Spinal Surgery Apparatus and Method

摘要

An apparatus for implementing an improved spinal fusion cage have a centrally-located fixation screwhole of diameter minimized to accommodate a variable-angle, intervertebral, cannulated fixation screw is disclosed. The system includes a rigid connection between the spinal fusion cage to the shaft of the fixation screw, and a variable angle drill targeting device for directing the fixation screw through the on-visually acquirable, centrally-located fixation screwhole without X-ray or other imaging guidance.

主权项

1. A system using a rigid drill targeting device for placing a fixation screw through a centrally-located fixation screwhole, comprising:
a spinal fusion cage having a front, back, left side, right side, top, and bottom, said fixation screwhole extending from top to bottom of said cage, said fixation screw fits through said fixation screwhole at an angle variable side-to-side and front-to-back, said fixation screwhole having a minimum diameter in relation to the diameter of the shaft of said fixation screw at any selected angle of passage of said fixation screw; a rigid drill targeting device having on one end a sliding drill guide mounted in a guide body and on the opposite end a drill target mounted on a drill arm, said drill guide oriented to direct a guide pin at said drill target, wherein said drill target has a larger cross-sectional distance than said drill arm; said end-mounted drill guide able to slide in said guide body toward or away from said drill target and said drill arm rigidly connected to said guide body; said drill target and adjacent portion of said drill arm fitting through a utility screwhole in the front of a spinal fusion cage, said fusion cage having a front, back, left side, right side, top, and bottom, said utility screwhole connecting to a centrally-located fixation screwhole, said fixation screwhole extending from top to bottom of said fusion cage.