Spinal implants, insertion instruments, and methods of use

An insertion device adapted for installing a main body assembly in the spine, said device comprising:

• an elongated body having a longitudinal body axis;
• a proximal end having a handle;
• and
• a distal end having an insertion tip comprising:
• two alignment pins that are perpendicular to said longitudinal body axis;
• and
• a spring loaded locking mechanism having first and second locking pins adapted to engage said main body assembly.

An insertion device adapted for installing a wing on an main body assembly in the spine, said device comprising:

• an elongated body having a longitudinal body axis;
• a proximal end having a handle;
• and
• a distal end having an insertion tip comprising:
• at least one alignment pin;
• and
• a rotatable engagement head.

An insertion device for installing a wing on an main body assembly in the spine, said device comprising:

• an elongated body having a longitudinal body axis;
• a proximal end having a handle and a turning knob;
• and
• a distal end having an insertion tip comprising:
• two alignment pins;
• and
• a spring loaded, rotatable engagement head operably coupled to said turning knob and adapted to engage a rotatable component of said main body assembly.

A system with a device for insertion of a main body assembly in the spine of a patient and a main body assembly, comprising:

• (a) an main body assembly insertion device comprising:
• (1) at least one alignment pin;
• and
• (2) a locking mechanism;
• (b) an main body assembly comprising:
• (1) a body portion having a longitudinal axis and a first end having a wing having at least one alignment hole;
• and
• (2) a spacer received over said longitudinal axis, said spacer being rotatable about said axis, said spacer having a second alignment hole;
• (c) wherein said at least one alignment pin of the insertion device is selecting engageable with at least one of said alignment holes on the wing of said body portion;
• and
• (d) wherein said locking mechanism is selectably engageable with the second alignment hole of said spacer.

A system with a device for inserting a wing in the spine of a patient and a wing, said device and wing comprising:

• (a) a wing insertion device having
• (1) at least one alignment pin;
• and
• (2) a rotatable engagement head;
• (b) a wing having:
• (1) a wing plane and having at least one alignment hole;
• and
• (2) a wing implant locking mechanism having:
• (i) a first element adapted to receive said rotatable engagement head;
• (ii) a second element adapted to engage with a main body assembly, said locking mechanism aligned substantially parallel to said wing plane, said locking mechanism being rotatable with respect to said wing;
• (c) wherein said at-least one alignment pin of said device is selectively engageable with said alignment hole of said wing;
• and
• (d) wherein said rotatable engagement head of said device is selectably engageable with the first element of said wing implant locking mechanism.

A method for inserting a main body assembly into the spine of a patient, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a main body assembly insertion device having:
• (1) an elongated body having a longitudinal body axis;
• (2) a proximal end having a handle;
• and
• (3) an engagement element with:
• (i) at least one alignment pin;
• and
• (ii) a device locking mechanism adapted to engage main body assembly;
• (b) providing an main body assembly for insertion into a spine, comprising:
• (1) a body portion having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end, and having a wing at said first end and at least one alignment hole;
• (2) a spacer received over said longitudinal axis, said spacer being rotatable about said longitudinal axis, said spacer having a second alignment hole;
• and
• (3) a tissue expander;
• (c) inserting said alignment pin of said main body assembly insertion device through said alignment hole of a main body assembly;
• (d) inserting said locking device into said second alignment hole of said spacer;
• and
• (e) urging said tissue expander adjacent spinous processes so that said spacer is located between said spinous processes and said wing is adjacent to said spinous processes;
• and
• (f) removing said insertion device.

A method for inserting a spinal implant into a patient, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a main body assembly comprising a right wing, said main body assembly for location between two spinous processes of said patient;
• (b) providing a left wing implant insertion device with:
• (1) at least one alignment pin;
• and
• (2) a rotatable engagement head;
• (c) providing a left wing implant, comprising:
• (1) a left wing having at least one alignment hole;
• and
• (2) a left wing implant locking mechanism adapted to engage with said main body assembly, said left locking mechanism being rotatable with respect to said left wing;
• (d) inserting an alignment pin of said left wing implant device through an alignment hole of a left wing implant;
• (e) urging said rotatable engagement head into engagement with the wing implant locking mechanism;
• and
• (f) positioning said left wing implant adjacent to two spinous processes;
• (g) inserting said left wing locking mechanism into said main body;
• and
• (h) rotating said left wing implant locking mechanism to secure said left wing implant with said main body assembly;
• and
• (i) removing said left wing implant device.

A method of inserting a two piece implant into a patient comprising the steps of:

• connecting a first insertion device to a first piece of the implant;
• connecting a second insertion device to a second piece of the implant;
• inserting the first piece into the patient with the first insertion device;
• inserting the second piece into the patient with the second insertion device;
• using the second insertion device to connect the first piece of the implant to the second piece of the implant;
• and
• disengaging the first insertion device from the first piece and the second insertion device from the second piece.

A method for inserting an implant into a patient comprising the steps of:

• selection a plurality of test spacer implants of varying sizes;
• inserting a first test spacer implant in order to distract apart at least one of bone or other tissue;
• using a subsequent test spacer implant of a size larger than the first test spacer implant in order to further distract apart at least one of bone or other tissue;
• implanting the implant in the location which as been created by the distraction through the inserting and using steps.