US-20260123971-A1 - DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SPINAL IMPLANT REMOVAL

US20260123971A1US 20260123971 A1US20260123971 A1US 20260123971A1US-20260123971-A1

Abstract

A device for spinal implant removal includes a driver tool and a capture tool. The driver tool includes an elongated cylindrical body with a through-opening and two distal end protrusions. The capture tool includes an elongated shaft configured to fit and extend through the cylindrical body through-opening of the driver tool and has a distal end opening with inner threads. The spinal implant includes a cylindrical body and first and second sets of wings that are configured to engage first and second spinous processes of two vertebrae, respectively. The cylindrical body houses a threaded post that actuates the deployment of the first and second sets of wings. The two distal end protrusions of the driver tool are configured to engage a circular collar formed around the threaded post on a top surface of the cylindrical body. The driver tool with the engaged circular collar are rotated counter clockwise to screw the threaded post out of the cylindrical body and thereby to release the first and second sets of wings. The elongated shaft of the capture tool is configured to be rotated counter clockwise to capture outer threads of the threaded post with the inner threads of the distal end.

Inventors

Vito Lore
JOSHUA FINKEL-LOPEZ
KINGSLEY R. CHIN

Assignees

KIC VENTURES, LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251107

Claims (13)

1 . A device for spinal implant removal comprising: a driver tool comprising an elongated cylindrical body with a through-opening and two distal end protrusions; a capture tool comprising an elongated shaft configured to fit and extend through the cylindrical body through-opening of the driver tool and comprising a distal end opening with inner threads; wherein the spinal implant comprises a cylindrical body and first and second sets of wings that are configured to engage first and second spinous processes of two vertebrae, respectively, and wherein the cylindrical body houses a threaded post that actuates the deployment of the first and second sets of wings; wherein the two distal end protrusions of the driver tool are configured to engage a circular collar formed around the threaded post on a top surface of the cylindrical body and wherein the driver tool with the engaged circular collar are rotated counter clockwise to screw the threaded post out of the cylindrical body and thereby to release the first and second sets of wings; and wherein the elongated shaft of the capture tool is configured to be rotated counter clockwise to capture outer threads of the threaded post with the inner threads of the distal end.
2 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a cannula comprising an elongated body with a through-opening and two distal end protrusions, wherein the two distal end protrusions of the cannula are configured to engage two opposite recesses formed on an outer surface of the cylindrical body of the implant and wherein the driver tool is configured to be inserted into the cannula through-opening in order to reach the implant.
3 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a cannula comprising an elongated body with a through-opening and two distal end protrusions, wherein the two distal end protrusions of the cannula are configured to wedge between an outer surface of the cylindrical body and the spinous processes.
4 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the cannula further comprises a distal end stop.
5 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a slap hammer comprising an elongated shaft surrounded by a sliding weight, and wherein a distal end of the elongated shaft is configured to engage a proximal end of the capture tool.
6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the distal end of the slap hammer comprises a channel that houses a spring plunger.
7 . A method for spinal implant removal comprising: providing a driver tool comprising an elongated cylindrical body with a through-opening and two distal end protrusions; providing a capture tool comprising an elongated shaft configured to fit and extend through the cylindrical body through-opening of the driver tool and comprising a distal end opening with inner threads; inserting the driver tool into a vertebral location where the spinal implant is located; wherein the spinal implant comprises a cylindrical body and first and second sets of wings that are configured to engage first and second spinous processes of two vertebrae, respectively, and wherein the cylindrical body houses a threaded post that actuates the deployment of the first and second sets of wings; engaging the two distal end protrusions of the driver tool to a circular collar formed around the threaded post on a top surface of the cylindrical body; rotating the driver tool with the engaged circular collar counter clockwise to screw the threaded post out of the cylindrical body and thereby to release the first and second sets of wings; inserting the elongated shaft of the capture tool into the vertebral location where the spinal implant is located through the through-opening of the cylindrical body of the driver tool; and rotating the elongated shaft of the capture tool counter clockwise to capture outer threads of the threaded post with the inner threads of the distal end.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising pulling a proximal end of the elongated shaft of the capture tool to remove the implant, the capture tool and the driver tool.
9 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising providing a cannula comprising an elongated body with a through opening and two distal end protrusions, wherein the two distal end protrusions of the cannula are configured to engage two opposite recesses formed on an outer surface of the cylindrical body of the implant, and wherein the driver tool is configured to be inserted into the cannula through-opening in order to reach the implant.
10 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising providing a cannula comprising an elongated body with a through opening and two distal end protrusions, wherein the two distal end protrusions of the cannula are configured to wedge between an outer surface of the cylindrical body and the spinous processes, and wherein the driver tool is configured to be inserted into the cannula through-opening in order to reach the implant.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the cannula further comprises a distal end stop.
12 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising providing a slap hammer comprising an elongated shaft surrounded by a sliding weight, and engaging a distal end of the elongated shaft to a proximal end of the capture tool.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the distal end of the slap hammer comprises a channel that houses a spring plunger.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/717,614 filed Nov. 7, 2024 and entitled “DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SPINAL IMPLANT REMOVAL”, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to devices and methods for spinal implant removal, and in particular, to devices, instruments, and methods that limit the size of the incision, and provide safe and accurate targeting and removal of a spinal implant. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The human spine is comprised of individual vertebrae 30 that are connected to each other to form a spinal column 29, shown in FIG. 1A. Referring to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C, each vertebra 30 has a cylindrical bony body (vertebral body) 32, three winglike projections (two transverse processes 33, 35 and one spinous process 34), left and right facet joints 46, lamina 47, left and right pedicles 48 and a bony arch (neural arch) 36. Each vertebral body 32 has top and bottom endplates 32a, 32b, respectively. The bodies of the vertebrae 32 are stacked one on top of the other and form the strong but flexible spinal column 29. The neural arches 36 are positioned so that the space they enclose forms a tube, i.e., the spinal canal 37. The spinal canal 37 houses and protects the spinal cord and other neural elements. The spinal column 29 is flexible enough to allow the body to twist and bend, but sturdy enough to support and protect the spinal cord and the other neural elements. The vertebrae 30 are separated and cushioned by thin pads of tough, resilient fiber known as inter-vertebral discs 40. There is a small opening (foramen) 42 between each vertebra 30, through which nerves 44 pass and go to different body parts. Under normal circumstances the structures that make up the spine function are configured to protect the neural structures, allow us to stand erect, bear axial loads, and are flexible for bending and rotation. Disorders of the spine occur when one or more of these spine structures are abnormal. In these pathologic circumstances, surgery may be tried to restore the spine to the normal state and to relieve the patient of pain. Some spinal pathologies, such as spinal stenosis, require spinal decompression surgery, which involves the insertion of an interspinous implant 140 between two vertebrae 30a, 30b, as shown in FIG. 2A-FIG. 2C, in order to distract and decompress the vertebrae 30a, 30b and to restrict extension of the spine. Implant 140 usually remains in the patient's body. However, in some cases, implant removal surgery is performed to remove the decompressing or stabilizing components that were previously implanted in the spine. Spinal implant removal surgery is recommended when the implant causes pain, irritation, allergic reaction, or infection, or if it has moved from its original position, or was misplaced and needs to be repositioned, or there is an implant failure. Implant removal is also recommended when there are long term implant side-effects, such as facet osteoarthritis, decreased mobility, disc degeneration, metallic toxicity, infections or other allergic reaction. When a patient's spine implant needs to be altered or removed, it is recommended to use a tool set from the same company that produced the implant that was used in the implant insertion surgery. However, obtaining the tool set used in the initial surgery may not always be feasible. Furthermore, the tool set used for insertion of the spinal implant is not always suitable for removing the spinal implant. Accordingly, there is a need for new devices, instruments, and methods that can engage and remove the Superion™ implant, while limiting the size of the incision, and providing safe and accurate targeting and removal of the implant. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to devices and methods for spinal implant removal, and in particular, to devices, instruments, and methods that can engage and remove a spinal implant, while limiting the size of the incision, and providing safe and accurate targeting and removal of a previously inserted implant. In general, in one aspect, the invention features a device for spinal implant removal including a driver tool and a capture tool. The driver tool includes an elongated cylindrical body with a through-opening and two distal end protrusions. The capture tool includes an elongated shaft configured to fit and extend through the cylindrical body through-opening of the driver tool and has a distal end opening with inner threads. The spinal implant includes a cylindrical body and first and second sets of wings that are configured to engage first and second spinous processes of two vertebrae, respectively. The cylindrical body houses a threaded post that actuates the deployment of the first and second sets of wings. The two distal end protrusions of the driver tool are configured to engage a circular c