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US 7,998,215 B2Granted
Devices and techniques for a posterior lateral disc space approach
AssigneeWarsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
InventorsGeorge Frey, John L. White, Steven D. DeRidder, Harald Ebner
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims16
A kit, comprising:
- an implant insertable in a space between vertebrae, said implant having a leading end portion, a trailing end portion, and a middle portion therebetween said implant further including:
- an upper bearing surface and an opposite lower bearing surface that each extend along said leading end portion, said middle portion, and said trailing end portion, said upper and lower bearing surfaces for engaging endplates of the vertebrae when said implant is positioned in the space;
- an anterior wall that is convexly curved along said leading end portion, said middle portion, and said trailing end portion;
- a posterior wall opposite of said anterior wall, and said posterior is concavely curved along said leading end portion, said middle portion, and said trailing end portion;
- an inserter instrument comprising:
- a proximal portion including a handle and a shaft extending distally from said handle, said proximal portion extending along a central axis;
- and
- an implant engaging portion at a distal end of said shaft, said implant engaging portion configured to engage said anterior wall and said posterior wall along at least said trailing end portion of said implant such that said leading end portion of said implant extends way from the central axis of said proximal portion.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.