent bone structures;   creating a hemispherical groove on each of the two adjacent bone structures using a drill bit passed through the tubular retraction guide body;   incising the hemispherical grooves with a broach passed through the tubular retraction guide body, the broach transforming the hemispherical grooves into angular grooves; and   inserting a graft body having a generally rectangular cross sectional area into the angular grooves to couple the two adjacent bone structures together.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising passing the drill bit transversely over outer facing surfaces of the two adjacent bone structures at the same time. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising inserting the graft body into the hemispherical groove by passing an inserter through the tubular retraction guide body, the graft body being secured on a terminal end of the inserter in a selectively removable manner. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising driving the graft body into the hemispherical grooves to incise the hemispherical grooves into angular grooves by way of cutting teeth on the graft body. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising inserting packing material into a space created during incising prior to inserting the graft body. 
     
     
         19 . A method, comprising:
 positioning a tubular retraction guide body into a patient between two adjacent bone structures separated from one another;   creating a pilot hole using a drill bit passed through the tubular retraction guide body, the pilot hole creating a hemispherical groove on outer surfaces of each of the two adjacent bone structures in a single pass;   inserting a graft body having a generally rectangular cross sectional area through the tubular retraction guide and into the pilot hole; and   driving the graft body into the pilot hole to incise the hemispherical grooves into angular grooves by rows of cutting teeth on the graft body, wherein the graft body secures together the two adjacent bone structures.