Devices and techniques for a posterior lateral disc space approach
AssigneeSDGI Holdings, Inc.
InventorsGeorge Frey, John L. White, Steven D. DeRidder, Harald Ebner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to devices and instruments for implant insertion through a posterior lateral opening to the disc space. The instruments include an implant inserter, and the devices include a spinal fusion implant engageable by the implant inserter. The implant provides bilateral support of the adjacent vertebrae when inserted into the disc space from a postero-lateral approach.
Claims86
An instrument for inserting a spinal implant, comprising:
- a proximal portion including a handle and a shaft extending distally from said handle;
- and
- an implant engaging portion at a distal end of said shaft, said implant engaging portion having a first member and a second member, said second member movable along said first member from a first position wherein said spinal implant is insertable between said first and second members to a second position wherein said first member and said second member engage the implant therebetween.
An instrument for inserting a spinal implant in a disc space, comprising:
- a proximal portion including a handle and a shaft extending distally from said handle;
- and
- an implant engaging portion at a distal end of said shaft, said implant engaging portion engageable to the spinal implant, said proximal portion engageable to said implant engaging portion in a first position for inserting the spinal implant in the disc space, said proximal portion movable relative to said implant engaging portion and engageable to said implant engaging portion in a second position for inserting the spinal implant in the disc space.
An instrument for inserting a spinal implant in a disc space, comprising:
- a proximal portion including a handle and shaft extending distally from said handle;
- and
- an implant engaging portion at a distal end of said shaft, said implant engaging portion engageable to the spinal implant;
- and
- an alignment instrument engageable to a proximal end of said proximal portion, said alignment instrument having an alignment member alignable with a portion of a patient's anatomy when the spinal implant is inserted to a desired position in the disc space.
A spinal implant insertable in a spinal disc space, the implant comprising a body including:
- a middle portion having opposite first and second ends;
- a leading end portion extending from said first end of said middle portion;
- a trailing end portion extending from said second end of said middle portion;
- an upper surface and an opposite lower surface along said middle portion and said leading end portion and said trailing end portion;
- and
- an inserter instrument engaging receptacle at a junction of said middle portion and said trailing end portion.
A spinal implant insertable in a spinal disc space, the implant comprising a body having:
- a leading end wall;
- a trailing end wall;
- a posterior wall extending between said leading end wall and said trailing end wall;
- and
- an anterior wall extending between said leading end wall and said trailing end wall, wherein said anterior wall includes a middle portion, a trailing end portion, and a leading end portion, said middle portion being offset anteriorly from said leading end portion and said trailing end portion.
A spinal implant insertable in a spinal disc space, the implant comprising a body including:
- a leading end wall;
- a trailing end wall;
- a posterior wall extending between said leading end wall and said trailing end wall;
- an anterior wall extending between said leading end wall and said trailing end wall;
- a first strut adjacent said leading end wall extending from said anterior wall to said posterior wall;
- a second strut adjacent said trailing end wall extending from said anterior wall to said posterior wall;
- a chamber formed by said first strut, said second strut, said anterior wall and said posterior wall;
- and
- an inserter instrument engaging receptacle at the junction of said second strut and said posterior wall.
A kit, comprising:
- an implant insertable in a spinal disc space, said implant having a leading end portion, a trailing end portion, and a middle portion therebetween;
- an inserter instrument comprising:
- a proximal portion including a handle and a shaft extending distally from said handle, said proximal portion extending along a central axis;
- an implant engaging portion at a distal end of said shaft, said implant engaging portion configured to engage said trailing end portion of said implant such that said leading end portion of said implant extends way from the central axis of said proximal portion.
A method for inserting an implant in a spinal disc space of a patient, comprising:
- accessing the spinal disc space;
- preparing the spinal disc space for insertion of the implant;
- engaging the implant to an inserter instrument in a first position relative to a proximal portion of the inserter instrument, the proximal portion being movable relative to the implant to a second position;
- selecting one of the first position and the second position;
- and
- inserting the implant in the spinal disc space with the proximal portion of the inserter instrument in the selected position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.