DEVICES AND METHODS FOR ASSESSING SPINAL AND IMPLANT MOTION AND FOR OPTIMIZING ALIGNMENT AND MOVEMENT

摘要

Devices and associated methods help surgeons assess spinal and artificial disc replacement (ADR) position, orientation and motion. The device moves the spine through flexion, extension, lateral bending, and/or axial rotation while measuring the amount of movement in these directions. The device may also measures the force required to move the spine in one or more of the above-mentioned directions. The various disclosed embodiments maximize motion through careful alignment, size, location in the disc space, configuration of the articulating surfaces of the ADR, and adequate soft tissue release. The invention may utilizes pre-operative images to determine the preferred alignment of the ADR; intra-operative images to align the instruments, trial ADRs and the ADR; devices that assess the ROM of the vertebrae after soft tissue release; devices that determine the proper size of the ADR; devices that test the motion after machining the vertebrae; or ADR embodiments with different degrees of axial rotation. Although the various procedures are described for ADRs that are inserted from an anterior approach to the spine, the invention could also be used for ADRs that are inserted from a lateral or posterior-lateral approach to the spine.