IMPLANT MANIPULATION AND STORAGE TOOLS

摘要

There is disclosed a manipulation and storage tool for receiving and manipulating a partially dehydrated intervertebral disk. Manipulation and storage tool is configured to receive the disk and manipulate it into a smaller overall size and subsequently insert it into a temporary storage or sleeve device for later use. Manipulation and storage tool generally includes a manipulation assembly which is movably mounted with respect to a guide assembly. The guide assembly includes a throughbore and a slot for receiving the disk into the throughbore as well as a sleeve holder mounted at a distal end designed to retain a storage device or sleeve into which the manipulated disk is inserted. The manipulation assembly generally includes a drive member having an elongated shaft movably mounted within the bore of the guide assembly and at least one manipulation member for pin positioned adjacent the slot to manipulate the implant in response to movement of the drive member relative to the guide assembly. Preferably, the drive member and guide assembly are inter-connected by a drive rod having a drive pin which guides the motion of drive member with respect to the guide assembly in response to rotation of the drive member to manipulate the disk and insert it into the sleeve. There is also disclosed an insertion tool for receiving an assembled sleeve and disk and inserting the manipulated disk into an intervertebral disk space. Methods of use of the manipulation and storage tool and the inserter tool are also disclosed. There is also disclosed an implant folding and storage device including an implant folding device having a pair of jaws configured to fold an implant therebetween. An implant transfer device is provided to move the folded implant from within the implant folding device and into an implantation tube. There is also disclosed a novel surgical instrument assembly for receipt of a folded implant and installation of the implant into a portion of the body.