Methods and apparatus for implanting an interbody device

A delivery device for bilateral insertion of a plurality of interbody implants into an intervertebral space in a patient, said delivery device comprising:

• a first elongate tube having a first channel extending therethrough and having a predetermined height sized to fit in the intervertebral space, the elongate tube having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a first window with a longitudinal axis, wherein the first window is disposed adjacent the distal portion, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the first window is offset from the longitudinal axis of the first elongate tube, and
• wherein the first channel is sized to receive a first interbody implant, and
• wherein the first channel is configured such that the first interbody implant is advanced therealong from the proximal region toward the distal region, and the first interbody implant is deployed into the intervertebral space from the first window;
• a first elongate pusher shaft movably disposed in the first channel, wherein the first elongate pusher shaft is configured to engage and push the first interbody implant distally along the first channel, and wherein the first elongate pusher shaft expels the first interbody implant through the first window into the intervertebral space;
• a second elongate tube having a second channel extending therethrough and having a predetermined height sized to fit in the intervertebral space, the elongate tube having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a second window having a longitudinal axis, wherein the second window is disposed adjacent the distal portion, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the second window is offset from the longitudinal axis, and
• wherein the second channel is sized to receive a second interbody implant, and
• wherein the second channel is configured such that the second interbody implant is advanced therealong from the proximal region toward the distal region, and the second interbody implant is deployed into the intervertebral space from the second window;
• a second elongate pusher shaft movably disposed in the second channel, wherein the second elongate pusher shaft is configured to engage and push the second interbody implant distally along the second channel, and wherein the second elongate pusher shaft expels the second interbody implant through the second window into the intervertebral space;
• and
• a coupling element adjustably connected to the first and second elongate tubes,
• wherein a longitudinal force applied to both of the elongate pusher shafts is converted into a first and second lateral force, the first and second lateral forces opposite one another and normal to the respective longitudinal axis, the lateral forces pushing the respective interbody implant through the respective window into the intervertebral space.

A method for delivering an interbody implant into an intervertebral space in a patient, said method comprising:

• providing a delivery device having an elongate tube with a channel disposed therein and an interbody implant disposed in the channel;
• positioning a distal portion of the elongate tube into the intervertebral space;
• moving the interbody implant distally along the channel;
• and
• passing the interbody implant laterally through a window adjacent the distal portion of the elongate tube into the intervertebral space.