Minimally invasive instruments and methods for preparing vertebral endplates

Claim 2

A vertebral endplate treatment instrument, comprising: a handle assembly; an actuating assembly extending distally from said handle assembly along a longitudinal axis, said actuating assembly including a distal mounting portion; a treatment system at a distal end of said actuating assembly, said treatment system including at least one treatment member mounted in said mounting portion and movable in parallel relation away from said longitudinal axis from an undeployed position to a deployed position by displacing said actuating assembly along said longitudinal axis, wherein said at least one treatment member includes a plurality of treatment portions adapted to at least partially penetrate a vertebral endplate in said deployed position and in said undeployed position said at least one treatment member is substantially enclosed in said mounting portion to reduce contact by said plurality of treatment portions with tissue and wherein said at least one treatment member moves parallel to the longitudinal axis between the undeployed and deployed positions, wherein said actuating assembly includes: a mounting member including said distal mounting portion to which said at least one treatment member is movably mounted; an actuating member movable relative to said mounting member from a first position wherein said at least one treatment member is in said undeployed position to a second position wherein said at least one treatment member is in said deployed position, said actuating member including a shaft and a coupling assembly at a distal end of said shaft in said mounting portion, said coupling assembly including a linkage member; said mounting member includes a shaft defining a passage for receiving said actuating member, said mounting portion including: a first flange member and a second flange member spaced from said first flange member, said at least one treatment member being positioned between said first and second flange members; a distal guide member extending between said first and second flange members; and a proximal guide member extending between said first and second flange members, wherein said distal guide member, said proximal guide member, and said linkage member are coupled to said at least one treatment member and act thereon to move said at least one treatment member between said deployed and undeployed positions.

Claim 3

The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of treatment portions are in the form of spikes having an outwardly extending pointed end.

Claim 4

The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said at least one treatment member includes: a body portion extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end; and said plurality of treatment portions extend along one side of said body portion between said proximal end and said distal end.

Claim 5

The instrument of claim 3 , wherein said distal end of said body portion includes a tapered nose.

Claim 6

The instrument of claim 3 , wherein said body portion includes a distal passage oriented transversely to said longitudinal axis of said body portion and a proximal passage oriented transversely to said longitudinal axis of said body portion.

Claim 7

The instrument of claim 5 , wherein: said distal passage includes a distal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward said plurality of treatment portions and a proximal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward a side of said body opposite said treatment portions; and said proximal passage includes a distal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward said plurality of treatment portions and a proximal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward a side of said body opposite said treatment portions.

Claim 8

The instrument of claim 6 , wherein said body portion includes a slot orthogonally oriented to said longitudinal axis of said body portion and located proximally of said proximal passage.

Claim 9

The instrument of claim 7 , wherein: said distal guide member extends through said distal passage of said body portion, said proximal guide member extends through said proximal passage of said body portion, and said linkage member extends through said proximal slot of said body portion.

Claim 10

The instrument of claim 8 , wherein said coupling assembly includes a drive member and a pair of linkage plates extending distally from opposite sides of said drive member, said linkage member extending between said linkage plates distally of said drive member.

Claim 11

The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said at least one treatment member comprises a second treatment member movable simultaneously therewith from a deployed position to an undeployed position with said actuating system, said second treatment member including a plurality of treatment portions extending in a direction opposite said plurality of treatment portions of said at least one member, said plurality of treatment portions being adapted to at least partially penetrate an adjacent vertebral endplate in said deployed position.

Claim 12

The instrument of claim 10 , wherein each of said treatment members includes: a body portion extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end; and said plurality of treatment portions extend along one side of said body portion between said proximal end and said distal end.

Claim 13

The instrument of claim 11 , wherein for each of said treatment members: said body portion includes a distal passage oriented transversely to said longitudinal axis of said body portion and a proximal passage oriented transversely to said longitudinal axis of said body portion.

Claim 14

The instrument of claim 12 , wherein for each of said treatment members: said distal passage includes a distal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward said plurality of treatment portions and a proximal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward a side of said body opposite said treatment portions; and said proximal passage includes a distal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward said plurality of treatment portions and a proximal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward a side of said body opposite said treatment portions.

Claim 15

The instrument of claim 13 , wherein for each of said treatment members: said body portion includes a slot orthogonally oriented to said longitudinal axis of said body portion and located proximally of said proximal passage.

Claim 16

The instrument of claim 14 , wherein: said distal guide member extends through said distal passage of said body portion of each of said treatment members, said proximal guide member extends through said proximal passage of said body portion of each of said treatment members, and said linkage member extends through said proximal slot of said body portion of each of said treatment members.

Claim 17

The instrument of claim 10 , wherein for each of said treatment members: a distal end of said treatment members includes a tapered nose, wherein in said undeployed position said noses are substantially aligned with one another along a longitudinal axis of the treatment instrument and in said deployed position each of said noses are advanced distally and offset from one another on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the treatment instrument.

Claim 18

The instrument of claim 10 , wherein each of said treatment members moves parallel to the longitudinal axis between the undeployed and deployed positions.

Claim 19

The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said at least one treatment member includes a plurality of treatment members positioned in side-by-side relation, each of which include a plurality of treatment portions, wherein said treatment portions of adjacent ones of said treatment members extend in opposite directions.

Claim 20

The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said first and second flange members define an upper opening and a lower opening therebetween, wherein in said deployed position said plurality of treatment portions extend through one of said upper and lower openings.

Claim 21

The instrument of claim 19 , wherein said first and second flange members further define a distal opening and in said deployed position said at least one treatment member extends through said distal opening.

Claim 22

The instrument of claim 19 , wherein in said undeployed position said at least one treatment member is positioned entirely between said first and second flange members.

Claim 23

A vertebral endplate treatment instrument, comprising: a handle assembly; an actuating assembly extending distally from said handle assembly along a longitudinal axis; and a treatment system at a distal end of said actuating assembly, said treatment system including at least one treatment member extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein said at least one treatment member is movable away from said longitudinal axis with said actuating assembly from an undeployed position to a deployed position with said longitudinal axis of said at least one treatment member remaining generally parallel with said longitudinal axis of said actuating assembly and said at least one treatment member is adapted to move distally along said longitudinal axis toward said deployed position with said distal end of said at least one treatment member extending distally beyond said distal end of said actuating assembly, wherein said at least one treatment member includes: a body portion extending along said longitudinal axis of said at least one treatment member between a proximal end and a distal end, said body portion including a plurality of treatment portions extending along one side of said body portion between said proximal end and said distal end, wherein said body portion includes a distal passage oriented transversely to said longitudinal axis of said body portion and a proximal passage oriented transversely to said longitudinal axis of said body portion, said distal passage includes a distal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward said plurality of treatment portions and a proximal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward a side of said body opposite said treatment portions and said proximal passage includes a distal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward said plurality of treatment portions and a proximal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward a side of said body opposite said treatment portions, wherein said body portion includes a slot orthogonally oriented to said longitudinal axis of said body portion and located proximally of said proximal passage; wherein said actuating assembly includes: a mounting member including a distal mounting portion to which said at least one treatment member is movably mounted; and an actuating member movable relative to said mounting member from a first position wherein said at least one treatment member is in said undeployed position and substantially enclosed in said mounting portion to reduce contact by said plurality of treatment portions with tissue to a second position wherein said at least one treatment member is in said deployed position.

Claim 24

A vertebral endplate treatment instrument, comprising: a handle assembly; an actuating assembly extending distally from said handle assembly along a longitudinal axis; and a treatment system at a distal end of said actuating assembly, said treatment system including at least one treatment member extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein said at least one treatment member is movable away from said longitudinal axis with said actuating assembly from an undeployed position to a deployed position with said longitudinal axis of said at least one treatment member remaining generally parallel with said longitudinal axis of said actuating assembly and said at least one treatment member is adapted to move distally along said longitudinal axis toward said deployed position with said distal end of said at least one treatment member extending distally beyond said distal end of said actuating assembly, wherein said at least one treatment member includes: a body portion extending along said longitudinal axis of said at least one treatment member between a proximal end and a distal end, said body portion including a plurality of treatment portions extending along one side of said body portion between said proximal end and said distal end, wherein said body portion includes a distal passage oriented transversely to said longitudinal axis of said body portion and a proximal passage oriented transversely to said longitudinal axis of said body portion, said distal passage includes a distal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward said plurality of treatment portions and a proximal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward a side of said body opposite said treatment portions and said proximal passage includes a distal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward said plurality of treatment portions and a proximal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward a side of said body opposite said treatment portions, wherein said body portion includes a slot orthogonally oriented to said longitudinal axis of said body portion and located proximally of said proximal passage; wherein said actuating assembly includes: a mounting member including a distal mounting portion to which said at least one treatment member is movably mounted; and an actuating member movable relative to said mounting member from a first position wherein said at least one treatment member is in said undeployed position and substantially enclosed in said mounting portion to reduce contact by said plurality of treatment portions with tissue to a second position wherein said at least one treatment member is in said deployed position.

Claim 25

The instrument of claim 22 , wherein said plurality of treatment portions are adapted to at least partially penetrate a vertebral endplate in said deployed position.

Claim 26

The instrument of claim 22 , wherein said at least one treatment member comprises a second treatment member extending along a longitudinal axis and movable simultaneously with said at least one treatment member from a deployed position to an undeployed position with said actuating system.

Claim 27

The instrument of claim 24 , wherein said longitudinal axis of each of said treatment members moves parallel to said longitudinal axis of said actuator assembly between said undeployed and deployed positions.

Claim 28

The instrument of claim 25 , wherein said treatment members each include a plurality of treatment portions, said plurality of treatment portions of said at least one treatment member being oriented in a direction opposite the plurality of treatment portions of said second treatment member, said plurality of treatment portions being adapted to at least partially penetrate an adjacent vertebral endplate in said deployed position.

Claim 29

The instrument of claim 22 , wherein: said actuating member includes a shaft and a coupling assembly at a distal end of said shaft in said mounting portion, said coupling assembly including a linkage member; said mounting member includes a shaft defining a passage for receiving said actuating member, said mounting portion including: a first flange member and a second flange member spaced from said first flange member, said at least one treatment member being positioned between said first and second flange members; a distal guide member extending between said first and second flange members; and a proximal guide member extending between said first and second flange members, wherein said distal guide member extends through said distal passage of said body portion, said proximal guide member extends through said proximal passage of said body portion, and said linkage member extends through said proximal slot of said body portion.

Claim 30

The instrument of claim 27 , wherein said coupling assembly includes a drive member and a pair of linkage plates extending distally from opposite sides of said drive member, said linkage member extending between said linkage plates distally of said drive member.

Claim 31

A vertebral endplate treatment instrument, comprising: a handle assembly; an actuating assembly extending distally from said handle assembly; a treatment system at a distal end of said actuating assembly, said treatment system including at least one treatment member extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein said at least one treatment member includes a body portion extending along said longitudinal axis of said at least one treatment member between a proximal end and a distal end, said body portion including a first side surface and an opposite second side surface extending along said longitudinal axis and said at least one treatment member includes a plurality of treatment portions extending between said first and second side surfaces and between said proximal and distal ends of said body portion, said body portion further including a distal passage defining an elongated first opening along each of said first and second surfaces that is obliquely oriented to said longitudinal axis of said body portion and a proximal passage defining an elongated second opening along each of said first and second surfaces that is obliquely oriented to said longitudinal axis, wherein said body portion includes a slot opening at said first and second side surfaces and orthogonally oriented to said longitudinal axis of said body portion and located proximally of said proximal passage; wherein said actuating assembly includes: a mounting member including a distal mounting portion to which said at least one treatment member is movably mounted; and an actuating member movable relative to said mounting member from a first position wherein said at least one treatment member is in an undeployed position to a second position wherein said at least one treatment member is in a deployed position, said actuating member including a shaft and a coupling assembly at a distal end of said shaft in said mounting portion, said coupling assembly including a linkage member; said mounting member includes a shaft defining a passage for receiving said actuating member, said mounting portion including: a first flange member and a second flange member spaced from said first flange member, said at least one treatment member being positioned between said first and second flange members, wherein said first and second flange members substantially enclose said at least one treatment member in said undeployed position to prevent said plurality of treatment portions from contacting tissue; a distal guide member extending between said first and second flange members; and a proximal guide member extending between said first and second flange members, wherein said distal guide member extends through said distal passage of said body portion, said proximal guide member extends through said proximal passage of said body portion, and said linkage member extends through said proximal slot of said body portion.

Claim 32

A vertebral endplate treatment instrument, comprising: a handle assembly; an actuating assembly extending distally from said handle assembly; a treatment system at a distal end of said actuating assembly, said treatment system including at least one treatment member extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein said at least one treatment member includes a body portion extending along said longitudinal axis of said at least one treatment member between a proximal end and a distal end, said body portion including a first side surface and an opposite second side surface extending along said longitudinal axis and said at least one treatment member includes a plurality of treatment portions extending between said first and second side surfaces and between said proximal and distal ends of said body portion, said body portion further including a distal passage defining an elongated first opening along each of said first and second surfaces that is obliquely oriented to said longitudinal axis of said body portion and a proximal passage defining an elongated second opening along each of said first and second surfaces that is obliquely oriented to said longitudinal axis, wherein said body portion includes a slot opening at said first and second side surfaces and orthogonally oriented to said longitudinal axis of said body portion and located proximally of said proximal passage; wherein said actuating assembly includes: a mounting member including a distal mounting portion to which said at least one treatment member is movably mounted; and an actuating member movable relative to said mounting member from a first position wherein said at least one treatment member is in an undeployed position to a second position wherein said at least one treatment member is in a deployed position, said actuating member including a shaft and a coupling assembly at a distal end of said shaft in said mounting portion, said coupling assembly including a linkage member; said mounting member includes a shaft defining a passage for receiving said actuating member, said mounting portion including: a first flange member and a second flange member spaced from said first flange member, said at least one treatment member being positioned between said first and second flange members, wherein said first and second flange members substantially enclose said at least one treatment member in said undeployed position to prevent said plurality of treatment portions from contacting tissue; a distal guide member extending between said first and second flange members; and a proximal guide member extending between said first and second flange members, wherein said distal guide member extends through said distal passage of said body portion, said proximal guide member extends through said proximal passage of said body portion, and said linkage member extends through said proximal slot of said body portion.

Claim 33

The instrument of claim 29 , wherein said at least one treatment member is movable with said actuating assembly from said undeployed position to said deployed position with said longitudinal axis of said at least one treatment member remaining generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of said actuating assembly.

Claim 34

The instrument of claim 29 , wherein said plurality of treatment portions are adapted to at least partially penetrate a vertebral endplate in said deployed position.

Claim 35

The instrument of claim 29 , wherein said at least one treatment member comprises a second treatment member movable simultaneously therewith from a deployed position to an undeployed position with said actuating system, said second treatment member including a plurality of treatment portions along a body portion thereof extending in a direction opposite of said plurality of treatment portions of said at least one treatment member.

Claim 36

The instrument of claim 32 , wherein each of said treatment members moves parallel to a longitudinal axis of said actuator assembly between the undeployed and deployed positions.

Claim 37

The instrument of claim 29 , wherein: said distal passage includes a distal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward said plurality of treatment portions and a proximal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward a side of said body opposite said treatment portions; and said proximal passage includes a distal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward said plurality of treatment portions and a proximal end offset from said longitudinal axis toward a side of said body opposite said treatment portions.

Claim 38

A vertebral endplate treatment instrument, comprising: a handle assembly; an actuating assembly extending distally from said handle assembly along a longitudinal axis; and a treatment system at a distal end of said actuating assembly, said treatment system including at least a first treatment member and a second treatment member movable simultaneously with said first treatment member in parallel relation away from said longitudinal axis from an undeployed position to a deployed position, wherein: for each of said first treatment member and said second treatment member a distal end includes a tapered nose, wherein in said undeployed position said noses are substantially aligned with one another along a longitudinal axis of the treatment instrument and in said deployed position each of said noses are advanced distally and offset from one another on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the treatment instrument; said at least first and second treatment members include a plurality of treatment portions extending in a direction opposite one another and adapted to at least partially penetrate a vertebral endplate in said deployed position; said at least first and second treatment members move parallel to the longitudinal axis between the undeployed and deployed positions; wherein said actuating assembly includes: a mounting member including a distal mounting portion to which said at least first treatment member and said second treatment member are movably mounted; and an actuating member movable relative to said mounting member from a first position wherein said at least first treatment member and said second treatment member are in said undeployed position and substantially enclosed by said mounting portion to reduce contact by said plurality of treatment portions with tissue to a second position wherein said at least first treatment member and said second treatment member are in said deployed position.

Claim 39

A vertebral endplate treatment instrument, comprising: a handle assembly; an actuating assembly extending distally from said handle assembly along a longitudinal axis; and a treatment system at a distal end of said actuating assembly, said treatment system including at least a first treatment member and a second treatment member movable simultaneously with said first treatment member in parallel relation away from said longitudinal axis from an undeployed position to a deployed position, wherein: for each of said first treatment member and said second treatment member a distal end includes a tapered nose, wherein in said undeployed position said noses are substantially aligned with one another along a longitudinal axis of the treatment instrument and in said deployed position each of said noses are advanced distally and offset from one another on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the treatment instrument; said at least first and second treatment members include a plurality of treatment portions extending in a direction opposite one another and adapted to at least partially penetrate a vertebral endplate in said deployed position; said at least first and second treatment members move parallel to the longitudinal axis between the undeployed and deployed positions; wherein said actuating assembly includes: a mounting member including a distal mounting portion to which said at least first treatment member and said second treatment member are movably mounted; and an actuating member movable relative to said mounting member from a first position wherein said at least first treatment member and said second treatment member are in said undeployed position and substantially enclosed by said mounting portion to reduce contact by said plurality of treatment portions with tissue to a second position wherein said at least first treatment member and said second treatment member are in said deployed position.

Claim 40

The instrument of claim 35 , wherein said plurality of treatment portions are in the form of spikes having an outwardly extending pointed end.

Claim 41

The instrument of claim 35 , wherein said first treatment member includes a body portion extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end and said second treatment member includes a body portion extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end.

Claim 42

The instrument of claim 37 , wherein each of said body portions includes a distal passage oriented transversely to said longitudinal axes of said body portions and a proximal passage oriented transversely to said longitudinal axes of said body portions.

Claim 43

The instrument of claim 38 , wherein: each of said distal passages includes a distal end offset from said longitudinal axes toward said plurality of treatment portions and a proximal end offset from said longitudinal axes toward a side of said bodies opposite said treatment portions; and each of said proximal passages includes a distal end offset from said longitudinal axes toward said plurality of treatment portions and a proximal end offset from said longitudinal axes toward a side of said bodies opposite said treatment portions.

Claim 44

The instrument of claim 39 , wherein each of said body portions includes a slot orthogonally oriented to said longitudinal axes of said body portions and located proximally of said proximal passages.

Claim 45

The instrument of claim 40 , wherein: said actuating member includes a shaft and a coupling assembly at a distal end of said shaft in said mounting portion, said coupling assembly including a linkage member; said mounting member includes a shaft defining a passage for receiving said actuating member, said mounting portion including: a first flange member and a second flange member spaced from said first flange member, said at least first treatment member and said second treatment member being positioned between said first and second flange members; a distal guide member extending between said first and second flange members; and a proximal guide member extending between said first and second flange members, wherein said distal guide member extends through said distal passages of said body portions, said proximal guide member extends through said proximal passages of said body portions, and said linkage member extends through said proximal slots of said body portions.

Claim 46

The instrument of claim 41 , wherein said coupling assembly includes a drive member and a pair of linkage plates extending distally from opposite sides of said drive member, said linkage member extending between said linkage plates distally of said drive member.