Systems and methods for transcorporeal microdecompression
Inventors
Morris, Ross • Crawford, Neil • Johnson, Norbert
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12471934-B2
Publication Date
2025-11-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
Devices, systems, and methods for performing a transcorporeal microdecompression are described. The transcorporeal microdecompression may include a bone void plug allograft and specialized instruments for performing the procedure. This procedure may be performed under navigation and/or with robotic assistance.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to transcorporeal microdecompression of the cervical spine using an allograft bone void plug and a tapered anti-migration side wall. The implant includes a graft window and an inserter interface including a dovetail and/or circular dovetail so that the plug is inserted while resisting migration.
The disclosure further provides an implant inserter with an interface compatible with the plug, including a dedicated plug inserter having a compressible split dovetail tip. This inserter interface engages the dovetail/circular-dovetail features to facilitate controlled placement of the bone void plug in the cervical spine during transcorporeal microdecompression.
For trajectory control, the disclosure describes a uniplanar variable-angle drill guide used with a surgical navigation system or a surgical robot system, including a base adapted to be fastened to the anterior surface of a vertebral body. The guide tube is coupled to the base so that the guide tube is pivoted and/or polyaxially oriented relative to the vertebral body at a selected angular orientation while the drill is guided.
The navigation/robot workflow includes an array of tracking markers associated with the base and trackable by the surgical navigation system or the surgical robot system, using camera-based 3D localization and a dynamic reference base with a polyaxial ball-joint guide tube locking mechanism. Pre-operative and intra-operative planning uses CT/MRI and corresponding overlays/workflow to create an access channel and to insert the implant while maintaining trajectory control and avoiding spinal canal entry.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a drill guide used with a surgical navigation system or surgical robot system, and they share three main inventive elements: a base attachable to the anterior surface of a vertebral body, an array of tracking markers for tracking, and a guide tube that is coupled to the base to drill at a selected angular orientation. Across the two independent claims, one focuses on pivotally coupled structure while the other focuses on polyaxially coupled structure, with dependent claims further specifying tracking marker types and locking/coupling geometry.
Anterior vertebral-body mount with tracking-marker array
A drill guide comprising a base adapted to be fastened to an anterior surface of a vertebral body and an array of tracking markers adapted to be attached to the base and trackable by the surgical navigation system or the surgical robot system.
Pivotally oriented guide tube for selected angular drilling
A drill guide further comprising a guide tube pivotally coupled to the base and adapted to receive a drill for drilling the vertebral body at a selected angular orientation of the guide tube relative to the vertebral body.
Polyaxially coupled guide tube for selected angular drilling
A drill guide comprising a base adapted to be fastened to an anterior surface of a vertebral body, an array of tracking markers adapted to be attached to the base and trackable by the surgical navigation system or the surgical robot system, and a guide tube polyaxially coupled to the base and adapted to receive a drill for drilling the vertebral body at a selected angular orientation of the guide tube relative to the vertebral body.
Together, the independent claims require a vertebral-body-mountable drill guide with trackable tracking markers and a guide tube coupled to the base so the drill can be directed at a selected angular orientation, with coupling implemented either pivotally or polyaxially. Dependent claims further refine the marker types and add structural coupling geometry and locking to maintain the selected angular orientation.
Stated Advantages
Avoiding spinal canal entry.
Minimizing manual flaring.
Stabilizing reference.
Documented Applications
Transcorporeal microdecompression of the cervical spine using an allograft bone void plug with an inserter interface including dovetail and/or circular dovetail, with guided drilling using a navigation/robot-assisted workflow and drill guide.
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