Surgical Method and Apparatus for Inserting Wire Into the Spine

This invention relates to surgical procedures wherein wire is utilized in the spine in close proximity to the spinal cord.

In surgical methods involving the spine, it is common to remove portions of the spine and to then apply bone grafts and the like that are held in position by wire. The insertion of the wire in close proximity to the spinal cord offers extreme danger especially since the area is difficult to observe.

Accordingly, among the objectives of the present invention are to provide a method and series of tools which can be utilized for insertion of the wire in close proximity to the spinal cord while minimizing the risk of possible injury to the spinal cord, minimizing intraoperative bleeding; and greatly reduce the operative time and thus minimize both intraoperative and postoperative complications such as bleeding and infection.

In accordance with the invention, a plurality of tools are used to progressively form a passage between the ligament closest to the spinal cord and the associated vertebra through which a wire to be utilized in spinal fusion is inserted so that the ligament serves as a protective wall between the wire and the spinal cord minimizing the risk of possible injury to the spinal cord.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a first tool utilized in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the first tool.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a second tool utilized in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the second tool.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a third tool utilized in the invention.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the third tool.

FIGS. 7-13 are fragmentary perspective views showing the use of the tools and performing the method.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the third tool as used in a different manner.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the invention comprises the use of preferably three tools 10, 11 and 12. The first tool 10 includes an elongated handle 13 and a flattened tip 14 at the lower end at a right angle to the handle 13, the tip having a greater width than thickness and the free end being flattened as at 15. The second tool 11 similarly has a handle 16 and a flattened tip 17 at a right angle to the handle with a flattened end 18. The tip 17 is also wider than it is thick but the thickness of the tip 17 of the second tool 11 is greater than the thickness of the tip 14 of the first tool 10 for purposes presently to be described. The third tool 12 similarly includes a handle 19 and a top 20 at a right angle to the handle 20 and having a greater width than thickness and a flattened tip or end 21 with slightly inwardly tapered portions 22, 23. The tip 20 further includes a passage 24 open at both ends.

Referring to FIGS. 7-13, the method involves a series of steps wherein the first tool 10 is inserted between the ligament L and the vertebra V and manipulated to form a passage, the first tool 10 is removed and the second tool 11 is manipulated to insert the tip into the passage and manipulated to further enlarge the passage and is then removed. The third tool 12 is then inserted into the previously formed passage and held in position while the wire W is passed through the passage 24 of the tool after which the wire is held in position and the tool retracted leaving the wire in position.

It can thus be seen that the method and apparatus provides for positioning of the wire without exposing the spinal cord to the wire thereby minimizing the risk of possible injury to the spinal cord.

Although the method has been described in connection with the use of three tools, it can be appreciated that depending upon the size of the patient and the circumstances, the use of only the first tool 10 or the second tool 11 followed by the third tool 12 can be sufficient to provide the passage for the insertion of the third tool.

Although the threading of the wire is shown as a single wire, the side opening 24 permits a doubled wire to be guided as shown in FIG. 14.

It will be recognized that the invention has been described as applied to forming a passage between the ligament known as ligamentum flavrum and the portion of the vertebra known as the lamina.

In accordance with the invention, the method and tools minimize the risk of possible injury to the spinal cord, minimize intraoperative bleeding since tunneling is through a small area under the roof of the posterior neural arch and greatly reduce the operative time and thus minimize both intraoperative and postoperative complications such as bleeding and infection.

Although the invention has been described in connection with spinal fusion where the laminae provide the fusional surface where spinal fusion is utilized in fractures, dislocations, spinal fusions and infections, it is also useful in other applications. These include reduction of dislocations of the spine wherein forces are applied through the laminae to achieve reduction and the fixation of various internal fixation devices such as Luque rods and Harrington's spinal instrumentation wherein laminae are utilized for fixation of such devices.