Back to results
US 2011/0218633 A1Published application
Devices and techniques for a posterior lateral disc space approach
AssigneeWarsaw Orothpedic, 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.
Claims20
1-81. (canceled)
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.
3 more elements
A method for engaging a spinal implant to an insertion instrument, comprising:
- selecting an inserter instrument that includes:
- a proximal portion including a handle and a shaft extending distally from the handle, the proximal portion extending along a central axis;
- an implant engaging portion at a distal end of the shaft;
- selecting an implant insertable in a space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes:
- a leading end portion, a trailing end portion, and a middle portion therebetween;
- an upper bearing surface and an opposite lower bearing surface that each extend along the leading end portion, the middle portion, and the trailing end portion, the upper and lower bearing surfaces for engaging endplates of the vertebrae when the implant is positioned in the space;
- an anterior wall that is convexly curved along at least a portion of the leading end portion, the middle portion, and the trailing end portion;
- a posterior wall opposite of the anterior wall, and the posterior is concavely curved along at least a portion of the leading end portion, the middle portion, and the trailing end portion;
- and
- engaging the implant engaging portion of the instrument to the anterior wall and the posterior wall of the implant along at least the trailing end portion of the implant such that the leading end portion of the implant extends way from the central axis of the proximal portion of the inserter instrument.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.