Spinal plate selection and positioning system

A system for fusing a first vertebra and a second vertebra of a spinal column, the first vertebra and second vertebra defining a disc space, said system comprising:

• an interbody cage having a proximal end and a distal end, the interbody cage configured and dimensioned to fit within the disc space;
• an elongated guide member removably attachable to the interbody cage, the elongated guide member extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the elongated guide member having an outer surface;
• and
• an interbody plate having an inner surface defining a guide hole, said guide hole configured and dimensioned to receive the elongated guide member to thereby align and position said interbody plate over the disc space;
• wherein the inner surface of the interbody plate engages the outer surface of the elongated guide member to prevent the interbody plate from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the elongated guide member.

A system for joining a first vertebra and a second vertebra of a spinal column, the first vertebra and second vertebra defining a disc space, said system comprising:

• an interbody cage having a proximal end and a distal end, the interbody cage configured and dimensioned to fit within the disc space;
• an elongated guide member removably attachable to the interbody cage, the elongated guide member having an outer surface and extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis;
• and
• a drill guide having an inner surface defining a guide hole, said guide hole configured and dimensioned to receive the elongated guide member such that said drill guide can slide down the elongated guide member into position over the interbody cage;
• wherein the inner surface of the drill guide engages the outer surface of the elongated guide member to prevent the drill guide from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the elongated guide member.

An interspinous device for use in a spinal fixation surgery, said device comprising:

• an interbody cage, the interbody cage having a superior surface and an inferior surface;
• the interbody cage further having a sidewall extending between the superior surface and the inferior surface, the sidewall circumscribing the interbody cage, the sidewall defining a distal end and a proximal end of the interbody cage;
• a first set of grooves formed in the superior surface, the first set of grooves extending from the proximal end towards the distal end;
• and
• a second set of grooves disposed on the inferior surface, the second set of grooves extending from the proximal end towards the distal end.

A spinal fixation device comprising:

• an interbody plate having a proximal end and a distal end;
• the interbody plate having an inner sidewall defining a guide hole, the guide hole being non-circular;
• and
• the interbody plate having a first set of holes and a second set of holes.

An interspinous system comprising:

• an interbody cage having a proximal end and a distal end, the interbody cage configured and dimensioned to fit within a disc space between a first vertebra and a second vertebra;
• a guide member removably attachable to the interbody cage, the guide member extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the elongated guide member having an outer surface and an elongated cross section;
• and
• an interbody plate having an inner surface defining a guide hole, said guide hole configured and dimensioned to receive the guide member to thereby align and center said interbody plate with respect to the interbody cage;
• wherein the inner surface of the interbody plate engages the outer surface of the guide member to prevent the interbody plate from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the elongated guide member.

A system for joining a first vertebra and a second vertebra of a spinal column, the first vertebra and second vertebra defining a disc space, said system comprising:

• an interbody cage, the interbody cage configured and dimensioned to fit within the disc space, the interbody cage having a superior surface and an inferior surface, the interbody cage having a sidewall extending between the superior surface and the inferior surface, the sidewall circumscribing the interbody cage, the sidewall defining a proximal end and a distal end of the interbody cage, the superior surface having a first set of grooves formed therein, the first set of grooves extending from the proximal end towards the distal end, the inferior surface having a second set of grooves formed therein, the second set of grooves extending from the proximal end towards the distal end, a threaded bore extending into the proximal end of the sidewall, and a key slot extending over the threaded bore;
• an elongated guide member removably attachable to the interbody cage, the elongated guide member having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface and a longitudinal axis, the elongated guide member having a cannulation extending along the longitudinal axis from the proximal end to the distal end, the elongated guide member have a key member extending from its distal end, wherein said key member is configured and adapted to mate with said key slot in the interbody cage, the elongated guide member having a non-circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to its longitudinal axis;
• a holding rod, the holding rod having a threaded end, said threaded end configured and dimensioned to engage the threaded bore of the interbody cage, the holding rod configured and dimensioned to be inserted into the cannulation of the elongated guide member such that the holding rod secures the elongated guide member to the interbody cage;
• an interbody plate having a proximal end and a distal end, the interbody plate having an inner sidewall defining a guide hole, the guide hole extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the interbody plate having a first set of holes and a second set of holes, wherein the first set of holes are splayed in a first direction, wherein the second set of holes are splayed in a second direction, wherein the guide hole is centrally located on the interbody plate, wherein the guide hole is non-circular, wherein one of the first set of holes is disposed on either side of the guide hole and one of the second set of holes is disposed on either side of the guide hole, wherein the elongated guide member is configured and adapted to be inserted into the guide hole, and wherein the inner sidewall of the interbody plate engages the outer surface of the elongated guide member to prevent the interbody plate from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the elongated guide member;
• and
• a drill guide, the drill guide having an inner surface defining a guide hole, said guide hole configured and dimensioned to receive the elongated guide member such that said drill guide can slide down the elongated guide member into position over the disc space, wherein the inner surface of the drill guide engages the outer surface of the elongated guide member to prevent the drill guide from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the elongated guide member, the drill guide comprising a plurality of bit guide tubes for receiving a drill bit.