Instrumentation and procedure for implanting spinal implant devices

An instrument set for forming an implant between bone structures, comprising:

• a plurality of implant members;
• a plurality of connectors;
• at least one spreader configured to couple to and insert implant members between the bone structures;
• and
• at least one separator configured to establish a separation distance between implant members coupled to the at least one spreader, wherein the at least one separator facilitates placement of connectors between implant members inserted between the bone structures.

A separator, comprising:

• a body;
• at least one passage through the body;
• and
• wherein the body is configured to separate members of an implant in a prepared space between adjacent bone structures.

A separator, comprising:

• a body configured to establish a separation distance between implant members;
• a first passage in a portion of the body, the first passage configured to allow a connector to pass from the body into portions of implant members;
• and
• a connector inhibitor in the first passage, the inhibitor configured to inhibit undesired release of a connector positioned in the first passage.

A spreader for forming an implant between adjacent bone structures, comprising:

• a body;
• and
• a first holder and a second holder configured to couple to inner surfaces of implant members;
• wherein the body is configured to insert the first and second holders coupled to the implant members in an initial position into a prepared space between adjacent bone structures.

A spreader, comprising:

• a body;
• a locking mechanism in the body configured to inhibit removal of a separator inserted into the body;
• a first arm extending from the body, the first arm having a first holder, wherein the first holder is configured to couple to an implant member;
• and
• a second arm extending from the body, the second arm having a second holder, wherein the second holder is configured to couple to an implant member.

A seater for forming an implant between adjacent bone structures, comprising:

• an attachment end, comprising:
• a first engager configured to couple to an implant member of the implant;
• and
• a second engager configured to engage a connector coupled to the implant member;
• and
• an activator configured to move the first engager relative to the second engager to lock the connector to the implant member.

A system for forming an implant between adjacent bone structures, comprising:

• a spreader comprising holders, wherein each holder is configured to couple to an inner surface of an implant member of the implant;
• at least one separator comprising passages for inserting connectors between the implant members;
• and
• a seater;
• wherein the separator is configured to be inserted between coupled implant members inserted between the adjacent bone structures by the spreader, and wherein the seater is configured to couple an implant member of the implant and lock connectors inserted between the implant members by the separator to the coupled implant member.

A method of forming an implant between adjacent bone structures, comprising;

• inserting a pair of implant members a space between bone structures;
• separating the implant members to a desired separation distance;
• inserting connectors between the pair of implant members;
• and
• locking the connectors to the pair of implant members.

A method for forming an implant between bone structures, comprising:

• inserting a pair of implant members into a space between the bone structures;
• joining the implant members together with a connector;
• and
• locking the connector to the implant members.

An implant, comprising:

• a first implant member;
• a second implant member;
• and
• a connector insertable between the first implant member and the second implant member, wherein the connector comprising a body having an opening that allows the body to compress when a compressive load is applied to the first implant member and the second implant member, and a limiter configured to limit a distance of travel of a first end of the body towards a second end of the body.

An implant for separating bone structures, comprising:

• a pair of implant members configured to couple to the bone structures;
• and
• a connector configured to join the pair of implant members together, the connector comprising:
• a flexible member configured to allow a reduction in distance separating the pair of implant members when the implant members are subjected to a compressive load, the flexible member having a first portion separated from a second portion by a gap;
• and
• a limiter positioned in the gap, the limiter configured to inhibit reduction of the formed implant beyond a predetermined distance.

A method of forming a connector for an implant, comprising:

• removing material from a blank to provide flexibility to the material of the blank;
• coupling a limiter to the blank to limit the amount of flexibility the blank;
• and
• forming ends of the connector so the ends are configured to couple to implant members.