In-situ intervertebral fusion device and method

A method of promoting fusion of an intervertebral disc space, comprising:

• removing disc tissue from an intervertebral disc space,
• translaterally introducing an implant into the intervertebral disc space so as to extend essentially transversely across a vertebral endplate, and
• contacting the implant to a cortical rim of the endplate upon opposed lateral portions of the cortical rim,
• wherein the implant terminates anterior to a posterior portion of the cortical rim,
• wherein the implant has a footprint such that it occupies an area of the vertebral endplate in the range of 3% to 40% of the vertebral endplate.

A method of introducing an implant to an intervertebral space, comprising:

• performing a discectomy on an intervertebral space,
• delivering an implant through an instrument having an inside diameter, the implant having a long axis and a short axis that is perpendicular to the long axis;
• and
• translaterally introducing the implant to the intervertebral space such that the long axis of the implant extends essentially transversely across a vertebral endplate and such that the implant extends from a first lateral portion of a cortical rim of the vertebral endplate to a second opposite lateral portion of the cortical rim and terminates anterior to a posterior portion of the cortical rim,
• the implant being effective to assist in promoting fusion of the disc space,
• wherein the implant has a footprint such that it occupies an area of the vertebral endplate in the range of 3% to 40% of the vertebral endplate.

A method of promoting fusion of an intervertebral space, comprising:

• removing disc tissue from a lumber intervertebral disc space,
• translaterally introducing a strut into the lumbar intervertebral space through a cannula;
• and
• placing the strut within the lumbar intervertebral space such that the strut extends essentially transversely across a vertebral endplate from a first lateral portion of a cortical rim of the vertebral endplate to a second, opposite lateral portion of the cortical rim,
• wherein the strut terminates anterior to a posterior portion of the cortical rim,
• wherein the strut has a footprint such that it occupies an area of the vertebral endplate in a range of 3% to 40% of the vertebral endplate.