Spinal fusion implant and related methods

A system for performing spinal fusion surgery, comprising:

• an implant composed of non-bone, radiolucent material having a top surface having a plurality of anti-migration features, a bottom surface having a plurality of anti-migration features, a first curved side surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces, a second curved side surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces opposite from the first curved side surface and having a height greater than the first side surface, a first at least one fusion aperture extending between the top and bottom surfaces, said implant including an attachment channel extending along the length of said proximal end and along a portion of each of said first and second curved sides, said attachment channel being releasably coupleable to an insertion tool, said implant having radioopaque image enhancing element to facilitate the proper positioning of the implant within a disc space;
• and a first radiopaque image enhancing element approximate to the apex of the curve of the second side surface, a second radiopaque image enhancing element disposed approximate to the proximal end of the implant, and a third radiopaque image enhancing element disposed approximate to the distal end of the implant to facilitate proper positioning of the implant within a disc space, wherein said first radiopaque element and said second radiopaque element are generally cylindrical with the same approximate diameter but different heights, and wherein the third radiopaque element is generally cylindrical with a diameter larger than the diameter of the first and second radiopaque elements and a height smaller than said first and second radiopaque elements;
• and
• an insertion tool having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said distal end includes generally fork-like prongs dimensioned to be releasably coupled to the attachment channel.

A method of performing spinal fusion surgery, comprising the steps of:

• (a) coupling a non-bone spinal implant to an insertion tool, said spinal implant comprising a body composed of non-bone, radiolucent material having a top surface having a plurality of anti-migration features, a bottom surface having a plurality of anti-migration features, a first curved side surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces, a second curved side surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces opposite from the first curved side surface and having a height greater than the first side surface, at least one fusion aperture extending between the top and bottom surfaces, said body including an attachment feature for coupling to said insertion tool, said implant having a first radiopaque image enhancing element approximate to the apex of the curve of the second side surface, a second radiopaque image enhancing element disposed approximate to the proximal end of the body, and a third radiopaque image enhancing element disposed approximate to the distal end of the body to facilitate proper positioning of the body within a disc space, wherein said first radiopaque element and said second radiopaque element are generally cylindrical with the same approximate diameter but different heights, and wherein the third radiopaque element is generally cylindrical with a diameter larger than the diameter of the first and second radiopaque elements and a height smaller than said first and second radiopaque elements;
• (b) introducing the spinal fusion implant, using the insertion tool, into a disc space in the lumbar spine via a transforaminal surgical technique;
• and
• (c) positioning the spinal fusion implant within the disc space such that the second side surface is generally adjacent to the anterior region of the disc space.