Instrument and method to determine an invertebral load

A method for determining cage sized for use in a spinal surgery involving two vertebra segments, the method comprising:

• modifying, by a sizing tool, a configuration of a cage template disposed at a distal end of the sizing tool while the cage template is positioned between the two vertebra segments, wherein the modifying is configured to alter a lordotic angle of the cage template, a height of the cage template, or both;
• measuring, by a plurality of sensors of the cage template, forces applied to the cage template by at least one of two vertebra segments during modification of the configuration of the cage template;
• outputting, by one or more processors, information associated with the forces applied to the cage template during the modifying;
• determining a cage for use in a spinal surgery involving the two vertebra segments based on a final configuration of the cage template, wherein the final configuration of the cage template is based at least in part on the modifying and the information associated with forces applied to the cage template during the modifying step;
• and
• selecting a different cage template in response to determining an optimal configuration of the cage template is not achievable using the cage template, wherein the modifying step, the measuring step, the outputting step, and the determining step are repeated with the different cage template.

A kit for spinal surgery comprising:

• a cage template comprising:
• a top cage template;
• a bottom cage template;
• a plurality of sensors, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises:
• a first set of sensors corresponding to the top cage template;
• a second set of sensors corresponding to the bottom cage template,
• wherein the first set of sensors comprises one or more first peripheral sensors disposed at a periphery of the top cage template and one or more first interior sensors disposed proximate an aperture of the top cage template, and
• wherein the second set of sensors comprises one or more second peripheral sensors disposed at a periphery of the bottom cage template and one or more second interior sensors disposed proximate an aperture of the bottom cage template;
• and
• first and second control supports coupled to the top cage template and the bottom cage template, respectively,
• wherein a configuration of the cage template is adjustable to alter a height of the cage template, a lordotic angle of the cage template, or both, and
• wherein the one or more first peripheral sensors and the one or more second peripheral sensors are configured to measure first forces applied to a periphery of the top cage template and a periphery of the bottom cage template, respectively, by at least one of two vertebra segments during modification of the configuration of the cage template and the one or more first interior sensors and the one or more second interior sensors are configured to measure second forces applied to interior portions of the top cage template and the bottom cage template, respectively, by at least one of the two vertebra segments during modification of the configuration of the cage template.